How Long, Oh Lord?

These troubled days, one question burns at the center of every believer who adheres to the pre-Trib view of the Rapture. I’ve heard it many times through personal conversation and email ”How long will it be until the Lord says ‘enough is enough’ and calls us home?”

I’ve asked it myself on more than one occasion. But I’ve long since put the question somewhere closer to the back of my thinking. The reason, I suspect, is because I’ve finally got it through my hard head that our Lord wants me to prioritize efforts toward completion of the assignment He has given me while in this life.

Heaven’s bottom line is that I wouldn’t be here during these increasingly troubled times if there is no purpose, according to my Creator. Knowing that He has promised to take us to our homes He has been preparing for us is a comforting truth He’s expressed numerous times in His Holy Word. The more firmly we trust Him to keep that promise, the greater the comfort. Now is the time to trust and get on down that pathway He wants us to follow.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5–6)

All that said, there is certainly justification, in my view, for the angst-ridden question: How long, oh Lord? How long will believers have to be subjected to the proliferating end-times evil assaulting society and culture? When will God say “enough is enough” and have His Son step out on the clouds of glory and shout “Come up here!”?

Jesus, while speaking to His immediate disciples on the Mount of Olives, gave the very first indicator to look for that would lead to all other signals of His Second Advent. He said that there would be great deception and many deceivers on the scene at the end of the age. The cumulative indicators of His Second Coming, he addressed a little later in His discourse.

And when ye shall see all these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your head, for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28)

Can anyone legitimately deny that we have in recent months and years witnessed deception that is in our faces during every news broadcast, podcast, or electronic and print forum? The mainstream media, both news and entertainment, have been purveyors of their special brand of this indicator. Deception and deceivers pervade and permeate our lives each and every news cycle.

The former president who just left office properly termed the deceptive practices of journalists “fake news.” Paul the apostle said the following of such that will be prevalent as the Lord’s return nears:

But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13, NKJV)

With the daily diatribes by all the mainstream media that consistently lied, thus brought to the office of president a candidate many consider an imposter because of what they believe to be election fraud, the New King James version certainly seems to fit. Deception of the sort Jesus and Paul pronounced upon the end-times generation seems quite appropriate.

Jesus’ words that times would be just like in the days of Noah and of Lot make it seem to many prophecy watchers as if He was speaking specifically of these very days that make us ask: “How long, oh Lord?”

Observing the anger and destruction of the thugs who burned down much of America’s cities during 2020 brings into sharp focus the words in Genesis chapter 6: “violence filled the whole earth.” Assessing the state of our nation and the world in the matter of the satanic forces normalizing what was a few years ago aberrant sexual behavior and deviancy quickly brings realization that the days of Lot prophesied by the Lord Jesus are quite likely the days we’re currently living in.

At last count, there are twenty-seven nations where gay marriage is legal. The Sodom level of sexual immorality and deviancy has just in recent years reached a zenith. Gay rights and all attendant to the perversions it has wrought, such as transgenderism, have torn apart society and culture and done irreparable harm to foundational morality. The youth of America and the world have been victim of inculcation by Sodom-like organizations such as the LBGQTI. The family and its traditional stability have been vitally diminished.

Every day, believers who are paying attention and have the truth of Christ’s words in their spiritual hearts say, “How long, oh Lord?” We’re wise to read again and again the words by our Lord while thinking on this question we’re are asking.

I know all the arguments from those who hold vehemently to the seminary line about the Olivet Discourse being for the Jews only, so don’t write hotly accusing me of misinterpreting these words recorded here. I believe the fig tree here refers to Israel. I believe Jesus is speaking of His next catastrophic intervention into mankind’s evil history–the Rapture. I believe He addresses to some extent the answer to our question of “how long?”.

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24:32–36)

Be assured and comforted! Our Lord’s words in Luke 21:28 are almost certainly for this generation!

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." -
Jesus Christ via King James Bible
And there you have it. So far, if you count a generation as 25 years (and I know people use different numbers for that) there have been 81 generations since Jesus, roughly.
I know people in each of those probably thought they were the last generation. But they were wrong. People who think we are the last generation are probably wrong too.
(I read "The Late Great Planet Earth" when I was 16, 45 years ago when it was first published. Two generations have passed since the author was predicting the imminent second coming.)

So, I used to wonder about that but now I just take the implied advice of the guy at the top of this post, and don't worry about it.

I think we're very far in to these days( below).

Now the Spirit expressly declares that in later times some will fall away from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons; But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. I Tim 4:1

Just the way I read things but I don't know if there is a revival before the harpazo. I think we're in the days of the church of Laodecia,"Behold I stand at the door and knock.."( Jesus)

Jesus is on the outside of churches now, knocking and the government and medical tyrants the world over are demanding the Holy Spirit and Christians be silenced and probably eliminated( soon). His bride will be tried by fire? I don't know either. All I know is we're closer than yesterday and we're called to know the days and seasons.

