Introduction: The Lost Virtue of Obedience

The modern church talks much about grace, favor, and blessing—but seldom about obedience. Notwithstanding, from Genesis to Revelation, the Word of God presents obedience as the foundation of faith, the evidence of love, and the mark of true discipleship. To cultivate obedience in our daily lives, we can start by reading and meditating on God’s Word, praying for the strength to obey, and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

In the Great Commission, Jesus did not merely say, “Go and preach.” He commanded:

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20, NKJV)

The Great Commission begins and ends with obedience—obeying Christ’s authority and teaching others to follow His commandments. Yet this has become the most neglected aspect of Christian faith. Many profess Christ, but few walk in submission to His Word.

Throughout Scripture, obedience is never optional; it is the proof of love and the evidence of faith. Jesus said plainly:

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15, NKJV)

Disobedience is rebellion. It is the sin that turned angels into demons and paradise into wilderness.

This article explores the power, beauty, and necessity of obedience, drawing from Old Testament examples that reveal both the blessings and the curse of rebellion.

1. Obedience: The True Measure of Faith

Faith without obedience is dead. The Bible defines faith not merely as belief, but as action upon God’s Word. Hebrews 11—the “Hall of Faith”—is also a “Hall of Obedience.”

Abraham: Obedience of Faith

“By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place that he would receive as an inheritance.” And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8, NKJV)

Abraham’s greatness was not in his wealth or title, but in his obedience. When God told him to leave his homeland, he departed without question. When God commanded him to offer Isaac, he rose early in the morning and went. (Genesis 22:1–3)

The angel of the Lord declared:

“Because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—blessing I will bless you…” (Genesis 22:16-17, NKJV)

Abraham’s obedience unlocked the covenant of blessing that continues to affect nations today. Faithful obedience has a generational impact, underscoring the importance of preserving our actions for future generations.

2. Moses: The Cost of Partial Obedience

Moses was one of the most outstanding leaders in Scripture, yet even he learned that disobedience—however small—has consequences.

God asked Moses to speak to the rock so that water might come forth. Instead, Moses struck the rock in anger. Numbers 20:7–12 (NKJV) records:

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, ‘Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.'”

Partial obedience is disobedience. Moses’s action seemed minor compared to his years of service, but God’s holiness demands complete obedience.

The lesson: serving God faithfully for years cannot excuse one act of rebellion. God delights not in performance but in submission.

3. Saul: “Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice”

No verse summarizes God’s view of obedience more than 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (NKJV):

“So Samuel said, ‘Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.'”

King Saul had been commanded to destroy the Amalekites and all they possessed utterly. Yet he spared their king and the best livestock, claiming it was for sacrifice. God rejected his excuse—and his kingship.

Saul’s tragedy reveals that religious activity cannot substitute for obedience. The modern church often repeats Saul’s error—singing, giving, and serving, yet ignoring the plain commandments of Christ.

4. Noah: Obedience in a World of Disobedience

When the entire world rebelled against God, one man obeyed.

“Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” (Genesis 6:22, NKJV)

Noah’s obedience saved his family and preserved the human race. God gave specific instructions for building the ark, and Noah followed them precisely—no adjustments, no shortcuts. His obedience was total, detailed, and enduring.

Obedience often looks foolish to the world but is wisdom in God’s sight. The same is true today. As society mocks righteousness, God still searches for men and women who will “do according to all that He commands.”

5. Joshua: Obedience Leads to Victory

When Moses died, God charged Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land with one condition—obedience to the Word.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then, you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” (Joshua 1:8, NKJV)

Joshua’s victories—Jericho, Ai, and beyond—were rooted in obedience. He did not rely on military strategy but divine instruction. When Israel disobeyed, as in the case of Achan’s sin (Joshua 7), defeat followed swiftly.

Every fall of the modern church mirrors this: victory comes through obedience; defeat comes through rebellion. We can ensure success and victory in our spiritual journey by obeying.

6. Daniel: Obedience in Exile

When the decree was signed forbidding prayer to anyone except the king, Daniel chose obedience to God over compliance with men.

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home… and he knelt on his knees three times that day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as had been his custom since early days.” (Daniel 6:10, NKJV)

Daniel’s obedience landed him in the lions’ den—but also in God’s miraculous protection. The lions could not devour an obedient man.

God still honors those who stand firm in obedience even when culture, politics, or law demands compromise.

7. Elijah: Obedience That Calls Down Fire

Elijah’s ministry was marked by precise obedience. Each time, the Word of the Lord came, and he acted without hesitation.

“And the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘Get away from here and turn eastward…’ So he went and did according to the Word of the Lord.” (1 Kings 17:2–5, NKJV)

When Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, his confidence came not from pride but from obedience. After soaking the altar with water, he prayed:

“Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” (1 Kings 18:37, NKJV)

Fire fell. Revival came. Obedience always precedes the power of God.

8. The Blessing of Obedience

God never demands obedience without promising a reward. Deuteronomy 28:1–2 (NKJV) declares:

“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe all His commandments… that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.”

The entire chapter lists blessings—prosperity, protection, victory, abundance—but all rest on one condition: obedience.

By contrast, the rest of Deuteronomy 28 warns of curses that result from disobedience—poverty, disease, defeat, and despair. The choice has never changed: “See, I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)

9. The Example of Christ: Perfect Obedience

Even the Son of God submitted Himself to the Father’s will.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8, NKJV)

Jesus’ obedience purchased our redemption. Through His submission, He reversed Adam’s rebellion. In Romans 5:19 (NKJV), Paul explains:

“By one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”

The Cross was not a display of power alone—it was the ultimate act of obedience. Every disciple of Jesus is called to follow that same path:

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23, NKJV)

10. Disobedience: The Root of Modern Rebellion

The tragedy of our generation is that many claim Christ as Savior but reject Him as Lord. They want His forgiveness without His authority, His promises without His precepts.

The same rebellious spirit that ousted Saul from power in Israel is present here. It is disobedience in a church that hears the Word but does not do it.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22, NKJV)

Every rebellion begins with a small compromise. Eve listened to another voice. Saul spared what God condemned. Moses spoke about what he was asked to talk about. Minor acts of disobedience become significant departures from the truth.

When obedience fades, worship becomes noise, and holiness becomes mockery.

11. The Reward of the Obedient

Scripture repeatedly declares that obedience leads to divine favor:

• Isaiah 1:19: “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the fruits of the land.”
• Psalm 119:60: “I made haste, and did not delay keeping Your commandments.”
• John 15:10: “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”

Those who obey walk in continual fellowship with God. Obedience is not bondage—it is freedom from sin’s dominion.

12. The Church’s Call Back to Obedience

The revival this generation needs will not come through music, programs, or emotion—it will come through repentance and obedience. God is calling His people to return to the simplicity of “doing all that He has commanded.”

Jesus said, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things that I say?” (Luke 6:46, NKJV).

Obedience is not optional—it is the proof of discipleship. A church that prays but does not obey cannot move heaven.

