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Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

Category: Rapture (Page 3 of 3)

Blog posts about the rapture.

The Immediate and Incredible Results of the Rapture!

April 20, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #64 ~

Just think, there will be an enormous number of people living in the end times who won’t ever get married, won’t ever have children, won’t ever live to the age of 40, won’t ever get old, won’t ever retire, or won’t ever physically die. That’s because Jesus Christ will return to this world and bring this present age to an end, suddenly interrupting and stopping the plans and “normal” activities of billions of people living on this earth.

The first thing to take place at Christ’s return is the rapture of the church. At that time, all Christians will be physically and forcefully removed from the earth, and be immediately taken to be with Christ. The rapture of the church will be one of the most climactic and dramatic events ever, a major turning point in the history of our world. For those of us on earth at Christ’s coming, it will be the most life-altering, body-changing, soul-exciting and God-glorifying event we will ever experience. Why can we say that?

The word rapture, from the Greek “harpazo”, refers to what physically happens to Christians living on earth at the return of Christ, but so much more will be taking place:
– When Christ returns you will get immediate relief from the great tribulation and persecution you are going through. 2 Thessalonians 1:4-7
– When Christ returns you will be rescued from God’s punishing wrath, the devastating and deserved judgment of God to be poured out upon unbelievers. 1 Thessalonians 1:10
– When Christ returns you will finally rest from your work, from the blood, sweat and tears of living, laboring and lovingly sacrificing your life for the Lord. Revelation 14:13
– When Christ returns, your soul will be redeemed, quickly and safely delivered from this wicked world, and from your corrupt and sin prone body. Ephesians 1:14
– When Christ returns, you will perfectly and forever be glorified, for you will receive a brand new, powerful, immortal and spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
– When Christ returns, all believers from all time will be gathered together to Himself. How glorious this will be, for you will be joined with a great multitude of believers, and be shouting, celebrating and worshiping the Lord. Matthew 24:31
– When Christ returns, you will be joyfully reunited with loved ones and friends who have already died and gone on to heaven before you. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
– When Christ returns, you will be greatly rejoicing, pouring out praises to God for your salvation, for His gracious, infinite and eternal love for you. Revelation 7:9-10
– When Christ returns, you will be richly rewarded for your earthly service for God, for you will be given an imperishable and undefiled inheritance that you will have and enjoy forever and ever. 2 Timothy 4:8
– When Christ returns, you will be with Him! Can you imagine actually seeing and being with Jesus, your Lord, Savior and best Friend? How wonderful and exhilarating to finally see Him, “and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17, John 14:1-3

Raptured, relieved, rescued, resting, redeemed, glorified, gathered, reunited, rejoicing, rewarded, and with Jesus!! This is God’s promise and guarantee to you, what’s definitely going to happen when Christ returns. This is what God wants you to get excited about, to be looking forward to, and to be telling others. But the rapture, and all that goes with it, is just the very beginning. Right after the rapture, there’s the righteous wrath of God on earth, the salvation of some Jews, and Christ’s return to planet earth. Then begins the next age, a good age, a glorious 1000-year kingdom age when Christ will be personally ruling over the world, and you and I, with all the other glorified believers, will have the great honor and privilege of reigning with Him. Psalm 47; Revelation 5:10, 20:4

We now live in an evil age, a time when “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). But the evil one is like a dog on a leash, for he is reined in by God, the One who is sovereign over the devil and the entire world. Now in these last years of the end times, God is on the move, and every single day He is working with every single person, strategically and faithfully carrying out His eternal plan to bring His Son back to this earth. Don’t be sleeping or sinning. Be awake and alert, loving and trusting God, serving Him, making disciples, and waiting for your Savior. I hope you realize that Jesus is really looking forward to seeing you. Are you looking forward to seeing Him? The truth is that you will soon see Jesus – either you will physically die and see Him in heaven, or you will be alive on earth when He returns, and see Him triumphantly coming in the clouds.

“The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Job 19:25-27

P.S. For a more in depth look at the rapture I encourage you to read this article: 50 Truths God Wants You to Know About the Rapture.

P.P.S. You may have heard about someone predicting that Christ is coming back on April 23, 2018.  That is not true!!!  Please check out a previous post which clearly explains why this, and any date-setting teaching  on the rapture, is false.

What is the Main Message of Matthew 24?

April 6, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #62 ~

THE COMING OF CHRIST! Matthew 24 is about Christ’s 2nd coming and events leading up to it. The disciples had privately asked Jesus, “What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (verse 3). Jesus went on to give them a detailed answer. He wanted them to know what would be taking place before His return, but more importantly, He wants those of us living in these end-times’ days to know what to be looking for.

