I know that the Bible says there will be a great “falling away” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, then it states, “that man of sin be revealed”. My heart pleads for people on this earth to turn from their sin and turn to God before it is too late. I just am not convinced that we are going to see the needed revival, especially in this great United States, before the Rapture of God’s church.

I do not believe that the “Emerging Church” that Rick Warren, Dan Kimball, and Dr. Robert Webber are so excited about is offering true revival either. I rather agree with Roger Oakland from Understanding the Times:

“It appears to me the “Emerging Church” of the present era and the church that emerged after the New Testament was written are one and the same. Remember the words of Paul as recorded in the book of Acts: “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20: 29-30).” Click here to read more. It would appear that these ‘modern’ church leaders are actually wolves in sheep’s clothing.

As Christians we are told to ‘Watch for the Lord’. If we  listen to the daily news and compare it to what God’s Word tells us to watch for, we can see that the world is poised perfectly for the Rapture of the Church, the days of great tribulation, and Jesus’ return to fight and end the Battle of Armageddon.

Not only are we to be observing the times, but we are told to be ready for the Lord’s return. Luke 12:35-40 (KJV) “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.”

“Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.”

“And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”

What signs are we to look for? Jesus said in Luke 21:10, 11 “Then said He unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:” (Over the years we have seen World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, and the latest in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and pending Iran as well as the situation with Israel.)

“and great earthquakes shall be in divers places” (in 2004 Southeast Asia was hit by a great tsunami, then another one hit Samoa in 2009, California is always experiencing earthquakes, and the recent one in Haiti will claim hundreds of thousands of lives.)

“and famines (the UN’s World Food Program says that more than 800 million people are starving every day, and tens of thousands die from hunger), and pestilences (HIV pandemic in Africa, SARS, Bird Flu, Swine flu); and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from Heaven.”

“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20 (KJV).  Only God knows for sure when Jesus will return, but if we pay attention to what is happening in the world today, we can expect for Jesus to return at any moment.

Next time – Spiritual Deception, Persecution of God’s Church