2024: Embrace the Wait :: By Lisa Heaton

[Andy C]

The below is an excellent read:


I seriously thought we would be out of here in 2020, then in 2021 and 2022 and 2023. Yet here we are, still waiting and longing and hoping. Might 2024 be the year? Or will we be called to endure another year, God’s gift of time offered to this lost and dying world? If another year is required of us, how might we better embrace the waiting?

I admit I’m not the best at waiting patiently. I’m guessing you’re not either. If you’re anything like me, you’ve done more complaining than embracing along the way. How can we not with the sorrow and turmoil we experience in our families and in this world? Some days, I find it hard to view our extended time here as we wait for the Lord as an opportunity for the lost rather than a burden to the found. I’m burdened. Every. Single. Day.

I host a group on Zoom for rapture watchers. Folks from all over the U.S. meet to discuss last-days topics (You’re always invited. See more here). Last week, Nancy (aka my mom) closed us out in prayer. She thanked the Lord for our time here (on earth) and even asked that He leave us a little while longer to reach the lost. Jokingly, I told her we were kicking her off the prayer team for asking for more time. But deep down, her prayer struck a nerve with me. It’s something I’ve written about a few times: how they, the lost, are worth our extended time here. I know we all “know” that, but it’s still a tough prayer to pray. So thanks, Mom, for praying from your heart and piercing mine.

I wasn’t the only one to carry this thought over to the next day. Kim L. from our group posted in the Gathering Telegram channel about how Paul reminded us in 1 Corinthians 10 of Israel’s mistakes in the wilderness, how God had saved them, yet most of them had not pleased Him. One of the ways they had tried the Lord was that they “became impatient because of the journey” (Numbers 21).

2024: Embrace the Wait :: By Lisa Heaton

I seriously thought we would be out of here in 2020, then in 2021 and 2022 and 2023. Yet here we are, still waiting and longing and hoping. Might 2024 be

www.raptureready.com

 

[Andy C]

Excerpt from the OP:

What if, however, our extended time here brings many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10)? I read an interesting article (2024: Black Swan Event Coming?) about how 2024 may bring a black swan event, one that will once again alter the course of our nation and the world. Included were excerpts from a CNN article, “How 2023 has been the’ year of the brink’ and 2024 could be worse.” Even a CNN reporter sees and admits that we are on the brink of catastrophe.

If there is a black swan event, a crisis that changes the course of the world, maybe it will be the rapture. But what if it isn’t? What if it’s a natural disaster or global war or cyberattack or another pandemic? A friend recently posed the question: What if this event, whatever it may be, is the answer to our prayers? What if those we are praying for now come to salvation due to harder times—like massively hard times—ahead? Can’t we endure, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the harder times with them?

 

[Spartan Sprinter]

Yeah the black swan event is Michelle O'bama running for pres

 

[mattfivefour]

The below is an excellent read:


I seriously thought we would be out of here in 2020, then in 2021 and 2022 and 2023. Yet here we are, still waiting and longing and hoping. Might 2024 be the year? Or will we be called to endure another year, God’s gift of time offered to this lost and dying world? If another year is required of us, how might we better embrace the waiting?

I admit I’m not the best at waiting patiently. I’m guessing you’re not either. If you’re anything like me, you’ve done more complaining than embracing along the way. How can we not with the sorrow and turmoil we experience in our families and in this world? Some days, I find it hard to view our extended time here as we wait for the Lord as an opportunity for the lost rather than a burden to the found. I’m burdened. Every. Single. Day.

I host a group on Zoom for rapture watchers. Folks from all over the U.S. meet to discuss last-days topics (You’re always invited. See more here). Last week, Nancy (aka my mom) closed us out in prayer. She thanked the Lord for our time here (on earth) and even asked that He leave us a little while longer to reach the lost. Jokingly, I told her we were kicking her off the prayer team for asking for more time. But deep down, her prayer struck a nerve with me. It’s something I’ve written about a few times: how they, the lost, are worth our extended time here. I know we all “know” that, but it’s still a tough prayer to pray. So thanks, Mom, for praying from your heart and piercing mine.

I wasn’t the only one to carry this thought over to the next day. Kim L. from our group posted in the Gathering Telegram channel about how Paul reminded us in 1 Corinthians 10 of Israel’s mistakes in the wilderness, how God had saved them, yet most of them had not pleased Him. One of the ways they had tried the Lord was that they “became impatient because of the journey” (Numbers 21).