Jesus first spoke about birth pains affecting both believers and unbelievers (verses 4-8). These birth pains are false Christs, wars, rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes now occurring in various places all over this planet. At this time, in 2018, our world is in the beginning birth pain stage, which means it’s “not yet the end” of the age. Therefore, Christ’s coming and the rapture of the church is not imminent. Revelation 6:1-8

Then Jesus spoke about events relating to and affecting Christians living in the end times (verses 9-14). All over the world, Christians will be experiencing great tribulation; so-called Christians will be turning away from the true faith (apostasy), and then betray believers; many false prophets will lead people astray; widespread lawlessness will bring sorrow to our souls; by God’s grace, many Christians will endure to the end of the age and be physically saved, that is, raptured into heaven; the gospel will be preached to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus describes what will be affecting the Jews in Israel during this time, this 2nd half of Daniel’s 70th week (verses 15-28, Daniel 9:27). He tells us about the “abomination of desolation”, which is when the Antichrist “takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4). There’s great tribulation directed by the Antichrist against the Jews, and then against the Christians around the world. Revelation 12:17 also speaks about this: “the dragon (devil) was enraged with the woman (Jews), and went off to make war with the rest of her children (Christians), who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” These will be very difficult and distressing days, for many people will die – “wherever the corpse is…”

Then there’s some very good news (verses 29-31), for this tribulation affecting both Jews and Christians will be cut short. “The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.” These heavenly signs will mark the end to this tribulation and this evil age. At the perfect time, Jesus our Savior, will suddenly and wonderfully appear in the skies above us. “As the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be… the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.” Christ will gather together all God’s children to Himself, those who have already died, and are now in heaven, and those still living on earth. “He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

Then Jesus tells us about the timing of His coming (verses 32-36). He says “when you see all these things” talked about in this chapter, then you will know that His return, the rapture and our redemption, is near. That is, we are to know the general time of His coming. But we will not know the specific time, for Jesus goes on to say, “Of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Hebrews 10:25 – “Encouraging one another… as you see the day drawing near.”

Jesus also wants us to know about the unbelievers (Verses 37-41). This is so sad, and sobering, for the unsaved living on earth in these days will be oblivious to what will be taking place. “The coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah… they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage.” They will be mocking Christians, saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? (2 Peter 3:4)”. They will be ignorant of the fact that “the Judge is standing right at the door (James 5:9),” that God’s devastating wrath will soon be poured out upon the earth. But when the skies go dark, they will know “the great day of their wrath has come… (Revelation 6:12-17)”. At the coming of Christ, “one will be taken (Christians), and one will be left (non-Christians).”

Jesus has some final words for Christians (verses 42-51). “Be on the alert… you also must be ready… who then is the faithful and sensible slave?” His instruction to us is crystal clear – be working and waiting for Christ. “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

I am so thankful that Jesus, our Lord, Teacher and Friend, has told us ahead of time about His coming. “Behold, I have told you in advance (Matthew 24:25).” There’s no doubt that we need to read this most important prophecy chapter, Matthew 24, so we can know what to expect before Christ’s coming and the rapture of the church. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” Matthew 24:35

P.S.  An article that will be helpful to read that goes along with this post is: Matthew 24 – The Most Important Prophecy Chapter in the Bible.

The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Teaching is False

March 16, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #59 ~

Through the years, I have talked to many people who believe Christians are raptured at the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week, before great tribulation – but they are in error. Not only is their thinking wrong, but they don’t see how believing this error will have a harmful effect on their own life, family and church. But why don’t people see that the Pre-tribulation rapture idea is wrong? Why don’t people understand the truth? It’s because they have not properly studied and understood Bible passages that speak about great tribulation and the rapture of the church. It may also be that they have been deceived and affected by false teaching on these subjects. “See to it that no one misleads you.” Matthew 24:4. “Let no one in any way deceive you.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3

In particular, they don’t understand what Daniel 9:24-27, Matthew 24:3-36, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10, and Revelation 6-17 say about Daniel’s 70th week, this most important seven-year time frame. Clearly they don’t know what end-time events take place during this period, where they fit, and when they will occur. 1 Chronicles 12:32
– They mistakenly believe tribulation and/or great tribulation lasts a full seven years, the entirety of Daniel’s 70th week. They don’t know what it means when the Bible says this tribulation time is cut short for the sake of the elect. Matthew 24:21-22
– They wrongly think the rapture takes place at the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week. But the Bible says it takes place at the coming of Christ, which occurs after the Antichrist is revealed, after the midpoint of this week, and therefore sometime during the last 3½ years of this seven-year period. No one but God knows the day or hour of Christ’s return. Matthew 24:15-36, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-9

They are in error when they think tribulation and great tribulation, spoken of in Matthew 24, are God’s wrath. The truth is that Christians will experience tribulation and great tribulation, but they won’t go through God’s wrath. Matthew 24:9, 21-22, 29; Revelation 7:14
– They wrongly state that the rapture is imminent, that it can happen at any moment. They don’t realize that many prophesied events need to occur before Christ’s return and the rapture of the church. Matthew 24:4-14, 25, 32-35. (I plan to address this next week.)
– They wrongly believe the “birth pains” described in Matthew 24:4-8 are part of the “Day of the Lord” wrath. They incorrectly think Christians will be raptured before these birth pain events – famines, wars, earthquakes and plagues. But these events only occur in “various places” around the world, and are to awaken and alert both believers and unbelievers about Christ’s coming and the “Day of the Lord” wrath. Revelation 6:1-17

