How close are we to the rapture of the church?
A plausible case for why the rapture could happen before the end of 2025.
I believe there is a god, and I believe He is the god we read about in the Judeo-Christian bible. One of the reasons I am so certain of that has to do with biblical prophecy. Another reason is the cryptic nature of the bible. And a third reason has to do with the scientific accuracy of the bible.
More on those things in a minute, but first is the matter of coming to the point where one can accept on faith things that seem impossible. The rapture for instance. We are talking about a lot of people alive on earth ascending into the heavens just like Jesus did. We read about Jesus’s ascension into heaven in Acts 1:
So, when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”
7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
When we talk of faith do we mean blind faith, or is that faith predicated on evidence? The bible makes it clear that faith is based on evidence, and that prophecy is part of that evidence. Jesus Himself made that claim:
“I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.
Jesus’s resurrection and ascension into heaven and God’s elect ascending into heaven is contrary to everything we think we know. Who among us can believe such a thing did happen, or can happen in the future? Those verses also talk about angels who suddenly appeared before them with a message. How is it possible I ask myself for angels to appear out of nowhere, or for a man or woman to defy gravity and simply drift upward into the clouds?
What can we learn from science that makes sense out of the ascension into heaven?
Is gravity a real force of energy? Do the planets in our solar system remain in place due to gravity? Science claims they do. And if that is true, then it stands to reason that the atomic mass of a physical body and the distance between planets play a role in keeping everything in its place, and that would lead one to the conclusion that everything in our solar system is precisely tuned with regard to mass and distance, and that would prompt the question – who did the precise tuning in the first place?
Max Planck, the father of quantum mechanics, had this to say about the physical world:
As a man who has devoted his whole life to the most clear-headed science, to the study of matter, I can tell you as a result of my research about atoms this much: There is no matter as such. All matter originates and exists only by virtue of a force which brings the particle of an atom to vibration and holds this most minute solar system of the atom together. We must assume behind this force the existence of a conscious and intelligent mind. This mind is the matrix of all matter.
If God did tune the solar system’s gravitational attraction in the first place, would it not be reasonable to conclude that the one who tuned the universe in the first place could in fact make adjustments. For instance, God could reduce the atomic mass of a person to a level where that person would be lighter than air and therefore would float upward much the same way a helium balloon rises into the sky.
I’m not sure gravity is a true force of nature, and some scientists agree with me on that point. If gravity is a real force of nature, why do we have high tides on both sides of the earth at the same time. Consider this argument against the notion that gravity is a true force of nature found on the National Center for Science Education:
The Universal Theory of Gravity is often taught in schools as a fact, when in fact it is not even a good theory.
First of all, no one has measured gravity for every atom and every star. It is simply a religious belief that it is "universal".
Secondly, school textbooks routinely make false statements. For example, "the moon goes around the earth." If the theory of gravity were true, it would show that the sun's gravitational force on the moon is much stronger than the earth's gravitational force on the moon, so the moon would go around the sun. Anybody can look up at night and see the obvious gaps in gravity theory.
The existence of tides is often taken as a proof of gravity, but this is logically flawed. Because if the moon's "gravity" were responsible for a bulge underneath it, then how can anyone explain a high tide on the opposite side of the earth at the same time? Anyone can observe that there are two — not one — high tides every day. It is far more likely that tides were given us by an Intelligent Creator long ago and they have been with us ever since. In any case, the fact that there are two high tides falsifies gravity.
https://ncse.com/library-resource/gravity-its-only-theory
Not that the principles of gravity need to be discarded altogether but consider this – an electromagnetic field can produce a gravitational field. That is an interesting perspective on how God might cause a person to levitate. Electromagnetic energy is defined as a stream of massless particles called photons traveling at light speed, and photons are particles of light.
Since photons are particles of light and the bible tells us God is light, we see science and the bible coming together on a very interesting point. That point has to do with what keeps atoms – the building blocks of matter – in orbit in the first place? The answer – the absorption and emission of photons by the electron. Without the energy imparted to the electron by the photon the negatively charged electron would collapse into the positively charged protons in the center of the atom and so there would be no atoms and therefore no physical matter.
If we go a little further, we can argue that two of the other 3 forces of nature science claims exist – the strong nuclear force and the weak nuclear force – are not real forces of nature either. The strong nuclear force is a name given to a phenomenon that occurs at the sub-atomic level, but not in our material world. When we look at an atom, we see a proton/neutron nucleus at the core with an electron field surrounding the nucleus. There are two problems with that. First, how do the positively charged protons stay bound together when that should not happen as like charged particles repel one another, and second, why doesn’t the negatively charged electrons implode inward toward the positively charged protons as that is what happens to opposite charged particles. Science has merely assigned a name to a phenomenon they don’t understand.
