That bitter fruit may be here very soon.
A lot of secular economists are saying that we are going into a depression. Now students of prophecy know that there has to be a worldwide economic collapse to enable the Antichrist to come on the scene with his mark and we see that happening, but there is no guarantee that Christians won't be here for some of the collapse.
We're told that we won't be here for the Tribulation. Any unpleasantness that may occur before that period of time carries with it no assurance from God that Christians won't have to go through some of it.
Now you understand where I’m coming from...now how much we see of Ezekiel 38 or psalm 83, what periods of time must occur after it all takes place before “the treaty”, we don’t know. The implementation of the final economic ‘system’ may occur in stages with wars and persecutions in between...we don’t have all the info yet. A few smart folk though will be able to detect a personality or perhaps two evil personalities, purporting to offer leadership, arising out of the mirk of war and economic malaise and a host of false prophets doing all kinds of magic tricks and preaching seductive false doctrines that befuddle and confuse folks while hampering the work of genuine Christians.
Christians themselves may become more increasingly spiritually potent while under great stress as well, fullfilling Christ’s prophecy that his saints will do “greater works than he” especially against these new demonically empowered false prophets. Perhaps two especially Godly spiritually potent fellows will start making their presence known with resultant miracles as well as curses, being laid upon the earth, issueing out of their mouths. It is said God never is without a witness to himself...perhaps with the church gone or greatly under persecution, these two prophets and 144,000 sealed saints become this witness and will provide comfort as well as some protections against the Beast system for those who are left trying to hold out against the AntiChrist.
Sometime in the middle of all this, the rapture occurs, God “thrusts his scythe into the Earth and reaps his harvest of all toungues and tribes” and a great ‘wedding feast is held”! The timing is all in his hands! Won’t it all be marvelous?