Living in the last days has its challenges, to be sure. We see wickedness, lawlessness, and deception increasing at an exponential clip. As violence erupts all around us, I pray daily for the safety of our children and their spouses, as well as for all our grandchildren.
On the other hand, we live at a time like no other. I recently read Matthew chapters 12 and 13, and as I did, a couple of verses reminded me of the wonder of being alive at such a time as this: “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.”
The above verses, addressed to His disciples, were part of Jesus’ explanation for starting to teach with parables. His words came after the Pharisees blasphemed the Holy Spirit by attributing the power behind His miracles to the devil. They, unlike those close to Him, failed to experience the blessing of recognizing the significance of the day in which they lived. Many in previous generations had longed to be alive at the time their Messiah walked among them.
The Savior’s words apply to us today. Just as those in first century AD Israel witnessed the fulfillment of many prophecies relating to Jesus’ first appearing, today we watch the unfolding of a great many prophetic events signaling Jesus’ imminent return for His church, the start of the Tribulation, and the Second Coming.
Our Expectation
As believers, we have a valid expectation of being alive at the time of the Rapture. As events point to the rapid approach of the Tribulation, we know that the time of meeting Jesus in the air is ever so close. When Paul penned the letters to Thessalonians, he expressed the hope, the possibility, that he might take part in this momentous event before his death. Notice his words in 1 Thessalonians 4:17: “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” (emphasis added).
At the end of his ministry, the apostle recognized that he would die before the Rapture. Regardless, he wrote of the reward that Jesus would give to him because of his love for Jesus’ appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).
Jesus’ words in Matthew 13:16-17 reminded me of Bible scholars in the past who revitalized beliefs in the pre-Tribulation Rapture and Jesus’ reign over the nations from a restored Israel.
In the early 1900s, C.I. Scofield wrote about the time when an alliance led by Russia would invade Israel. People scoffed at such an idea because, at the time, Israel didn’t exist and Russia was a Christian nation. Today’s headlines verify his insights into Bible prophecy. We live at a time when the Gog/Magog War of Ezekiel 38 seems likely to happen in the near future. Russia is firmly aligned with all the players that will someday invade Israel.
We Also Live in Biblical Times
It’s often said that we live in biblical times, and I heartedly agree. We have the great privilege of watching the unfolding of biblical prophecy that would have amazed Bible students a hundred years ago. I’m amazed by what I see today compared with just ten years ago.
Through the astounding advances in technology, we not only understand how the antichrist will be able to control all the buying and selling worldwide, but we also watch as all the pieces come together to make this a future reality. Everywhere we look, we see precursors to what the Bible tells us will happen during the Tribulation.
I believe the Lord is allowing us as believers to see a miniaturized version of the judgments chronicled in Revelation chapter 6 so we might know we live in the last days and watch. For others, it’s a warning of what’s to come.
Just like the Pharisees who failed to recognize the presence of the Messiah, many church leaders today fail to link the perils of our day to the fulfillment of Bible prophecy (see Matthew 16:1-4). They read the same passages that we do but remain blind to the evidences of Jesus’ soon return. They miss the blessing of watching Bible prophecy come to fruition.
In Philippians 3:14, Paul wrote these words concerning what I’m convinced was his expectation of the Lord’s imminent appearing: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Just as Jesus said, those who witnessed his earthly ministry were “blessed.” At the same time, I can’t help but think that it’s also wonderful to watch Bible prophecy unfold before our eyes.
Although we don’t know what the future holds, let alone the next day (James 4:13-17), the fact that we are ever so close to the start of the seven-year Tribulation tells us that the moment of the Rapture is as close as we dare imagine. We have a reasonable expectation of being alive at Jesus’ appearing to take us home to glory.
Similar to those who rejoiced at the fulfillment of Scripture when Jesus first appeared, we also have the wonder of witnessing as the pieces fall into place for God’s sovereign plan of the ages to overthrow Satan’s rule and replace it with the righteous reign of His Son over the nations!
