“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe
in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house
has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have
told you that I am going there to prepare a place
for you? And if I go and prepare a place for
you, I will come back and take you to be with
me that you also may be where I am.”
(John 14:1-3)
The Grid Plan: A strategy
for those living for God in the
post-rapture world
I Am A Watchman
Publications
I Am A Watchman Publishing
Union City, California
The GRID PLAN: A strategy for living for God in
the post-rapture world. Copyright 2019 by
iamawatchman, Inc. All Rights Reserved
The I Am A Watchman ministry desires to equip and
encourage believers, reach the lost, and see individuals
prepared for the return of the King.
I Am a Watchman Publications
www.IAmAWatchman.com
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN# 9781645503064
First Printing, May, 2020
INTRODUCTION
The I AM A WATCHMAN ministry established in 2017 with four primary
goals: 1) provide resources that prompt individuals to enter into a
relationship with Christ 2) to encourage believers in Christ 3) to train
and equip believers for Christ and 4) to prepare all for the return of
Christ. In 2018, the vision expanded to provide resources for individuals
who are left behind when the Lord comes to rescue and take away
believers in an event known as the Rapture. The RAPTURE KIT resource
and this booklet were introduced as new resources in 2020
respectively.
This booklet is designed to help individuals after the Rapture:
• Understand what the Rapture is and why it happened
• Understand that it is NOT too late to be forgiven, saved, and
have the hope of eternal life
• Understand what is going to happen in the near future
• Know how to LIVE WELL and FINISH WELL for the Lord
Life will be different in the next few years. Life will be difficult. Many will
become bitter and sink into deep depression. But there is hope. In this
last chapter of history God offers those who commit to live for Him a
new life, with new purpose, and an eternal reward. This new life does
not require vast resources or advanced degrees—only a willing and
courageous heart.
Living for the Lord at this point in history will be the most difficult thing
you have ever done—but it will be your greatest achievement, and lead
to unimaginable reward. Read on to learn what has happened, what to
do now, and how to live for the Lord in the days to come.
THE REASON FOR THIS BOOK
The I AM A WATCHMAN ministry anticipates the day when news
headlines will be filled with stories of how millions across the globe
suddenly vanished. On that fateful day, planes will go down, trains
will derail, cars will crash, and basic services will be disrupted.
There will be chaos and panic, and fabricated explanations for what
happened.
Perhaps you remember warnings from Christians who spoke of a
coming RAPTURE—a momentous event where Jesus returns to whisk
away true believers in advance of terrible judgments and
tribulations on the earth. If millions suddenly disappeared, the
Rapture has happened, the seven-year Tribulation period is about
to begin, and the Antichrist will soon rise to power. This booklet
provides a glimpse into what will happen, how to prepare, and how to
become a witness and servant for the Lord.
Though you missed the Rapture, you can still turn to Christ. You
can be forgiven, have the hope of heaven, live a life of meaning, and
finish well for the Lord. This booklet profiles what you must know,
and what you must do.
If you are reading this after the Rapture, then God has given you a
second chance – do not let it pass by. Read this booklet to learn
more about Jesus’ love for you, and how you can serve Him. Know
this: Great reward awaits the faithful.
“...Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be
discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever
you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
If you are reading this after the disappearance of millions across the
globe, I imagine you are hurting and worried. It is likely that much of
the world is in chaos. In stressful situations there is a natural tendency to
search for the quick fix. I understand, and I have answers and helps for
you, but like baking a cake, there are steps to follow. Just as one
cannot frost the cake before the batter is baked, there are a few things
you must know and do before the GRID PLAN and living for God
principles can benefit you.
Living-out GRID PLAN principles will yield confidence, peace, a sense
of purpose, and unimaginable heavenly reward. But as I noted in the
above paragraph, there are a few requisites. A quick reference guide
is presented below.
• Read pages 13-22 to understand what has happened.
• Read pages 23-26 to know how to become a Christian.