They fail to understand the overall chronology, the order of end-time events repeatedly stated in prophecy passages. For example, they fail to see the flow of events in Matthew 24, that there are beginning birth pains (4-8), then great tribulation affecting Jews and Christians (9, 21), signs in the heavens (29), followed by the rapture at Christ’s coming (31), and finally, the Day of the Lord, God’s wrath upon the earth (Acts 2:19-20). Mark 13:14-27 tells us there’s tribulation, rapture and wrath. 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10 tells us there’s tribulation, rapture and wrath. And Revelation 6-9 tells us there’s tribulation, rapture and wrath. This is what the Bible says, and this is the way it will be.

There are other reasons why people, particularly in the United States, don’t believe we will go through great tribulation. This country has been greatly blessed, and in general, people are happy and satisfied with the way things are. Many people are worldly, complacent, and taking it easy (Amos 6:1-6, Luke 12:19, 1 John 2:15-17), and sadly, some Christians are like this. They don’t want to even think that life could get hard and there could be great tribulation. Many Christians can’t fathom that they, and their families and friends, could go through tough times. They don’t believe there will be great tribulation because they don’t want to believe it! Acts 14:22, Romans 8:35, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Revelation 7:14

It’s also true that many Christians in this country don’t know what it means to really suffer for the Lord. The U.S. has been a relatively peaceful country, blessed with freedom of speech and religion, and for the most part, freedom from persecution. The very thought of going through great tribulation is far from the minds of most people. Yet, when Jesus taught on prophecy, He almost always spoke on suffering. (Matthew 24:9, Mark 13:9-13, Luke 21:12-19, Revelation 6:9-11). The night before Jesus suffered and died, He instructed His disciples, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). Jesus goes on to say, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Finally, Paul encourages us, “Fix your hope completely on the grace to be given to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13

P.S. In times of tribulation or great tribulation, it is important to set your heart and affections on Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior and King.  I encourage you to read this article that speaks about this: Thinking of Jesus Christ.

The Rapture Occurs at the Coming of Christ

February 23, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #56 ~

The next greatest event in this world is soon to take place. It’s the rapture of the church, when Jesus Christ suddenly and rapidly takes the believers living on earth and brings them to Himself, and to heaven. But when is the rapture? As I’ve said, God doesn’t tell us the exact time, but He does tell us the general time (Matthew 24:32-36). To really understand God’s timing, you need to see that the rapture occurs at the coming of Christ. Now some Christians believe it happens before His coming, but that’s just not true. Here are four prophecy passages making it very clear that the rapture occurs at Christ’s coming:

1) 1 Thessalonians 4:15 says, “We who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord.” The phrase “We who are alive and remain” speaks of the Christians alive on earth at the end of this age, and it says they will remain “until the coming of the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17 contains the same exact phrase, “we who are alive and remain,” that we saw in verse 15, but goes on to say that those who remain “will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” Putting verses 15 and 17 together, we see that those who remain until the coming of the Lord (15) will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (17), and are those who are raptured. It is at Christ’s coming that the church is raptured and is, in fact, the first event to occur at His coming.

2) 2 Thessalonian 2:1 says, “With regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him…” The subject is the coming of Christ and believers being gathered to Him at that time. “Being gathered to Him” is referring to the rapture of the church. What else would it be? This further establishes and confirms what we saw in 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17, that the rapture takes place at the coming of Christ.

3) 1 John 2:28 tells us, “abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” A few verses later, 1 John 3:2, referring back to 1 John 2:28, says, “When He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He is.” When we put these verses together, we learn that we will see Christ at His appearing and His coming, and then we will be like Him, that is, be glorified. Since we are glorified at the rapture (1 Corinthians 15:21-23, 51-52), then we must conclude that the church is raptured at the appearing and coming of Jesus Christ.

4) Matthew 24 focuses on Christ’s coming, and is mentioned in verses 3, 27, 37, and 39. This great prophecy chapter says the rapture takes place at the coming of Christ. Let me explain. The coming of Christ is described in verse 27, “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Verse 30 further describes His coming, “The sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky… and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.” Then verse 31 actually describes the rapture, “He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to another.” There’s no question, no disputing the fact, that the gathering of the believers, which includes the rapture, must take place at the coming of Christ.

