The Lift Hill

There are many people in the world who suffer to varying degrees from the fear of heights (acrophobia), but I confess I am not one of them. In fact, I occasionally joke with students in my adult English classes that I invented a new word just for myself: acrophilia—the love of heights.

As far as I'm concerned, there is no more exhilarating feeling in the world than to be high up—the higher the better—so I can look down and enjoy the view below. Now, don't get me wrong—I always seek to ensure my safety. My DNA is devoid of the daredevil gene, but the fact remains: I absolutely love heights.

But daredevil gene or no, as a certified acrophile, I suppose it should come as no great surprise that I enjoy a good roller coaster ride—and again, the higher the better. Recently, however, as I have been contemplating the current world situation, the Lord has repeatedly brought to my mind the image of just that: a roller coaster.

At least one specific part of one.

As you probably know, roller coaster trains have no power of their own—they simply roll downhill on a track thanks to our good friend Mr. Gravity, typically with some hair-raising twists and turns on the way down. But with the laws of physics being what they are, what rolls downhill somehow has to get uphill to begin with.

If you've ever ridden a roller coaster, you probably recall that in the beginning, the train steadily climbs up a high, straight hill. After it gets over the crest of that hill, the real ride begins as the train goes barreling down through whatever fiendish loops and rolls have been designed into it.

In roller coaster parlance, that high, straight hill you go up first is called the "lift hill," and the train doesn't actually climb the lift hill—it is pulled up the hill through mechanical means. The most common of these is known as a "chain lift," although there are several other innovations in use today.

The idea is pretty simple: A mechanism on the bottom of the train (a "chain dog") engages a chain-like mechanism running along the center of the track, and an electric motor steadily pulls the train up to the top of the lift hill, where it has its maximum potential energy. The clackety-clackety-clack sound you hear as the train is steadily pulled up the lift hill is due to a safety feature known as the anti-rollback (ARB) dog. This series of mechanical "catches" holds the entire train securely in place in the unlikely event of a chain failure.

So when you ride a roller coaster, the first thing you experience is a slight jerk, followed by the sensation of the train being mechanically pulled up the lift hill, inexorably clackety-clackety-clacking its way to the top. You can't stop it—there's no turning back. And you know as soon as you get deposited over the crest of that lift hill, you're in for a screamingly wild ride. From that point on, there's only one thing you can do:

Hang on for dear life.

(And, if you're an acrophile like me, enjoy the view below as much as possible.) That being said, be forewarned that this article is somewhat of a departure from my usual style in that I don't have one central, primary point to make—it's more of a fruit salad of things I have been mulling over lately that pertain to the change that has suddenly come upon the world—a change aptly depicted by the lift hill of a roller coaster.

The run-up to the run-up

So it's the lift hill, not the ride per se that the Lord got me to focus on recently. More generally, the Lord impressed upon me that the world has been sitting in the roller coaster train for two thousand years, waiting for the ride to start. But 72 years ago, a few people on the train suddenly became aware that after two millennia, the ride was finally drawing near.

In 1948, against all odds and in fulfillment of key Bible prophecies, Israel became a nation again. Ever since then, those few on the train who know what the Bible teaches about the end times have known the ride was going to start soon. They have watched with growing excitement as various other attendant prophecies have come to pass and as God has stirred the pot and brought the various players and pieces of the prophetic puzzle together just as prophesied in His Word.

They have watched as the ride has grown closer and closer, although they've never had a clear sense of just exactly how close it might be. They just know it can't be too awfully much longer, and many understand that the Rapture, which they know has to precede the beginning of the tumultuous ride of the Tribulation, is finally coming into view.

On September 23, 2017, we were given a spectacular heads-up—or at least those with ears to hear were. The stellar-planetary confirmation of the great sign of Revelation 12:1–2 graced the night skies—a sign which, although containing several layers of interpretational significance, ultimately paints a glorious and unmistakable picture of the Rapture of the Church. And a handful within the body of Christ have some insight into what it portends:

The curtain is about to come up.

