Maranatha Bible Church

Since 1975 when I first heard about it, I have been looking forward in faith to the rapture of the Church and the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. While we can't know the exact day or hour, there are signs indicating that the rapture is near; "Now as to the times and epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying 'Peace and safety!' then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief." (1 Thessalonians 5:1-4).

A pregnant woman may not know the exact day or hour when her labor pains will begin, but she knows that she is pregnant and she can tell when the time is near. As Jesus said, we "are not in the darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief." We know that Jesus is coming soon and we are looking for Him. My faith won't be shaken if He tarries and the rapture doesn't happen within the next few years. But, because of all that is happening in the world today, I'm one of those who thinks the time of the rapture and second coming of Christ is very close.

Even many of those "in the darkness" (unbelievers) have a growing sense of foreboding about the future as they watch the news about wars and rumors of wars, growing economic stress, political instabilities, food shortages and increases in pandemic diseases and natural disasters. And yet most people are oblivious to what is happening around them and are just hoping that everything will somehow be all right, at least for them and their families. But without Christ, things will not be all right.

For those of us who love the Lord Jesus Christ, these unfolding world events are signs pointing to the rapture of the Church and His second coming. For us, there is not only a sense of expectation and excitement, but also increased motivation to be sharing our faith and warning those still in darkness about the coming judgment. We need to tell anyone who will listen about the only saving Gospel of Christ Jesus; "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14).

What an amazing time to be alive and waiting for our Lord; "... Lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near!" Maranatha!