End Time Events

I’m about to share some things regarding events that are soon to be upon us. This is not done out of a desire that my theological insights be praised, but out of concern that many people are being misled. If they are, their belief could cost them dearly in the days ahead. I encourage you to study these matters for yourself, and then to help get the word out, if you come to the same conviction.

Let me clarify some terms I’ll be using here.

First is trib or tribulation: As used here, it denotes the seven-year period of the beast’s (antichrist’s) reign, marked by 3.5 years of persecution, followed by 3.5 years of God’s wrath.

Next, the beast, or antichrist: The world ruler who will violently oppose all that is of God, whom Jesus will destroy at His second-coming.

I’ve been ruminating on end time events for several years now. In doing so, I came to believe things, independent of others’ views, that are contrary to what I was taught as a child, which was the Pre-Trib Rapture theology. Imagine my surprise to find later, that others had come to the same conclusion, that being, the persecution of the Bride, followed by a Mid-Trib Rapture.

The Scripture makes it clear that “all of those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus, will suffer persecution.” Because of its wealth and prestige, the Church in the Western world has for some time, felt itself above it all. It’s about to get a rude awakening.

In the book of Daniel, we are told that the king who is to come, i.e. Antichrist, will wage war with the saints and will overcome them.

Dan 7:25
“He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
shall persecute the saints of the Most High,
and shall intend to change times and law.
Then the saints shall be given into his hand
for a time and times and half a time.”

In Revelation 11, we see the two witnesses, the two lamp-stands, the two olive trees, who torment the earth with the testimony of Jesus and demonstrations of the power of God. At the end of the first 3.5 years of the reign of the beast, he kills them. After 3.5 days of the world’s drunken boasting, God raises them from the dead and calls them with, “Come up here!” The unbelieving world is gripped with terror and on the cusp of God’s wrath.

Dan 12:7
“Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was
above the waters of the river, when he held up
his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and
swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be
for a time, times, and half a time; and when the
power of the holy people has been completely
shattered, all these things shall be finished.”

OK… my thoughts…

I believe the two witnesses to be believing Israel, and believing Gentiles: the Bride of Christ, the Church… the natural olive tree, and the wild one grafted-in. At this time, she has been purified by the Lord to the extent that His power in her is unmistakable. She opposes the beast and all that he stands for. She is persecuted by him, even to the point of a worldwide slaughter, that wipes out the power of the Body of Christ (see Dan 12:7 above).

Jesus asked His disciples this question, “Is the servant greater than his master?” Just as His power was crushed at the cross (seemingly), so too will the Bride be shamed and put to death by the beast. Immediately afterwards (3.5 days), the “rapture” occurs. (This is why Paul wrote by the Holy Spirit, “…we who are alive and remain…”) And just as Jesus was raised in triumph over the enemy, so too will the faithful-unto-death Bride be accorded that honor. The table is turned once again… for all time.

So, if you believe that the Church is to be taken out of the world before the antichrist appears, you may want to dig a little deeper. Yes, we will escape the wrath of God… but, we will not escape the great persecution.

Lest you believe I’ve jumped the tracks, please know that this is not solely my take on these events. Many other saints see it this way.