It's almost show time. It means that those of us actively waiting for the blessed hope won't have to wait a whole lot longer—we're in the home stretch. And that suggests that the geopolitical gyrations as well as the upheaval in the natural world that will prepare the way for the horrifying judgments of Daniel's 70th Week described in the book of Revelation are about to start cranking up in ways we haven't previously witnessed.

The run-up to the run-up: In other words, while the seven-year Tribulation is the official run-up to the physical return of Christ, after September 2017 we knew we were either entering or about to enter the official run-up to the Tribulation...a period of unspecified duration that will include the Rapture.

So for the last couple of years, some of us within the body of Christ have been fidgeting in our seats on the roller coaster train, fully aware things were about to get real.

And then out of the blue came the coronavirus.

With the onset of the current coronavirus pandemic, something changed virtually overnight, and the entire world felt it. Suddenly the world was plunged into a frightening global health crisis that threatened to destroy economies and kill millions—how many millions depends on which source of misinformation you choose to believe. The globalists and their loyal media darlings began fanning the flames of fear until the current pandemic made that climate change thing look positively 2030-ish by comparison.

The whole world just felt a jerk, and some in the body of Christ have some sense of what it means:

I believe what the world just felt was
the initial jerk of the roller coaster train.

Up we go: The chain lift mechanism suddenly engaged, and the train is now officially in motion and has begun its steady rise up the lift hill in preparation for the wild ride of God's judgment during the Tribulation.

Although everyone felt the jerk, the vast majority of people have no idea what it is, what it means, or what it might lead to. They're frightened about what the future holds, and understandably so. With a chorus of voices in both government and media churning out an unending tsunami of nerve-wracking misinformation to keep people as frightened possible and thus compliant to unprecedented levels of government control, some suspect that things may never be the same—things may never return to "normal," however the word may be defined.

And I think they're right—I don't think things will ever be the same. I don't believe the globalists have any intention of allowing this opportunity to advance their agenda go to waste. Some are calling it a test run to work out the kinks in the push toward global governance. Well, if it is, it appears to be working out surprisingly well.

But as people everywhere felt the jerk and have begun to hear and feel the clackey-clackety-clack of the roller coaster train, some who know God's Word understand exactly what it means:

We've started our way up the lift hill.

And when the train gets to the top of the lift hill and goes over the crest, they know exactly what is going to happen: It will begin the wildest and most terrifyingly destructive ride in the history of mankind—the Tribulation.

Circle the date on your calendar

Of course, we know that the Rapture must occur at some point before the train reaches the top of the lift hill, and obviously no one knows exactly how long that ride up the hill will take. But the simple fact that many prophetically aware believers sense on some level that we are now officially on an unstoppable collision course with the Tribulation has led to a renewed round of something that peaked in September of 2017:

Rapture date speculation.

As you probably know, starting in about 2011 or 2012 the Internet began to buzz with speculation about how the REV12 sign of September 23, 2017 signaled the Rapture, or that at the very least the Rapture would surely follow on its heels. That buzz reached a frenzied climax in September 2017, and it goes without saying that it's kinda sputtered since then. But with the advent of the coronavirus pandemic, I have been seeing some of the same people who got caught up in sensationalizing the 9/23/17 date for the Rapture several years ago get their groove on once again and hold forth in a similar vein.

The coronavirus has rekindled the fires of end-time speculation, and for many people date speculation for the Rapture is part and parcel of such. And it seems that Rapture date speculation inevitably centers around two key events: Shavuot and Rosh Hashanah, aka Pentecost and the Feast of Trumpets.

And Pentecost is right around the corner! Yikes!

For the 9/23/17 Rapture date speculation, it was all about the Feast of Trumpets. F. o' T., yessiree. It's a Bible lock, baby! There were people who practically made a living trumpeting the notion that the Rapture absolutely had to occur on the Feast of Trumpets, which just happened to fall on the day before the REV12 sign, or September 22.