• Read pages 27-40 to learn what the future holds.
• Read pages 42-45 for insight regarding how God could be calling
YOU to serve Him in the post-Rapture world.
• Read pages 46-56 to learn how using GRID PLAN principles can
help strategic and powerful in your witness for God.
• Read pages 57-59 for suggestions regarding how to share your
faith in the post-rapture world.
After reviewing the above, and committing to be a faithful follower of
Jesus, THEN you are ready to serve and honor Jesus by implementing
GRID PLAN principles. A brief preview is presented on the next page
The GRID PLAN is a strategy to help you to use your gifts, location,
contacts, skills, work, relationships, etc. to be a mighty servant for the
Lord. The GRID PLAN assumes four things:
You are reading this
because God is offering you the opportunity to serve Him in a role of
honor and distinction.
2. People can change: Implementing the Grid Plan principles and
accomplishing great things for God, especially at this point in history,
will require courage, wisdom, and boldness. You may be thinking that
your failures, your lack of knowledge of spiritual things, or shy
personality will not allow you to be a bold servant for God in the future.
Many stories in the Bible prove that is not true. For example,
overwhelming fear prompted Jonah to run from God and Peter to deny
he knew Jesus. A lack of confidence led Moses to tell God he was not
a good speaker and therefore could not be His spokesman. But God
so transformed these men that they became known for doing great
things in spite of, and showing new strength in the very areas of, their
personal weaknesses. Moses became a leader to the Hebrews and
God’s messenger to Pharaoh. Jonah became a prophet to the Ninivites
(a people notorious for killing outsiders on site), and Peter became an
Apostle and leader in the New Testament Church. God can use anyone
to accomplish anything.
3. God delights in using the weak: A quick review of the Bible will
show that God delights in using the unlikely to do the exceptional. The
prophet Jeremiah was “just a youth.” The prophet Amos was a shepherd
and “tender of sycamore trees.” Jesus’ disciples were, by their own
admission, “uneducated men.” Yet the Lord called (and helped) these
ordinary men to do extraordinary things. Do not doubt that God can do
incredible things for and through you.
4. God will help: Remember this simple truism:
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Section
ONE
Gary Ray
Millions are missing. Conflicting explanations and theories abound.
Services are disrupted. There’s panic and chaos everywhere. This
booklet presents the truth about what has happened, what will happen,
and what your best next steps are.
There have been many pivotal moments in history. The Union Army’s
victory at Gettysburg sealed the outcome of the US Civil War. The
allied landing at Normandy was the beginning of the end of the Third
Reich. The attack on Pearl Harbor led to America’s involvement in
WWII. Wellington’s victory at Waterloo stopped the imperialistic
designs of Napoleon. These monumental events changed the
course of history, but do not begin to compare to the significance of
the Rapture.
The world is about to experience an unprecedented season of
change and tribulation. A new and terrible global leader (the
Antichrist) and new, global economic, religious, and military systems
will soon appear. Plague, intense heat, earthquakes, the poisoning of
lakes, rivers, and oceans, darkness, devastating hail, attacks from
creatures of the demonic realm, war, and persecution are coming.
Billions will die. There will be unprecedented suffering.
Everything is about to change. There may some months before the
Tribulation and significant changes begin, but be mindful of what is
prophesied to come. My strong suggestion is to liquidate
nonessential assets immediately. Sell your home, cash out retirement
investments. Keep cash but watch for signs indicating the
government is about to
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move to a new currency system (don’t be left with an abundance of
devalued currency). Invest in things that have bartering value in a crisis
(for those days are coming). Stock-up on emergency food, medicine,
and survival supplies. Prepare to be able to help others. Position to be
mobile. Use this time, that some refer to as the calm before the storm,
wisely.
This is a time for a total reset in thinking—your priorities, goals, and focus.
