RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH

BIBLICAL LANGUAGE IN NATIONAL NEWS REPORT ON UKRAINE

Fox News Report: “The situation on the highway is a pure mess. We had warning after warning from the U.S. about a coming invasion. And we heard the exact opposite from the leadership here (Ukraine). It wasn’t going to happen…In the meantime the people who had been in denial…are trying to get out of town as fast as they can…but it’s too late.” The Ukrainian’s weren’t the only ones in denial. Most of the world leaders were saying that Putin wouldn’t invade Ukraine even though Russian troops were massed on the border of Ukraine

Using the same language as the reporters, the Bible gives warning after warning of the signs of the end time (the rapture of the Church). If you don’t believe me, check out these Scripture references for yourself. These are just a few: 2 Timothy 3; Matthew 24:36-44; Daniel 12:4; Luke 21:25-26; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3.

And finally, “Know this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation’” (2 Peter 3:3-4). The sad truth is that many ministers/pastors (leaders) that fill our pulpits and seminaries deny the soon return of Jesus. Ask yourself when was the last time your pastor(s)/leader(s) warned you of Christ’s soon return?

Another reporter referred to “thermobabaric weapons,” stating that the effect of the blast from one would melt the skin off of your face. I did further research and found this on Wikipedia. “The TOS-1 Buratino is a unique Russian self-propelled multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS) that has seen action in global hotspots like Afghanistan, Chechnya, Iraq and Syria…To put it concisely, these are amongst the most devastating explosive weapons short of tactical nuclear weapons… TOS stands for “heavy flame thrower,” which is only accurate in a literal sense: instead of projecting a stream of jellied gasoline, the TOS-1 launches a rocket carrying a fuel-air explosive (FAE).

These were first employed by the United States in the Vietnam War because napalm wasn’t destructive enough. Napalm munitions disperse a sticky, flaming liquid over a wide area. By contrast, a fuel-air explosive detonates the very air itself: a small explosive inside the FAE munition spreads a chemical cloud in the air through an aerosol effect. The gaseous cloud seeps effortlessly into buildings and caves, and down into slit trenches. A secondary explosive then ignites the cloud, causing a massive and long-lasting explosion.

While the heat generated by FAEs causes lethal burns in a wide radius (roughly two hundred by three hundred meters) the overpressure created by the sudden combustion of the air is even deadlier. The fiery blasts create a partial oxygen vacuum that kills and maims in a variety of grotesque ways and cannot be mitigated with body armor or hard cover…According to a U.S. Central Intelligence Agency study,[15] "the effect of an FAE explosion within confined spaces is immense. Those near the ignition point are obliterated. Those at the fringe are likely to suffer many internal, thus invisible injuries, including burst eardrums and crushed inner ear organs, severe concussions, ruptured lungs and internal organs, and possibly blindness." Another Defense Intelligence Agency document speculates that, because the "shock and pressure waves cause minimal damage to brain tissue ... it is possible that victims of FAEs are not rendered unconscious by the blast, but instead suffer for several seconds or minutes while they suffocate" (en.m.wikipedia.org).

What does the Bible say? “And this will be the plague with which LORD JEHOVAH strikes all the nations which fight against Jerusalem: their flesh shall melt when standing on their feet and their eyes shall melt in their sockets and their tongue shall melt in their mouths” (Aramaic Bible in Plain English).

The third statement that reminded me of a Bible passage was made by Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg (Ret). He was asked, “What would you counsel President Zelensky today?” His response was, “What I would recommend is to get Zelensky out of there…He needs to fight from exile. He is the one that Putin is after.” This is a general that studied senior level management and diplomacy at the United States War College. I wonder if one of the textbooks in the War College was the Bible because we find an interesting story in 2 Samuel 21. And which, by the way, most Bible scholars believe was written around 550 bc. I’m continually amazed how the Bible gives such wonderful counsel on so many subjects. It is as relevant, and even more so, today as it was in the days when holy men of God were inspired by God to write it. “Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.” What David’s men knew was a thousand of them could be killed but it wouldn’t have a huge impact on the nation of Israel. But if David was killed the loss would be immeasurable.

My heart is heavy and my prayers go out to the Ukrainian people. I pray for their salvation and for the destruction of their enemies. HOWEVER, IF YOU HAVE BEEN ASLEEP – IT’S TIME TO WAKE UP! THE LORD IS COMING BACK!!! You can be like many of the Ukrainians this morning who listened to their leaders and those they trusted and found out that it was too late to escape. My thoughts this morning went immediately to those who have heard what the Bible says about the rapture of the Church (the Bride of Christ). At least the Ukrainian’s have hope of escaping to Poland or another country. Those who miss the rapture will have no place to run. The whole world will be impacted. It will be terror without hope. And the most terrifying thought of all will be their knowledge of what they will be facing – THE GREAT TRIBULATION! There are many who are thinking that in the tribulation they will do whatever they must to be saved. The question you need to ask yourself and answer honestly is, “If you can’t/won’t live for Him now, what makes you think you will be able too then?”

Please feel free to send suggestions and comments to my email address at the top of this page.