Both prior to and following the REV12 sign, however, various people (this writer included) posted things that put forth sound biblical arguments that if (and I do mean IF) the Rapture were going to occur on a Jewish feast day, the Feast of Trumpets made very little sense, and that Pentecost was far and away the more logical choice. (I won't rehash those arguments here; but if you're interested, take a gander at this, this, and this.)

As I emphasized at the time, I wrote what I did primarily in an attempt to knock some of the wind out of the sails of the Raptashanah craze that had overtaken the bulk of the watch community—a craze replete with surprisingly flimsy and marginally biblical reasons for insisting on a Feast of Trumpets Rapture and based on some erroneous assumptions concerning the Jewish festivals or moedim. I didn't write what I wrote just to generate buzz that the Rapture was really going to happen on a different moed.

In other words, I just wanted the Raptashanah crowd to see that pinning the Rapture to the Feast of Trumpets wasn't anywhere near the Bible lock they all casually assumed it was. However, I think a lot of what was written fell on deaf ears until we were well into the aftermath of the REV12 sign.

Recently, however, I have noticed a distinct uptick in date speculation and the focus right now is aimed squarely at Pentecost, which according to Jewish reckoning could either fall on May 29, May 31, or June 7. Stephanie Dawn posted a fascinating and well-researched article on this topic recently at Unsealed, and she goes into detail about the different dating schema used by the Pharisees (5/29), the Karaites (5/31), and the Essenes (6/7). (For what it's worth, I've got a $20 bill that says the Karaites nailed it, and not just because 5/31 happens to line up with the Christian calendar this year.)

Now, I want to tread lightly here. Every time this subject comes up, I make the same disclaimer...so here goes for the umpteenth time:

Be careful out there: There is nothing inherently wrong with postulating that the Rapture might occur on a certain date or during a certain time frame. Even though we don't know and will never know exactly when the Rapture will occur, and even though Scripture suggests that the Rapture is a number-specific event rather than a date-specific event, there is no reason to assume that the Rapture won't occur on a date of biblical interest or significance. In fact, such speculation can encourage us to study the Word and deepen our knowledge of Scripture, such as gaining a more in-depth understanding of the powerful, Church-related symbolism of the Jewish feasts and Christ's fulfillment thereof. This type of speculation can be edifying to believers and can promote a better grasp of sound doctrine.

But we must take great care to keep it within that realm and not allow ourselves to get caught up in pinning our hopes and the hopes of many others to a specific date, because every time we do that, straight up: We are not being obedient to the commands of Scripture.

Now, I admit that in the past I have occasionally taken aim at overly hyped date speculation, but I'm happy to report that I've pretty well managed to get that out of my system. The problem in my mind boils down to the simple fact that when people allow themselves to pin their hopes to a specific date for the Rapture, they can sometimes reach the point where they can't maintain the proper mindset toward the blessed hope of the Rapture that Scripture tells us to maintain. And just what is that mindset, you ask?

Again and again, the Bible could
scarcely make the message any clearer:
Watch and wait eagerly, actively, and expectantly.

As in all the time. Period. In other words:

The Rapture could occur at any time,
so live like you actually believe that.

It's neither difficult nor complicated, but so many of us seem to find ways to make it so. You know us...we're only human—we just can't help it. When we allow ourselves to get a bit too googly-eyed over a specific date, all that watch-and-wait stuff kinda falls by the wayside to some extent, ya know? Then that date passes and we feel an inevitable twinge of disappointment, typically accompanied by a whiny, Chicago-Cubbish "wait till next year" lament.

