To the Christian Walking Through Persecution

 My dear brother, my dear sister, I want to speak to you personally—not as someone who fully understands what you are suffering, but as one believer speaking to another.

I have not walked the road you are walking. I have never had to hide my Bible because owning it might place my life in danger. I have never gathered for worship wondering whether soldiers might break through the door. I have not watched my home destroyed because I confessed the name of Jesus. I have not faced imprisonment, violence, or the possibility of losing my family because of my faith.

I would never insult your suffering by pretending I understand it.

But I do know the One who is walking beside you.

I know that Jesus Christ has never abandoned one of His children. I know that when trouble comes, He is faithful. When the night becomes dark, He remains the Light. When earthly friends are taken away, He is still the Friend who sticketh closer than a brother.

The Lord promised:

“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
—Hebrews 13:5

You may feel alone, but you are not alone. You may be separated from your church, your family, and everyone you love, but no prison wall can keep Jesus out. No government can ban His presence. No soldier can take away His promises. No persecutor can separate you from His love.

Paul wrote:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”
—Romans 8:35

His answer was certain:

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
—Romans 8:38–39

Dear friend, your persecutors may take your possessions, but they cannot take your salvation. They may close your church, but they cannot close heaven. They may silence your public testimony, but they cannot silence the witness of your faithful life. They may bind your hands, but they cannot bind the Word of God.

The Lord sees every tear you shed. He hears every prayer you whisper. He knows every fear that troubles your heart. There may be times when you cannot find the words to pray, but the Lord understands the groaning of your spirit.

David said:

“Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?”
—Psalm 56:8

Not one of your tears is forgotten. Not one act of faithfulness goes unnoticed. Heaven knows your name, your suffering, and the price you are paying to follow Christ.

You may wonder how much longer you can endure. You may feel tired, frightened, or discouraged. Please do not condemn yourself for feeling that way. Courage does not mean that fear is never present. Courage means that, while trembling, you still place your hand in the hand of Jesus and take another step.

The Lord does not always give us strength for the entire journey at once. Sometimes He gives us enough grace for the next hour, the next prayer, and the next step.

Jesus said:

“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
—2 Corinthians 12:9

You do not have to be strong by yourself. His strength is made perfect in your weakness. When you feel that you cannot hold on any longer, remember that your salvation does not depend upon how tightly you can hold His hand. Your hope is found in the fact that He is holding yours.

Jesus said of His sheep:

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
—John 10:28

I cannot promise that your circumstances will become easier tomorrow. I cannot tell you that persecution will suddenly end or that everything you have lost will be restored in this life. I would not offer you an empty promise merely to make you feel better for a moment.

But I can remind you of the promise Jesus has already made:

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
—John 16:33

Christ has overcome the world. Your suffering is real, but it will not have the final word. Your persecutors may appear powerful, but their power is temporary. Jesus Christ is Lord, and His kingdom shall never end.

Remember also that the Savior you follow understands suffering. Jesus was rejected, falsely accused, beaten, mocked, and crucified. When you cry out to Him, you are not praying to someone unfamiliar with pain. You are speaking to the Man of sorrows who carried the cross before you.

Scripture tells us:

“For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”
—Hebrews 2:18

Jesus understands. Jesus sees. Jesus cares. Jesus is near.

Please remember that you also have brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. Many of us have never met you and may never know your name on this side of eternity, but we are part of the same body. When you suffer, we should suffer with you. When you weep, we should weep with you. When you need prayer, we should lift you before the throne of grace.

I confess that it is easy for those of us living in safety to say, “I will pray for you,” and then return to our comfortable lives. Forgive us when we forget the cost you are paying. Your faithfulness humbles us. Your courage reminds us that following Jesus is more than attending church when it is convenient. Your testimony shows us that Christ is worth living for and, if necessary, worth dying for.

Yet I do not want to place another burden upon you. You do not have to appear fearless for our sake. You are allowed to weep. You are allowed to admit that you are tired. You are allowed to ask others to pray for you.

Even Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, asked His disciples to watch with Him. There is no shame in needing the prayers and encouragement of other believers.

My dear brother or sister, hold on to the Lord. When you cannot see the road ahead, trust the One who can. When you cannot understand what He is doing, rest in what you know about His character. He is good. He is faithful. He is merciful. He will not abandon you in the fire.