We have answered the “when” question by saying that the rapture occurs at the coming of Christ. But where, in the sequence of events described in Matthew 24, does the rapture take place? As I said, Matthew 24 speaks about the rapture of the church in verse 31. This means the rapture is after great tribulation (verses 9, 21), after the apostasy (verse 10), after the gospel is preached to all the nations (verse 14), after the Antichrist desolates the temple (verse 15), and after the signs in the skies (verse 29). Since the Antichrist is revealed at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:27), we know the rapture takes place sometime after the midpoint of the 70th week.

2 Thessalonians 2:8-9 also gives us insight as to the chronology of end-time events. “That lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay by the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming.” This clearly states that the coming of Christ is after the revealing and coming of the Antichrist. Therefore, the rapture of the church, which occurs at Christ’s coming, takes place after the Antichrist is revealed, sometime during the last half of Daniel’s 70th week.

Why I am going into all this detail about the timing of the rapture? Because God repeatedly tells us about it in His Word, and therefore, it must be very important to know. The truth is, Christians will be alive on earth during the rule of the Antichrist, and during great tribulation. God doesn’t want there to be any confusion, questions, doubts or errors about this. He doesn’t want you to be surprised by His Son’s coming, but to be working hard for Him, and ready and waiting to see Him. “May the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit, soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

P.S.  If you have not yet read the article I wrote which goes along with this post, I encourage you to do so: Matthew 24: The Most Important Prophecy Chapter in the Bible.

The Timing of the Rapture

February 16, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #55 ~

When is the rapture going to take place? I don’t know. In fact, no man knows. No one but God knows the exact time of the rapture, when His Son will return to earth to gather all the believers to Himself, and then take them home to heaven. But we can know the timing of the rapture, and particularly where it occurs in relationship to the 70 Weeks of Daniel, a 7-year prophecy packed timetable. Knowing what God says about the 70th week is the key to discerning the timing of the rapture. “Give me understanding…” Psalm 119:169

Let me remind you that we live in the end times, that time period leading up to the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. Right now, we are in the “beginning of birth pains” stage, but sometime in the near future Daniel’s 70th week is going to start. It is Daniel 9:24-27 that states some of the main events, some definitive markers in this divine time frame. The first event taking place is the signing or confirming of a peace treaty between Israel and other countries. Then 3½ years later, at the midpoint of this 70th week, the Antichrist is revealed. Finally, at the very end of these 7 momentous years, a great remnant of Jews will be saved. Now don’t forget the key years, 0, 3½ and 7, and the main event associated with each year. “Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people… to make an end of sin… to bring in everlasting righteousness.” Daniel 9:24

Again, we can’t know the exact time of the rapture, but we can know the general time, where the rapture is at in relationship to the three events I just mentioned. And so when is the rapture? It’s after the midpoint, the 3½ year mark of Daniel’s 70th week, and before the end of this week, the 7 year mark. That’s it – the rapture of the church occurs at an unknown time to us, sometime during the 2nd half of Daniel’s 70th week.

Let me explain. First, we know that the Antichrist is revealed at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week, at which time he desecrates the temple in Jerusalem (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15). Then he unleashes this great tribulation which is directed at both Jews and Christians (Matthew 24:9, 21). But after a little while, this tribulation is cut short by God (verse 22), marked by these great signs in the skies (verse 29). Immediately after that, Christ comes in the clouds to rapture the Christians (verse 31).

Let me say it again. After the Antichrist is revealed at the midpoint of the 70th week, he begins great tribulation, but it is cut short (meaning it doesn’t last the entire 3½ years), and then the church is raptured. Since the salvation of the Jews takes place at the very end of Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:24), then we know the rapture happens sometime during the last 3½ years. Matthew 24:9-31 lays out the order of events in the 2nd half of Daniel’s 70th week, and therefore, the timing of the rapture. First, there’s the revealing of the Antichrist (verse 15), then great tribulation (verse 21), then signs in the heavens (verse 29), and then the rapture (verse 31). “He (Jesus) will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to another.”

What about God’s wrath? It’s after the rapture. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 says, “Jesus… rescues us from the wrath to come.” The rapture, believers being taken off this earth, is the means by which we are rescued from God’s wrath. The rapture of the church then is after the tribulation of the Antichrist but before the wrath of God. It is after the persecution of the church but before the punishment of the unbelievers. Therefore, the rapture of the church is post-tribulation and pre-wrath. Thanks be to God that, for a little while, we can suffer great tribulation for Him – but Hallelujah, for then we will be delivered from His great wrath on earth and from His eternal wrath in hell. “Momentary, light tribulation is producing for us an eternal weight of glory.” 2 Corinthians 4:17

God clearly tells us the timing of the rapture in Matthew 24, but also in Mark 13, Luke 21, 2 Thessalonians 1-2, and Revelation 6-7. He repeatedly tells us that the rapture takes place sometime in the last 3½ years of Daniel’s 70th week, and that’s because He wants us to know where it fits, because it’s important to know this, and because He will be wanting us to see that it’s getting closer and closer. “… but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day (rapture) drawing nearer.” Hebrews 10:25

God greatly loves us, and wants us to greatly love Him. He wants us to be excitedly serving Him in these days, to be willing to suffer for Him, and to be enduring to the end of the age. In Matthew 24:9, 13, Jesus tells us, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation and will kill you… but the one who endures to the end will be saved (raptured).” Jesus encourages us, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

P.S. One of the most important things for your life is knowing the love of God. I strongly encourage you to read the article that I just finished, “Keep Yourself in the Love of God.”  I would also suggest reading my article on the “The Rapture of the Church.” It gives you much greater detail about the rapture.