As in the days of Noah, obedience will separate the faithful from the perishing. As in the days of Elijah, obedience will call down fire once more. Just as it did in the days of the apostles, obedience will once again transform the world.

Conclusion: The Command Still Stands

The Great Commission remains Christ’s final command and the church’s most significant omission—“teaching them to obey all things I have commanded you.”

True revival begins when believers rediscover the power of obedience. It is the missing ingredient of holiness, the forgotten key to authority, and the actual evidence of love.

Let every believer echo the words of the prophet Isaiah:

“Here am I! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)

Let every church return to the cry of Samuel:

“Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.” (1 Samuel 3:10)

And may the modern church awaken to the truth that obedience is not old-fashioned—it is eternal.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)

“Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice” is a fundamental principle and a cornerstone of the Christian faith that the modern church has overlooked but remains an essential and authentic expression of Christ’s love and an accurate representation of discipleship.

One Day soon, God will shut the door again—this time not to protect from rain, but to separate the righteous from the ungodly forever. Therefore, let every believer rise from slumber. Let every church return to holiness. Let every preacher cry aloud and spare not. The coming of the Lord is near. The voice of warning still echoes across the ages: “Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:44 NKJV)

Introduction: A Prophetic Echo Through Time

When Jesus Christ spoke of His return, He did not choose vague imagery or philosophical metaphor. Instead, He pointed His listeners to a specific, historical era—the days of Noah. In Matthew 24:37-39 (NKJV), the Lord declared:

“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the Day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

With these words, Jesus unveiled a divine pattern: history repeats itself. The spiritual climate of Noah’s time would re-emerge before His second coming. Once again, humanity would plunge into rebellion, apathy, and moral darkness, oblivious to the impending judgment.

This article examines that prophetic comparison in full—how it mirrors our generation, what the apostles later revealed about the last days, and how Old Testament stories of disobedience serve as solemn warnings for today’s church.

The Days of Noah: A Civilization Drowning in Sin

To understand Jesus’ warning, we must revisit the world that existed before the flood. In Genesis 6:5–8 (NKJV), Scripture paints a chilling portrait:

“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth… But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.'”

Five key characteristics marked the days of Noah:

1. Moral corruption—wickedness was pervasive; sin had saturated every level of human thought and behavior.
2. Spiritual blindness—Though Noah preached righteousness for decades (2 Peter 2:5), the world mocked his message.
3. Defiance against God—Mankind rejected divine authority and lived without reverence.
4. Indifference to warning—The people continued in daily pleasures—eating, drinking, and marrying—without fear of the approaching flood.
5. Sudden judgment—When the flood came, it was unexpected. Life went on as usual until divine wrath broke forth.

In these five signs, we find an almost perfect reflection of the modern age. The 21st-century world, too, boasts of progress but drowns in rebellion. Truth is mocked, righteousness despised, and godliness dismissed as obsolete. As in Noah’s time, divine patience is being tested.

The Ark of Obedience: Noah’s Example of Faith

While the earth was corrupt, one man stood apart. Hebrews 11:7 (NKJV) declares:

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

Noah’s faith was not passive. It was active obedience. He believed God’s warning and acted accordingly, constructing an ark even when rain had never yet fallen upon the earth. The world ridiculed him, but his steadfast obedience became the dividing line between salvation and destruction.

So it is today. Christ is the true Ark. Those who believe, repent, and enter Him by faith will be saved when judgment falls. Acts 4:12 reminds us:

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The Comparison: Then and Now

When Jesus likened His coming to the days of Noah, He was not describing the flood itself, but the moral atmosphere before it. Society was prosperous, self-indulgent, and utterly unaware of impending judgment.

Our world mirrors that pattern. We live in an age of technological marvels and moral collapse. Sin is rebranded as freedom; disobedience is celebrated as progress. The family structure—”marrying and giving in marriage”—is distorted, and the sacred covenant of marriage has been defiled. Violence, lust, greed, and pride dominate global culture.

Our generation, similar to the pre-flood era, disregards the plea for change. People say, “Where is the promise of His coming?” (2 Peter 3:4). However, as Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:9-10 (NKJV):

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night…”

The Apostolic Warnings: Perilous Times Shall Come

Paul’s Prophecy

The Apostle Paul accurately characterized our generation in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV):

“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!”

Every phrase of this passage echoes our modern reality—narcissism, greed, rebellion, violence, and the counterfeit church that holds the outward form of godliness but denies its transforming power.

Paul warned not only of moral decline but also of a spiritual counterfeit—religion without repentance. It is the appearance of faith without the cross, sermons without Scripture, and churches without holiness.

Peter’s Reminder

Peter, too, recalled the generation of Noah. 1 Peter 3:20 (NKJV) says:

“…who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.”

God’s patience is extraordinary. For more than a century, while Noah built the ark, judgment was withheld. Yet when the time came, His justice was swift. The same pattern is unfolding now—grace extended, repentance offered, but time running out.

Lessons from Old Testament Disobedience

To understand divine judgment, we must also examine how rebellion operated throughout Israel’s history. The Old Testament is a record of God’s holiness confronting human defiance.

The Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram

In Numbers 16, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram rose against Moses, questioning his authority:

“They gathered together against Moses and Aaron and said to them, ‘You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?'” (Numbers 16:3 NKJV)

Their challenge was not merely against Moses—it was against God’s established order. The result was catastrophic:

“Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up…” (Numbers 16:31–32 NKJV)

This act of judgment stands as a vivid warning that defiance against God’s leadership and truth brings destruction. The same spirit of rebellion—the refusal to submit to divine authority—is widespread today, both in the world and, tragically, in parts of the church.

Israel’s Repeated Disobedience

Despite witnessing God’s miracles in Egypt and the wilderness, Israel repeatedly rebelled. Psalm 78:10–11 (NKJV) laments:

“They did not keep the covenant of God; they refused to walk in His law and forgot His works and His wonders that He had shown them.”

And in Hebrews 3:16-19 (NKJV), the writer warns believers using Israel’s example:

“For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

Their unbelief barred them from the Promised Land—just as unbelief today will bar many from entering the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Pattern of Disobedience: From Eden to the End

From Adam’s fall in the Garden to the corruption of Noah’s world, to the murmuring in the wilderness, and the apostasy of the last days—the storyline is one of repeated rebellion against God’s Word. However, in every generation, God raises a remnant who obey, believe, and walk with Him.

In Noah’s Day, it was one family. In Moses’ Day, it was Joshua and Caleb. In Elijah’s time, it was seven thousand who had not bowed to Baal. Today, it is the faithful church—the Bride preparing herself for her soon-coming King.

Romans 15:4 (NKJV) reminds us:

“For whatever things were written before, they were written for our learning, so that we, through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope.”

These stories are not relics; they are prophetic blueprints.

Living in the Modern “Days of Noah”

What does this mean for believers now? It means that the same conditions that preceded the flood now surround us:

• Moral perversion has become entertainment.
• Violence fills the earth, whether through war, abortion, or social hatred.
• Mockery of righteousness is applauded.
• Apathy toward eternity is widespread—even in the church.

