Will we know when the rapture is coming? Will there be a sign to look out for so that we can prepare? The answer to this question is both yes and no. Yes, there will be signs that we are in the end times and that the rapture is coming. No, there will not be a specific sign that signals that the rapture is coming at a particular time. When Jesus disciples asked him when the end would come, Jesus told them that only the Father knew. Even the angels in heaven did not know and Jesus incarnate as a man did not know.
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father. Matthew 24:36
So what signs should we be looking for? There will be wars and rumors of war, nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. Jesus likes these to birth pains, as the time gets closer, the birth pains grow closer together and stronger.
6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. Matthew 24:6-8
If you watch or read the news you will notice that war and threats of war are all over the news all the time. Though lately it seems that it has gotten even worse, we are fighting an enemy that does not have a specific home. They can be anywhere and attack anywhere, which makes them harder to defeat. You will also have noticed that there have been larger earthquakes that seem to be occurring closer together. Scientists agree that there are more large earthquakes than usual, there were twice as many large earthquakes in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the average. Strange weather patterns have also become more frequent all over the world. It seems that the news is full of these events and something new seems to occur every day.
What else are we seeing more of in the news…murders and acts of violence against people and animals. Parents killing children and children killing parents, those that should be closest have no love for each other.
12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, Matthew 24:12
But what about the rapture? When will it come? Things are so bad, shouldn’t it happen soon? Only God knows the timing of the rapture. He may seem like He is delaying but the rapture will not come until the last person is saved. God is working miraculously all over the world and so many in the Middle East are coming to know Jesus.
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, Romans 11:25
‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Acts 2:17
Muslims are turning to Jesus all over the world. They are having visions and dreams of Jesus personally reaching out to them. They have become believers and many have died for their newfound faith.
The truth is, everything will go on like it always has. People will go about their lives, working and getting married, basically life will be normal…right up until the rapture comes. It is compared to Noah’s time, everyone was living their lives, except Noah, who was preparing for what God told him was coming. So when the flood came, everyone except Noah and his family was not prepared and they died. The same way that as believers, we always need to be ready and prepared. Don’t fall into the ways of the world thinking God will never return, always be prepared for His return.
37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matthew 24:37-44
Are you ready for Christ’s return? Or are you worrying too much about what is going on in this world? Are you too concerned about your things and having the best and most “toys”? Those things will mean nothing and not buy you one more minute of life. Put your faith in something that lasts eternally. Jesus loves you and died for you so that you would not have to. He is giving you a free pass to heaven, all you need to do is to believe and trust Him and take that free gift. All you need to do is say “Jesus. I need you. I believe that you came to earth, lived as a man and died for my sins. I ask that you forgive me for my sins, I accept you as my savior and I thank you for the gift of eternal life.”
Bible Prophecy 