Hello Paul. Perhaps we are putting the cart before the horse - concerning what the Bible says about the - " prophecy signs " of the rapture or resurrection.
The reason that I believe that there are many, many signs of prophecies yet to be fulfilled before the second coming - " meaning the rapture " - is simply because when we read the details of Yahoshua says about the END TIME TRIBULATION "
What does Yahoshua say ? - we find that he was referring to after the beginning of the signs - that after the beginning of the signs ...
Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things are fulfilled.
What Yahoshua was saying here in verse 34 is in direct reference to the previous signs that will take place.
The Bible shows that the many, many signs will begin to take place and after a very short time thereafter - the rapture / RESURRECTION will tale place AND also a single generation will not pass, " in reference to the time frame ? - that the tribulation will fully begin and hit the earth.
Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Also if we read
Mar 13:29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
Mar 13:30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
Mar 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Mar 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
So we see that all of the many, many end times signs that we see in the Bible concerning the stars and sun and moon and heavens going into complete disorder and chaos, disorganization and the falling of stars from heaven.
The - End Time Sign - INCREASE OF KNOWLEDGE.
The - End Time Sign - MASS ANIMAL DEATHS
Hosea 4:3 ...'Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.'
The - End Time Sign - NATURAL DISASTERS and massive – EARTHQUAKES and End Time Sign - of WARs and rumors of wars and massive worldwide pandemic plagues and diseases and sickness and FAMINE.
I believe that we are still a long way off from experiencing these many, many, many signs of judgment on the earth. And that since a single generation { ABOUT 80 YEARS } is not going to pass by after the RESURRECTION / RAPTURE before these signs full take place.
Also, Paul - the tribulation is only going to last for seven years, this is a short time for all of these signs to take full effect and for the world to go up into total world war, for the WHOLE ENTIRE world to TURN ITS BACK ON ISRAEL, including America, { if America is still around or able to protect Israel } during the tribulation. All of the entire world will stand united against Israel to make war against Israel before Yahoshua returns after the seven years of tribulation.
Also, we know that - True Christians and Bible believers know that - The world does not mind Islam existing while practicing polygamy, just as long as they do it in a manner that resembles a harlotry - ring or a playboy bunny show. The world does not mind Muslims EXISTING while pretending to stone a woman for adultery as long as they do not hold women responsible for the adultery of the Bible standards. But when Israel rebuilds its temple, begins to enact the Old Testament Laws and enforce them, and begin to get close to the true identity of the God Of The Bible - then the entire Muslim, Catholic and Protestant world will unite with the non-believers of the world and will fight to destroy Israel. After seven years, Israel will lose the war and almost be completely destroyed then Yahoshua will return a third time and fight a war with the saints from the rapture with him and they will completely destroy the world populations who have decided to make war against His chosen people, the Jews. / Israel.
Zec 14:21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.
I believe that all of these judgment signs are to BEGIN to take place and thereafter the beginning of sorrows and horrible events transpiring - the rapture and second coming takes place and be shown as SIGNS - before they fully happen. Then seven years of tribulation will take place.
Also, Paul, these prophecy signs are " Just prophecy Signs " that we will see { MANY MANY SIGNS } to come before the resurrection / rapture. prophecy Signs are Signs-
If we can understand the difference between Trinitarian " ONE STEP THEOLOGY " and real Biblical " manuscriptual " facts. A prophecy sign does not mean that you have reached the destination or the end. A Sign simply points the way to show us how close we are to the end / destination of the path. I simply do not see any signs of the tribulation where we have massive famine, massive wars, massive diseases, and plagues and sicknesses. I do not see the stars and heavens doing anything different than they have done before. Many prophecy signs are promised, but when we begin to see the signs then the rapture / resurrection will happen.
I personally do not see that things are any different than how they have been since Yahoshua walked the earth. There have been many famines, many wars, many sicknesses, and massive plagues, many problems with livestock and animals and many other horrible things happening every now and then since Yahoshua was on earth. But a single generation will not pass before these things are fulfilled. We are not seeing signs of the heavens going into disorder, we are not seeing signs of massive world war or even famine and drought and crop devastation. Even the diseased are decreasing. Global new HIV infections have declined by just 18% in the past seven years, from 2.2 million in 2010 to 1.8 million in 2017, ALso, there have been many plagues that killed millions of people. The Black Death killed 50 million people in the 14th century or 60 percent of Europe's entire population.
The world is doing great overall, these signs have always been here since the time of Yahoshua but the Bible shows that there will be signs of the world being overcome and overwhelmed by these judgments. There have always been these same prophecy signs but I just do not see that we are yet close to the destination as described in the manuscripts of the Bible.
Greeting
I think sometimes peoples (in general) idea of the rapture is that it will be in the Tribulation period, I have not seen scripture to confirm when it will be except that Christ will return for His Bride the One True Church and we will meet with Him in the sky. I don't believe we will see the Tribulation (if anyone can show me different please do), baptised, born-again, spirit filled believers, whose name is in the Book of Life and the Lamb, will be lifted out before the woes and vials are poured onto the earth, onto the lost souls. I therefore don't believe we will see these things or the anti-Christ who won't be made known until the half way point in the 7 year Tribulations.
RAPTURE - CHRIST RETURNS FOR HIS BRIDE, HIS CHURCH we, the Saved whose Names are in the book of life) will meet with Him in the air.
