Why Aren’t We There Yet?

This article should strike a chord with many of us, as I know it did with me.  Why hasn’t Jesus blown the trumpet and removed us yet?  I’ve been blogging for 15 years now about the soon return of Christ. We’ve been on the edge of financial Armageddon for going on 20 years and yet they just keep printing money and the dollar is still the reserve currency of the world. 

I remember in 2007 when Israel attacked a secret nuclear reactor site in Syria and I had a moment of, “wow! we’ve got to be hearing the trumpet any day now!”  And today we have war in Israel, Jerusalem in the crosshairs, LGBTQ dominance sweeping Western civilization, collapsing marriage rates, collapsing birth rates, drug abuse, rejection of Christ, earthquakes increasing, lawlessness as bands of roving thieves shoplifting massive amounts of retail goods     while cops stand and watch.  Where is Jesus?  Is He coming as He promised?

Below is from Nearing Midnight section on Rapture Ready from December 18.

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 As I eagerly wait for Jesus to take us home to glory, I sometimes wonder, “Why aren’t we there yet?” With the multitude of signs converging at this time in history, why hasn’t the Tribulation already started with us safely in paradise with our Savior?

The only answer that makes sense to me is “the Lord’s restraining hand.” Apart from that, the world might even now be well into judgments described in the book of Revelation.

Paul refers to this factor in 2 Thessalonians 2:5-8 in reference to the Antichrist. We know this “man of lawlessness” cannot make himself known until after the Rapture. However, in restraining his appearance on the world scene, God’s Spirit is also delaying other scenarios that will accompany it.

Economic Desolation

During the past fifteen years, I have read books and articles warning that the U.S. is on the brink of a major economic collapse, the likes of which will cause a dreadful worldwide depression. Despite the fact that our government has printed an enormous amount of money during the past several years, incurred thirty-three trillion dollars in debt, continues to recklessly spend money, and invites millions of illegals into our country on our dime, somehow our economy has not yet collapsed.

How is that even remotely possible apart from the Lord’s restraining hand?

When Jesus opens the third seal (Revelation 6:5-6), a severe economic depression will fall upon the entire world. But for God keeping the American economy from utter collapse and, with it, the rest of the world, this has not yet happened.

The Deadliest Wars in Human History

The second and fourth seals of Revelation 6:1-8 warn of catastrophic wars ahead for our world. These conflicts will be a key factor in killing one-fourth of the world’s population at the time.

Today, we hear numerous warnings of World War III that analysts predict will kill hundreds of millions. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin of Russia has often threatened to attack NATO countries with nuclear bombs because of their support for Ukraine. Despite a show of force intended to intimidate the nations, he has not yet carried through on his threats.

Since Israel’s invasion of Gaza, many have speculated that Hezbollah would attack in full force from Lebanon, leading to a much wider conflict that could involve the U.S. and other major powers. Although fierce battles are taking place on Israel’s northern border, an all-out war with Hezbollah has not yet begun, although it may at any moment.

Despite the variety of sparks that could lead to WWIII, the Lord is restraining the hands of those willing to plunge the world into such a deadly devastation.

God’s Judgment of Wickedness

As I have written in many previous blog posts, God’s judgment of the U.S. seems long overdue. I’m certain that with the enormous number of abortions, the protection of sex trafficking by our government, the growing acceptance of vile, wicked practices, and now the anti-Semitism that is becoming commonplace here, the Lord’s wrath will fall upon the land that I love.

For now, the Lord is withholding His judgments on America as well as the rest of the world until the time of His choosing. The cup of His wrath is filling quickly (Psalm 75:6-8), but He’s giving more time for people to come to faith in Him and thereby escape the horrors of the Tribulation.

The judgments that the Apostle John describes in Revelation 6-18 are horrific. The many precursors to this time warn people that it’s coming, but so few, even in Bible-believing churches, recognize the myriad of signs.

Yet the Lord, in His mercy, continues to warn us that this day is near. 

The Establishing of the World Order

The books of Daniel and Revelation tell us that there will be a world government in place during the seven-year Tribulation with the Antichrist in charge. The globalists are working overtime to make this happen.

They have their eyes set on 2030 as the magical year when they hope to realize their dreams of world domination. Frustration with the lack of progress toward this goal comes through in their continuing efforts to recommit the nations to achieving their draconian objectives. At the recently concluded COP28, they negotiated for many hours in order to produce a consensus agreement.

I believe the elite will face continuing roadblocks until the Rapture of the Church. Although they will then have the worldwide chaos that they now desire, it will be the Antichrist who will galvanize the required support among the nations for the world order and thus finalize the deal. Until then, we will see the restraining hand of the Lord holding back the riders of Revelation 6:1-8, although we see precursors to these conditions as the Lord warns the world that these days are coming.

As believers, we await Jesus’ appearing to take us to His Father’s home in Heaven (John 14:2-3). Although it’s difficult at times, we know Jesus will fulfill all the prophecies concerning His appearing, judge the wicked, and reign over the nations.

The words that the Lord spoke to Habakkuk long ago are relevant today for those of us who wonder why Jesus has not already come for us:

“For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
it will surely come; it will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:3).

-Jonathan Brentner