The signs of the times before the rapture are sadly missing in much of today’s conversations and teaching about end times. So much of the focus is on the answer the Lord Jesus gave to a question by the apostles in Matthew 24, and Matthew 24 is all tribulation ground. Yes, the body of Christ, will witness the beginnings of what the Lord told the apostles will be the sign of thy coming… But today, Paul tells us explicitly what things we, the body of Christ, which is His church should look for as signs of the rapture of the Church (which is what the body of Christ is waiting for not the second coming). Sadly, most Bible prophecy teaching is focused on what will happen after the church is gone and the events during the tribulation (7 years) itself as signs of the second coming of the Lord Jesus, not the rapture of the church. We won’t be here!!!!

‘But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! ‘

II Timothy 3:1-5

Paul Makes it Clear what the World Will Look Like before the Lord Jesus Comes for His Church

In II Timothy 3:1-6, Paul describes a world in a complete moral breakdown. Men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.

When reading these verses and looking around at the world near and afar (emphasis on “without natural affection”), it’s hard not to see that we are there. We see the evidence of a world in moral decay everywhere we turn, from abortion to child trafficking, to the murders, and the governments that support them. Sexual perversion runs rampant, despisers of those who are good are on the attack at unprecedented levels, the hatred for anyone claiming to be “Christian” is at levels never before seen in history, and people who claim to be “ever learning” are missing the mark when it comes to spiritual truth and sound doctrine.

For those of us wondering if it’s time for the rapture, we need to be aware of the signs that Paul delineates in 2 Timothy 3:1-6. The world is in complete moral decay, and it’s getting worse every hour. The rapture could very well happen at any time, and we need to be ready (by studying His word). Let us not be caught up in the decay of this world, but rather let us set our hearts on things above and be ready for His return.

What to do?

Study His Word!  

We need to be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11 …These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”

As members of the body of Christ, we must study God’s word daily and always be praying to anchor ourselves in sound doctrine so we can stand against the onslaught of deception. Only with and by studying the word of God can put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). Our battle is spiritual and God has given us the most powerful weapon so that we can win the battle, His word.

‘For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ‘

Hebrews 4:12