The three Hebrew children were not kept from entering the furnace, but they were not alone inside it. The king looked into the fire and said:

“Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt.”
—Daniel 3:25

The Lord may not always keep us from the fire, but He will walk with us through it.

I cannot say that I understand the depth of your suffering. But I can say with confidence that Jesus Christ understands it completely. I cannot personally stand beside every persecuted Christian, but the Lord can—and He does.

So, if you are reading this while walking through persecution, please hear my heart: You are not forgotten. Your prayers are not wasted. Your suffering is not unseen. Your faithfulness matters. The Lord is walking beside you, even in the darkest valley.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.”
—Psalm 23:4

One day the suffering will end. One day the prison doors will no longer matter. One day every tear will be wiped away. One day you will stand before the Savior who stood beside you through it all.

Until that day, keep looking unto Jesus. Take one step at a time. Trust Him for one more day.

And know that somewhere, perhaps in a quiet country church in Indiana, there is an old preacher praying for you.

May the Lord strengthen your heart, protect your family, supply your needs, and surround you with His presence. May He give you courage when you are afraid, peace when the world is raging, and hope when the night seems endless.

You are not walking alone.

Jesus is with you—and He will remain faithful all the way home.

Come Just as You Are

 My friend, if I could sit down with you today over a cup of coffee, I’d ask you one simple question.

How is your soul?

Not your job.

Not your finances.

Not your health.

Not your reputation.

How is your soul?

Maybe you’ve made mistakes that still haunt you. Maybe there are things in your past that you hope no one ever discovers. Perhaps you’ve convinced yourself that you’ve gone too far, sinned too much, or failed too many times for God to want anything to do with you.

If that’s what you’re thinking, I want you to know something.

That is exactly the kind of person Jesus came looking for.

The Lord Jesus Christ did not come into this world searching for people who thought they had everything together. He came seeking those who knew they were lost.

Luke 19:10 (KJV) “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Have you ever been lost?

I don’t mean driving down some country road and taking a wrong turn. I mean being lost inside—wondering if life will ever change, carrying guilt that won’t go away, trying to cover up the emptiness in your heart with anything the world offers.

Jesus knows exactly where you are.

He knows every tear you’ve cried.

He knows every regret you’ve carried.

He knows every sin you’ve committed.

And knowing all of that…

He still loves you.

Think about that for a moment.

He knows everything about you, yet He still stretched out His hands on an old rugged cross and died for your sins.

The devil will tell you that you’re too dirty to come to Christ.

Jesus says, “Come.”

The devil says you’ve waited too long.

Jesus says, “Come.”

The devil says your life can never change.

Jesus says,

John 6:37 (KJV) “…him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

That means exactly what it says.

If you come to Jesus with a repentant heart, He will not turn you away.

Not because you deserve it.

Not because you’ve earned it.

But because He loves you.

I’ve watched the Lord change lives that everyone else had given up on.

I’ve seen alcoholics become faithful husbands and fathers.

I’ve seen bitter people filled with peace.

I’ve seen proud hearts humbled.

I’ve seen broken marriages restored.

I’ve seen people who thought life wasn’t worth living discover joy they never imagined possible.

The greatest miracle isn’t that Jesus healed blind eyes.

The greatest miracle is that He still changes human hearts.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Notice the words “any man.”

Not the religious man.

Not the moral man.

Not the church member.

Any man.

That includes you.

No matter what you’ve done.

No matter where you’ve been.

No matter how ashamed you feel.

Your past does not have to be your future.

The blood of Jesus Christ is greater than your greatest sin.

Sometimes people tell me, “Preacher, if you knew what I’ve done, you wouldn’t say that.”

You’re right.

I may not know.

But Jesus does.

And He still says,

“Come unto me.”

Matthew 11:28 (KJV) “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Notice He didn’t say, “Clean yourself up first.”

He didn’t say, “Fix your life before you come.”

He simply said,

“Come.”

You don’t wash before taking a bath.

You don’t get well before going to the doctor.

And you don’t make yourself righteous before coming to the Savior.

You come just as you are.

Then He begins the work of changing your life.

My friend, life is uncertain.

None of us knows what tomorrow holds.

