This article is based on my Newest Book, Any Day Now (a verse-by-verse commentary on 1 & 2 Thessalonians). Learn more at DaveWilliams.com/AnyDay.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

An Amazing Event Lies Just Ahead

A couple of years ago, I spent July 4th in Florida on the beautiful Boca Ciega Bay and saw the most breathtaking fireworks display ever. From where I was sitting I could see the sky lit up with continual explosions of color and lights. In the perfect location, I was viewing the night celebrations from several cities including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Gulfport, St. Pete Beach, and Tampa, all at the same time. What a show!

But nothing compares to the amazing spectacle that will take place when the trumpet of God sounds and the dead in Christ rise. Paul was anticipating that day.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Paul introduces the subject of a great catching away. The Greek word for this event is, “Harpazo.” In the Latin Vulgate, the word is “Rapiemur,” whereas we get the English word, “Rapture.” The Greek Text and the Latin Vulgate, describe this event as the sudden, startling, irreversible “catching away” of God’s people, being transported to heaven without ever tasting death. In a picture, it’s similar to a steel ball abruptly being snatched upward when an overhead electromagnet is activated.

For nearly 400 years the Early Church fathers taught that the imminent coming of Christ would be a separate event from the Second Coming of Christ. Some, in recent years, have falsely taught that this doctrine of the Rapture is “too new to be true.” Yet, imminency is considered to be a crucial New Testament doctrine. Without the Rapture, there can be no imminency.

Paul taught about the Rapture in I Corinthians 15:51-55 and in I Thessalonians 4:13-18. Jesus promised to come again and receive us unto Himself (John 14:1-6). And after describing the horrors of the coming Tribulation, Jesus taught us to, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man (Luke 21:36).

Ominous storm clouds are now gathering over the nations of the world. Frightful times are looming. Soon we will begin hearing news reports of terrifying events. A time of major chaos will come upon the inhabitants of the earth. We are now moving swiftly toward the climax of the ages. A devastating judgment will pour on this earth with horror, terror, destruction, and devastation. Yet, Jesus promised to keep some from this final tribulation (Revelation 3:10).

What is imminent NOW on God’s prophetic calendar?

Check each one as you see the sign or marker becoming a reality.

Destruction of Damascus (Isaiah 17:1)Israel defeating Terrorist groups around their country (Psalm 83)Anti-Semitism on overdrive (Zechariah 13:8-9;
Jeremiah 30:7)Quickly approaching mandatory digital currency (Revelation 13:16-18)Destruction of Elam (Southwestern Iran) (Jeremiah 49:34-39)7-year peace Treaty confirmed between Israel and others (Daniel 9:26-27)Deception on Overdrive: Religious deception, political deception, medical deception, etc. (Matthew 24:4-5; 2 Timothy 3:13, 2 John 1:7; Revelation 13:14)Russia, Iran, and Turkey (along with several Muslim nations) begin an invasion of Israel that does not end well for the aggressors (Ezekiel 38-39)Wars and Rumors of Wars (Mark 13:7)Apostacy; departure from true faith (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:3). I hope you have my book, Yoga Craze in the Last Days. Professing Christians are departing from the true faith, to practice something that will destroy their own destiny.The “Catching Away” of the Bride of Christ; the Church (Could happen any moment now, even before all the other prophetic events. (1 Corinthians 15:51-55; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

The Bible speaks of a coming seven-year period of great trouble and anguish, “such as the world has never seen before.” This will happen sometime after the Rapture.

Before long, there will exist a globalist governing body led by the “son of Satan” – the Antichrist. The new global system will demand the use of government-programmed digital currency exclusively. You wouldn’t want to be here for even five minutes after Jesus comes for His bride (the Church).

I believe that very shortly the world could reel into its deepest hour of torment and terror. Our world at this very moment is in a death dive, plunging rapidly toward this prophesied time of intense trouble. We are en route now to a mad, fatal plunge into that horrible period spoken of by the ancient prophets. Concerning one of the very recent executive directives, an economic watch group said, “America’s Death Warrant was Just Signed.”

Matthew 24:21

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Our hope is in God. Through our sincere and persistent prayers of repentance, He may see fit to give us a short reprieve … if we promise not to squander it.

You are today in one of two categories:Those who WILL escape (Luke 21:36) Those who WILL NOT escape (1 Thessalonians 5:3)

If you have made your peace with God by your willingness to turn from sin and receive Jesus Christ as your only hope; your Savior and Lord, then lift your head, for your redemption draws near.

Luke 21:28

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. — Jesus

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