But amid the darkness, God calls His people to live differently. Like Noah, we are to build the “ark” of obedience—our lives anchored in Christ. We are to warn others that the flood of judgment is coming, not of water this time, but of fire and final reckoning.

2 Peter 3:6-7 (NKJV) declares:

“…by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth, which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the Day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”

The flood was water; the next judgment will be fire.

A Call to Wakefulness

In Luke 17:26-30 (NKJV), Jesus repeated the same warning:

“And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, and they were given in marriage, until the Day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, as it was also in the days of Lot, even so will it be in the Day when the Son of Man is revealed.”

The message is clear: spiritual sleep leads to sudden destruction. The people of Noah’s Day did not stop living—they stopped listening. They ignored the preacher of righteousness and continued in pleasure until it was too late.

Modern Christianity’s sad state: the warnings are announced, but hearts are unchanged. Many sit in churches, hearing sermons but not repenting. They have “a form of godliness but deny its power” (2 Timothy 3:5).

The Hope Within the Warning

Yet even in judgment, God extends mercy. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 (NKJV) offers encouragement to believers:

“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the Day. We belong to the Day and light. Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.”

Noah’s generation perished, but Noah lived because he walked with God (Genesis 6:9). Likewise, the flood of judgment will not overcome those who walk with Christ today.

The call is not to fear, but to faith—to return to holiness, reverence, and watchfulness.

Conclusion: The Final Call Before the Storm

The words of Jesus still ring like thunder over the modern world:

“As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Matthew 24:37)

The signs are everywhere—violence, corruption, spiritual decay, and a world intoxicated with pleasure. Yet the door of the ark remains open. The Gospel is still being preached. Grace still flows.

But the door will not remain open forever. In Genesis 7:16 (NKJV), after Noah and his family entered the ark, it says simply:

“And the Lord shut him in.”

One Day soon, God will shut the door again—this time not to protect from rain, but to separate the righteous from the ungodly forever.

Therefore, let every believer rise from slumber. Let every church return to holiness. Let every preacher cry aloud and spare not. The coming of the Lord is near. The voice of warning still echoes across the ages:

“Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:44 NKJV)

And just as it was in the days of Noah, so it is now.

May the faithful find grace in His eyes. May the disobedient awaken before the storm breaks. And may the world know—Jesus Christ is coming soon.

The current generation’s neglect of Christ’s teachings and the Bible within the church has created a spiritual environment reminiscent of the days of Noah.

We live in a Sodomized and compromised society that has lost its way, corrupted its moral character, abandoned Godliness, descended into anarchy, amidst a multiplied apostate Church like in the Days of Noah: a civilization that ignores God completely and has removed Him from the equation altogether. Regardless, the day of reckoning is inevitable because of the Church’s moral failures and abandonment of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Luke 17:22–37

“And He said to the disciples, ‘The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man. They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, as it was also in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.'”

(Luke 17:22–30, NKJV)

1. Introduction: A Warning for Our Generation

In Luke 17, Jesus vividly portrays the end-time generation—a world engrossed in pleasure, indifferent to holiness, and oblivious to the imminent divine judgment. Evangelist Peter Gee once proclaimed that “the Church today is living in the days just before the Rapture—the season of apostasy, when men no longer endure sound doctrine but heap up teachers who tell them what they want to hear.”

The Apostle Paul prophesied about the time in which we live now in 2 Timothy 4:2-5

He wrote to Timothy and said, “Preach the word!” (2 Timothy 4:2). Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

We must be vigilant and ready—not complacent—as we see Jesus’ prophecy come true.

The Rapture of the Church is not a myth nor a theological footnote—it is a divine event that will shake the earth and separate the true from the false. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Paul writes:

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”

Christ will come for His saints, saving them from the coming wrath; this is their blessed Hope. Yet many in the modern Church no longer look for this blessed Hope. They preach a comfortable gospel, a gospel without repentance, a gospel without holiness. But Jesus did not sugarcoat the truth; He warned us that His return would arrive suddenly, unexpectedly, in a time of moral collapse.

2. The Days of Noah: A Civilization Ignoring God

Jesus compared the last days to the days of Noah. Genesis 6 tells us that “the earth was corrupt before God, and filled with violence.” Humanity had defied God’s moral law, filled the world with bloodshed, and lived without restraint. God saw that “every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). That sounds eerily familiar to our modern world.

Noah’s generation was not ignorant of God; they were indifferent to Him. For 120 years, Noah, “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), warned of coming judgment. But the people mocked him. They continued eating, drinking, and marrying—nothing wrong with these acts themselves—but their obsession with pleasure and materialism closed their eyes to eternal truth. They were too busy living for the moment to heed God’s message.

Today, the same spirit reigns. The world laughs at preachers of holiness. The entertainment industry glorifies sin. Governments call evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20). Even many churches have replaced repentance with motivational speeches. Yet the ark of salvation—Christ Jesus—still stands open. Just as the ark was the only refuge from the flood, so Christ is the only refuge from the wrath to come. When the door shuts, it will shut forever.

Jesus said, “Until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.” It was sudden. One day, everything seemed normal. Next, the heavens broke loose. When the Rapture occurs, life will seem normal: people at work, weddings, marketplaces, airports, classrooms—and then, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52), millions will vanish, but this will happen in the middle of the tribulation period. The world will become chaotic, a clear sign of the abrupt, unsettling character of this holy occurrence.

3. The Days of Lot: A Culture Given to Immorality

The Lord also compared the end time to the days of Lot. Genesis 19 recounts the story of Sodom and Gomorrah—cities so depraved that God could no longer tolerate their sin. Ezekiel 16:49 explains their sin: pride, fullness of bread, abundance of idleness, and failure to strengthen the hand of the poor. Yet the New Testament adds another layer—sexual perversion. Jude 1:7 says they “gave themselves over to sexual immorality and went after strange flesh.”

In our generation, Sodom has returned. Moral boundaries have collapsed. What once shocked the conscience now parades proudly in the streets. Same-sex marriage has changed the definition of marriage, confusing children instead of teaching the truth. The spirit of Sodom lives again, not only in the world but in churches that bless sin rather than confront it. Lot, a righteous man living among them, was “tormented in his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds” (2 Peter 2:8). Do we still feel tormented by sin, or have we become desensitized?

Jesus said, “On the day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.” Notice the pattern: before judgment fell, the righteous were removed. Lot’s departure preceded destruction, just as Noah’s entering the ark preceded the flood. Likewise, the Rapture will precede the outpouring of God’s wrath during the Great Tribulation. It is crucial to understand and distinguish between the Rapture, the Day of the Lord, and the Second Coming. The Rapture is God’s rescue operation for His bride; the Day of the Lord is His judgment upon the ungodly; the Second Coming is His triumphant return with His saints to reign for a thousand years.

