By Ken Blue
In a previous article I proved from Scripture that an event we call the rapture is taught. The references are I Cor. 15:51-58 and II Thess. 4:13-18. We also proved that a time period called the Tribulation, or The Day of The Lord was spoken of by Jesus and most of the Prophets.
We made it clear that we do not know the time of the rapture, nor does anyone else. It is believed by some that forty years will be the time between the rapture and the tribulation. We speculated on some events that could follow the rapture. One of those was the chaos that would follow the absence of believers in key positions. We are not given the details of what may happen.
Some of the major events that are required prior to the Tribulation are as follows: Israel had to return to their land and become a nation. This has happened. Israel must be considered a “burdensome stone” to the nations. They are in the world new every day. The surrounding nations must have governments of a fragile democracy. The surrounding nations must be at war with each other. The surrounding nations will form an Arab League of nations consisting of ten individual nations. These are some events that will take place before the Tribulation.
In addition to the above, Jesus said, “And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; the end shall not be yet. 8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.”Mark 13:5-8.
These are some of the events to follow the rapture of the church. The above words are addressed and directed to the nation of Israel. Believers should watch what happens to, and around Israel. Also, pay attention to a shift in world opinion concerning Israel. Most, if not all nations will be against them. Read carefully the following verses.
“I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. Joel 3:2. Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. Zephaniah 3:8. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.” Zechariah 14:2.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.