Greg Laurie on Israel, End Days: ‘Next Event on Prophetic Calendar is Rapture of the Church’
By Alex Murashko
After outlining the escalating conflict in the Middle East in a message shared on his YouTube channel, evangelist Greg Laurie said that he believes that the next event on the “prophetic calendar,” as described in the Bible, is the rapture of God’s Church.
“The Bible says that in the last days, which I believe we are living in, there would be distress of nations with no way out,” said Laurie (Israel, End of Days, And Whats Next On the Prophetic Calendar). “Look at how this conflict in the Middle East is escalating, it seems by the hour.”
“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;” – Luke 21:25
Laurie said the attack on Israel by the terrorist organization Hamas, which is funded by Iran, included murder, torture, kidnapping, beheading babies, and “unbelievable atrocities.”
He reiterates that Israel is poised to strike in an effort to get its hostages back while trying to “eradicate Hamas once and for all.” Adding, “By the way, they have every right to do that.
“But now things are escalating, we now have Hezbollah who is also a terrorist organization funded by Iran, attacking Israel on another front. We have threats from Iran stepping into this conflict.”
Laurie said that he is not sure if the present conflict will lead to the scenario described in Ezekiel 37 and 38 as large force from the north of Israel identified as Magog marching against Israel with ally Persia (ancient name for Iran) and others.
“But here’s what I do know: we’re in the last days,” he said. “Let’s pull the camera back and get the big picture of the order of prophetic events. I believe the next event on the prophetic calendar is what we call the Rapture of the Church…. This event could happen at any moment.”
The events happening in the Middle East could escalate even more so and become “something far more dramatic,” Laurie said.
What Should We Do?
“Jesus said that when you see these things begin to happen, look up for your redemption is drawing near. Be aware. Be alert,” Laurie said. “The Bible says that He’ll return again for those who are looking for Him. That doesn’t mean we are standing around on street corners looking at the sun, which is not good for your eyes. It means that we are living lives that honor God. That we are seeking to please the Lord. That we are seeking to get the Gospel out to as many people as possible. It means that we don’t want to be doing anything that we would be ashamed of doing if Christ were to come back.”
He asks: “If Jesus came back today are you doing anything you would be ashamed to be doing if He returned?”
Laurie concludes in his message: “If so, stop doing so, and instead engage yourself in things that bring honor and glory to God. Jesus is coming. Let’s make sure we’re ready because He could come back at any moment.”
Alex Murashko is lead writer for the Thinke writing team. His site Media on Mission features stories written by journalists with a biblical world view. Murashko is a contributor to Higher Ground at the Washington Times.
Connect: @AlexMurashko