A Sense of the Nearness

[mike]

We don't know the day nor the hour of the rapture. And Jesus Himself has decided to block Himself from being aware of the date and time...

Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

So we make no predictions of the date. Date setters harm our credibility.

However, we should have a sense of the nearness. Jesus said that we would be able to know that it is near...

Matthew 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

The writer of Hebrews tells us we would see the day approaching...

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

We don't predict dates, but we should have a sense of the nearness. Without any question at all we are in that day. My sense of the nearness has alarm bells blaring at ear drum busting levels. I don't see it years away. My sense of the nearness, has it nearer than that.

Sometime around 2003 I got my drivers license renewed. As I was walking out of the office I noticed the expiration was in 2010. I thought to myself that it would be my last renewal. My sense of the nearness was that the rapture would occur before then. I did renew my license again several times. But my sense of the nearness was not wrong. I saw it coming.

Now, I am no longer seeing the sense of nearness by my next license renewal. I am now seeing it by my next fill of my gas tank.

 

[JoyJoyJoy]

A lot of us •feel• the same. I have learned that my feelings account for zilch.
Still...it seems there is a different feeling in the air..like we are right on the cusp.
Even prophecy teachers seem to be feeling the urgency. Come Lord Jesus!!

I didn't understand people saying they were getting disinterested in the things of this world. I fully enjoy my earthly life. Now I am starting to understand what they mean. I still love life and live it to the fullest extent that I can....but it seems like it will be so easy to let go of. There is absolutely nothing to hold me here...nothing that I love more than I love Jesus. I am not sure that I have always felt this way.

 

[Andiamo]

Even prophecy teachers seem to be feeling the urgency. Come Lord Jesus!!

This is what really gets to me. Often I will dismiss my own feelings because I am still relatively new at watching (since Obama 2nd term) and, bottom line, know I can't base this on feelings.
But when I see these very well-studied, (very metered in their emotions, with a history of being very conservative in statements) Bible prophecy teachers.....who have been watching for decades, and who aren't basing their opinions on feelings but on observations that line up with the Word of God....making the statements they are lately, I get this strange, surreal feeling.
This thing is really happening. And we are almost there.

 

[Andy C]

We don't know the day nor the hour of the rapture. And Jesus Himself has decided to block Himself from being aware of the date and time...

Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

So we make no predictions of the date. Date setters harm our credibility.

However, we should have a sense of the nearness. Jesus said that we would be able to know that it is near...

Matthew 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

The scripture you quote, most teachers agree are not about the rapture, but He was giving signs for His second coming at the end of the tribulation. Matthew 24-25 is for the Jews, not the church, which will be long gone before the tribulation starts.

 

[Andy C]

This is what really gets to me. Often I will dismiss my own feelings because I am still relatively new at watching (since Obama 2nd term) and, bottom line, know I can't base this on feelings.
But when I see these very well-studied, (very metered in their emotions, with a history of being very conservative in statements) Bible prophecy teachers.....who have been watching for decades, and who aren't basing their opinions on feelings but on observations that line up with the Word of God....making the statements they are lately, I get this strange, surreal feeling.
This thing is really happening. And we are almost there.

I too dismiss my own feelings, and try to stick with His Word.

Many of the top prophecy teachers that we all quote on here, also wrote years ago that the time is upon us.

No matter when, no matter how, thanks to Him, Im ready to go, our eternal Home is already prepared.

 

[Carl]

I don't know the day or hour, but I do have a sense of the nearness. That is good enough for me. I don't care whether or not I know each and every clue to the nearness. I am satisfied that it is close. The big one is that Israel is back in the land. No matter how hard the enemy tries to get rid of Israel it just won't happen.
It is near!

 

[Andiamo]

I too dismiss my own feelings, and try to stick with His Word.

Many of the top prophecy teachers that we all quote on here, also wrote years ago that the time is upon us.

No matter when, no matter how, thanks to Him, Im ready to go, our eternal Home is already prepared.

I'm talking more about who we would regard as the top 5 most respected Bible prophecy teachers who are also on YouTube. I am hearing statements like,
"I don't know why we are still here."
"We are right at the door"
"on the cusp"
And so on. I don't remember these teachers making urgent statements like this five years ago. (?)

 

[Andy C]

I'm talking more about who we would regard as the top 5 most respected Bible prophecy teachers who are also on YouTube. I am hearing statements like,
"I don't know why we are still here."
"We are right at the door"
"on the cusp"
And so on. I don't remember these teachers making urgent statements like this five years ago. (?)

I know who you were talking about, but my point was many of them said similar things years ago. You can even look back in the archives of this forum and find articles and postings using the same words you posted above. Regardless, I too believe we are close, how close? There is no possible way to know. One mistake by Russia in Ukraine could trigger world wide horrendous results, which could take us to the time of tribulation - which means we would be gone, and praying that its soon.

 

[Hidden]

Even prophecy teachers seem to be feeling the urgency. Come Lord Jesus!!

Even ordinary churches that are still faithful to the Lord are beginning to teach prophecy. These are churches are often small and are outside our circles that love to talk about prophecy, sometimes to a fault. They do not know every nitty gritty of prophecy, but they too could sense the nearness of His coming.