As noted the fig tree blossomed in 1948 and the technology is now in place to carry out end time prophecy.

Here is what was written by Daniel in the sixth century B.C. when closing out the Book that bears his name:

Daniel 12:
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Consider this, up until recent times lifestyles remained very similar. That is until the modern days of invention and technology.

Also, consider the global dominance waiting to step in. Notice the phasing out of cash currency? This will usher in a one world cashless society.

But the biggest sign is the falling away of the church in these final days.

The author writes,

“I know all the arguments from those who hold vehemently to the seminary line about the Olivet Discourse being for the Jews only,”

I’ve always viewed the Olivet Discourse as a dual prophetic message to both, the Jews of that time as well as to the Jews of present time. And while Jesus came unto His own and His own received Him not, the message He delivered to the Jews also gives us understanding through the Gospel given to Paul to give to us the Gentiles.

The events described in the Olivet Discourse applies to both periods of time.

We are living during a time of overlapping dispensations and the church age is about to conclude.

1 Thess 4:13-17 or rather the whole 1 Thess 4
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep [k]in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive [l]and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a [m]shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive [n]and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
And very clearly in verse 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification.
What does this actually teach?

St. Paul wrote to the Thessalnian Christians because they were worried about those who died before Christ’s return. Many in the ancient world believed that a person simply ceased to exist upon death.

These was a rumor in Thessalonica at the time Paul wrote the letter that the dead Christians had lost out on any chance of a physical resurrection. St.Paul assures them that it was not so. In fact, “the dead in Christ will rise first” to meet Christ

Rapturists make the mistake of thinking “meet the Lord in the air” is about Christ not actually touching the earth.

The word St. Paul uses for meeting the Lord “in the air” is aer the Greek word for atmosphere

This SAME word is used in Ephesians 2:2

And you [a]were dead [b]in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the [c]course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
yet no one would claim that, because of this word, Satan wouldn’t influence people on the earth
A consistent rapturist reading of this wod here would mean that only airplane passengers are influenced by Satan’s power

NO, when Christ returns to the earth’s atmosphere, He has returned to earth

Rapturists trying to point to the “coming in the clouds” — but this ignores the symbol of divinity in the clouds

The Bible uses three Greek words interchangeably

parousia - coming
epiphaneia appearing
apokalupsis revelation
Rapturists think that there is a different usage for each, but that is false - parousia is not used just for some fake “rapture” and the others for the 2nd coming

Paul doesn’t mention this 19th century rapture idea as occuring before the appearance of the antichrist and before the second coming is simple: it never entered into his mind that anyone would believe Christ would rapture His Church before the final Eschaton

In the apocalypse, that is referred to as the battle with Gog and Magog, Christians will participate in that confrontation because there will be no secret rapture before it. Our comfort rests in Him who will emerge from that confrontation as the Victor.

THAT is the reassurance Paul offers, not the promise of an escape from the great Tribulation.

Paul lays out a timeline that excludes the possibility of any pre-Trib secret rapture — there is NO mention of a two-stage coming split into a secret rapture and a later public second eventthere is not even a hint of a secret rapture

There is one resurrection mentioned (not two as per the rapturists) and only one coming event — immediately after this coming, not seven or 1000 or 1007 years later, the end arrives at which Christ delivered the Kingdom to God

Rapturists like you say this is about a secret rap-game. But why? there is certainly nothing in this text that cannot be understood perfectly well as happening at the traditional second coming. In fact that is a better was to understand the text. Paul tells us that not all Christians will die, but that “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye... we shall all be changed”

We read that this will occur “at the last trumpet” — the image of trumpets like in Zeph 1:14-16, Zech 9:14, Amos 3:6 etc. is LOUD and no secret rapture

Furthermore, this si not just any trumpet - this is the “last” trumpet The dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed at the end of time

But this last trumpet will not occur 7 or 1007 years before the end. The LAST trumpet sounds LAST

“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’” At the time of this trumpet, death will be destroyed — YET Paul has ALREADY mentioned that “the last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Cor. 15:26)

The secret rapture does not fit this passage. When death is destroyed and we are all raised, all tombs will be forever empty

You and the other rapturists excerpt 2 Thessalonians 2 incorrectly
In 2 Thessalonians, Paul is writing shortly before the Jewish-Roman War begins in 67 AD