There's your first clue: That twinge of disappointment we invariably feel—no matter how faint or fleeting—when a red-hot Rapture date we had been speculating about plods uneventfully by should be our first clue that we are not watching and waiting eagerly, actively, and expectantly the way God intends and His Word commands. Look, here it is, so listen up: If we can't cultivate the spiritual discipline to wake up the morning after a date of interest passes and have our hearts just as full of the blessed, any-moment hope of being caught up to be with Christ as we did 24 hours earlier, then we have no business dabbling in date speculation, and should simply let it go and steer clear of it. In that case, we need to content ourselves with "soon and very soon" and leave it at that.

'Nuff said. And since we're on the subject, one fundamental thing that occurs to me is the utter pointlessness of getting yourself and other people all worked up over a specific date for the Rapture in the first place. Let's think this one through carefully:

Just as an example, let's say that you're convinced the Rapture really might happen on May 31, 2020. Well, yeah—it might. But you think you've really tapped into something and you've put together a solid case for it. I mean, it's Pentecost, maybe it's exactly 49 (s-e-v-e-n times s-e-v-e-n!) weeks between May 31, 2020 and the last super-duper blue blood moon, and it fits s-o-o perfectly in the kickin' end-time chart you've made. I mean, you're sold on the idea that this could really be The Big Day, and you just can't wait to post it online and show others so that they, too, can eagerly look forward to the Rapture occurring on that date.

Now, follow along closely. Logically, there are only two possible outcomes, and these same two outcomes apply anytime someone starts hyping and getting everyone's hopes up for a specific date for the Rapture:

1. The Rapture doesn't occur on May 31, 2020.

On the morning of June 1, the whole wide world wakes up to the fact that your speculation was simply wrong. It sounded really convincing, made for a cool-looking chart, and got some folks buzzing on the Internet—but it didn't amount to a hill of garbanzo beans. Tsk, tsk...better luck next time.

OK, so then what? Well, life will go on, and the date of the Rapture will remain as it's always been: known only to God. You've made yourself look a bit...well, you know, and next time people will probably take you a bit less seriously.

Maybe a lot less.

Oh, and all those who mock God, trash His Word, and snicker at anyone with the temerity to admit to believing in all that biblical hogwash? They'll have a good laugh and a shiny new weapon for their arsenal.

As if they needed one.

2. The Rapture does occur on May 31, 2020.

Several hundred million believers will be so thrilled by the indescribably mind-blowing experience of suddenly being whisked into the spiritual dimension and finding themselves in the presence of our Lord and Savior along with departed loved ones that all those silly, speculative dates some were so enthralled with back on earth will be forgotten like so many discarded tinkertoys. What, high fives? Slaps on the back? T-shirts that say "I NAILED IT"? I'm guessing no. Seriously.

Of course, the billions left behind won't be so thrilled, but that's a horse of a different color (white, red, black, or pale—take your pick).

The point is this: What's the point?

Relax: Lest anyone out there think I am itching to condemn all manner of date speculation, let me say this: Whatever you do, if you can at least remind people that the Rapture can occur at any time, we're good. No problemo. Here's the thing: You may have a good grip on that, and so when a date of interest passes it's still full steam ahead for you. But keep in mind that some who read your work may get a little too swept away by it, and may be in need of that constant reminder about watching and waiting. Just saying.

Giddyup go

Another thing that I am seeing a bit more of in the recent flare up of end-time speculation is well-meaning people effectively getting ahead of God and trying to hurry Him up. For example, I have seen speculation concerning Trump's Deal of the Century, which was on ice for about two years thanks in large part to the political stalemate in Israel. The Trump administration agonized over the optimal time to formally announce its deal, which it finally did on January 28, 2020. The "optimal" part remains to be seen, however.

Of course, as soon as you say the word "deal" in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, jerk goes the knee of every student of Bible prophecy on earth. Some students of eschatology tend to jump to the conclusion that any deal reached simply has to be The Treaty, as in the treaty of Daniel 9:27—the "confirmation" of which officially launches the Tribulation. When Trump's deal was officially announced in January, however, the Israeli government was still locked in a seemingly interminable stalemate that saw three elections fail to form a government...and that spelled even more delay.