4. The Apostate Church: Imaginary Jesus Versus the Biblical Jesus

In Luke 17:22, Jesus said, “The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.” This speaks prophetically of a time when true faith would be rare and false Christs would multiply. We are there now. The modern Church has replaced the Jesus of the Bible with an imaginary one—one who tolerates sin, who never judges, who exists only to fulfill human desires. Many pulpits worship this false Jesus, but he is not the Christ of the Bible.

Paul warned in 2 Corinthians 11:4, “For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit or a different gospel… You may well put up with it.” Today’s Christianity is saturated with “another Jesus.” It is a gospel of comfort, not conviction; prosperity, not purity; entertainment, not endurance. Yet Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”

This is the great apostasy Paul foresaw in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first.” The falling away is happening before our eyes. Churches compromise to attract crowds; preachers fear men more than God. But God is raising a remnant—a people hungry for truth, holiness, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

5. The Suddenness of the Rapture

Jesus emphasized the suddenness of His coming. “In that night there will be two men in one bed: one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will lie together; the one will be taken and the other left” (Luke 17:34-35). It will be instantaneous. No warning sirens. No second chances. The trumpet will sound, and the division will occur—between the wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), between wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30).

This sudden separation reveals the personal nature of salvation. You cannot rely on your pastor, your spouse, or your denomination. Jesus said, “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32). She looked back, longing for the world she had left behind, and became a pillar of salt. Her heart remained in Sodom, though her feet had gone. Likewise, many professing Christians today are half-hearted, attached to the world, unwilling to forsake sin. They have religion without regeneration. When the trumpet sounds, such hearts will not rise.

The Rapture will be global. Jesus said, “Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together” (Luke 17:37)—a cryptic yet prophetic phrase implying that the true Church will be gathered to the living Christ. The saints will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, transformed from mortality to immortality. Paul wrote, “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). The world will awaken to the greatest disappearance in history. Planes without pilots, cars without drivers, pulpits suddenly empty—the Age of Grace will close.

6. The Day of the Lord and the Second Coming

Evangelist Peter Gee has wisely taught that many confuse the Rapture with the Day of the Lord and the Second Coming, yet Scripture clearly distinguishes them.

• The Rapture: Christ comes for His saints (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). It is secret, sudden, and signless.
• The Day of the Lord: A period of divine wrath and judgment on the earth, beginning after the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 3, Joel 2:31).
• The Second Coming: Christ returns with His saints to establish His millennial kingdom (Revelation 19:11–16, 20:4).

During the Day of the Lord, the world will experience unimaginable terror. Revelation 6–19 describes the seven-year Tribulation—trumpets, seals, and bowls of wrath. But the Church, the Bride of Christ, will be with Him in heaven, celebrating the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7–9). That is why Jesus said, “Pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36). The word “escape” implies deliverance—Rapture—before wrath falls.

When Jesus returns visibly at the end of the great Tribulation, every eye will see Him (Revelation 1:7). He will come not as the Lamb but as the Lion of Judah. The armies of heaven will follow Him, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. The Antichrist and False Prophet will be cast into the lake of fire, and Christ will reign on earth for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1–6). That glorious Second Coming is distinct from the secret catching away of the Church.

7. The Urgency of Readiness

Jesus repeatedly warned, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42). Yet most people live as though time will continue forever. Peter prophesied this in 2 Peter 3:3 4, “Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?'” But God is not slack; He is patient, giving sinners one last opportunity to repent.

To be ready, one must be born again (John 3:3). Religious affiliation cannot save you. Moral goodness cannot qualify you. Only the blood of Jesus cleanses from sin (1 John 1:7). The actual evidence of salvation is a transformed life—obedience, holiness, love for truth. Jesus said, “Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Luke 12:40).

Let us not be like the foolish virgins who had lamps without oil—a form of fire. When the Bridegroom came, the door was shut. They cried, “Lord, Lord, open to us!” But He answered, “I do not know you” (Matthew 25:11-12). What a tragedy to be religious yet lost! The oil represents the Holy Spirit. Only those filled with His Spirit will rise when the trumpet sounds (Romans 8:11).

8. The Moral State of the World: A Prophetic Mirror

When we look around, every sign Jesus mentioned is visible. Wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6). Lawlessness abounds (Matthew 24:12). The love of many grows cold. False prophets are multiplying. The gospel is preached to all nations through digital networks such as Jesus Christ Only TV and satellite broadcasts. Israel restored as a nation (Ezekiel 37). Knowledge increases (Daniel 12:4). Artificial intelligence, global surveillance, digital currencies—tools that could enable the mark of the beast system (Revelation 13:16, 18). The final preparations for the tribulation stage are being put in place before our eyes.

Society mirrors Noah’s and Lot’s days: moral decay, sexual confusion, mockery of God. Abortion is celebrated, marriage is desecrated, and the fear of God has vanished. But amid this darkness, God still calls His people to shine as lights. Philippians 2:15 urges, “Be blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.” Our task is not to hide but to proclaim the gospel boldly, urging souls to enter the Ark—Christ—before it is too late.

9. The Comfort of the Blessed Hope

Though these prophecies are sobering, they are also comforting. Paul said, “Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Why? The Rapture means deliverance, reunion, and glory. We shall see those who died in Christ, our loved ones. We shall be clothed with immortality. We shall behold the King in His beauty (Isaiah 33:17). No more death, pain, or tears (Revelation 21:4).

This blessed Hope purifies us. “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3). Hope produces holiness. Expectation produces endurance. Understanding that Jesus may come for us today through death, but not through the Rapture, which happens after the first three and a half years of the Tribulation period, should motivate us to live righteously. We should focus on forgiving others, winning souls, and being prepared. The purpose of the Rapture is not to scare.

10. Conclusion: The Final Call

Jesus’ words in Luke 17 echo across the centuries like thunder: “Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” The world will not expect it. The religious will not discern it. Only the watchful, the faithful, and the sanctified will hear that trumpet. The rest will be left to face the terrors of the Great Tribulation.

Friend, are you ready? Have you truly surrendered your life to Christ? Have you forsaken sin? Are you sealed with the Holy Spirit? If not, today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Tomorrow may be too late. As in Noah’s day, the door will soon close. As in Lot’s day, fire will quickly fall. But before that moment, a shout will pierce the sky: “Come up here!” (Revelation 4:1). The redeemed will rise to meet their Bridegroom, and the marriage supper will begin.

Let us heed the call of Revelation 22:17, “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!'” Let every heart prepare, every believer watch, every preacher warn, for the King is at the door.

“Surely I am coming quickly.”

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20)

The Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul both prophesied about apostasy in the last days and the fall of the modern-day Church that has religion without regeneration.

Introduction: Another Date, Another Disappointment

On September 23rd, 2025, many Christians around the world braced themselves for what some false prophets and sensational teachers had proclaimed: the Rapture of the Church. Social media platforms pulsed with anticipation, YouTube channels counted down the hours, and millions of anxious believers waited for the trumpet to sound.