Every sunrise is another gift from God.

Every heartbeat is another reminder that His mercy has given us one more opportunity to seek Him.

The Bible says,

Isaiah 55:6 (KJV) “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.”

Don’t wait for tomorrow.

Don’t wait until you think you’re good enough.

Don’t wait until life settles down.

Come today.

Come just as you are.

Lay your sins at the foot of the Cross.

Trust the One who died in your place.

Believe that His blood is sufficient to wash away every sin you’ve ever committed.

He can forgive your past.

He can give you peace for today.

He can give you hope for tomorrow.

And He can give you eternal life.

I cannot promise you that following Christ will remove every trial from your life. We still live in a fallen world. There will still be heartaches, disappointments, and burdens to bear.

But I can promise you this:

You will never face them alone.

The Savior who forgives your sins will walk beside you every step of the journey until the day He welcomes you Home.

So let me ask you once more.

What is keeping you from coming to Jesus?

Whatever it is, it is not stronger than His love.

Whatever your sin, His grace is greater.

Whatever your burden, His shoulders are broad enough to carry it.

Whatever your past, His blood is able to cleanse it.

Come today.

Come while His invitation is still open.

Come while His Spirit is calling.

Come just as you are.

For the Lord Himself has promised,

Romans 10:13 (KJV) “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Friend, “whosoever” includes you.

Jesus is waiting.

Will you come?

Share this with others.

The LORD Never Ceases to Amaze Me

 There are times in life when the LORD reminds us that His work has never depended upon our strength, our ability, or our plans. It has always depended upon His power.

For the past several months, my blog has been averaging around 2,000 views each day. Over the last few days, however, that number dropped to around 1,300. Like many writers and ministers, I have often wondered how I might reach more people with the message of Jesus Christ. My desire has never been popularity or recognition. My prayer has simply been that the Gospel would reach one more soul, encourage one more weary believer, and point one more person to the saving grace of our Lord.

Then yesterday something happened that left me speechless.

The blog received 104,368 views in a single day.

When I saw the number, I could hardly believe my eyes. I checked it again because I thought there must have been some mistake. Yet there it was.

All I could do was bow my head and thank the LORD.

Over the years, I have learned that God often works when we least expect Him. His ways are not our ways, and His timing is always perfect.

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." — Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)

This was a reminder to me that the Gospel still has power. The Word of God still reaches hearts. The Holy Spirit is still drawing people to Christ. We may plant the seed, and another may water it, but it is God who gives the increase.

"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." — 1 Corinthians 3:6 (KJV)

I want to express my sincere thanks to every person who has taken the time to read these articles. Many of you have faithfully returned day after day, offering words of encouragement, praying for this ministry, and sharing these messages with your family and friends.

Thank you.

You may never know what your simple act of sharing a message has meant to someone searching for hope. A single article can reach a discouraged Christian, answer the question of a seeker, comfort someone walking through sorrow, or point a lost soul to the cross of Jesus Christ.

If even one person comes to know Christ as Savior because a message was shared, every hour spent studying, writing, and praying has been worthwhile.

That has always been my heart's desire.

As many of you know, after many years in the ministry, I am preparing for retirement from the pastorate. Yet I believe the LORD is opening another door through writing. Age may slow these old legs, but it cannot stop the Word of God.

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." — Romans 10:17 (KJV)

My prayer continues to be simple.

I pray that every Christian who reads these articles will be strengthened in their faith, challenged to walk closer with the Lord, and encouraged to remain faithful until Jesus comes.

I also pray for those who may have stumbled across these writings without knowing Christ. If that is you, I want you to know there is hope. Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners. No life is too broken. No sin is too great. His mercy is still available today.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." — Romans 10:13 (KJV)

If these messages have been a blessing to you, I ask only one favor.

Please continue to share them.

You never know whose life may be changed because you took a moment to pass along the message of God's love.

I stand amazed at the faithfulness of the LORD.

He has never failed me.

He has never forsaken me.

And once again, He has reminded this old country preacher that when we faithfully sow the seed, He is able to do far more than we could ever imagine.

May all the glory be given to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for sharing. Most of all, thank you for helping carry the Gospel to a world that desperately needs the Light of Christ.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." — Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

To God be all the glory.