However, just recently Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz avoided a fourth election by agreeing to form a unity government that will be led by Netanyahu for the first 18 months of a three-year term, with Gantz serving as prime minister for the second 18 months. So now that Israel has a stable, functioning government in place, it's finally all systems go for Trump's peace plan, right?

As a result, some prophecy buffs are champing at the bit, assuming that with the political dust settled in Israel, the Deal of the Century is all set to kick in, and bada bing, bada boom:

It's Trib time!

Or more to the point:

It's pre-trib Rapture time!

As if God had just sent us a telegram.

The problem is that these people are in a huge hurry to see these events transpire (and I can certainly appreciate that), but as a result they may not be asking the critical questions they should be. And one of those critical questions is pretty obvious:

Is Trump's Deal of the Century
really the treaty of Daniel 9:27?

I have written about this before; but based on my study of Scripture, I am reasonably well convinced of the following:

The treaty of Daniel 9:27 will be a seven-year treaty that the Antichrist will confirm with Israel that will allow the Jews to build the Third Temple on the Temple Mount and reinstitute the Levitical sacrificial system. This treaty will also deceive Israel into believing they have achieved a lasting peace with countries that seek their annihilation. I also believe it will include provisions to divide Israel in a substantive manner, most likely as per well-established plans for a two-state solution with the Palestinians, with pre-1967 borders and possibly East Jerusalem as the capital of that state.

I don't mean to sound vein-poppingly dogmatic, but I do want to emphasize that although this is my opinion, it is based on my study and understanding of pertinent passages of Scripture. If you doubt what I say, just read the article I linked to above. You just might be surprised how much we can infer about this treaty from the text of God's Word.

But back to the Deal of the Century. I have glanced over some of the key particulars of Trump's deal, and I can say one thing with confidence:

It falls well short of the above description of the treaty of Daniel 9:27.

Third Temple? Not a whisper. Pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state? Keep dreaming. Bad news, boys—Trumps deal isn't even close. As I have said, the treaty of Daniel 9:27 could very well be something that ultimately grows out of or is based on Trump's deal. But as far as I'm concerned, this ain't it...at least not yet.

It could be a forerunner—a foreshadowing, but I'm just not convinced we're there yet.

So, forget "giddyup go"...how about "giddyup wait and see"?

What part of "wait" is confusing?

Speaking of telegrams...I've hit this before, but it bears repeating:

God is not going to telegraph
the date of the Rapture to us.

Ain't gonna happen. Why? Because if He did, we wouldn't be able to watch and wait in the manner He commanded us to.

Sorry, no telegrams: It is clear from Scripture (or at least it should be) that God has no intention of completely telegraphing to the Church the exact date of the Rapture. I'll say it again: His Word tells us to watch and wait for the Rapture eagerly, actively, and expectantly. Let that sink in for a moment. That tells me that if He were to give us clear and undeniable clues of exactly when the Rapture would occur in advance, it would absolutely interfere with our ability to obey His Word and watch and wait with the kind of attitude He told us to have.

I have discussed both of the following points before, but a quick review wouldn't do anyone any harm. We can conclude from Scripture two key points concerning the exact timing of the Rapture:

1. The precise timing of key end-time events, including the Rapture, is not for us to know:

Although the disciples are asking expressly about the establishment of the kingdom after the Second Coming, Jesus is clearly applying the same principle to the timing of other key eschatological events that precede it. It's not for us to know...and that means we will never know. End of conversation.

This logically implies the second point:

2. He is coming for us at time that we will never be able to figure out or pinpoint in advance.

In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus is talking specifically about the Second Coming, and says something to the effect that He is coming at a time they do not know or do not expect:

Again, I understand that Jesus is referring to the Second Coming, but I am convinced the same principle applies to the Rapture.

But what exactly do the Gospel writers mean when they say "an hour you think not"? Most modern English translations render both these verses using the word "expect." In other words, He's coming at a time when we don't expect Him. Yeah, but...wait a second. I thought we were supposed to expect Him to catch us away to be with Him at any moment.

