~ A place to find answers to gnawing spiritual questions ~
Question: I came back to God last March and I've felt that God is coming very soon. I used to study the Revelation and I know that there are a lot of different symbols and things in the Revelation, but with all of the school shootings lately, especially with all of the Christians being killed which I think are the "martyrs" in the fifth seal...and my father saw a meteor shower (sixth seal) the other night...is it possible that any day now I can look up into the sky and see God in the clouds coming to take His children Home? I really believe that and I'm really excited about it! I look forward to that day when I see God riding the clouds and especially when I walk through the gates of Heaven and see everyone that I've loved on Earth as well as everyone else who is in Heaven worshipping God.Answer: I am so glad to see your excitement in the things of the Lord. I do believe that we are living in the last days too. I think Jesus could come back at any time. No man knows however the day nor the hour (Matthew 24:26). I do believe that we can see the signs of His coming. These signs are dealt with by Christ in Matthew 24. It is my conviction that Revelation chapters 4-19 are yet futuristic, things that will happen during the Great Tribulation period; a 7-year period of unprecedented wrath that will come from God upon this rebellious sin-cursed world (Daniel 12:1). Jesus will come back for His church (every living born-again believer that is still alive) before the Great Tribulation begins (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9).
It is a shame that all these tragedies are occurring in America; this no doubt is a fulfillment of prophecies concerning the last days, not necessarily the Tribulation period (2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13).
The main thing is to be ready by living right and pure in His sight (1 John 3:3; Luke 21:34).
I suggest you read the following books: Peace, Prosperity and the Coming Holocost by Dave Hunt, and A Commentary on the book of Revelation by Tim Lahaye.
I trust this helps you in serving the Lord.