If we discard three of the four forces of nature and leave electromagnetic energy as the remaining single source, we find that all of the material world is fully dependent on light. That is why I say one of the most profound verses in the bible is the third verse in the bible:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
You see, science in our time dating back approximately 100 years suddenly began to understand the material world, and they learned that the material world is made up of energy. Consider the comment Max Planck made regarding matter. He said, there is no matter as such. All matter originates and exists only by virtue of a force which brings the particle of an atom to vibration and holds this most minute solar system of the atom together. We must assume behind this force the existence of a conscious and intelligent mind. This mind is the matrix of all matter.
How I ask myself did we suddenly discover things in the universe we couldn’t see and how did God know that would happen? He told Daniel after all that knowledge would increase at the time of the end and told Daniel to lock up the secrets of the scroll until the time of the end. If we look at the Buckminster Fuller knowledge curve we can see a dramatic increase in our time in knowledge. That one sentence in Daniel regarding knowledge increase at the time of the end is profound and statistically improbable to the point of being impossible given the degree to which we have seen knowledge increase in our time - the time of the end. Just one of hundreds of prophetic pronouncements that establish mathematically the words in the bible came from a being outside the constraints of time.
The secrets of those scrolls dealt with probably the most specific prophecy in the bible in that it actual speaks of an event that would start a date specific countdown to the second coming of Jesus. Two events actually – both dealing with Jerusalem and God’s temple.
Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.
Prophecy scholars today tend to agree that Artaxerxes is the one who issued the decree in 445 BC. I won’t go into a lot of detail on this prophecy, but the prophecy speaks of 70 periods of seven years. The first 69 periods are separated from the 70th period by the crucifixion of Jesus. We won’t know when the final 7-year period begins until an accord is confirmed by many regarding Israel.
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week, he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
The “he” in the passage above is the Antichrist. Prophecy scholars conclude that the covenant has to do with a peace accord between the Palestinians and the Israelis that will allow for the building of the 3rd temple. Jesus mentions the abomination in the book of Matthew. He references the prophecy of Daniel and notes that the Antichrist will be standing in the holy place (the temple) so the covenant according to prophecy scholars must allow for the building of the 3rd temple as there is no temple today.
When that covenant is confirmed, we can know there is just 7 years left to the second coming of Jesus.
How close are we to the rapture?
The answer to that question can be found in 2 Thessalonians 2. Paul is talking to the church of Thessalonica about the time of the rapture. First, let’s read what Paul has to say:
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
A lot to consider in those words. Paul is talking about the gathering together unto Him. That “gathering together” is referred to as the rapture. Paul goes on to say that day will not come until the man of sin is revealed. The man of sin is the Antichrist. Then Paul says God chose the saved from the beginning. That verse says the chosen were predestined by God. Then Paul says all might be damned who believed not the truth and God Himself will cause those who are damned to believe the lies via a powerful delusion.
We are in those times. Even the secular world talks about the lies, but they say the ones who lie are those who stand firm in God’s word. Christians are under attack today. Even the Pope has said all religions lead to God – a statement that is the exact opposite of what the bible says. The bible says the only way to God is through Jesus.
Does the bible tell us when the rapture will occur?
Paul says it will not occur until the man of sin is revealed. When is that? Daniel tells us when that is. In Daniel 9: 27 we read that the man of sin will affirm a peace accord with many.
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
That verse says the Antichrist will be one of many who confirm a covenant. We will know at the time the covenant is confirmed that the Antichrist is on earth and is one out of many who will confirm the covenant. That is the point in time the Antichrist is revealed, but since he is one of many we won’t know for certain which of the many he is at that point.
There is more to understand though in Daniel 9: 27. It says the Antichrist shall cause the sacrifice to cease. What sacrifice? Under Levitical law sacrifices to God were made for various reasons. Such sacrifices cannot be resumed until the 3rd Jewish temple is built so one can rightly reason the covenant spoken of in Daniel will allow for the building of the 3rd Jewish temple as Daniel 9:27 states the Antichrist will stop the sacrifices midway through the last 7 years that begin with the confirming of the covenant.
Jesus Himself made note of this fact in Matthew 24: 15-16:
“So, when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place . . . then those in Judea must flee to the mountains.”
So, to answer the question as to when the rapture will occur in light of the scriptures referenced above, the Antichrist must be revealed and at that time or just before, the “gathering together” to Jesus will occur according to Paul. We need to understand the Tribulation that encompasses all of the last 7 years leading up to the second coming of Jesus, and the last half of that 7-year period called the Great Tribulation that begins when the Antichrist commits the abomination of desolation by standing at the temple and causing the sacrifices to cease.
I think it makes sense to conclude we will know who the Antichrist is before he commits the abomination of desolation. He will by that time be a well-known person – one who is rapidly rising to power, so I think it is reasonable to assume we will be gathered up at the beginning of the last 7 years when the covenant is confirmed, or in the alternative, just before the mid-point of the last 7 years when we will know for certain who the Antichrist is.