As the sun dipped below the horizon on September 23rd, 2025, anticipation filled the air, yet nothing extraordinary occurred. Contrary to the fervent predictions, no believers vanished into thin air, no celestial trumpet announced the end times, and no divine signs heralded the return of Christ in the heavens. The Church had to deal with another round of disappointment and confusion. Those skeptical jumped at the chance to scoff, using these unfulfilled prophecies to argue that Christianity is just myths and fantasies, not based on truth. The events left many within the Church grappling with doubt and questioning the legitimacy of their beliefs in the face of such ridicule.

Why does this cycle keep repeating? Why do rapture predictions come and go, yet the rapture prophecies remain unfulfilled? The answer lies not in the failure of Scripture but in men’s inability to rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

To provide clarity, Christianity News Daily turns to the teaching of Evangelist Peter Gee, overseer of Jesus Christ Only TV and host of The World of Eschatology Podcast. In a two-hour eschatological study, first recorded in September 2022 and streaming on Jesus Christ Only TV and YouTube, Gee explains the biblical differences between the Rapture, the Day of the Lord, and the Second Coming of Christ. Most importantly, he lays out the mid-tribulation timeline that is rooted in the teachings of Jesus, the Apostle Paul, and the prophets.

Why Predictions Keep Failing

The Bible clearly warns against setting dates for Christ’s return:

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” — Matthew 24:36, NKJV

And yet, year after year, predictions arise—tied to blood moons, astronomical events, numerology, or hidden Bible codes. Each one fails because they ignore the sequence of biblical prophecy.

Evangelist Gee identifies the root problem: confusing the prophetic events. Many Christians conflate the Rapture with the Second Coming, or assume the Day of the Lord is the same as the Rapture. Without proper distinction, false teachers twist current events into sensational timelines.

But the Bible provides a clear, step-by-step prophetic framework. By following it, believers can know the season of the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 5:4), even if the exact day and hour remain hidden in the Father’s authority.

Evangelist Peter Gee’s Prophetic Timeline

1. The Beginning of Sorrows (Matthew 24:4–8)

Jesus Himself described the age in which we now live as “the beginning of sorrows.” Wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, and false Christs are signs that mark this present time. These are not yet the Tribulation but serve as precursors to it.

Evangelist Gee emphasizes that believers today are living squarely within this stage. The unrest in the nations, moral decay, and global shaking are consistent with Jesus’ words. But the countdown to the final seven years—the Tribulation—has not yet begun.

2. The Seven-Year Tribulation Begins (Daniel 9:27)

The prophetic clock for the final seven years will start when the Antichrist confirms a peace covenant with Israel and the Gentiles. This seven-year treaty is the linchpin of biblical prophecy. Until this event takes place, the Tribulation has not officially begun.

The date of September 23rd, 2025, cannot be considered a legitimate marker for the Rapture, primarily because there has been no peace covenant signed between Israel and its adversaries, which is a crucial element outlined in biblical prophecy. Although global tensions are rising and political leaders are discussing potential agreements, the absence of this specific covenant means that we have not yet reached the prophetic fulfillment required as a precursor to the Rapture. According to the Bible, certain events must occur before this, but they haven’t.

3. The First 3½ Years: The Church Remains

For the first half of the seven years, the Church will still be present on earth. Life may seem relatively stable as the Antichrist rises, presenting himself with political cunning as a man of peace. But it is a false peace that prepares the way for global deception.

During this period, believers must remain steadfast, enduring persecution and deception while holding fast to the gospel. According to Gee, Christians shouldn’t anticipate an escape before this, because the pre-tribulation Rapture view isn’t Biblical.

4. The Midpoint: The Abomination of Desolation

Halfway through the seven years, the Antichrist will break the covenant and commit the Abomination of Desolation—entering the rebuilt Third Temple in Jerusalem and declaring himself to be God (Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4).

This act marks the transition point. It signals to believers that the Rapture is imminent—any day, any hour. Evangelist Gee explains that while we will not know the specific day or hour, Scripture is explicit that we will see the season. We are not in darkness, that this day should overtake us like a thief (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5).

5. The Rapture (Mid-Tribulation)

Then, God will rapture believers to meet Christ in the air and then to heaven.

“Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

This passage signifies the Church’s rescue just before divine wrath descends upon the world. Evangelist Gee emphasizes a pivotal point: the Rapture does not occur before the Tribulation, but rather amidst it, intricately tied to the Abomination of Desolation.

6. The Last 3½ Years: The Time of Jacob’s Trouble

Following the Rapture, God will pour out His Wrath upon the world in what Jeremiah calls “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7).

This period, the second half of the Tribulation, will unleash the seven trumpet judgments and the seven bowl judgments described in Revelation. It will be a time of unparalleled suffering, darkness, and chaos as God judges the nations and prepares the way for Christ’s Second return, but the Holy Spirit and the Church won’t be around to witness the Wrath of God.

7. The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord

At the climax of the judgments comes what Scripture calls “the great and terrible Day of the Lord.” The Bible describes this unique event as though it were two days combined into one, a moment known only to God Himself.

This day marks the final outpouring of wrath and the transition to the visible return of Christ. Evangelist Gee emphasizes that this is distinct from both the Rapture and the Second Coming.

8. The Second Coming of Christ

After the Day of the Lord, Jesus Christ will descend in glory with His saints:

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.” — Revelation 19:11

With His raptured Church, Christ will return to the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4), defeat the Antichrist and his armies, and establish His reign.

9. The Millennial Reign of Christ

Jesus will then rule the nations with a rod of iron for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1–6). The saints will reign with Him in glorified bodies. At the conclusion of this Millennium, Christ will hand over the Kingdom to God the Father, fulfilling 1 Corinthians 15:24-28.

Why September 23rd, 2025, Was Never the Date

With this biblical sequence in mind, it becomes clear why the Rapture could not have occurred on September 23rd, 2025. The required markers—most notably the peace covenant with Israel and the Abomination of Desolation—have not yet taken place.

To claim otherwise is to sow confusion among believers. Evangelist Gee warns that these false predictions do more harm than good, weakening faith and giving the world reason to mock. Instead of chasing dates, the Church must watch for the actual signs given by Jesus and the apostles.

A Call to Watchfulness, Not Fear

Evangelist Gee’s teachings are designed not to instill fear but to empower and equip believers with knowledge and understanding. He stresses that Christians are not in spiritual darkness about world events and their faith. Instead, we are called to be vigilant, patiently enduring trials and challenges while being aware of the signs and seasons that show the unfolding of divine plans. Through his messages, he encourages followers to develop a discernible awareness of spiritual truths, fostering a sense of readiness to face what lies ahead.

• Matthew 24:44 — “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:4 — “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.”
• Titus 2:13 — “Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Our hope is not in dates but in Christ Himself.

Conclusion: Anchored in Prophetic Truth

The Rapture did not happen on September 23rd, 2025, because the Bible never pointed to that date. The prophetic sequence has not yet unfolded. But far from weakening our hope, this truth strengthens it.