[1] And we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our gathering together unto him: [2] That you be not easily moved from your sense, nor be terrified, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by epistle, as sent from us, as if the day of the Lord were at hand. [3] Let no man deceive you by any means, for unless there come a revolt first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, [4] Who opposeth, and is lifted up above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself as if he were God. [5] Remember you not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

[6] And now you know what withholdeth, that he may be revealed in his time. [7] For the mystery of iniquity already worketh; only that he who now holdeth, do hold, until he be taken out of the way. [8] And then that wicked one shall be revealed whom the Lord Jesus shall kill with the spirit of his mouth; and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming, him, [9] Whose coming is according to the working of Satan, in all power, and signs, and lying wonders, [10] And in all seduction of iniquity to them that perish; because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Therefore God shall send them the operation of error, to believe lying:
The REVOLT - the Jewish revolt in 67 AD. The Man of Sin - Nero. And then Nero’s statue in the temple.
Rapturists make the false claim that Christians had been secretly raptured 3.5 years before the Temple worship was corrupted

But this is deceptive and FALSE. Paul wrote Thessalonians to encourage a group of Christians who were afraid they had been “left behind” yet he explicitly does NOT speak of the “blessed hope of the rapture” to comfort the worried Thessalonians. NOWHERE in this passage is there even a message of the rapture. In this passage the rapture is missing in action.

The reason Paul does not mention the rapture as occuring before the appearance of the antichrist and before the second coming is simple: it never entered into his mind that anyone would believe Christ would rapture His Church before the final eschaton

Darby invented the 19th century rapture philosophy

In 1830 Darby met fifteen-year-old Mararet MacDonald, who claimed to have had a private revelation of a secret rapture that would occur shortly

flash alert -- the "secret rapture" didn't occur in 1830 nor in 1870 nor in 1914 nor in 2012 -- but the gullible who persist in believing in the 19thc century creation of secret pre-Trib rapture keep falling for it

Let's go through all of the hilarious rapture fails

Even the great Billy Graham fell for it
- In a 1950 issue of US News and World reportGraham stated "Two years and it's all going to be over." Flash alert: we're past 1952 and still going
- April 1984 Graham proclaimed, "Anybody who's anybody believes that global war is imminent"
- 1995 "When will the end be?.... Every indication is that it will be sooner than we think
Hal lindsey in 1970 The late great planet earth -- with the Rapture idea that the rapture was due before the end of the 1980s - FAIL
1978 Chuck Smith, Evangelical pastor wrote "The Lord is coming before the end of 1981" -- errr.. another fail
Gary Wilburn in Christianity todayin 1979 wrote "The world must end within one generation from the birth of the state of Israel. Any opinion of world affairs that does not dovetail with this prophecy is dismissed" -- Rapturists claim that this means the rapture must occur within forty years of the founding of Israel in 1948 -- FAIL. The year 1988 came and went
in 1988, Edgar Whisenat published and distributed his pamphlet 88 reasons why the rapture will be in 1988 -- He specified September as the month in which Christ would return -- bzzz. RAPTURE-FAIL again.
But the rapture didn't occur in 1988 so Whisenant wrote 89 reasons why the rapture will be in 1989
Then rapture-fails sorry rapturists claim that this 40 year should be counted from 1967 - RAPTURE-FAIL again as 2007 came and went.
Jerry Falwell in 1989 sent out a mass mailing In just a few days we will enter what will be the final decade!
On december 19, 1994, US News and world report stated that 1 in 5 Americans believed the world would end within a few years!

RAPTURE-FAIL once more
Pat Robertson on May 12, 1994 We are talking about the final age of humankind right now... Please call and make a pledge... your dollars may not do any good in give years or so"

Then you got the Rapture-fails of the Left Behind series
the Rapture fail of the "The Bible Code" that all life would be wiped out when a comet crashed into the earth in 2012 -- err.. that didn't happen, another rapture fail

Net - net, this fake 19th century philosophy has been shown to be continuously failing and still rapturists follow it - adding on a few more years each time they fail

Let me remind you what Dr John Walvoord, President of the Dallas Theological Seminary in the 1950s and pre-Trib rapturist wrote in his 1957 book The Rapture question

The Rapture question is determined more by ecclesiology than eschatology. Neither postrtibulationalism nor pretribulationalism is an explicity teaching of Scripture. The bible does not in so many words state it

The 19th century Darby philosophy of rapturism fails each time

Premillenialism is a fail - the Millenium is mentioned only once - in the book of the Apocalypse that is filled with symbolism. Its mention immediately follows Rev 19 Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

and then rev 20: 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

This is clearly figurative.

Premils misunderstand the message of Isaiah, Jeremiah and the entire New Testament by claiming the Kingdom is purely corporeal

Both Pre and post are soundly wrong

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