TRIBULATION 3.5 Years - then the abomination that causes desolation
GREAT TRIBULATION 3.5 years - then CHRIST COMES TO EARTH AND DEFEATS THE DEVIL
This post is concerning the Saved, the Rapture and the Tribulation Periods only.
So those lifted out will not experience the Tribulations.
Therefore the number of prophesies still to be fulfilled, this side of the Rapture I believe are few.
The early church prayed and waited in eager expectation for Christ's Return in Glory, we should also, not to do so, would be worse than silly.
Look at the times of Noah, he built a ship when the sun was shining, people then thought he was barmy. Many today think the Rapture is a long way off, I would seriously suggest they read about the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25.
We are fortunate in may ways in the time we live, we can see so much more regarding prophesies.
The key prophesy I believe is that the Jews will return back to the Promised Land.
15 May 1948, Israel was declared a state again.
Looking at some of the prophesies we have of the latter days of the end times we have...
- - Wars and Rumours of wars
Matthew 24:4-7 (NKJV)
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you.
5 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.
6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all
these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
- some say there have always been wars, but scripture adds to this, never before have we seen so many wars and so many rumours of wars.
Since its establishment in 1948, the State of Israel has fought eight recognised wars, two Palestinian intifadas, and a series of armed conflicts in the broader Arab–Israeli conflict. Even today we see the Palestine Liberation Army, Hamas, Iran, Syria etc
Here is a list of wars involving Israel since 1948
en.wikipedia.org
- - Increase in earthquakes and pestilences
- Matthew 24:7 (NKJV)
7 ...And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
- statistically records show that earth quakes have increase in the last 100 years, more so in the last 50 years, and the severity has also increased too.
- Again we could say there is nothing new here, black plague, polo etc, but now we are hearing of Super Bugs, Ebola, HIV and more. OK they may find cures for some but others will emerge.
- - There will be an hardening of hearts
- Matthew 24:10 (NKJV)
10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.
- Matthew 24:12 (NKJV)
12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
- 2 Timothy 3:1-7 (NKJV)
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
- Who cannot see this today? People have attitudes like never before, social media breed this. Children have no respect. Everything is me, me, me, whats in it for me attitude, sue, sue sue, what can I get without working. Stealing and thinking it is right etc, etc.
- - There will be an increase in wickedness
- This can mean increase in sin, but wickedness is clear to see everywhere. I Jesus' time he said many times it was a wicked and adulteress generation, what would he say today? Probably don't you remember I told you it would get worse.
- 2 Timothy 3:1-7 (NKJV)
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Matthew 24:12 (NKJV)
12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
- - Man will go with man and woman with woman
- Look at LGBTQ+ Scrioture says in the latter days it will appear the devil has domain, it certainly does.
- Jude 1:6-8 (NIV2011)
6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.
7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
8 In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings.
- Even though scripture warns of these things, they cannot see it God has veiled them from the truth due to their sins.
- - Children will be disobedient with their parents
- We see it every day, their hearts are hardening, they have little or no respect for their parents let alone anyone else.
- There are no doubt many reasons for this, which is continuing to get worse, but putting all reasons to one side for a minute, it is all prophesied.
- There will be false prophets
Matthew 24:11 (NKJV)
11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
Don't believe what people say, believe what God's Word says. His Word is Truth.
- - As the days of Noah were
- I was not the Sunday school story of Noah building a boat when the sun was shining, that happened, but as the Days of Noah was refers to much much more. Sodom and Gomorrah and Lot, the un-Godliness, the sin, the sexual acts, etc. This has only happened twice in history, at the time of Noah and NOW!
How many warnings do we need, I believe based on these items and more and the warnings very little time is left before the Rapture.
Scripture tells us after the flood with Noah, when the whole world was flooded, God said He would never flood the whole world again.
But, scripture tells us there will be Raging Waters in diverse places, there have been flooding all over the world, even in places we would not expect it to happen, USA and UK are experiencing it yet again as I write.
We see animals dying with no explanation, we recently saw 1100 dolphins washed up on the French coast and died with no apparent explanation.
Look at the advancements of knowledge, also prophesied, at school kids learn more, not all good I have to say, look at what hospitals and universities know about the human body, what they can do today, yet they still don't know so much, it is beyond them. Look at the computers and Internet instant access to knowledge, our mobile phones can store and access so much too, 1000's ebooks on an item so small, yet it can access as much as a computer system,
Everything God has done, the devil turns round to evil or the total opposite of what God has done or has said is right. All the above for starters.
God tells us not to do something for our own good, the devil says, no problem, do it and see, its ok.
The world is changing rapidly, God mixed languages up at Babel, for our own good, we all know what happened there. What has the world done, created Google, we can now communicate in any language at the press of a button.
Don't believe Christ's Return is not imminent, believe like the first century Church, believe like Jesus tells us, look again at the parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25
He is coming soon, we should be rejoicing in that fact, we should be on our knees praying for salvation of brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, but also for family, friends, and more for their salvation.
If Jesus returned tonight would you be ready?
If you go to catch a bus and miss it because you wasn't prepared, you wait for the next one, Christ will return for his Church, His Bride, miss it and you will see the Tribulation and Great Tribulation.
Christ tells us to be ready, he doesn't want us to not be, He died for our sins so that we can meet Him in the air at the Rapture, we can be with Him forever, if we are like the wise virgins and not the foolish ones.
Matthew 24:38-44 (NKJV)
38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
40 Then two
men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.
41 Two
women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.