The Rapture is NOT Going to Take Place on September 23, 2017

September 19, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Special Post ~

Image result for 2 thessalonians 2:3

This past Monday I listened to a number of false teachers on YouTube videos predicting what they think will take place on and after September 23, 2017. I was shocked and saddened to hear all the spectacular, sensational and nonsensical things they were saying, all their errors, these lies of the devil. For example: the rapture is going to take place on September 23, 2017 – FALSE. The world as we know it will end on September 23, 2017 – FALSE. There will be a number of signs and events taking place on September 23, 2017, that will then lead to the end of this world – FALSE.

After listening to this false teaching, I felt compelled to share the truth and give some instruction, for you need discernment, you need to know the difference between what is true and what is false when it comes to prophecy. You need to know what God says is going to take place in the future so you don’t fall prey to the end times’ errors that are so prevalent and rampant in our world today.

1. Be aware of error. Many false teachers, false prophets and false Christs are making predictions and promoting their error, and you need to know what God’s word says about prophecy – you need to be discerning. “See to it that no one misleads you…” Matthew 24:4, 11, 24-25
2. The rapture will not take place on September 23, 2017. The Bible makes it very clear that no one knows the day or hour of the rapture, and therefore no one can predict the day or hour of the rapture. “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Matthew 24:36
3. The rapture cannot happen on September 23, 2017, and that’s because God’s word tells us many things that still need to take place before Christ’s return and the rapture. There will be an increasing number of false Christs, wars, earthquakes, famines and plagues. There will be a great apostasy, the building of the temple in Jerusalem, the United States declining in power, the realigning of nations, the revealing of the Antichrist, and people taking the mark of the beast. There will be a great persecution of Christians and Jews, global evangelization, and finally, signs in the heavens. All these things are prophesied to occur before the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. God tells us these things because He wants all believers to know the general timing of Christ’s return. “… so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.” Matthew 24:32-33
4. The rapture of the church is not imminent, and that’s because there are a great number of discernible prophesied events that need to take place before the rapture. We can know the general time of Christ’s return, but we cannot know the specific time. (Point #3 lists many of these prophesied events that will occur before the rapture).
5. Understand what Jesus has told us about the birth pains, the false Christs, wars, earthquakes, famines and plagues (Matthew 24:4-8). This will help you to see that the solar eclipse and hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, are not Biblically prophesied signs of Christ’s return. False teachers are misinterpreting Luke 21:25-26 – “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves.” The “signs in sun…” is referring to signs in the heavens that will take place right before the rapture of the church (Matthew 24:29), and will be seen by everyone on the earth. The “roaring of the sea and the waves” is not referring to recently occurring hurricanes that have hit the United States and its territories, but will be a result of a great earthquake occurring right before the coming of Christ (Psalm 46:2-3, Revelation 6:12). Hurricanes, catastrophic as they may be, are not spoken of as prophecy predicting events in the Bible.
6. Never add to God’s word, or subtract from God’s word. Always remember that truth + error = error. In this recent round of errors concerning September 23, 2017, many false teachers are mixing astrology (Virgo), astronomy (Jupiter) and the Bible (Revelation 12:1-2), and this is so terribly wrong. Mixing the word of God with the word of man results in error. Our understanding of eschatological, end times’ prophecy must be based solely on the Bible, for it is prophetically sufficient, it is all we need to know. “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life.” Revelation 22:18-19, Matthew 24:35
7. Be a good Bible student. Read God’s word; study the word; compare passages; don’t go beyond what is written; interpret the Bible correctly; take it literally, that is in its normal, natural, plain sense; and don’t try to make the events of the world interpret God’s word, but rather let God’s word interpret the events of the world. Saturate your mind with Biblical truth so it becomes a spiritual sieve that filters out the good from the bad, that enables you to recognize the truth and discard the error. Don’t be naive, don’t be deceived, don’t be fooled by the devil, but get discernment and wisdom from God’s word. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness.” 2 Timothy 2:15-16

When it comes to prophecy, be very careful of what you watch and who you listen to. Don’t be fooled by false teachers and the deception and lies of the devil. “Many false prophets will arise and mislead many” (Matthew 24:11). I strongly encourage you to check out the following links to other posts that I have specifically written to help you understand the timing and chronology of events leading up to the rapture:  North Korea, Microchips, and the Solar Eclipse – A Hurricane is Coming – Be Ready, Watching, Working – Deception or Discernment? – Matthew 24 – A Road Map of the End Times – The Seals of Revelation 6 – The Storm Before the Son – Does Anybody Know What Time It Is? – Daniel’s 70th Week, One of the Keys to Unlocking the End Times.