Traditional ambitions (career, retirement, vacations, degrees, acquiring
possessions) no longer apply. All will be in survival mode soon. The
world will end soon. Jesus will return (in judgment) soon. You must make
the most of the time that is left.
This booklet notes how Bible prophecy correctly predicted recent
events and profiles what will take place in the near future. Horrendous
changes are about to unfold. However, there is a way to live with honor
and finish well for the Lord. There is a way to be redeemed, and hear
Jesus say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” and be united with
those who were taken in the Rapture.
It does not matter what you have done in the past—what matters is what
you are willing to do in the days to come. YOU are invited to change
your heart and live a life that is fully committed to Jesus. YOU are invited
to implement GRID PLAN principles and be a servant and leader for
God. Yes, your life will be in danger. In time you will be labeled an enemy
of the State. You will be misunderstood and maligned. But remember,
those who suffer for their service for the Lord will be rewarded in
heaven.
The things of earth (position, money, power, fame, possessions) have
no future. All is about to be swept away. Some may find temporary
protection and provision by aligning with the new world government
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that is coming—but that government, and its supporters are doomed
to hell and will be judged by Jesus at the end of the 7-year Tribulation
period. So the question is: Do you want to try to survive for seven or
so difficult years? and then, as a supporter of the Antichrist and world
system, be doomed to an eternity of torment in hell? Or do you want to
be a fully committed follower of Jesus, resist the coming Antichrist and
world systems, possibly die as a martyr, but in the end be rewarded by
Christ and live eternally in glory in heaven?
I do not present these options lightly or flippantly. They are life and
death choices that have eternal ramifications. I urge you to make the
difficult (but infinitely better) choice. Choose Jesus. Do not just commit
to believe in Him, but rather, to live daily for Him. Be His witness, servant,
teacher, and watchman (Ezek. 33:1-9). This is your second chance—an
opportunity to live with honor and finish well.
SECTION 1 of this booklet notes what the Bible says about the Rapture
and How to be Saved. SECTION 2 profiles the events the Bible
prophecy notes are coming. SECTION 3 presents an action plan for
how to live as a faithful follower of Jesus in these last days.
My prayers are with you as you strive to live for HIM!
“’Truly I tell you,’ Jesus said to them, ‘no one who has left home or
wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the
kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age,
and in the age to come eternal life.’” (Luke 18:29-30)
Gary Ray
The I Am A Watchman ministry decided to prepare this writing in
advance of a supernatural event, which some now may be referring to
as the Rapture, or the Disappearances. The goal is to provide those left
behind with counsel and comfort.
This writing assumes that the following has happened: Suddenly,
without notice, millions of people vanished from the face of the earth.
Christians refer to this event as the Rapture. The term Rapture is a Latin-
based term Christians use to describe a sudden catching up or taking
away of God’s people. The term God’s people is synonymous with the
Church, Christians, the Bride of Christ, believers, and devoted followers
of Jesus. Every nation will report vanishings. Likely, the vanishings will
include most, if not all, infants, toddlers, and children.
In trying to understand what has happened, people will attempt to
identify what was common amongst those who vanished. Did those
who disappear have the same diet? Did they have a common virus,
participate in the same kind of activities, or frequent the same places?
Did they live near a “paranormal hotspot? Are aliens to blame? I tell
you, though few will accept it, there are only two common factors
amongst the millions who have vanished. There are only two things that
link the millions who, from every nation, age group, and economic
stratum, suddenly disappeared. They were young with pure hearts, or,
they were old enough to be responsible for their choices and they
chose to believe in God and His Son Jesus. Further, they, as best they
could, did not just believe in Him, but also lived for Him.
Gary Ray
The I Am A Watchman ministry team was able to anticipate the Rapture
because prophecies in the Bible noted that the event was coming.
About a third of the Bible is prophetic in nature. The biblical record of
fulfilled prophecy is 100% accuracy. Though many have tried, no Bible
prophecy has ever been proven to be in error. The precision rate of Bible
prophecy is unparalleled.
