So You Want to Know?

I don’t know where you stand spiritually, but I’m grateful you’re reading. Please don’t stop. What follows can lead you to freedom—depending on what you do with the truth you receive. God gave us free will; love never coerces. Our choices have consequences, but we can choose a new path at any moment.

Jesus promised, “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” (1). Even if you’re unsure about Jesus, you’re reading because you sense a need—an emptiness or unanswered questions. I’m confident that by the end of this letter you’ll be ready to receive the truth about Jesus Christ. He placed a witness to that truth within you (2), and I pray the Holy Spirit reveals God’s plan as you read—because He loves you and died for you (3).

What Is Truth—and Freedom?

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (4). We’re more than bodies; we were created in God’s image (5). Scripture calls God’s Word “truth” (6). Jesus came “to set the captives free” (7). He is the Word made flesh (8). When you receive Him, you receive freedom from sin and reconciliation with God.

Salvation First—Even if the Rapture Has Happened

God’s rescue plan isn’t limited to this life. Jesus is returning for those who believe—an event called the Rapture (9). Christians debate its timing, but not its reality. Most importantly: you can be saved—yes, even if the Rapture has already taken place.

Scripture says, “If you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (10). Everyone will appear before God’s judgment (11), but “mercy triumphs over judgment” (12). In Christ we receive robes of righteousness (13) and eternal life with Him (14). A prayer to receive Christ is at the end of this letter—use it whenever you’re ready.

Are We in the End Times?

Jesus used the budding fig tree to teach us to read the season (15). He listed signs in Matthew 24 (16). The “End of the Age” concludes with God’s judgment. Jesus—God in the flesh (17), teaching with authority (18)—answered the disciples’ questions about the end:

• Guard against deception (24:4–5). Many will claim to be Christ. Remember who Jesus is: the Son of God (19), crucified, buried, raised (20), and now at the Father’s right hand (21). Many will be misled.
• Global turmoil—wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes—are “the beginning of birth pangs” (24:6–8).
• Societal breakdown—persecution, betrayal, false prophets, lawlessness, and a chilling of love—will rise (24:9–12). Endure to the end (24:13). Meanwhile, the gospel will reach the whole world (24:14).

You may think, Haven’t these things happened for centuries? Jesus pointed to Daniel’s prophecy for the decisive marker.

Daniel’s Timeline and the Abomination of Desolation

Jesus said, “When you see ‘the abomination of desolation’ spoken of by Daniel… standing in the holy place…” (24:15–21). Daniel 9:24–27 outlines seventy ‘sevens’ of years. Sixty-nine “weeks” lead to Messiah being “cut off” and the sanctuary destroyed (fulfilled in A.D. 70). One “week”—seven years—remains. The coming “prince” (Antichrist) confirms a covenant for seven years, then in the middle (after 3½ years) halts sacrifice and commits the abomination (Daniel 9:24–27). This triggers unparalleled distress (23) and the “Wrath of the Lamb” (24)—a series of judgments intended, in mercy, to awaken people before Judgment Day.

God shortens those days for the elect (24:22). Beware of false messiahs and prophets performing signs (24:23–26). Scripture is God-breathed (25) and truth sets free (26). The Father so loved the world He sent His Son; whoever believes in Him has eternal life (27).

The Rapture—Our Blessed Hope

Jesus said His coming would be sudden, like lightning (28). Paul explains: believers—both resurrected and living—will be “caught up… to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). This is the event many call the Rapture Letter moment—a message to letters to those left behind: be ready, believe now.

No One Knows the Day or Hour

Only the Father knows the exact time (24:36–44). As in Noah’s day, people will carry on with life until judgment falls. Some will be taken; others left. Jesus’ command: stay alert and be ready.

How Should You Respond?

Believers differ on timing—pre-tribulation, pre-wrath, or post-tribulation. The tribulation includes three series of seven judgments (31), and its severity is unmatched (24:21). I’m not arguing timing here; I’m emphasizing certainty. If the Rapture hasn’t happened, prepare now. If it has, there’s little time—but you can still be saved before Jesus returns.

Revelation in Brief: Seals, Trumpets, Bowls

Revelation (6–16) expands Jesus’ Matthew 24 outline.

Seven Seals (33):

1. Rise of the Antichrist; 2) War; 3) Famine; 4) Death (¼ of humanity); 5) Martyrs completed; 6) Great earthquake and cosmic signs; 7) Silence in heaven.

Seven Trumpets (34):

1. Hail/fire/blood; 2) A blazing mountain into the sea; 3) Wormwood poisons freshwater; 4) One-third of lights darkened; 5) Demonic torment; 6) 200-million army; 7) World system shaken—two witnesses, rise of the Beast and False Prophet, and the mark restricting commerce.

Seven Bowls (35):

1. Painful sores on the marked; 2) Seas become blood; 3) Rivers become blood; 4) Scorching heat; 5) Darkness; 6) Euphrates dries—Armageddon; 7) “It is done!”—lightning, the greatest quake, massive hail—and Jesus returns.

God’s warnings are merciful. Suffering will be real, but hope in Jesus is greater. Choose truth, reject lies, and give your life to Christ.

Summary (Excluding Revelation)

• Watch out for deception
• Wars, famines, earthquakes
• Persecution of Christians
• False prophets; lawlessness; love grows cold
• Global preaching of the gospel
• Rise of the Antichrist
• Abomination of desolation; Wrath of the Lamb
• False signs and wonders
• Jesus’ warnings and sudden coming (the likely Rapture)
• Astronomical signs (sun, moon, stars) and prophetic sign as at His birth (36)
• Jesus comes

Prayer for Salvation

Pray aloud, believing in your heart:

Lord Jesus,
I confess I’ve sinned and need Your forgiveness. I believe You died for me and that God raised You from the dead. I confess You as Lord. I receive Your covenant and ask You to save me. Help me grow in a real relationship with You. Amen.

If you prayed this sincerely, you are saved and now belong to God—co-heir with Christ. Find a Bible and start with the Gospel of John. Welcome!

References (retain as cited)

1. John 8:32
2. Romans 2:15
3. John 3:16–18; 1 Corinthians 15:3
4. Matthew 4:4
5. Genesis 1:26
6. John 17:17
7. Luke 4:18
8. John 1:14
9. 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; 1 Corinthians 15:51–54
10. Romans 10:9
11. Romans 14:12–13
12. James 2:13
13. Revelation 7:9
14. 1 Thessalonians 4:17
15. Luke 21:29–31
16. Matthew 24:4–31
17. John 1:1
18. Matthew 28:18
19. Matthew 3:17; John 1:34
20. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
21. Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 1:3
22. Matthew 24:12; Ezekiel 13:10
23. Matthew 24:21
24. Revelation 6:16
25. 2 Timothy 3:16
26. John 8:32
27. John 3:16
28. Matthew 24:27
29. Matthew 28:18
30. James 2:13
31. Revelation 6–16:21
32. Revelation 6:16
33. Revelation 6–8:1
34. Revelation 8:7–12:6
35. Revelation 16:1–21
36. Matthew 2:2