Every day I receive emails and comments from people who are legitimately afraid of the End Times. While I’ve recently touched on why people need to get serious about getting right with God, Christians needn’t be afraid of the End Times – we’ve read the back of the book. We win.
With that said, let’s just jump into the question:
Question:
Answer:
- Jesus is returning, so that fact cannot be debunked. Jesus even told us which signs to look for that will signal His return.
2. Why would Jesus coming back make you afraid? Seriously, as a Christian, why would you be afraid of Jesus returning to establish His Kingdom here on Earth?
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” – Revelation 21:4
Does that sound scary to you? Jesus getting rid of all the evil and making it like it was in the Garden before Adam ate of the fruit? No pain, disease, death? Why would this make you afraid, rather than excited?
There have always been people out there who claim Jesus is returning at x date, despite scripture saying otherwise. People who don’t read the Bible or have an agenda lead people astray. People who don’t read their Bible get led astray.
I said it in September when people were worried that the world was going to end on the 23rd, and I’ll say it again – until the Temple is rebuilt in Jerusalem, at minimum, the countdown to Jesus’ return cannot begin. And once it’s built, which it isn’t at the time of this answer, we have three and a half years of “peace,” and even then, Jesus still has more time. Jesus is still years from returning once the Temple is rebuilt.
This is the EXACT reason the imminence doctrine that is so popular with pre-trib ministries such as Calvary Chapel (their radio program, Pastors’ Perspective, teaches this doctrine) is UNSCRIPTURAL!
(Imminence doctrine states that Jesus could return at any moment, even before you finish reading this answer.)
Not only that, Jesus Himself told us what signs to watch for, and told us that like the first blooms on a tree signal that Summer is near, so too do these specific signs signal that Jesus’ return is near.
“29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.” – Matthew 24:29-33
Has the great tribulation happened yet? No. Has the sun turned dark? No. Therefore, don’t fret!
Also, ALSO, any prophets whose prophecies do not come to pass are false prophets. They misattribute their own desires as the promptings of the Holy Spirit. STOP LISTENING TO THEM.
It’s safe to assume that the real reason people are afraid of Jesus’ return is because they know that they’re not strong enough in their relationship with Christ to stand up to peer pressure to take the Mark of the Beast.
Deep down, most so-called Christians know that when hard times come, they’re going to be like the seed in Jesus’ parable that falls on rocky ground.
“11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.” – Luke 8:11-13
Jesus already told us that there would be a great falling away of people from the church, prior to His return.
“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
- Has the great rebellion / great falling away happened yet? NO.
- Has the man of lawlessness been revealed yet? NO.
- Has he taken His seat in the Temple of God? NO, as there is no temple currently.
- Has this man of lawlessness called himself “God?” NO.
Clearly, if these four signs haven’t happened yet, Jesus’ return is not just around the riverbend.
There are other signs taking place that were necessary to come into fruition before the events in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 can take place – and these signs have and are taking place today. Obviously the biggest sign is that Israel became a nation, which it did in 1948. That set the ball rolling for all the other future signs to begin, which they have.
If you’re worried about not being strong enough to face trials and tribulation, which Jesus promised us, it’s time for you to get your prayer life in order today.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Get your relationship with God in order before you’re overtaken by tribulation and you fall away:
Originally posted to Quora on June 11, 2018
Hi. I’m the one encouraging you to look into Divinity School. You have untapped potential, please ask God for guidance about this.
I love this post. I like the post better than your videos because the posts get to the point.
Having said that, I understand why you talk a lot in your videos. You have to assume viewers know nothing about the topic you are speaking on.
I want to add something. A potential reason people are afraid of Christ’s return is because they know they are running out of time to live their lives the way they want. No marriage (sex) in heaven. No sin in the eternity.
People think they can play today and repent tomorrow. Hundreds of years ago Roman Catholics would confess as they lay dying, accept Jesus for fire insurance and take communion. They are lucky they had the opportunity to do this. Tomorrow is not promised.
I’m not going to spend time and money on divinity school – I’m already a minister of the gospel and these schools are churning out more fruitless pastors – I’m not interested in that.
I guess you have visited every divinity school and checked all of them out. If God told you no, you are right not to go.
Great answer. I often get the question; “What Divinity School did you get your degree from?” I always anwer “I went to the same school John the Baptistizer did…the Wilderness.” I have learned way more about doctrine and apologetics outside the church than in. I am churchless right now and it is one of the best things the lord has done for me so far in my walk with Him since He saved me in 1988. The churches where I live in Texas are all mostly Bethel/Hillsong wannabe tithing social clubs with self help seminars instead of sound expository teaching. We have been asking the Lord for direction and so far we are staying in the wilderness so we can hear His words and not the vain philosophies of Men.
Dear Rachel Many thanks for your ministry and loving commitment in sharing gods word, I dont ask for prays from people because i know god knows what you need so i just continual pray that he keeps inspiring you to keep fighting and staying strong in your belief and commitment to gods word. God bless you Rachel,
And once i heard you mention that you get asked some very in apropriate things, this truely makes me hurt to hear you are being subjected to this, im sure your strong enough to deflect these things but as a child of christ no in your heart that all those people whom are being that in appropriate we need to pray extra for because when god gets to stand infront of them at judgement, wow it isnt going to be pritty for them.
Sorry the reason for my email rachel is with some of your blogs on your site is asking for a password im not sure what this is about, is this only for people whom financial support you.
Kind Regards Brother in christ Harry Weston
I believe people really do not understand the THREE IN ONE GOD JESUS HOLY SPIRIT
maybe you should explain it in simplest form. I believe this is why they pray to GOD with out JESUS being involved.
I’ve appreciated your videos so much, Rachel, especially the ones about pagan holidays and the encouragement to celebrate the feasts of YHVH. I can understand why believers (real and fake) are scared about the end times. Some haven’t purposed in their hearts to persevere. I’ve struggled with that and am with you on the “if you can’t give up these pagan holidays, how are you going to withstand real tribulation?” Yet it is hard to tell others about this. My own family thinks I’m Jewish and I kind of am leaning toward Messianic Judaism and am okay with that. Jesus/Yeshua is the fulfillment of the covenants and the promise. Does it ever get any easier? But then again, as you’ve said and I also say, most people care way too much what others think. Reading the Bible got me to the feasts and I’ve never been happier with this even as I’m sad that only a few understand and appreciate this. My reasoning is that if the Bible, the Word of God, says we’ll celebrate Sukkot in the New Jerusalem, then maybe it’s time to start celebrating it now. It was a lovely time and I look forward to celebrating Sukkot from here on out, in addition to all the feasts and appointed times (mo’edim). Shabbat Shalom!