On the surface, this seems like the ultimate end-time catch-22. Coupled with other Scripture that indicates He could return at any moment, this makes it sound as if Jesus is saying:

Expect me to return at any time—but I'll only come at a time when you don't expect me.

Uhh...excuse me?? How does that work? I believe the root of the problem lies in the English translations.

Word games, anyone? I'm really not trying to play word games here, but this just goes to show how easy it is to get tangled up in slightly misleading translations and as a result come away with errant ideas about what a particular verse is actually saying.

In both verses, the Greek word translated "think" is a form of dokeo. The word dokeo (the root of dogma) conveys the idea of forming a personal judgment or estimation based on one's own opinions, perspectives, or suppositions.

When we add to this the fact that the idea of "expecting" the Lord to return is more along the lines of "active anticipation" rather than the expectation of a certain date, we could legitimately summarize the situation thusly:

We are told to watch and wait for the Rapture eagerly, actively, and expectantly, and we can do that since He is coming for us at a time that we will never know for certain—a time we'll never be able to figure out with precision because we'll never have anything solid to inform our opinion or perspective, or upon which to base any supposition. Why? Because God has ordained that the timing of these things is not for us to know, that's why.

Don't look now, but that effectively renders pinning our hopes to a particular date for the Rapture as, to quote the Bard, much ado about nothing.

Oh, and one other thing: That does not mean God hasn't given us any clues. I see many good people get caught up in trying to plow through all these clues (both real and so-called), trying with all their might to sort out when the Rapture will occur. And has God given us clues? Oh, I hope to tell you.

The problem isn't that God hasn't given us any clues—the problem is that He's given us way too many clues. God has effectively buried the exact timing of the Rapture in such a vast ocean of tantalizing leads and red herrings that no one will ever sort it out with any degree of certainty. He may allow certain individuals to get close, but no one is ever going to nail it down.

That's how He placed it under His own authority, and that's why He can say that it's not for us to know. He can do that because He's God and we're not—and some of us would do well to remind ourselves of that from time to time.

Come together

As I mentioned earlier, I believe the sudden advent of the coronavirus has kick-started the globalists' drive toward a one-world government in an alarmingly real way, and I believe this drive will turn out to be one of the defining characteristics of our ascent up the lift hill. During the Tribulation, the dream (nightmare?) of a one-world government will finally come true; and since we are told that the Antichrist will begin his 42-month reign as its leader after the abomination of desolation at the midpoint of the Tribulation, it will apparently be in place by that time, if not at some point before that.

Of course, the coronavirus itself will fade—that's what viruses do. But that actually matters very little because it's not really about the virus anymore—it's about the government being able to exercise much greater control over all aspects of society.

Understand one thing: The great majority of the people that I refer to as "globalists"—people of means and in key positions who wish to see the world come together as one in the form of a global government, are not necessarily evil, sinister people. As a rule, they're not slaying goats and dancing around fires at midnight in their backyards. Most are simply people who sincerely believe they have a vision of a better world, and are willing to use their wealth, power, and influence to do what they can to see that world come into being:

• A world without restrictive national boundaries.

• A world free from dictators and despots who seek to wage war.

• A world with a much smaller population, so that the world's resources can abundantly supply the needs of all.

• A world free from the scourge of crime, poverty, hunger, ignorance, environmental abuse, etc.

• A world where every person has access to a decent education, quality health care, and gainful, dignified employment.

• A world united under the glowing halo of a global religion that will respect and encompass all faiths* as valid paths to God.

*Note: All except biblical Christianity, that is, since worshiping the prophet Jesus (PBUH) as if he were divine blasphemes the supreme oneness of God.

• A world under a single, unified economic system that is free from the devastating effects of recessions, currency wars, stock market crashes, etc.

