As a Christian who has been sensitive to current events, I often wonder if these events are not the “birth pains” described by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 24:8. What is surprising is that the people of the world, including scientists, have noticed that something is going on. In secular media you find phrases like “apocalyptic” or “Biblical proportions.”

I look forward to our “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13), the calling of the Lord Jesus to meet Him in the air. Even though I see many “signs,” I do not have a clue as to when this will happen. It is obvious that I have thought about that Day.

Many believe that there will be that last soul saved when the Lord simply says, “That’s enough!” Since the Lord desires that all souls should come to repentance, (Second Peter 3:9) He will never say that His coffers are full of souls.

Others think that there will come a time when the Lord, at the end of His great patience, again says, “That’s enough!” and sends Jesus to call us Home. What we have to consider is that the Lord knows the end from the beginning. There will not be an occasion when wickedness reaches a point that the Lord will be surprised, and declares that He has had enough.

What we have trouble comprehending is that there is no time in the spiritual realm. The definition of eternity is not millions of years, but rather, the absence of time. This is why the Lord can see and already knows the ending Day. For this reason, I believe He has picked a day, and because the Lord is not random, I personally believe that He has chosen one of the “feast” days of the Bible. In Leviticus chapter twenty-three, when the Lord instructed Moses about the feasts, the Hebrew word used was moed (Strong’s H4150), which means “appointed time.” I believe He has “appointed times” for the Last Days; the snatching up of the Church, and the Return of the Lord Jesus.

To go a little further down this controversial road, because the Lord desires all souls to be saved, and because He always gives us a choice, I believe the Lord will provide an opportunity for those “left behind” to receive salvation. One of the first principles of the Bible is the principle of choice. (Genesis 2:16-17) The principle will even exist at the end of time. At the end of the Millennial Kingdom Satan will be released for a short time. (Revelation 20:7-8) Why? To allow those who had not lived under Satan’s prior evil reign to make a choice.

During the time of the Tribulation, mankind knows that God is sovereign and supreme, and yet they refuse to repent. They call for the rocks to fall on them and hide them, but they refuse to repent. If there is any doubt . . .

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,” – Revelation 14:6 (my emphasis)