Not only can a strong case can be made for the idea that Bible prophecy has a kind of "shelf-life." But that perspective is furthermore important for interpreting and understanding Bible prophecy.
All socioeconomic and geopolitical activity is predicated upon human relationships. All such activity involving human relationships thus being organic in nature, the world is continually in a state of flux. Bible prophecy is in every case related to human experience; therefore, prophecy must in some way also be organic in nature. In other words, the fulfillment of Bible prophecy is such that, according to the omniscience of God, not only shall certain events occur, but they shall occur at certain times in human history. Importantly, the time during which those events shall occur, is defined by the particular convergence of other factors.
For example, the future manifestation of the Antichrist is intimately connected with a certain act of his whereby he will defile the temple of God. Whereas, it is widely believed that the temple there spoken of in Scripture, alludes to a then-rebuilt Jewish temple somewhere in Israel. In order for such prophecy involving the manifestation of the Antichrist to occur, there must then exist at least two, concurrent realities, namely: 1) the nation of Israel; and 2) a rebuilt temple in Israel. Before the year 1948, there was no such nation of Israel; nor, yet, is there any such temple in Israel. Thus, notwithstanding that the Antichrist may even now be ready to come to power, nevertheless, his revealing, or the manifestation of his identity, evidently cannot occur until that the Jewish temple has been built in Israel.
The existence of which, nation of Israel; and, the absence of which temple: thus serves as a guidepost for interpreting certain Bible prophecies, as well as for understanding current events in the light of those prophecies. Those factors are also meaningful for anticipating the possible time frame ~ or the "shelf-life" ~ of those prophecies.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I believe we are right now living in that (brief window of) time during which the Rapture is most likely to occur. In other words, I believe that the "shelf-life" of the Rapture Event is already counting down to its "expiration date" ~ that is, a point in time beyond which any number of circumstances shall probably not be as favorably aligned as they are at present, with respect to the Rapture's occurrence.
For several compelling reasons (which I won't herein elaborate), it appears that Ezekiel's War is likely to occur very soon ~ probably, within the coming weeks to several months at most. The drama related to the transitional time until that the Trump Administration may(!) be not merely inaugurated but settled and established, it appears, to me, is a powerful incentive to those nations to which Ezekiel's War pertains, to initiate their assault against Israel. Ezekiel's War is one of the more significant factors which, together with a host of other notable signs, serves to identify the time of the Rapture.
(See the book, "The Seven Seals in Prophecy and in History," for a detailed exposition regarding Biblical signs of the impending Rapture.)
Too, the Bible has much to say concerning the fact that, at the time of the Second Coming of Christ (a few years after the Rapture), all the nations will be gathered together against Israel. The present mood of the UN's member nations is aggressively antisemitic (against the Jews). However, a reactionary movement aimed at withdrawing from the UN ~ if not to dismantle that organization, appears to be rising both in Israel and amongst at least some in the incoming Trump Administration, if not also amongst some in the U.S. Congress. Although, in my opinion, it does not seem likely that anyone (with the possible exception of Israel) will actually withdraw from the UN. Nevertheless, the threat, if not perhaps the real possibility, that the UN may be dismantled, is one example of a significant factor which could signal that the time of the Rapture's "expiration date" may be at hand. (I am of course leaving much which must be read 'between the lines,' so to speak ~ for the sake of brevity.)
Let me quickly conclude by saying, that a broad understanding of Bible prophecy strongly suggests that the time of the Rapture is now at hand. Whereas, the continually changing landscape of world events must inevitably create an entirely different set of circumstances such that it may not then be possible to correlate those prophecies (pertaining to the Rapture), in any meaningful way, with circumstances that shall be in the more remote future.
That set of prophecies involving the Rapture Event, has a "shelf-life" which, it appears, not only is the time of the Rapture now at hand; but, important too, the "expiration date" for those prophecies also appears to be rapidly approaching.
Everybody of course has an opinion. But if it may be that God has called and ordained watchmen to discern the times, according to the Word and Spirit of God; there is perhaps the possibility that I may be one among those watchmen. To be sure, at least, I care deeply to know and understand these things.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I must admit that the thought that the Rapture truly is imminent, seems surreal ~ it is so far outside the realm of anything we have ever experienced. But that does not mean that I don't believe it is real, or that I don't believe it is actually about to happen at any moment. In fact, I do believe it. Yet, if it seems surreal to me, then, I suppose it must also seem that way to many (most? all?) other Christians, even to those who are living in continuous expectation of that Event.
Sadly, the surreal quality of the Rapture doubtless contributes to the incredulity of those who refuse to believe in the doctrine of the Rapture. Yet, it is not for the lack of evidence, that they choose not to believe.
"For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:37-39)
No comments:
Post a Comment