One Minute Before the Rapture

Tim Moore: What are some of the clearest indications that we are living “one minute” from the Rapture? Have we reached the very end of the prophetic time clock? Bible scholar and author Dr. J.B. Hixson of Not By Works Ministries has joined us to help answer these questions.

J.B. Hixson: I produced an entire DVD on this subject titled “Top Ten Signs That We May Be in the Last of the Last Days,” so there are lots to talk about concerning this topic.

Scripture refers to the Church Age, which is the present age in which we are living, as the Last Days. The End Times is everything that starts with the Rapture and goes forward.

Some 16% percent of Scripture is unfilled Bible prophecy. So, I refer to churches today that don’t teach about prophecy as the “84% Club.” They may be Bible-based churches, but they are only teaching 84% of the Word of God. I believe in teaching 100% of the Word of God.

The biggest indicator that we are living in the last days would obviously be the re-establishment of Israel on May 14, 1948. That event is very significant prophetically. It sets the stage for the return of Christ. Israel has to be in existence for all of these end time events to happen and it was clearly meant to get people’s attention.

Another last day’s sign involves society’s insane march towards transhumanism. Then, there’s the deconstruction of language.

Also, there’s the rise of globalism and the call for a one-world system of government. A lot of people think we are already de facto in a one-world system, even though we are not officially there just yet. I believe scripturally that the eventual formation of a global government could preclude Christians from actually living under a one-world government before the Antichrist comes. In other words, the Word of God never says that the Antichrist institutes the one-world government, he just takes the helm of it. So, I’ve always taught for years that the Rapture is going to come about around when the Antichrist comes. But, the more I look at Scripture, I find I don’t know if I can say that dogmatically any longer. So, if the Lord tarries His coming, it is not inconceivable that Church Age saints might be living under a one-world global system.

Nathan Jones: So, Americans might be forced into becoming Chinese citizens before the Rapture, or become citizens of a global government before the Rapture? That’s very humbling.

J.B. Hixson: Yes, we tend to look through the lens of American exceptionalism as if that is the normal and natural way of things. Dr. Ed Hindson made a great comment during a Q&A session at a conference we were both speaking at and we were on the panel. The first question at prophecy conferences most of the time is: “Where is America in Bible prophecy?” Dr. Hindson replied, “Do you know what? I’ve traveled all over the world and spoken at prophecy conferences across the globe, and only in America do I get asked that question. Nobody in Costa Rica says, ‘Where is Costa Rica in Bible prophecy?’ or ‘Where is Canada in Bible prophecy.'”

So, yes, I think we need to recognize that even though America is currently the greatest nation on earth, and has done more for the furtherance of the Gospel than any other nation in history, and clearly the fingerprints of God are all over this country; God is not an American. Therefore, we have no guarantee that America is going to even still be here under the eventual global government.

Advice for Living in the Last Days

Tim Moore: What then should Christians be doing while we are waiting, if the time is so short until Christ raptures the Church up to Heaven? Should the Lord tarry, what is our task?

J.B. Hixson: For those who don’t know Jesus Christ as their Savior, their number one priority is to trust in Jesus Christ and Him alone for salvation. There is only one way that people can be saved, and that is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. You can’t be good enough to earn your way into Heaven. You can’t pull yourself up by your own bootstraps and try to commend yourself to a holy God. Salvation is a free gift, paid for by the blood of Christ, but you still have to trust in Jesus Christ alone as the only One who can forgive you of your sin and give you the gift of eternal life.

Number one, for Christians then, our task is to serve the Great Commission. Christians need to be making disciples by sharing the Gospel and training people up in the Word of God.

From my experience speaking to church-goers at large, I would encourage them all to make sure there has been a time in their lives when they’ve actually called on the name of the Lord Jesus to be saved. Obviously, we see churches today that are filled with people who may think they are saved, because they were baptized, or did this or that work, or believed they’ve always been a Christian, or go to church, or am a pretty good person or are at least better than most; but salvation is only by faith in Jesus Christ.

Not By Works Ministries is based on Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” So, then, for believers, I would say — be prepared! Proverbs 22:3 tells us that the wise man sees trouble coming and prepares for it. I think it is important to be aware of what is happening around us and not to stick our heads in the sand.

The global government “train” may be coming, but we don’t have to get on it just yet. We need to try to outlast as long as we can. Life is valuable. God doesn’t want us to lay down and take all of the evil that is going on, rather He wants us to fight for truth and be ready for Christ’s return.

Tim Moore: Lamb & Lion Ministries often gets people who say they just don’t hear much about Bible prophecy in their churches or community. So, I ask them if perhaps they are the watchman? The whole community didn’t stand on the wall, rather just one or two individuals stood on the wall and warned their community. So, perhaps God has put you there to be that watchman for your church, your community, your family, and so on. Your task is to warn them and to be that voice of discernment because the rest of the Christian community is asleep. God gives us all a challenge and an opportunity to serve Him until the Lord comes.

J.B. Hixson: Amen! Yes, and there are some small but practical things you can do, too, to share the Gospel. For instance, my grandfather was a Bible preacher and I can remember how growing up whenever we would visit my grandma and grandpa’s house that they had a plaque by their doorbell. It was a tattered and torn little card that read, “To whom it may concern, if this house is found empty…” and it went on to explain the Rapture and then gave the Gospel message. So, my family picked up on that and now we have the same message posted on our house. I actually sell those little plaques on my Not By Works Ministries website.

That sounds like a simple thing, but when the Rapture does at last happen, it is going to hurtle this world into chaos. Many people who didn’t get saved before the Rapture, and who according to Revelation 7 have the opportunity to get saved after the Rapture, are going to need to know the Gospel, so let’s let them know.