2024: Embrace the Wait :: By Lisa Heaton

I seriously thought we would be out of here in 2020, then in 2021 and 2022 and 2023. Yet here we are, still waiting and longing and hoping. Might 2024 be

www.raptureready.com

Excerpt from the OP:

What if, however, our extended time here brings many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10)? I read an interesting article (2024: Black Swan Event Coming?) about how 2024 may bring a black swan event, one that will once again alter the course of our nation and the world. Included were excerpts from a CNN article, “How 2023 has been the’ year of the brink’ and 2024 could be worse.” Even a CNN reporter sees and admits that we are on the brink of catastrophe.

If there is a black swan event, a crisis that changes the course of the world, maybe it will be the rapture. But what if it isn’t? What if it’s a natural disaster or global war or cyberattack or another pandemic? A friend recently posed the question: What if this event, whatever it may be, is the answer to our prayers? What if those we are praying for now come to salvation due to harder times—like massively hard times—ahead? Can’t we endure, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the harder times with them?

Indeed! Excellent read!!!

 

[Margery]

Great article.

I admit I’m not the best at waiting patiently. I’m guessing you’re not either. If you’re anything like me, you’ve done more complaining than embracing along the way. How can we not with the sorrow and turmoil we experience in our families and in this world? Some days, I find it hard to view our extended time here as we wait for the Lord as an opportunity for the lost rather than a burden to the found. I’m burdened. Every. Single. Day.

I so relate. I want the Rapture, and I think we are close. But I have unsaved people I love and God is letting the discomfort of world events grab their attention. Maybe that’s what it takes. I’m praying they hurry up and get saved along with the rest of the ones who make up the full number of the church age saints.

 

[Work4Peanuts]

Excerpt from the OP:

What if, however, our extended time here brings many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10)? I read an interesting article (2024: Black Swan Event Coming?) about how 2024 may bring a black swan event, one that will once again alter the course of our nation and the world. Included were excerpts from a CNN article, “How 2023 has been the’ year of the brink’ and 2024 could be worse.” Even a CNN reporter sees and admits that we are on the brink of catastrophe.

If there is a black swan event, a crisis that changes the course of the world, maybe it will be the rapture. But what if it isn’t? What if it’s a natural disaster or global war or cyberattack or another pandemic? A friend recently posed the question: What if this event, whatever it may be, is the answer to our prayers? What if those we are praying for now come to salvation due to harder times—like massively hard times—ahead? Can’t we endure, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the harder times with them?

I keep reminding myself "the just shall live by faith." It always puts my focus back where it needs to be (on Jesus rather than on the waves around my sinking feet.)

 

[Spartan Sprinter]

Great article.

I so relate. I want the Rapture, and I think we are close. But I have unsaved people I love and God is letting the discomfort of world events grab their attention. Maybe that’s what it takes. I’m praying they hurry up and get saved along with the rest of the ones who make up the full number of the church age saints.

I was watching Andy Woods last night and he was mentioning the topic of fullness of sin before he judges a nation.

I found that to be interesting

 

[lismore]

The unsaved might be a big reason for the Last Days being stretched out, there are still a lot of people being saved. I used to be in touch with a mission couple in Kazakhstan, she a native of that country and he from Hong Kong. They had translated the NT into the Kazakh language and were reaching some villages with the gospel for the first time. They were seeing a lot of people coming to faith.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God Bless

 

[Spartan Sprinter]

The unsaved might be a big reason for the Last Days being stretched out, there are still a lot of people being saved. I used to be in touch with a mission couple in Kazakhstan, she a native of that country and he from Hong Kong. They had translated the NT into the Kazakh language and were reaching some villages with the gospel for the first time. They were seeing a lot of people coming to faith.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God Bless

Yep i think you could be right, especially with the reference to fullness of gentiles

 

[lismore]

Yep i think you could be right, especially with the reference to fullness of gentiles

I heard a regional director from the Mission organisation wecinternational speak about ten years ago, he said there were still people groups who had never heard the gospel or read the bible in their own language- central Asia for example, many of the 'stan' countries. He did think that in his lifetime all these groups would be reached. Made me think of this:

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14)

God Bless All

 

[Hol]

Thanks for posting this article Andy.

Very convicting for me.

 

[Baby Yoda]

She thanked the Lord for our time here (on earth) and even asked that He leave us a little while longer to reach the lost. Jokingly, I told her we were kicking her off the prayer team for asking for more time. But deep down, her prayer struck a nerve with me.

Yes!