As Evangelist Peter Gee teaches, the Church must understand the difference between the Rapture, the Day of the Lord, and the Second Coming. We must recognize the Beginning of Sorrows we live in now, prepare for the first half of the Tribulation, and watch for the signs of the Abomination of Desolation. Only then will we know that the Rapture can occur at any moment and at any hour.

Until that time, our calling is clear: preach the gospel, make disciples, and live in readiness.

To watch the entire two-hour sermon, click here, and also forward the message to others so that they may also hear and learn to eliminate confusion about the date setting of the rapture.

The Rapture Did Not Happen as Predicted on September 23rd and Here Is Why.

Without the Cross, humanity would have no opportunity to inherit eternal salvation.

The Cross of Jesus Christ is one of the most potent symbols in human history. It represents love, sacrifice, redemption, and ultimate victory. At its core, the message of the Cross is God’s answer to sin, suffering, and the separation between humanity and Himself. The significance of the Cross lies not in the wooden beams upon which Jesus died but in what it accomplished: the salvation of humanity.

This article’s sermon examines the profound power of the Cross and its enduring impact on our salvation, grounded in the authority of Scripture. By examining key biblical passages, both prophetic and fulfilled, we get an in-depth look at how the Cross changed everything.

1. The Prophetic Foundation of the Cross

Prophets foretold the Cross long before Jesus walked the earth. God had a plan of redemption, and the Messiah’s suffering was central to that plan.

Isaiah 53:5-6 (KJV) declares:

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

These prophetic words reveal that Jesus would suffer, not for His sin, because He was sinless, but for ours. The Cross was always God’s plan to redeem fallen humanity.

Psalm 22:16-18 (KJV) further prophesies the crucifixion:

“They pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them and cast lots upon my vesture.”

These words, written centuries before Christ’s birth, detail events fulfilled exactly during Jesus’ crucifixion, as described in John 19:23-24. The piercing of His hands and feet and the soldiers casting lots for His garments were not coincidences—they were fulfillments of God’s redemptive plan.

Zechariah 12:10 (KJV) predicts the sorrow that will arise when people finally come to understand what has occurred.

“They shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him…”

This mourning reflects deep conviction—a realization of what was required to save us.

2. The Fulfillment: Jesus’ Death on the Cross

The Gospels vividly record the crucifixion of Jesus. The suffering He endured was not only physical but spiritual, bearing the full weight of humanity’s sin.

Matthew 27:32-56 and Mark 15:21-41 give detailed accounts of His journey to Calvary, His mockers, and the supernatural events surrounding His death. Darkness covered the land, the temple veil was torn, and even Roman soldiers recognized, “Truly, this was the Son of God.”

With one criminal crucified beside Him, Luke 23:26-49 presents a decisive moment. Even in agony, Jesus offers salvation:

“Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43 KJV)

This act of mercy powerfully shows that even in the face of death, the Cross embodies mercy and redemption.

John 19:16-37 records the last moments of Jesus’ life:

“One soldier with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith there came out blood and water.” (John 19:34 KJV)

Every detail, down to the piercing of His side, was a fulfillment of Scripture. It was not just an execution—it was the Lamb of God taking away the sins of the world.

3. The Meaning and Power of the Cross

So, what does the Cross mean for us today?

a) The Cross is the Power of God

1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV) proclaims:

“To those who perish, the preaching of the cross is foolishness, but to us who are saved, it is the power of God.”

To the unbelieving world, the Cross may seem like a weakness, but in truth, it is a divine power that overcomes sin, death, and hell. The Cross changes lives because it reconciles us with our Creator.

b) The Cross is the Source of Boasting

Galatians 6:14 (KJV) says:

“But God forbid I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

All human accomplishments pale compared to what Jesus accomplished on the Cross. It’s where justice and mercy meet. It’s where sinners become saints.

c) The Cross Cancels Our Debt

Colossians 2:14-15 (NKJV) explains:

“Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that were against us, which was contrary to us. And Jesus has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the Cross. 15  Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”

God triumphantly resolved all legal accusations against us through the Cross, disarming Satan and ultimately vanquishing the power of sin. This divine act liberated us from guilt and restored our relationship with Him, ushering in a new era of hope and freedom. The Cross serves not as a symbol of defeat but as a powerful declaration of victory.

d) The Cross Is Obedience unto Death

Philippians 2:8 (KJV) testifies:

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Jesus’ death was not a random act—it was an act of supreme obedience to the Father’s will, demonstrating to us what genuine humility and submission honestly look like.

4. The Result of the Cross: Salvation for Humanity

a) Jesus Died for Us While We Were Sinners

Romans 5:8 (KJV):

“But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Christ’s death on the Cross is the most authentic expression of love—an unwavering affection that embraces us even amidst our rebellion, extending grace and warmth when we are at our most defiant.

b) Reconciliation through the Cross

Ephesians 2:16 (KJV):

“That he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross…”

The Cross reconciles us to God and brings unity among people. Jews and Gentiles, men and women, every tribe and nation—brought together by the blood of Jesus.

c) Our Sins Carried Away

1 Peter 2:24 (KJV):

“Whom his self bare our sins in his own body on the tree…”

He took what we deserved—our punishment, our guilt—and carried it to the Cross so we could live in freedom and righteousness.

5. The Cross Calls for a Personal Response

The Cross is not merely a historical event—it demands a response. Jesus said in John 3:14-15 (KJV):

“As Moses lifted the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

Just as the Israelites looked upon the bronze serpent to be healed, we must look to Jesus, who is lifted on the Cross, for salvation.

a) Conviction and Repentance

When Peter preached about the crucifixion in Acts 2:23 (NKJV), he said:

“Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;” the people were cut to the heart, asking, “What shall we do?” The Cross brings conviction, showing us our need for a Savior.

b) Bold Proclamation

The apostles did not shy away from declaring the Cross. In Acts 5:30 (KJV):

“The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.”

They spoke boldly because they knew the Cross was the only way to salvation.

c) Joy in Enduring for the Cross

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV) encourages us:

“Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that God set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus saw beyond the suffering. He saw the joy of redeemed lives, restored relationships, and a reconciled creation. He endured, and now He calls us to carry our own Cross and follow Him.

Conclusion: The Cross Is Everything

The Cross of Jesus Christ represents the greatest act of God’s sacrificial love in history and holds profound eternal significance. It signifies when mercy triumphs over judgment—a pivotal point where God intersects with humanity, reconciling Himself with the humans He created in His image. This event marks the defeat of sin and death, ushering in a vibrant new hope. Through the Cross, we receive the profound gifts of forgiveness and reconciliation, which guide us in our earthly lives and assure us of eternal life as we journey toward redemption and restoration.

If you’ve never truly looked to the Cross, it is time. It is not just a symbol to wear but a power to live by. As 1 Corinthians 1:18 says, to those who believe, it is the power of God.

Let us boast only of the Cross. We preach, live, and cling to the Cross’s power, the gospel’s heart, and its eternal impact on our salvation.