• And a world with a powerful leader that people everywhere can rally around—a leader who has the ability to hold it all together for the good of mankind.

The globalists are already hard at work, organizing and preparing ways to implement governmental structures and policies that will pave the way toward a global government that they sincerely believe is the ultimate answer to all of man's problems. The current pandemic has simply given them a perfect opportunity to finally get things off the ground in a very real way.

But as I said, for the most part these people aren't evil—they're deceived. Not the same. They believe that man himself has the power to fix all of the world's problems; they are convinced that we are fundamentally good and capable of rising to the challenge of making the world a better place—and they think they have some fine ideas as to how to go about it.

But they're wrong. And they're wrong because the world's problems aren't crime, poverty, hunger, ignorance, environmental abuse, and so on. Our real problem is internal, not external:

Our problem is the sin that lies embedded within the human heart.

And we can't fix that. No government agency can ameliorate that. No U.N. resolution can rectify that.

Only a just, holy, loving God could solve that one, and that's exactly what He did on a blood-stained cross two thousand years ago. When He sent His one and only, perfect, sinless Son to die in our place to satisfy His justice and make a way for us to be forgiven of sin and reconciled to Him for eternity by grace through faith, He provided the solution to the sin problem once and for all. And make no mistake:

Who needs God? When people act as if they could make the world a better place through their own efforts, they are effectively negating what God did on our behalf at Calvary—they are dismissing it and rendering it null and void.

They are presuming to be their own god, and they are doing it because they have fallen for the world's oldest lie from world's oldest liar:

You shall be as gods.

Just to give you a taste of what is brewing in the background, here are a few revealing snippets from a recent article posted at Breitbart, based on an interview with former UK prime minister Tony Blair, one of the more active and vocal proponents of the push toward a global government. In the article, globalist Blair bemoaned the lack of global coordination in dealing with the pandemic and its consequences:

Like I said, it's rapidly reaching the point where it's not just about the virus—it's about controlling society. It's about the world coming together as one to manage the "political and economic collateral damage" the coronavirus has wrought, as well as what future pandemics may inflict.

And the solution is obvious, isn't it?

Come together.

And it is quite clear that this coming together for greater "global coordination" and "global leadership" has begun and will continue well after the coronavirus itself has largely faded. Honestly, I don't think the globalists actually need the coronavirus anymore—it has served its purpose because, like I said:

We've started our way up the lift hill.

Listening for a trumpet

I have a confession to make: I know it sounds silly, but I originally wanted to get this article posted before May 31 (Pentecost). You know, just in case it turned out to be my last article (nudge, wink). But as usual, things got bogged down and I didn't quite make it. It really doesn't matter though, because I know (and I hope you know, too) that the Rapture could just as easily happen tomorrow. Or next month.

Or several years from now. As much as I am looking forward to the Rapture and as close as I genuinely believe it to be, the idea of it being several more years doesn't trouble me at all. What matters is that I am watching and waiting eagerly, actively, and expectantly. There's work to be done, and so if someone wants to put out a bit of date speculation here and there, that's fine with me...when the date passes, I guarantee you won't catch me moping around or feeling deflated. I've got work to do.

It's also thrilling to watch as God jiggles the last few pieces of the prophetic puzzle into position, and in so doing reveals His prophetic Word as inerrant truth and Himself as the sovereign Creator God that He is. Not only that, but it's wonderful to watch as the last stream of precious people respond to His grace and mercy and are brought into the kingdom while there's still time, as we begin our ascent up the lift hill.

But I'm not listening to that clackety-clackety-clack sound:

I'm listening for a trumpet.

And when that trumpet finally sounds, and we're all changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye and are caught up together to meet the Lord in the air, I'm sure all eyes are going to be looking up to gaze upon the blazingly radiant face of our Redeemer.

With one possible exception, that is. Don't be surprised if this old boy is looking down to enjoy the view below.

I'm sure the Lord will understand.

Greg Lauer — MAY '20

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