P.S. – This week’s “Saturday Morning Post” will list out a number of critically important points that will give you a lot more insight and understanding about the end times’ birth pangs.

A Big Storm is Coming and I Don’t Mean Hurricane Irma

September 8, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #34 ~ 

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Meteorologists, the weather experts, have been telling us for 10 days now about this huge hurricane named Irma that’s coming to Florida. They know the seriousness of this storm and are greatly concerned, and therefore have been regularly updating us about the storm track, where it’s headed and when it may hit. But all this advance notice about hurricane Irma reminds me of all the advance notice God has given us about Christ’s return. “Take heed, I have told you everything in advance” (Mark 13:23). God really wants you to know what will be taking place in the time leading up to the return of His Son, and that’s because He wants to give you a general idea as to when He’s coming back. And the first things will be the “birth pangs”.

God’s Word gives us a lot of information about these “birth pangs”, for there are four similar passages describing these conditions that need to be met before Christ’s return. Matthew 24:4-8 talks about false Christs, famines, wars, rumors of wars and earthquakes. Mark 13:6-8 tells us the exact same thing. Similarly, Luke 21:7-11 says there will be false Christs, wars, disturbances, great earthquakes, famines and also plagues. Finally, Revelation 6:1-6 focuses on false Christs, wars and famines. Now it’s true these kind of events have occurred throughout history, but the fact that four prophecy passages all talk about them confirms the certainty of them, and that they’re happening in that time leading up to the coming of Christ. They are also different than past events in that they are unique in size, extent and effect.

Now the words “birth pangs” portray a vivid picture, illustrating to us an important truth. Just as the labor pains of a pregnant woman indicate that the birth of her child is near, so too these end times’ “birth pangs” are letting us know that Christ’s coming is near. But there’s something else we need to learn from this illustration. Having been with my wife before and during the birth of our four children I know that labor pains start slow, but then increase in both frequency and intensity. They get closer and closer together, but also stronger and stronger. At the outset of these pains my wife would be up and about, doing things around the house, but there came a time when we had to head to the hospital, for my wife knew that the hard labor was coming, and that our child would be born very soon.

I personally believe the “birth pangs” are already taking place. Now some say they haven’t yet begun, that they start at the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week, and then continue for about 4-5 years until the coming of Christ. But I don’t believe you can cram all those events, wars, famines, plagues, earthquakes, etc., in those few years, particularly since we know that it takes some time for events like these to increase in intensity and frequency. Not only that, but God’s work with the Jews is in conjunction with His work with the church, and I would add, with these “birth pangs”. I believe these labor pains have been taking place in this elongated time frame going back to the late 1800’s when the Jews began returning to Israel. Then in Matthew 24:8, Jesus gives us some insight as to the general timing of these wars, famines, plagues, etc., and therefore, the general timing of Christ’s return. He says, “All these are the beginning of birth pangs”, which means a whole lot more things need to take place after these beginning “birth pangs.”

Where are we at then with respect to Christ’s coming? It’s 2017, and we’re in the “beginning of birth pangs” stage. Right now they may not be so obvious, but as time goes on, they will be. The closer we get to the end of this age, the more you’re going to see and / or feel these labor pains – more earthquakes, famines, plagues, wars, etc. But I need to remind you that the hard labor is still to come. I hate to say this but I have to say this – the conditions in this world are going to get worse and worse before Christ’s return.

Many other prophesied signs will be fulfilled, making it very clear that Christ’s coming is getting closer. There’ll be the building of the Jewish temple, realigning nations, increasing lawlessness, the Jews’ peace treaty with the Antichrist, increasing desire for globalism, more persecution of Jews and Christians, world evangelization, etc. It’s all part of God’s eternal plan, and all under His control. We should be thankful that God knows what He’s doing, that He told us ahead of time what’s going to happen, and that we can serve Him at this very important time in history. I urge you to be spiritually alert as to what’s taking place in the world, and don’t be afraid as you see these signs, but be encouraged, for you know you’ll soon be seeing your Savior and King.

PS – In my post title last week I wrote that “A Storm is Coming”. Honestly, I wasn’t thinking of Hurricane Irma – I was thinking of the coming “birth pangs”. But now at this time, realizing the certainty and devastation of this storm, I ask you to pray for God’s mercy with respect to all our lives here in Florida, physically and spiritually, and particularly for those who aren’t saved.  Pray too that God would be greatly glorified through this catastrophic event. Again, I encourage you to read Job 37, and look at my article on trials.