 

[UntilTheWholeWorldHears]

All I have to do is look around; the world is in a rush to change the meaning of what it means to be human.
Jesus didn't die for a cyborg or some facsimile thereof.
So how close are we? Very!!!
#Days of Noah

 

[Tall Timbers]

I too dismiss my own feelings, and try to stick with His Word.

None-theh-less, we should recognize the season when it's at the doorstep.

 

[Tall Timbers]

I'm talking more about who we would regard as the top 5 most respected Bible prophecy teachers who are also on YouTube. I am hearing statements like,
"I don't know why we are still here."
"We are right at the door"
"on the cusp"
And so on. I don't remember these teachers making urgent statements like this five years ago. (?)

I respect several individuals for their blessing of knowledge of Scripture and their ministry of sharing that knowledge, but as for the personal impressions or feelings of these scholars, that's no more an indicator than yours, mine, mike's and even Andy C's feelings about the nearness of the hour. We, the Body of Christ should sense that the hour is near... if indeed it is. I sense that we're close.

 

[soundingthealarm]

Thats what I love about Andy Woods, he gives pertinent info and its more line upon line and crossing t's and dotting I's and no hype

Jesus rebuked a generation for not recognizing the time at hand.

I think we are seeing the Day of God's visitation drawing near and its because we are taught to be watching for that!

Jesus was asked about "the end of the age" and we are approaching that end (time of the gentiles) and God is going to return his attention to Jacob. WE are seeing THAT day approaching and I don't think God is wanting to be a killjoy with His Promises but rather He is stirring up that hope and causing us to look up and cry out for Jesus to come quickly.

I live in Tornado Alley, and I don't look at the radar 24/7 BUT when chief meteorologist on every channel are warning at the same time to be on high alert it gets my attention and YES many have been warning for decades IE Hal Lyndsey and many others but there's a greater urgency and angst today than I've ever seen and its NOT just centered around a 9/11 event or Iraq invading Kuwait or just cause of Ukraine but because Israel is becoming a growing power player in the midst of its enemies (wealthy) AND we are seeing globalism extending its reach on steroids and technology AI is ascending to the point that the World Economic Forum is boasting that via blockchain we will be able to monitor EVERY single transaction or action online, AND we are seeing COEXIST as a religion ascending as Rick Warren and Pope Francis and Tony Blair and Imams unite....Pedophilia booming, Porn a gazillion dollar industry, human trafficking, transgender, abortion on demand, euthanasia, .....BUT EVEN GREATER....the growing push for a "two state solution." "Because you sought to divide my land!!!!!!!" - invoking the ultimate no no or the final straw...we are seeing THAT grow on the current world geo political stage!! Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom and THAT FREEDOM is under assault on every front, from all the control measures brought forth by the vaccine passports and the coming social credit score system ...CONTROL and CHAOS are marching on a mission from HELL and I believe its right to be longing for a city who's builder and maker is the Lord!!

I totally can relate Mike, we are not in Kansas anymore Toto!!!!

 

[pixelpusher]

Don't buy any green bananas.

 

[Andy C]

IMO, most of us at one time or another have been caught up in looking for signs, for a signless event. There are no signs given in scripture for the rapture. We are told of a season for end times, and surely with all that is going on in the middle east, Ukraine, Syria, are signs that the tribulation is near.

As others have posted, the world is falling faster than a elevator whose cables have broke. Kicking God out of the public square, millions of babies killed by abortion, homosexuals marrying….etc…are definetly signs of a fallen world, but not necessarily signs for the rapture.

From Jack Kelley

Question: Is there a definite sign post that must come to pass before the rapture of the church? In Bible study our teacher said that there were some debatable sign posts before the rapture, but I cannot find scripture to support that theory.

Answer: The rapture is called a signless event because there’s nothing that has to happen first. In other words there are no preceding signs. This is one of the reasons why I don’t believe the rapture will take place on a Jewish Feast day, or any other day that could be predicted in advance.
Another is that both James (Acts 15:13-18) and Paul (Romans 11:25-27) taught that there is a predetermined number of people who will come into the church and when that number is reached the rapture will occur, no matter what day it happens to be. After that, the Lord will turn His attention to Israel again and the End Times judgments will commence.
That means rather than waiting for something to happen before the rapture can come, the rapture has to happen before the end times judgments can come.

https://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/is-there-a-sign-of-the-rapture/

Question: Thank you Mr. Kelly for everything your doing. You’ve brought a lot of people to Christ over the years including me. I’ve been saved for several years now and I’ve learned an awful lot since finding your site.

If the rapture doesn’t happen within the next 5 to 10 years are we to assume Israel becoming a nation was not the sign to start the end times and we aren’t that generation to see the second coming? If so what and how are we supposed to know when this generation is. By all accounts there would be no way of knowing. What is your thinking on this. Thanks again for everything.