How close are we to a peace accord that will pave the way for the Antichrist’s ascension to power?
We may have part of that answer in the next few days. If Donald Trump is elected president of the United States, we can make a well-reasoned prediction that he will be instrumental in bringing a covenant of peace to the table – a covenant that will temporarily end the hostilities we are witnessing every day regarding Israel and her enemies. Such a covenant won’t last, but if it includes a provision that allows for the building of the 3rd Jewish temple and the resumption of Levitical sacrifices, we can know for certain at that point we are on day one of the last 7 years leading up to the 2nd coming of Jesus.
Why would we think Donald Trump would be able to negotiate peace in the region? In part because he was instrumental in doing so in his first term with the Abraham Accord. Islamic nations were getting on board with the idea of normalizing relations with Israel. The Abraham Accord Declaration reads as follows:
We, the undersigned, recognize the importance of maintaining and strengthening peace in the Middle East and around the world based on mutual understanding and coexistence, as well as respect for human dignity and freedom, including religious freedom.
We encourage efforts to promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue to advance a culture of peace among the three Abrahamic religions and all humanity.
We believe that the best way to address challenges is through cooperation and dialogue and that developing friendly relations among States advances the interests of lasting peace in the Middle East and around the world.
We seek tolerance and respect for every person in order to make this world a place where all can enjoy a life of dignity and hope, no matter their race, faith or ethnicity.
We support science, art, medicine, and commerce to inspire humankind, maximize human potential and bring nations closer together.
We seek to end radicalization and conflict to provide all children a better future.
We pursue a vision of peace, security, and prosperity in the Middle East and around the world.
In this spirit, we warmly welcome and are encouraged by the progress already made in establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and its neighbors in the region under the principles of the Abraham Accords. We are encouraged by the ongoing efforts to consolidate and expand such friendly relations based on shared interests and a shared commitment to a better future.
A number of nations signed on to this accord and progress was being made for others to join the accord. Today all the progress made toward normalization seems to have vanished as Israel is fighting a war on 7 fronts. With that said, the escalation in the war between Israel, Iran, and Iranian proxies is upsetting the region in many ways and not the least of them being economic in nature.
To date Israel is winning these conflicts and Israel is aligned with the US in these efforts suggesting Israel will continue to win. Nobody can stand against the US except perhaps Russia, and Russia is presently engaged in their own war with Ukraine. Given that, it seems reasonable, if for no other reason than economic benefit, a good number of middle eastern Muslim nations are being incentivized to seek peace in the region.
Can Trump win the election, and if so, can he orchestrate a peace accord that ends the Israeli/Iranian war? Consider that Trump is all for peace. He has stated he will end the Russia/Ukraine war before he takes office.
I think the odds are pretty good that Trump can in fact bring about peace – not just with Israel and her enemies, but also with Russia and Ukraine. Trump has demonstrated an unorthodox anti status quo approach to resolving problems. He is, if nothing else, bold, and he frames matters in a way that makes sense. He is a proven deal maker, and not afraid to speak about the consequences of going against his plans. For instance, he made it clear that if NATO countries expected the US to defend them, they needed to pay their fair share. That threat was to a degree successful by the way, and he was making progress on his tariffs strategy that was designed to bring manufacturing jobs back to America.
I personally believe the stage is set and we will see things accelerate rapidly if Trump wins the presidency. Our own economy is in shambles, we have two wars that we are engaged in, we have an immigration crisis that is turning major US cities into third world hell holes, we have two wars we are involved in, and it is almost assured that we will see major civil unrest in America if Trump wins. I see all these things and more that tell me we are indeed in the last days leading up to the second coming of Jesus. We are at the very least 7 years and some months away from that, but we may well be just a few months away from the rapture. It is likely that if Trump does win, he will move rapidly to negotiate peace - both with Israel and their adversaries, and with Russia and Ukraine.
Could we see the covenant that Daniel speaks of confirmed in 2025? Could we see the rapture before the end of Trump’s first term if he does win and does succeed in bringing an end to the Israel/Iran war? It’s a bold call and I cannot say for sure it will happen the way I have outlined, but I do think it is reasonable to expect it could occur exactly as I have outlined it and happen during the early part of Trump’s second term as president.
Of one thing I am certain of - we are in the time of the end spoken about in Daniel, in Revelation, and also in the 4 gospels by Jesus. From my vantage point it is logical that if peace is to come - if even for a short time - Trump is the one most likely to bring about that peace. If he does, we can expect the rapture of the church to occur at approximately the same time. We can expect that because that is what the bible tells us to expect.
Excellent! I think you should write a book!
The light is bright and shining, we just need to wake up and see it….