The Resurrection and the Rapture of the Believers

April 14, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #13 ~

This past week a friend of mine died. But that was a good thing, because God took her soul from her frail body and from this sinful world to heaven. Our biggest problem, as humans, is death. It is a problem in both a physical and spiritual sense, and it is a problem that every person must face. Jesus Christ is the only answer, for when He was on earth He lived a perfect life, then He suffered and died on a cross to pay for people’s sins, and then He was raised from the dead.

A person is saved, is delivered from his sins and from death, when he repents of his sins and believes that Jesus Christ actually died in his place, and paid the penalty for his sins. Spiritually speaking he has been crucified with Christ and raised from the dead, and therefore he is no longer spiritually dead but he is spiritually alive! He is forgiven of all his sins, given eternal life and will go to heaven after he dies! Ephesians 2:1-9

Once a person is saved he is transformed, and by the word of God and the power of the Spirit he is to live for Jesus Christ. I like how Philippians 3:10 sums up a person’s life on earth, “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering.” The believer is to know Jesus Christ and His resurrection power, and is to experience His love, joy and peace, and is to fulfill God’s plans while he is living on earth.

But what happens when this person dies? Because of Christ’s resurrection, his soul is immediately and supernaturally taken to heaven. By God, by Christ, by the Spirit, he has walked through that door called death, and is still alive, still experiencing the life of God. He is in heaven, freed from all sin, all pain, all sickness and all sorrow. And he is with God and Christ, millions of angels, and a great multitude of believers who have gone on before him. But his salvation is not complete. Yes, he is spiritually alive in heaven but he has not yet been physically glorified, he has not yet received his new physical body. He was justified on earth, lived as a Christian on earth, and then died, and is in heaven, but he has not yet been glorified.

When will this person be resurrected and glorified? Remember, it was about 2000 years ago that Jesus Christ, at His 1st coming, was raised from the dead and was physically glorified, was given a perfect, powerful, immortal and spiritual body. But understand that it is at Christ’s 2nd coming that this person will be resurrected and glorified. Therefore, it is still in the future. At the end of this present age, Jesus Christ will return in the clouds above this earth, and it is at that time that this person and all believers who have already physically died will be resurrected and physically glorified. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

What about believers who are still living on earth when Christ returns? They will not be resurrected because they did not die, but they will be raptured, will be quickly snatched from this earth, physically glorified, and immediately taken to be with Christ. This also takes place at Christ’s 2nd coming. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. At Christ’s return, all believers already in heaven, and all believers still on earth, will be glorified, will be given a perfect, powerful, immortal and spiritual body. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. “We will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, … for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will all be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. We will “attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:11.

Have you repented of your sins and placed your faith in Jesus Christ, believing that He died to pay for your sins and then was raised again from the dead? If you have, then you have defeated death in every way, shape or form, and you will spiritually and physically live forever with God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and all the angels and saints. The central part of God’s eternal working in human history is Christ’s death and resurrection. This is what you must believe and should be most excited about, that Jesus Christ died for you and was raised from the dead, resulting in your past justification, your present sanctification, and your future glorification.

“But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’… Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

P.S. I just published a new article about being in heaven with Jesus…

The Rapture, A Love Story

February 24, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #6 ~

Jesus Christ is now in heaven, sitting at the right hand of the Father. And do you know what He’s thinking about? He’s thinking about you and me, His bride on earth, and no doubt longing for that time when He will return to rapture and redeem the believers who are still on earth. But He is not just “thinking” about coming back, He’s “excited” about it, He’s “looking forward” to it. He “can’t wait” to come back and take you home to heaven. Jesus’ heart is aflame with love for you – He loves you so much more than you know – “for as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love towards those who fear Him.” Psalm 103:11

But here’s a question? Do you love Jesus? I mean do you intensely and passionately love Jesus? Is your heart aflame with love for Him? Are you loving Jesus by living for Him while you are on this earth? And are you excited that He’s coming back to take you home to heaven? Is this your desire and prayer, and what you spend time thinking about? My concern and fear in this day and age is that many Christians are sleeping, are apathetic, and aren’t interested in Christ’s return and the rapture. But why? Are they lovers of self? Are they worldly? Are they “choked with worries, riches and pleasures of life?” Luke 8:14. Or are they ignorant, and just don’t know about Christ’s return?

In over 100 verses, God specifically tells you that Jesus is coming back; and 100’s of more verses give all kinds of details about His return. Why does God say so much? Why does He keep repeating Himself? Because He loves you, and because Jesus loves you. These verses are Jesus’ love letter to you, letting you know, convincing you and reminding you about His coming for you. More than you realize, Jesus longs to see you and be with you, and He wants you to long to see Him and be with Him – and to be ready and waiting for Him.

Think of a serviceman overseas, writing emails and texts to his wife, and he keeps telling her, “I miss you so much. I can’t wait to see you. I’ll be home soon. All my love.” Then the day comes and he returns home, and he is in the airport, and he sees his wife, and they are jumping up and down, shouting, crying, hugging and kissing. And their love for one another is quite obvious. For a long time they’ve been thinking about this, and looking forward to this one moment. And now it’s true!