Answer: The only specific sign that Jesus gave to his disciples on when the end times would be upon us is the abomination of desolation in Matthew 24:15. This sign requires that Israel be back in the land as a covenant keeping people with a working temple. He said this would be Israel’s sign that the Great Tribulation was about to begin. The bible offers no alternative sign to Israel being back in the land.
Therefore the great majority of scholars (who read the bible literally and in context) have always come to the conclusion that the reappearance of Israel is the preeminent sign that the end times are near. Otherwise, as you say, we would have no way of knowing and Paul said these times should not take us by surprise. (1 Thessalonians 5:4)

https://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/end-times-sign/

 

[soundingthealarm]

I'm so thankful for the resource of Jack Kelly and Jack Kinsella ...man were they a gift to the body and it seems like Andy Woods is following a lot in their steps.

 

[Footsteps]

I wish journalists would ask Jen Psnarky, Nancy Pelosi, and Anthony Fauci when they expect the Rapture to occur. Imagine the gag material.

 

[Spartan Sprinter 1]

I know who you were talking about, but my point was many of them said similar things years ago. You can even look back in the archives of this forum and find articles and postings using the same words you posted above. Regardless, I too believe we are close, how close? There is no possible way to know. One mistake by Russia in Ukraine could trigger world wide horrendous results, which could take us to the time of tribulation - which means we would be gone, and praying that its soon.

Yep even Jack Kelley mentioned it too LOL

 

[Andiamo]

IMO, most of us at one time or another have been caught up in looking for signs, for a signless event. There are no signs given in scripture for the rapture. We are told of a season for end times, and surely with all that is going on in the middle east, Ukraine, Syria, are signs that the tribulation is near.

As others have posted, the world is falling faster than a elevator whose cables have broke. Kicking God out of the public square, millions of babies killed by abortion, homosexuals marrying….etc…are definetly signs of a fallen world, but not necessarily signs for the rapture.

From Jack Kelley

Question: Is there a definite sign post that must come to pass before the rapture of the church? In Bible study our teacher said that there were some debatable sign posts before the rapture, but I cannot find scripture to support that theory.

Answer: The rapture is called a signless event because there’s nothing that has to happen first. In other words there are no preceding signs. This is one of the reasons why I don’t believe the rapture will take place on a Jewish Feast day, or any other day that could be predicted in advance.
Another is that both James (Acts 15:13-18) and Paul (Romans 11:25-27) taught that there is a predetermined number of people who will come into the church and when that number is reached the rapture will occur, no matter what day it happens to be. After that, the Lord will turn His attention to Israel again and the End Times judgments will commence.
That means rather than waiting for something to happen before the rapture can come, the rapture has to happen before the end times judgments can come.

https://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/is-there-a-sign-of-the-rapture/

Question: Thank you Mr. Kelly for everything your doing. You’ve brought a lot of people to Christ over the years including me. I’ve been saved for several years now and I’ve learned an awful lot since finding your site.

If the rapture doesn’t happen within the next 5 to 10 years are we to assume Israel becoming a nation was not the sign to start the end times and we aren’t that generation to see the second coming? If so what and how are we supposed to know when this generation is. By all accounts there would be no way of knowing. What is your thinking on this. Thanks again for everything.

Answer: The only specific sign that Jesus gave to his disciples on when the end times would be upon us is the abomination of desolation in Matthew 24:15. This sign requires that Israel be back in the land as a covenant keeping people with a working temple. He said this would be Israel’s sign that the Great Tribulation was about to begin. The bible offers no alternative sign to Israel being back in the land.
Therefore the great majority of scholars (who read the bible literally and in context) have always come to the conclusion that the reappearance of Israel is the preeminent sign that the end times are near. Otherwise, as you say, we would have no way of knowing and Paul said these times should not take us by surprise. (1 Thessalonians 5:4)

https://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/end-times-sign/

Ok, but what about that Thanksgiving/Christmas analogy I keep hearing? When we see the Christmas decorations lining the shelves at the store, we know that Thanksgiving is near.
I see the tribulation looming, and so do the teachers I am referring to. This makes me realize that we are close to the next big event which is the rapture.
If I didn't believe the rapture was relatively close, I would be very upset and afraid right now with all that is going on in the world. I have always been a chicken little type. Yet I have this strange peace. I truly am just calmly observing everything happening, knowing that my Savior is coming soon. Will I still be like this if I find myself in a famine or WW3, or if I see that one world government happen?
I will, as long as I'm holding on to my blessed hope of getting out of here.

 

[lightofmylife]

Ok, but what about that Thanksgiving/Christmas analogy I keep hearing? When we see the Christmas decorations lining the shelves at the store, we know that Thanksgiving is near.
I see the tribulation looming, and so do the teachers I am referring to. This makes me realize that we are close to the next big event which is the rapture.
If I didn't believe the rapture was relatively close, I would be very upset and afraid right now with all that is going on in the world. I have always been a chicken little type. Yet I have this strange peace. I truly am just calmly observing everything happening, knowing that my Savior is coming soon. Will I still be like this if I find myself in a famine or WW3, or if I see that one world government happen?
I will, as long as I'm holding on to my blessed hope of getting out of here.

The world didn't give us our peace and they can't take it away. We have the blessed assurance of our salvation and our blessed hope! Our redemption is drawing near. Come Quickly, Lord Jesus!