And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho. Numbers 22:1
Students of Bible prophecy are focusing their attention these days on the current conflict in Ukraine, wondering if Russia’s unprovoked invasion of its neighbour has anything to do with the next events in God’s calendar of the future. The answer is a definite maybe. Bible prophecy does feature Russia prominently in some of the great events that will occur during the end times. But it is impossible today to draw a direct line between the current war and the events detailed in the Scriptures. Like a number of great world events in recent years, the war does contain elements that cause us to consider how close we probably are to the wrap-up of God’s dispensation of grace.
Notice where the Israelites pitched their camp in today’s text: just across the Jordan river from Jericho. The promised land was in sight. There was still some final instructions the nation needed before they crossed the river. And there was the doctrine of Baalam to deal with, a doctrine that reminds us of the spirit of Laodicea and the growing compromise of Christians with the world around us that are the hallmarks of much of Christianity today. But like the Israelites, we are just across the Jordan from being forever with the Lord through the medium of the Rapture. We are not told that the Israelites rejoiced at being on Jordan’s brink, but they should have. And so should we.
Very few truths of Scripture have the power to uplift and encourage God’s people today like the truth that the Rapture is imminent. Life’s struggles and sorrows are wonderfully blunted by the call to listen for the great shout and trump of God that will call us home. The realities of death approaching give way to the glorious hope that instead of dying, we may well be among those who are alive and remain who are caught up to meet the Lord in the air. To know that our Lord is coming soon is the greatest incentive we have to faithful service for Him. Maranatha is a truth and a watchword that is far more exciting than we realize. Like the Israelites just across the river from Canaan, we are so close to our final salvation that it should occupy our thoughts and our activities all the time. But like the Israelites, we get caught so caught up in what is going on around us that we seldom cast our eyes longingly across the river.
Nothing that we know of prevents the Lord Jesus from coming to the air to take home His people at this very moment. Let that thought dominate everything you do today. – Jim MacIntosh