To illustrate the wonder of Bible prophecy, let me note that Jesus, the
Messiah, fulfilled more than 125 specific prophecies during His ministry
on earth about 2000 years ago. And most of those prophecies were
well outside a human’s ability to control (such as Judas’ betrayal of
Jesus for 30 pieces of silver). Statisticians note that the probability of
Jesus fulfilling less than half of the prophecies attributed to Him are
about one in 10
157
–that number is statistically zero. It approximates the
number of electrons in the entire universe. Again, the statistical
probability of one man fulfilling less than half of the prophecies attributed
to Him—less than 50 prophecies, is statistically zero.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY
ABOUT THE RAPTURE?
The term Rapture indicates a swift catching up or rescuing of God’s
people before the outpouring of wrath during the Tribulation. The
English term
Rapture
comes from 1 Thessalonians 4:17. The Greek text of
the New Testament translates the words “caught up”
harpazo
,
meaning to seize upon with force or to catch or snatch up. The Latin
translators of the Greek New Testament Bible translated the word,
harpazo, rapturo. The Latin, raturo, became the root word for the English
term Rapture.
Gary Ray
Through the Rapture, God has caught up His church so that believers
would not have to experience the upcoming time of tribulation and
wrath. John, the writer of the book of Revelation, said it this way: the
church will be “kept from the hour of testing that shall come upon the
world” (Revelation 3:10). Paul, writing of the quick and sudden nature
of the Rapture wrote,
Writing to the Thessalonian Church, Paul wrote,
This is what Jesus said about the Rapture in Matthew 24.
In Luke 12, Jesus spoke of the importance of expecting His return. In
Matthew 24, Jesus spoke of the need to be watching, waiting, and
ready for his return.
Gary Ray
There are many allusions and references to the Rapture throughout the
Bible. For example, The Fall Festival the Feast of Trumpets foreshadows
the Rapture. The Old Testament book, The Song of Solomon, is about
an unworthy bride being told to wait for the promised return of her
wonderful Groom. However, she’s unfaithful, and when He returns, she
is not ready and is left behind.
Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins and His teaching on the wedding
banquet also reference the Rapture. Many Old Testament stories,
traditions, phrases, and celebrations have Rapture connotations.
This is just an overview of the many verses and prophecies which
foretold that the Rapture would come. The message has been available
to humanity for more than 2000 years. However, many churches failed
to believe and did not make teaching Bible Prophecy a priority.
According to Ezekiel 33, many ministry leaders will be held accountable
for not preaching or teaching the whole counsel of God. The key
questions now are: What do I do? Is there hope? Is it too late? Friend,
there is good news. God loves you, wants to forgive you, and use you
for His glory. The GRID PLAN information in the last section of this book
will provide ideas for how to live for Him. The future will be challenging,
but it is not too late to commit to live and finish well for Him.
IF THERE WAS A RAPTURE,
WHY WASN’T I TAKEN?
Millions of people have disappeared. Maybe your loved ones and friends
are among them. The previous section noted what the Rapture is. This
section will address the very delicate question: Why wasn’t I taken?
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Does the fact that you missed the Rapture indicate that you are a terrible
person? No. The Bible teaches that all have sinned—none are worthy.
There’s no doubt that right now, some people on earth are genuinely
evil, but it is also true that some on earth right now are good, kind, wise,
and loving. Those taken into heaven in the Rapture were not better
than those who were left behind. Those taken in the Rapture were
sinners, just like you, but they had confessed their sins and had their
sins forgiven (erased) by Jesus Christ.
It is common to think that good people go to heaven. But that’s not quite
accurate. It is true that those whom God allows to enter heaven will have
good hearts and will have done some good things, but being good is
not good enough. God is not looking to see who is good. He’s looking
to see who is perfect – who is without blemish. Who has confessed
their sins to Jesus Christ, been forgiven by Him, and walk-in relationship
with Him. God is pure, holy, and perfect, and can only be in union with
that which is also pure, holy, and perfect. Because humanity is prone
to sin, God sent His Son Jesus to come to earth and live a sinless life
and die on the cross to make atonement for the sins of all who
acknowledge their wrongs and commit to believe in and follow Him.