A Biblical Revelation on The Power of the Cross and Its Impact on Our Salvation through Jesus Christ

Understanding God’s Prophetic Timeline: Are You Ready for the Return of Christ?

In an age of uncertainty, where wars, deception, and moral decline dominate the global landscape, believers are searching for biblical clarity on end-time prophecy. Many wonder:

What is the difference between the Rapture, the Day of the Lord, and the Second Coming of Christ?

Are we witnessing the prophetic signs Jesus warned about in Matthew 24?

How can we prepare for the glorious return of Christ?

Renowned eschatologist and end-time evangelist Peter Gee delivers a prophetic and life-changing sermon titled “Differences Between the Rapture, the Day of the Lord, and the Second Coming.” This message, preached with deep biblical insight, stands as one of the most comprehensive expositions of Matthew 24 and the end-time prophecy ever taught since the creation of the universe.

Evangelist Gee, founder and chancellor of The Institute of Eschatological Studies (TIOES) and host of The Everlasting Gospel Program on Jesus Christ Only TV and The World of Eschatology Podcast, unveils God’s prophetic timeline with undeniable scriptural proof.

Watch the entire sermon on YouTube now: [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmuoKd4h0bk ]

The Three Distinct Events in End-Time Prophecy

One of the biggest misunderstandings in Bible prophecy is the confusion between the Rapture, the Day of the Lord, and the Second Coming. Many assume they are the same event, but Evangelist Peter Gee breaks down the biblical distinctions among these three prophetic moments.

1. The Rapture: The Blessed Hope of the Church

The Rapture is the glorious moment when Jesus Christ returns for His Bride, the Church, before the Great Tribulation. This rescue/Rapture event will catch believers and bring them to meet the Lord in the air.

Key Rapture Scriptures:

John 14:1-3—Jesus promises to prepare a place for His followers and return to receive them.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17– “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, and we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”

1 Corinthians 15:51-52—”Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed… in the twinkling of an eye.”

2 Thessalonians 2:1-8–”Our gathering together to Him” occurs before the Antichrist is revealed.

Titus 2:13—”Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Revelation 3:10—”I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world.”

Luke 17:34-37—”Two will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left.”

In his explanation, Evangelist Peter Gee asserts that the Rapture is a literal event preceding God’s wrath. It is a rescue mission for the Church as Jesus gathers His faithful to be with Him in Heaven for three and a half years for the marriage supper of the Lamb.

2. The Day of the Lord: The Outpouring of God’s Wrath

There is a common misunderstanding of the Day of the Lord. Many think it refers only to the Second Coming, but in reality, it encompasses a period of divine judgment that includes:

The end of the Great Tribulation and the instant destruction of the entire world system of humanity before the millennial reign of Christ begins from the Mount of Olives.

The most significant single-day global turmoil and destruction ever witnessed since creation.

The end of the Antichrist’s reign and his one-world government system.

The pouring out of God’s most extreme wrath upon the ungodly

The physical return of Christ to destroy and crush the Antichrist and his evil system.

Key Scriptures About the Day of the Lord:

Joel 2:31—”The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the Lord.”

1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 — “For you yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.”

Isaiah 13:9—”Behold, the Day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate.”

Revelation 6:17—”For the great day of His wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Evangelist Peter Gee emphasizes that the Day of the Lord comes three and a half years after the Rapture. It is NOT the Rapture itself, as many have believed over generations, but a time of divine punishment upon the rebellious world.

3. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ: His Triumphant Return to Earth

The Second Coming of Christ is an entirely separate event from the Rapture. The Rapture happens secretly in the air, while the Second Coming is public and occurs on Earth as Jesus descends with power and glory to establish His kingdom.

Key Scriptures About the Second Coming:

Revelation 19:11-16—”Now I saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and the armies in Heaven followed Him.”

Zechariah 14:4—”And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives.”

Matthew 24:29-30—”Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Revelation 1:7—”Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him.”

Evangelist Peter Gee explains that Jesus’ Second Coming is when He returns to establish His millennial kingdom on Earth with His Bride.

The Urgency of the Hour: Are You Ready?

In Peter Gee’s interpretation, Matthew 24 indicates that the phase, commonly referred to as “the beginning of sorrows,” which precedes a peace treaty between Jews and Gentiles, is nearing its conclusion. We are approaching a critical juncture just before the potential collapse of the global system, influenced by factors such as war, widespread famine, epidemics, the misleading teachings of false prophets, and a rise in seismic activity.

Increased deception and false prophets (Matthew 24:11)

Global conflicts and wars (Matthew 24:6-7)

Rise of a cashless society and economic control (Revelation 13:16-18)

Moral decline and the days of Noah (Luke 17:26-30)

Jesus is coming soon! Will you be ready when the trumpet sounds?

Final Thoughts: The Most Important Sermon on End-Time Prophecy

Evangelist Peter Gee’s sermon, “Differences Between the Rapture, the Day of the Lord, and the Second Coming,” is a must-watch for every believer who wants to understand God’s prophetic timeline fully.

Watch the entire sermon on YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmuoKd4h0bk]

Key prophecies of Jesus Christ in Matthew 24 to remember:

1. The Temple was destroyed in 70 AD, fulfilling this prophecy.
2. The period known as “the beginning of sorrows” must end before the Rapture of the Church. In addition, the Rapture’s occurrence hinges on the Antichrist’s appearance in the Temple’s Holy Place.

According to scripture, the Rapture will occur in the middle of the 7-year tribulation period. God will dissolve the second Heaven (the dwelling place of Satan), and God shall cast Satan to Earth to persecute the Church for three and a half years before the Rapture. With the Antichrist’s signature on a seven-year peace agreement, Satan and his demonic realm will be cast to the Earth, but those who believe in Jesus shall overcome him by the blood of the Lamb.

Satan and his evil empire were cast out of Heaven by God.

Revelation 12 describes Satan expelled from Heaven in verses 7-9.

7 And war broke out in Heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in Heaven any longer.  9  So the great dragon, that ancient serpent known as the Devil and Satan, who deceives the entire world, was cast out to the Earth, along with his angels.

1. The Church must get prepared to endure three and a half years of severe persecution from Satan and his demons physically during the first three and a half years of the 7-year tribulation period. Still, we shall defeat him by the words of our testimony and the Blood of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 12:13-17   When the dragon saw that he had been cast to the Earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.  14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the serpent’s presence.  15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.  16  But the Earth helped the woman, and the Earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.  17  And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

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To contact Evangelist Peter Gee, please email the chancellor at tioes.org.

Differences Between the Rapture, the Day of the Lord, and the Second Coming | Evangelist Peter Gee | End-Time Prophetic Sermon | Matthew 24

The Institute of Eschatological Studies (TIOES)

The Institute of Eschatological Studies is a premier Christian organization committed to providing believers, scholars, and clergy with in-depth, Bible-based teachings on the prophetic events leading to the return of Jesus Christ. Focusing on the rapture, the Day of the Lord, and the second coming, the Institute seeks to unravel the mysteries of Scripture that speak to the end times. Drawing from key prophetic books such as Matthew 24, Revelation, Daniel, and Thessalonians, the Institute is a trusted source for those seeking to understand the signs of the times and God’s prophetic timeline.