My View of Zionism and Biblical Israel

 For many years I have not embraced the Zionist interpretation of modern Israel that is common in many evangelical circles. My conclusions have come through years of studying the Scriptures, history, and the development of modern political movements. I recognize that many sincere Christians disagree with me, and I offer these thoughts for careful biblical consideration rather than as a final authority

It is important that I make my position clear.                      

Since there is a movement to target those who do not support the Zionist movement, I need to explain where I stand and why.

I do not hate the Jewish people. I do not desire harm to come upon them. The gospel of Jesus Christ is offered equally to Jew and Gentile, for God “is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34, KJV), and the apostle Paul declared that in Christ “there is neither Jew nor Greek” (Galatians 3:28, KJV). Every person is invited to come to Christ by faith.

Neither do I believe that every Jew is a Zionist, nor do I believe that every Zionist is Jewish. Zionism is a political movement with supporters from many different backgrounds, including people who are not Jewish at all. Likewise, many Jewish people hold differing views about Zionism and the modern State of Israel.

My concern is not with an ethnic people but with an ideology that I believe has had significant influence on world affairs and on how many Christians interpret biblical prophecy.

When I read Revelation 2:9 and 3:9, where the Lord speaks of “the synagogue of Satan,” I understand those passages as referring to people who claimed a covenant standing with God while opposing His purposes. I do not interpret those verses as describing all Jewish people, either in the first century or today. Rather, I believe they warn that there can be religious or political movements which claim divine authority while standing in opposition to Christ.

For that reason, I do not identify modern political Zionism with the covenant people whom God called through Abraham. The promises to Abraham were given so that “all families of the earth” would be blessed through his Seed, which the New Testament identifies as Christ (Galatians 3:16, KJV). I believe the true people of God are ultimately defined by faith in the Messiah rather than by ethnicity or political nationality.

I also believe that God, in His sovereign providence, can permit nations, governments, and movements to accomplish His prophetic purposes without thereby approving everything they do. Throughout the Old Testament, God used Babylon, Assyria, Persia, and other kingdoms as instruments in His plan, yet He also judged them for their pride, violence, and unbelief. In the same way, it is possible for God to allow events in our own generation to unfold according to His purposes without those events representing His approval of every government or political ideology involved.

My criticism, therefore, is directed toward political ideology and the misuse of Scripture—not toward an ethnic group. Every nation, every religion, and every political system should be measured by the Word of God. No government should be placed beyond biblical examination simply because it claims a special place in prophecy.

I readily acknowledge that I could be mistaken in some of my conclusions. My desire is not to provoke hatred or division but to encourage thoughtful, prayerful study of the Scriptures. I encourage every believer to search the Word of God carefully, testing every teaching—including my own—by the whole counsel of God (Acts 17:11, KJV).

Our hope is not in any earthly nation, political movement, or human government. Our hope is in Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, whose kingdom shall never be destroyed.

Is There Another Way to Look at End-Time Prophecy?

 One of the greatest lessons I have learned after many years of studying Bible prophecy is that I do not know everything. The longer I study God’s Word, the more I realize there is still much to learn. That realization has taught me humility. I have become cautious about saying, “This is exactly how it will happen,” because history is filled with sincere Bible students who confidently identified people, nations, and events as fulfillments of prophecy, only to discover later that they had misunderstood the Scriptures.

This article is not written to argue with my dispensational brothers and sisters. Many of them are godly men and women whom I respect. They have devoted their lives to preaching Christ and studying the Scriptures. I appreciate their love for God’s Word even when I may not agree with every conclusion they reach.

Neither am I writing this to convince anyone that I am right. I simply want to share an observation that has developed after years of studying the Bible alongside history and current events. My desire is not to create division but to encourage discussion and, most importantly, to encourage every believer to search the Scriptures for themselves.

The Bereans were called noble because they “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11, KJV). That should be the attitude of every Christian.

The Traditional View

For decades, many prophecy teachers identified Russia as the great northern power of Ezekiel 38 and 39. During the Cold War this interpretation seemed obvious. The Soviet Union was viewed as the great enemy of the West, and many believed the Hebrew word rosh referred to modern Russia.

As a result, generations of Christians grew up believing that Russia would lead the final invasion against Israel.

However, history has changed dramatically since those books were first written.

