Over the past year and change, we have witnessed a series of violent, warlike events in the Middle East. Staring with Tunisia, and followed by Egypt and Libya, now in Syria and who knows; maybe Iraq, Afghanistan and even Iran; and perhaps all the way into Southeast Asia and Indonesia. And it appears more and more the Muslim Brotherhood is in the middle of it all.
Revelation 6:1,2 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see." And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.
Do you see the pattern? Could the Muslim Brotherhood (or a new Islamic Caliphate) be this white horse conquering nations? They seem to have been given leadership in Egypt and Libya so far, and who knows what kind of strings they are pulling behind the scenes elsewhere.
The next question one has to ask is: (especially if you are like me, a believer in the pre tribulation rapture) “Why are we still here?” The pre tribulation theory is, since the church is nowhere mentioned after Revelation 3, that the Church is no longer on earth; therefore, caught up. Is that theory wrong?
Maybe the theory is wrong. Maybe it’s not. Time will tell. If the theory is wrong, be assured, God is not wrong. We need to be patient and look at where we may have misunderstood prophecy. Remember, the Jews misunderstood the role of their Messiah. And prophecy is not given to us to predict future events as much as it is to show us our God in action. If we use bible prophecy to predict the future we will be wrong more often than right. Let the events happen, then see how it fits the prophecy. That’s what (I think) I’m doing here.
Maybe the theory is wrong. Maybe it’s not. Time will tell. If the theory is wrong, be assured, God is not wrong. We need to be patient and look at where we may have misunderstood prophecy. Remember, the Jews misunderstood the role of their Messiah. And prophecy is not given to us to predict future events as much as it is to show us our God in action. If we use bible prophecy to predict the future we will be wrong more often than right. Let the events happen, then see how it fits the prophecy. That’s what (I think) I’m doing here.
Also, the church may not have been mentioned after Revelation 3 because, like the entire Western Hemisphere, it too is irrelevant, in regard to the judgments that are to come. We could still be here on earth as late as the 7th trumpet is sounded. (Revelation 11:15; I Corinthians 15:52) Remember, the Anti-Christ has yet to be revealed up to this time. It’s my opinion the church will be caught up prior to much of this, but I see no hard, scriptural evidence to support it.
But enough gloom and doom for the moment. The pre tribulation rapture theory could still be true. At Rosh Hosanna, (for 2012, this would fall on the evening of September 16) trumpets are blown. The last trumpet we hear could be that of the Shofar on that day, or the year following, or any other festival in the future that has the trumpets blowing.
Regardless of when we are caught up to meet the Lord in the air, one thing is certain: we will meet the Lord in the air! We may lose our lives here on earth first; in which case, we will be raised up first! (1 Thessalonians 4:16) So, whether we are caught up before the nasty stuff hits the fan, or just before the worst of the worst comes down on mankind, be assured God is in control, He will not leave us or forsake us, and He will protect us from all spiritual harm. That’s the life that really matters! Life to our Lord is very precious indeed, but our earthly death is irrelevant to Him, and it should be to us as well.
So be prepared for an immediate or delayed rapture. For earthly needs, store up cash and marketable commodities; enough for yourself and to share with those caught off guard. Spiritually, be bold in sharing the gospel to all you can, praying continuously. Fear not, even at the risk of losing job, business, lifestyle, or life. This how treasure in heaven gets deposited. Besides, the soul you share Jesus with may be that last one saved before the trumpet sound we are waiting for is blown!