True followers of Christ have their sins forgiven and, from a spiritual
point of view, are made perfect. Believers then, express their gratitude
for God’s grace by committing to follow the example set by Christ, who
loved others, served others, and was faithful to follow the Father’s will.
So those taken to heaven in the Rapture were not taken because they
were good, they were taken because they were believers in Jesus
Christ, had their sins forgiven, and demonstrated their faith in Jesus by
doing good things.
Some may ask: Why are so many churchgoers still here if God took
Christians in the Rapture? Let me answer that question by sharing what
Jesus said it would be like at the time of the final judgment (which by the
way, will not happen until after the Tribulation). Beginning in Matthew
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7:21 we read: “Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will enter into
the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my father
who is in heaven.” Clearly, it is not about what we say or what we
think. It’s about what we do and how we live. “On that day many will
say to me Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out
demons in your name, and do mighty works in your name? ...then I will
declare to them, ‘I never knew you depart from me you workers of
lawlessness.’”
Sobering words. It is possible for individuals to be involved in, and
surrounded by, spiritual things, to be a regular church attender and
giver, but still not be a true follower of Christ, and not really in a
relationship with God. They know about God, but that’s different than
being in relationship with God through His Son Jesus. As I noted
earlier, doing good things will not make you perfect—only
being in a relationship with Jesus Christ can do that. Only Jesus
can make you perfect, and perfection is the requisite to salvation.
Salvation does not come from doing good things, no matter how
good they are. We are saved through and only through faith in Jesus
(Ephesians 2:8-10).
And true believers more than believe. In James 2:19 we read, “You
believe… [in] God…then you do well. But even the demons believe…
and they shudder.” Those who enter heaven need to demonstrate a
higher level of faith than the demons. A true believer will make God
first in their life. They will share their faith, serve others, sacrificially
give, and to the best of their ability, follow God’s leading. Followers
of Christ are not perfect from a human point of view. I am not perfect.
I’m far from it, but in Christ, my sins have been forgiven, and yours
can be too.
Some may think: I’m a good person, and a good God would not
leave me behind, take some of my friends and family members, and
do all of this without warning—that does not seem fair. Let me state
that what God has done, and what God always does, is fair. God is
good, and
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there were warnings. In John 3:16 we read, “For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life.” Only a good God would do that. Through
the ages, God, through patriarchs, judges, kings, and prophets, through
His Son, through the Holy Spirit, through His Word—through the ages
God has reached out to humanity, helped humanity, spoke to humanity,
intervened for humanity, and pleaded with humanity to acknowledge
and follow Him.
Romans 5:8 notes: “God demonstrated his own love for us in that
while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Through prophecies and
promises, God warned that a Rapture was coming. He urged humanity
to be spiritually ready for it. Yes, God is fair, and the fact that the Rapture
happened proves that God is true to his word. But take heart—there is
good news. God still cares for humanity, and though the hour is very
late, there is yet an opportunity for you to be saved and assured of your
place in heaven in the eternal age to come. That option is available to
you, but living as a true believer at this time in history will not be easy.
The GRID PLAN principles mentioned in the last section of this book
will help you know what to do. However, the requisite is that you must
be willing to live for Jesus and be a witness for Jesus in the midst of
opposition, calamity, and oppression.
The most important decisions you must make right now are
what will
you do about Jesus? Do you believe? Will you commit to follow and
serve Him? Will you confess your sins to Him? Are you willing to die for
Him?
Remember, Jesus is faithful—He extends grace to the weary and
power to the faint. He will be with you. He will help you, and He will
reward all who are courageous and faithful to Him. Your best next step
is to commit to believe in and follow Him.