The Soviet Union no longer exists.

Russia is no longer a communist nation but operates largely as a market economy with private ownership and a restored influence of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The political landscape of Europe and the Middle East has changed beyond anything imagined forty years ago.

This has caused me to ask a simple question:

Have we continued to interpret Ezekiel through the lens of the Cold War instead of through the geography of the Bible?

Beginning with the Bible Instead of the Headlines

Rather than beginning with today’s newspapers, I have tried to begin with the biblical text itself.

When I examine Ezekiel 38, I notice that the nations mentioned—Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Beth-togarmah—are commonly associated with regions of ancient Anatolia, much of which is found in modern Turkey.

Likewise, when I study Daniel’s visions, I see the prophetic emphasis moving through the great empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece before arriving at the final kingdom.

This has caused me to wonder if our attention should remain focused upon the ancient biblical world instead of automatically shifting northward to modern Russia.

That does not prove Turkey is the fulfillment.

It simply raises a question that deserves honest study.

Watching the World Through Biblical Geography

One reason I continue studying this possibility is because I see Turkey becoming increasingly important in world affairs.

Turkey occupies a unique position.

It stands between Europe and Asia.

It is a member of NATO.

It has expanded its military influence into Syria, Libya, the Caucasus, and beyond.

Its leaders increasingly speak as major players in Middle Eastern affairs.

Whether or not one agrees with my conclusion, few would deny that Turkey’s influence has grown dramatically during the past two decades.

At the same time, Russia’s attention has largely been directed toward Europe and Ukraine.

Could this simply be another chapter in history?

Certainly.

Could it also suggest we should reexamine long-held prophetic assumptions?

I believe it should.

What About America and Russia?

Another question has occupied my thoughts.

If the United States and Russia are the two dominant military powers of our age, why do they seem to receive so little clear attention in the prophetic passages describing the final conflict?

Scripture repeatedly returns to the lands occupied by the ancient empires of Babylon, Persia, and Greece.

The center of biblical prophecy remains the Middle East.

Jerusalem remains the focal point.

Israel remains the focal point.

The surrounding nations remain the focal point.

This observation has led me to consider whether the final prophetic picture is not centered upon today’s superpowers but upon a revival of influence in the territories once occupied by those ancient kingdoms.

Again, this is an observation—not a doctrine.

Holding Our Conclusions with Humility

One danger facing every student of prophecy is becoming dogmatic where Scripture leaves room for discussion.

Throughout history many have confidently declared:

“This is the Antichrist.”

“This nation is Gog.”

“This event fulfills Revelation.”

Only to watch history prove otherwise.

I do not wish to make that mistake.

If I have learned anything during these years of study, it is this:

God’s Word is perfect.

My understanding is not.

Therefore, I want to hold firmly to the Scriptures while holding my interpretations with humility.

A Call to Study

I am not asking anyone to abandon what they have believed.

I am asking that we be willing to examine the Scriptures again.

Perhaps the traditional interpretation is correct.

Perhaps it is not.

But if there is another explanation that better fits the biblical geography, the historical setting, and the unfolding events of our day, then we should not fear examining it honestly.

Our loyalty must never be to a prophecy system.

Our loyalty must always be to the Word of God.

The Lord has not called us to defend traditions.

He has called us to search the Scriptures.

As we see the day approaching, let us study with open Bibles, humble hearts, and a willingness to let God’s Word speak for itself.

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (KJV)

Perhaps my observations are correct.

Perhaps they need further refining.

Time will tell.

Until then, I will continue searching the Scriptures, comparing history with the Word of God, and praying that the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth—not so that we can win an argument, but so that we might better understand the marvelous plan of God as we await the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

God Is a God of Order

One of the greatest mistakes we can make when studying Bible prophecy is to think that God works randomly. Nothing could be farther from the truth. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible reveals a God who plans, prepares, and fulfills His purposes in perfect order. He has never acted by chance, nor will He begin doing so at the end of the age.

The Apostle Paul reminds us,

1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace…”

That verse is often applied to the church, but it also reflects the very character of God. He is a God of order.

God’s Order Is Seen Throughout Scripture

When God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle, He did not simply say, “Build Me a place to worship.”

He gave precise measurements.

He specified the materials.