A Call to Understand the End Times

In an era where many are looking for answers about the future, the Institute of Eschatological Studies offers a comprehensive and biblically sound approach to the events surrounding the second coming of Christ. The Bible contains numerous prophecies about the world’s end, yet many believers remain confused or uncertain about their meaning. The Institute is dedicated to offering clarity and insight into these crucial passages of Scripture, helping individuals navigate the complexities of eschatology and ultimately understand the heart of God’s plan for the world.

At the core of the Institute’s mission is the desire to equip believers with the knowledge needed to interpret the signs of the times. In Matthew 24, Jesus Christ gives a detailed prophecy about the end of the age, warning of wars, natural disasters, false prophets, and the coming tribulation. Understanding these signs is essential for Christians who want to live in anticipation of Christ’s return, keeping their faith steadfast as they wait to fulfill God’s promises. The Institute provides a deep dive into these Scriptures, offering a systematic, clear, and balanced view of what the Bible teaches about the end times.

The Rapture: A Moment of Hope

One of the central topics explored by the Institute is the rapture. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 portrays the rapture as believers ascending to meet the Lord. The rapture concept is a pivotal aspect of Christian eschatology, yet it has been the subject of much debate and differing interpretations. The Institute provides a sound exegesis of the rapture’s key passages through expert-led courses, lectures, and written materials, helping students discern the biblical truths regarding this momentous event.

The rapture is not just a theological concept; it represents the blessed hope of every believer. Understanding this truth, Christians are assured that their ultimate destiny is with Christ, regardless of life’s challenges. The Institute emphasizes the significance of the rapture as a comforting promise and encourages believers to maintain a readiness posture. By teaching the biblical foundations of the rapture, the Institute also seeks to prevent misconceptions and clarify the various views of the rapture, such as pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, and post-tribulation perspectives. Ultimately, the Institute’s goal is to anchor the hearts of believers in the hope of Christ’s imminent return, which is our ultimate deliverance.

The Day of the Lord: Understanding the Tribulation

The Day of the Lord is another crucial topic the Institute of Eschatological Studies addresses. This term is used throughout the Old and New Testaments to refer to a period of intense judgment that will occur in the end times. The Day of the Lord begins at the end of three and a half years of the great tribulation, a time of unparalleled suffering and persecution for those living on the earth, especially those who reject God. Understanding this period of judgment is essential for any believer seeking to comprehend the unfolding events of the end times.

The Institute dives deep into the prophecies in the Book of Revelation, which speaks in vivid imagery of the tribulation, the rise of the Antichrist, and the eventual victory of Christ. By offering expert analysis of Revelation’s symbolic and literal aspects, the Institute equips students with the tools to interpret these prophecies, considering the whole counsel of Scripture. Additionally, the Institute addresses the role of believers during the tribulation period, the significance of the seals, trumpets, and bowls, and the ultimate defeat of evil as Christ returns to establish His kingdom.

Furthermore, the Day of the Lord encompasses the tribulation, the final judgment of the wicked in finality before the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom on earth. The Institute helps believers understand that while the tribulation is a period of wrath, it is also a prelude to the glorious return of Jesus Christ, who will defeat His enemies and reign forever. Through this lens, the Day of the Lord is not just a time of destruction but also a significant time and a precursor to the ultimate restoration of God’s people.

The Second Coming of Christ: The Glorious Hope of the Church

The second coming of Jesus Christ is the pinnacle of Christian eschatology, and the Institute of Eschatological Studies (TIOES) is most passionate about teaching this event. The Bible promises that Jesus will return to earth in power and glory, visibly and unmistakably, to establish His kingdom and reign forever (Matthew 24:30, Revelation 19:11-16). God’s plan of redemption, countless prophecies, and the Church’s ultimate hope have all come to fruition in the Second Coming of Christ.

The second coming of Christ will end human history as we know it and usher in a new era of peace, righteousness, and justice. It is a day of judgment for the wicked and reward for the faithful. The Institute teaches that understanding the second coming is about studying end-time events and anticipating Christ’s return. The Christian walk of faith demands watchfulness, alertness, and faithfulness as Jesus’ return nears.

Through comprehensive resources, the Institute helps students understand the various aspects of the second coming, including the nature of Christ’s return, the signs leading up to it, and its implications for the Church. The Institute also offers courses on the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24), a key passage in which Jesus provides a blueprint for understanding the end of the age. Students will learn how the Olivet Discourse relates to the broader themes of prophecy, the rapture, and the Day of the Lord and how it impacts the Christian life today.

Scholarly Resources and Expert-Led Courses

The Institute of Eschatological Studies is a resource center for Bible study and an educational institution that provides rigorous academic training in eschatology. With a faculty of experienced scholars and theologians, the Institute offers a range of courses, lectures, and seminars designed to help individuals of all backgrounds deepen their understanding of eschatology.

Whether you are a layperson looking to gain a basic understanding of end-time events or a seminary student preparing for a career in ministry, the Institute has resources tailored to meet your needs. Courses cover a wide range of topics, including the nature of prophecy, the theological significance of the rapture, the interpretation of Revelation, the role of Israel in the end times, and much more. Through these courses, students will gain a deeper understanding of the biblical texts and critical theological concepts for interpreting the end times.

A Community of Like-minded Believers

At the heart of the Institute is a community of like-minded individuals passionate about biblical prophecy and the return of Christ. You can connect with like-minded believers dedicated to collaborative Bible study through the Institute’s resources and courses. This community provides a space for fellowship, discussion, and growth, helping students learn from and support each other in their analysis of eschatology.

The Institute also offers opportunities for individuals to participate in webinars, conferences, and other events that foster a more profound sense of connection and collaboration. Through these events, students can hear from leading experts in the field of eschatology, ask questions, and engage with the broader Christian community on these critical issues.

Conclusion: Prepare for the Return of Christ

The Institute of Eschatological Studies is more than just an academic institution; it is a place where believers can come together to explore the profound truths of Scripture and prepare for Jesus Christ’s glorious return. Whether you are new to the study of biblical prophecy or a seasoned scholar, the Institute offers a wealth of resources and expertise to help you grow in your understanding of the end times.

As you explore the teachings on the rapture, the Day of the Lord, and the second coming, you will be better equipped to discern the signs of the times and live in anticipation of Christ’s return. Join the Institute of Eschatological Studies today and deepen your understanding of God’s prophetic timeline. Together, let us prepare our hearts and minds for the glorious day when our Savior returns to take His Church home.

The Rapture, The Day of The Lord, and The Second Coming

For more information about our institute, please visit our website at The Institute of Eschatological Studies: https://tioes.org.

The Institute of Eschatological Studies: A Gateway to Understanding Biblical Prophecy and the Return of Christ