Gary Ray
Noted below is a simple, four-step plan to be forgiven and become
a Christian. Some refer to this process as being saved (1 John 2:2; Acts
4:12) or born again (see John 3:3 and 2 Cor. 5:17). Born-again believers
are disciples and followers of Christ. The courageous identify as
Watchmen (see Ezek. 33:1-9). Those who believe in Jesus Christ are
forgiven and assured of eternal life in heaven.
FOUR STEPS TO SALVATION
1. Understand that God has not been first in your life and ask Him to forgive
your sins
Scripture notes that God loves us and that Jesus will forgive the sins
that we confess to Him.
•
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us
our sins and cleanse us from every wrong.” (1 John 1:9)
2. Believe that Jesus died to atone for your sins, and that He rose
again and is alive today.
•
“If you confess that Jesus is your Lord, and you believe in your
heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
(Romans 10:9)
Gary Ray
3. Accept God’s gift of salvation. Believe that God loves you. Believe
that Jesus came and died for you. Believe that God’s grace is greater
than your sin. Do not let regret, bitterness, fear, or shame keep you
from falling into the loving arms of God.
•
Remember, restoring our relationship with God is not based on
anything we do, but on what Jesus already did for us!
(see Ephesians 2:8-10)
4. Ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and be Lord of your life.
•
“To all who receive Him, He gives the right to become children of
God.” (John 1:12)
•
[Jesus said,] “Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone
hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in.” (Rev. 3:20)
You can begin a new life as a Christian by praying a simple prayer
of commitment to God. A sample prayer follows:
“Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me, even when I’ve ignored You
and have gone my own way. I realize I need You in my life, and I’m
sorry for my sins. I ask You to forgive me. Thank you for dying on the
cross for me. Please help me to understand Your love and Your will
for my life. As much as I know how I want to follow You from now on.
Please come into my life and make me a new person inside. I accept
Your gift of salvation. Please help me to grow now as a Christian.
Thank you, Jesus!”
Gary Ray
IMPORTANT VERSES
•
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that
whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the
world, but in order that the world might be saved through him”
(John 3:16-17).
•
“ For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).
•
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal
life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
•
“if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in
your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the
mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9-10, 17).
•
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of
anything we have done but because of his own purpose and
grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the
beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the
appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death
and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel”
(2 Timothy 1:9-10).
•
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God—” (John 1:12)
•
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this
is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that
no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ
Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us
to do” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Gary Ray
Section
TWO
Gary Ray
The world is approaching a notable period of history—the Tribulation
period. The Bible references the Tribulation by several names
including Daniel’s 70th week, the time of Jacob’s sorrow, and the
time of God’s wrath. Jesus prophesied that it would be a time of
unprecedented upheaval. The Bible affirms, however, that God will
move during this dark season. Many will be saved and there will
be miraculous wonders. In the end, Jesus will return to earth, with
those who were raptured, to defeat the enemies of God and conclude
the battle of Armageddon.
Some have suggested that Bible prophecies regarding judgments
indicate God is angry or mean. However, the opposite is true. God
warns those He loves, and only as a last resort does He use drastic
measures to prompt individuals to pursue a better path. This writer
believes that if the world turned to Christ today, the prophesied
future Tribulations would not occur. But God knows that humanity is
willful and knows the choices we will make. Therefore, prophecies
will unfold as predicted. God will bring judgments to the earth to
prompt humankind to repent and receive His offer of salvation.
What follows is a biblically-based overview of Tribulations period
events profiled in the book of Revelation.
TRIBULATION PERIOD PROPHECIES
NOT PRESENTED IN PRECISE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
Israel will enter into a peace treaty: The Antichrist will impose a
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“covenant with the many,” which will include Israel (Dan. 9:27; 8:23-25).
It is this ‘covenant’ that initiates the seven-year Tribulation period.