He determined where every piece of furniture would stand.

He described the garments of the priests.

He established the sacrifices.

He appointed the feasts.

Nothing was left to human imagination.

The Lord commanded Moses,

Exodus 25:40 (KJV)

“And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.”

Why?

Because every detail pointed to Christ and God’s redemptive plan.

Even the yearly feasts were arranged by God. They were not merely Jewish holidays but prophetic appointments. Christ fulfilled the spring feasts with remarkable precision in His first coming. He became our Passover Lamb. He fulfilled Firstfruits in His resurrection, and the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost just as God had ordained.

God did not fulfill those feasts randomly. He fulfilled them according to His appointed order.

Why Should Prophecy Be Different?

If God followed His revealed pattern in creation, in the tabernacle, in the priesthood, in the sacrifices, and in the first coming of Christ, why would we expect Him to ignore the prophetic order He has revealed concerning Christ’s return?

I do not believe He will.

When I read Revelation, I do not see a collection of disconnected events thrown together without purpose. I see the orderly unfolding of God’s plan as history moves toward its appointed conclusion.

The Beginning of Sorrows

Jesus Himself described the last days this way:

Matthew 24:6–8 (KJV)

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars… For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

Notice His words.

The beginning of sorrows.

The Lord did not say these would be the end.

He said they were the beginning.

The picture is that of birth pains. They begin gradually. They increase in intensity. They become more frequent. They overlap one another until the birth finally takes place.

That is how I understand biblical prophecy. The signs Jesus described do not suddenly appear all at once. They intensify as God’s prophetic plan unfolds.

Progressive and Overlapping Judgments

As I study the seals, trumpets, and vials, I see progression rather than isolated events.

The trumpet judgments affect a third of the earth, the sea, and the rivers.

The vial judgments reveal a greater outpouring of God’s wrath.

The judgments become more severe as history moves toward its climax.

Some judgments are directed at particular people rather than the entire world.

The first vial falls upon those who have received the mark of the beast.

Revelation 16:2 (KJV)

“…there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.”

Others refuse to repent despite God’s warnings.

Revelation 16:9 (KJV)

“…and they repented not to give him glory.”

These judgments are not random acts of destruction. They reveal both God’s justice and man’s continued rebellion.

Watching the Signs

When I observe increasing wars, natural disasters, famine, persecution, economic instability, and moral rebellion, I do not immediately declare that a particular seal or vial has begun. Scripture calls us to be careful and discerning.

However, neither do I believe we should ignore what Jesus told us to watch for.

He told His disciples to recognize the signs.

He expected them to understand that prophecy unfolds according to God’s revealed plan.

Why I Do Not Believe Christ Returns Before the Prophetic Order Is Fulfilled

I realize many sincere Christians believe Christ could return at any moment in a pre-tribulation rapture before these prophetic events occur.

After many years of studying the Scriptures, I have come to a different conclusion.

I believe the church will remain on earth until the visible return of Christ at the last trumpet.

Paul wrote,

1 Corinthians 15:52 (KJV)

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump… and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

Likewise,

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (KJV)

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout… and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds…”

Jesus also declared,

Matthew 24:29–31 (KJV)

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days… they shall see the Son of man coming… And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet…”

In my understanding, these passages describe one glorious appearing of Christ, following the unfolding of the prophetic events He revealed.

This is not because God lacks the power to return whenever He chooses. God is sovereign over all things. Rather, it is because I believe God is faithful to the order He has revealed in His Word. The God who established the pattern of the tabernacle, fulfilled the appointed feasts, and carried out every promise concerning Christ’s first coming will also fulfill the events surrounding His second coming according to His perfect plan.

A Final Thought

These thoughts are the result of many years of studying Scripture, comparing passage with passage, and observing history. I do not claim to possess perfect understanding, nor do I ask anyone to accept my conclusions simply because I have written them.

Instead, I encourage every believer to follow the example of the Bereans:

Acts 17:11 (KJV)

“…they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

Whether my understanding proves correct in every detail is not the most important question.

The most important question is this:

Are we watching?

Are we ready?

Are we faithfully serving Christ until He comes?

The God who has never broken a promise will not begin now. Every prophecy will be fulfilled in His appointed time, in His appointed order, and for His eternal glory.