“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
When we lived in California, we were advised to anchor heavy furniture to the walls and keep a supply of freshwater and canned goods in our homes in the event of an earthquake. Because earthquakes were few and far between, there wasn’t much thought given to them until after one had happened, and frankly most people did not heed the warnings to be prepared, so when an earthquake of significant magnitude occurred, most people were not ready for it.
Now that I live in the southeast, preparations for natural disasters are quite different due to the fact that both tornadoes and hurricanes can be predictive, thus allowing for the opportunity to be more prepared for these weather events. When news of impending storms is broadcast, scores of people flock to the grocery and hardware stores to purchase items deemed necessary for survival. People take shelter; cell phones are fully charged to receive weather updates; generators are fueled, and pantries are stocked. When the storm hits, they are ready!
There is a very significant Biblical event on the horizon that will be more similar to an earthquake than a tornado when it comes to preparedness. Like an earthquake, there will be a few indicators of its coming, but there will be no one to say that it will happen in the next day or week. The only thing we can determine at this point is that will happen very soon. I am referring to the moment when Jesus appears and takes all of those who have trusted Him as their Saviour to heaven to live with Him forever
Recently, there has been a renewal of life in the region around Israel’s Dead Sea due to the unprecedented rainfall in the region. These signs of reawakening are the precursors to the most anticipated post-Resurrection-of-Christ event in the Bible… the Rapture!
- Isaiah 35 tells us that “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.”
- This month there have been reports that the region surrounding the Dead Sea is blanketed with blossoming flowers. According to Prophecy Today, the increased rainfall in Israel had awakened the long-dormant seeds in the desert and wildflowers are blanketing the area.
- Ezekiel 47 states, “And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.”
- En Gedi is located on the western shore of the Dead Sea, and Eneglaim is thought to be an ancient city also on the shores of the Dead Sea.
- Recent rains are overflowing the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River impacting the underground water table as far south as the Dead Sea. Flashfloods are sending torrents of water into the Dead Sea.
- Breaking Israel News reports that sinkholes around the Dead Sea are now filling with freshwater and fish are reappearing.
- Isaiah wrote in chapter 2:3, “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”
- Israel is near completion of its high-speed train from Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Jews can come from all over the world and within 30 minutes of landing, they can be at the western wall in Jerusalem.
When we see the signs of a prophetic event coming to pass, we need to take notice! Although there are other signs of which people are more familiar, such as those mentioned in Matthew 24:6-7, these three are the most recent that have come to fruition. God is reminding us that His Son is coming soon, and we need to be ready, or we will be left behind. Titus 2:13 tells us that we should be “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Jesus’ return is closer than ever, and when He does comes, it will happen so quickly that there will be no time to get ready. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15 that Jesus’ coming would be “in the twinkling of an eye”! If you don’t believe you are ready for the return of Christ, you can change that today. Simply accept Christ’s free gift of salvation! You can pray to Jesus right now, admitting that you’re a sinner who needs the forgiveness that only He can give. Accept that forgiveness and invite Him to be the Lord and Saviour of your life. Romans 10:13 states, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Some glorious morning sorrow will cease
Some glorious morning all will be peace
Heartaches all ended, school days all done
Heaven will open – Jesus will come.
Some golden daybreak Jesus will come
Some golden daybreak, battles all won
He’ll shout the vict’ry, break thro’ the blue
Some golden daybreak, for me, for you.
(from “Some Glorious Daybreak” by Carl Blackmore)
“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11
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The signs are all around us. Are you ready?