But we are talking about seeing Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and being in love with Him. Now there are many ways to get stirred in your love for Jesus. One way is by taking communion, for this is to remind you of Jesus’ love for you so that you then love Him. 1 Corinthians 11:26 says, “As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” This church age verse instructs you to stay in love with Jesus “until He comes.” Jesus’ heart is fired up for you, and He wants your heart to be fired up for Him, to be charged up by His love for you. It’s that simple. Jesus loves you and He wants you to love Him, and to be longing for that time when you will see Him. Jesus is your Savior, Friend and Husband, and three times at the end of His Revelation love letter, He says to you, “Behold, I am coming soon!” Revelation 22:7,12, 20

Your relationship with Jesus is a love story, and undoubtedly the best of all love stories. Jesus has loved you for a long, long time. God chose to save you, and since eternity past Jesus has had you on His heart, has had His eye on you, and then He died for you (Romans 5:8), and then you were physically born, and then He called you, and then you were saved, at which time you first began to love Him. And now you continue to love Him. But sad to say, your heart can get cold. Revelation 2:4 says, “you have left your first love.” Revelation 3:16 says, “you are lukewarm.” Today, if your heart is not fervent in your love towards Jesus, then repent, tell Him you are sorry, and “dine with Him” and “do the deeds you did at first”. And keep loving Him “until He comes”. I still remember and love Pat Terry’s song from the 1970’s – “I can’t wait to see Jesus in His glory as He bursts from the sky…”

P.S. I just finished an article, “An Introduction to the Book of Revelation.” I believe you will find it very helpful, very instructive, and very encouraging.

The Rapture of the Christians at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

February 17, 2017 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #5 ~


At the end of this age, Jesus Christ will come down from heaven. With all authority, He will lovingly, powerfully, suddenly, quickly, and safely take up all the believers who are remaining on this earth. “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet,” we will be taken out of this evil age, and be taken up from this earth. Immediately we will see Jesus, and then be with Him forever. This is the rapture of the Christians! 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

At this time, we will be caught up together with all the believers from all time. “We who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds…” 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Those in heaven and those on earth will be gathered together to be with Jesus Christ. Then we will see all the believers, which includes loved ones, family members and friends who went to heaven before us. What a great reunion, what a glorious celebration this will be! This is our hope, our future – this is the truth, what surely will take place, and what we should all be looking forward to. Matthew 24:31

“…to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17. We will not just see one another, but we will see Jesus. Then we will hear His loving voice and His truth-filled words. Finally, it hits us, we are actually with Jesus, our Lord, Savior, Friend and Husband. Filled with awe and overflowing with joy, with great emotion we will praise and thank our Lord, and tell Him, as Revelation 7:9 says, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.”

“We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He is.” 1 John 3:2. Not only will we see Jesus, but we will also be like Him. That is, we will be glorified, we will receive our brand new body. Do you realize that no believer in heaven or on earth at this time is glorified, is fully saved? This takes place at the rapture. And for believers now on earth, we are justified, we are being sanctified, and we will be glorified at the rapture, when all believers from all time will receive their perfect, powerful, immortal and spiritual bodies. Our salvation will finally be complete! How wonderful this will be! Glory be to God! Romans 8:28-30, 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

When will this take place? No one but God knows the exact time. But God does want us to know the general time of Christ’s coming and the rapture; and it won’t be long because we are now living in the end times. It is Matthew 24 that helps us see the general time of His coming, and gives us the best chronology of end time events. It tells us that the rapture (vs 31) will be after the birth pains (vss 4-8), after the Antichrist is revealed (vs 15), after great tribulation (vss 9, 21, 29), after the gospel has been preached to the world (vs 14), and after the end of the age, the signs in the heavens (vs 29). The rapture will take place sometime during the last half of Daniel’s 70th week, but we do not know the day or the hour.

The rapture of the church, the first event at Christ’s coming, is a most pivotal, critical and climactic point in human history. Why? 1) All believers are happily with Christ, our salvation is complete and we are glorified. 2) This present evil age is over, and the day of the Lord, God’s righteous wrath, will then take place on earth. 3) Then the good age will begin, when Christ will reign on this earth, and we will reign with Him. The rapture – what a glorious moment this will be, and O what it means for all eternity! Think about it. Believe it. Be excited about it! Look forward to it! “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” Revelation 22:20

JESUS LOVES ME – Anna B. Warner / William Bradbury

“Jesus loves me! He who died Heaven’s gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.”

“Jesus loves me! He will stay close beside me all the way; He’s prepared a home for me, and some day His face I’ll see. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.”

P.S. – Our church will be hosting a Bible Prophecy Conference on April 1-2. The speakers will be Marv Rosenthal, Alan Kurschner and myself. Check it out on the front page of www.HopeBibleChurch.US – it’s going to be a great conference, and I want to invite you to attend.

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