Israel will be at peace and “without walls” before an invasion from a
large coalition of forces in what is called the Gog-Magog war (Ezekiel
38-39): This sense of security could be the result of the peace covenant
noted above. The invasion from the North will come before the mid-point
of the Tribulation.
Earthquakes: Great earthquakes will shake the world during the
Tribulation (Revelation 6:12, 8:5, 11:13, 16:18, etc.).
Jerusalem will be home to a new, third Temple: Daniel, Jesus, Paul, and
John refer to a Temple being in Jerusalem in the last days. References to
this include Daniel 9:27; Mark 13:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; and Revelation
11:1-2. Note: The previous Temple was destroyed in 70AD.
Temple sacrifices will resume in the last days: Daniel 9:27; 12:11 and
Revelation 13 reference this. Note: the Temple project will be complete,
and the practice of daily sacrifices restored before to the mid-point of
the Tribulation.
The Antichrist will forbid Temple sacrifices: At the mid-point of the
Tribulation, the Antichrist will seize control of the Temple, abruptly
end the practice of daily sacrifices, and proclaim himself to be God.
(Revelation 13).
The Spirit will seal one hundred forty-four thousand believers: The
Holy Spirit will ‘seal’ 12,000 Jewish believers from each of the 12 tribes
of Israel. This could be a symbolic number representing a vast and
perfect number of believers God will use to evangelize the world (Rev.
7). Along with these sealed witnesses will come two great prophets (Rev.
11:3-14). These prophets will preach with power for 42 months and then
be put to death. Their deaths will be celebrated by many. Their bodies
will lie in the street for three days, after which they will be miraculously
resurrected and taken up into heaven.
Gary Ray
Revival: During the Tribulation, many will turn to Jesus (Revelation 7:9-17;
Daniel 12:10; Zechariah 2:11; Isaiah 19:16-25).
* The judgments noted in the book of Revelation largely fall into
three categories: The seal judgments, the trumpet judgments and
the vial or bowl judgments. Each of these categories have seven
components. There is no compelling reason to believe that these
numbers are symbolic. That is, it is likely that twenty one specific
judgments will befall the earth during the seven-year tribulation. A
summary of these follow:
Vegetation decimated: Revelation 8:7 notes that the first trumpet
judgment will bring the destruction of 1/3 of all vegetation on Earth.
A meteor or comet will fall into the sea: Revelation 8:8-9 notes that the
second trumpet judgment facilitates something falling into the sea and
destroying 1/3 of life in the oceans.
Wormwood: Similar to the second trumpet judgment, the third trumpet
judgment facilitates celestial objects falling to the earth, causing
freshwater to turn bitter (resulting in many deaths).
Reduction of light: The fourth trumpet judgment brings about a 1/3
reduction of light from the sun, moon, and stars.
Tormenting creatures: The fifth trumpet judgment will bring scorpion-
like creatures from the demon world. These creatures torment humanity,
but they do not cause death.
The Antichrist will demand all worship him: 2 Thessalonians 2 and
Revelation 13 note that the False Prophet will force all to worship the
Antichrist. Failure to do so will result in the inability to buy or sell, and
ultimately, death. Proof of allegiance to the Antichrist will include
receiving a mark on the right hand or forehead.
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Sores on those who receive the mark: Revelation 16:1-2 notes that
those who accept the mark of the Beast, signifying their worship of him,
will contract painful sores (KJV reads, ‘boils’) on their body.
Refuge: God will provide a place of refuge for those seeking to escape
the persecution of the Antichrist (Isaiah 16:1- 4; Matthew 24:16; Revelation
12:6,14).
A great army will advance from the east: The sixth trumpet announces
the coming of a great army from the east (two hundred million men).
This army advances toward Israel and leaves devastation in its wake
(Revelation 9:13).
The Euphrates will be blocked or dried-up: The great river will dry-up,
allowing armies from the east to advance toward Israel (Revelation
16:12).
The Antichrist will be wounded: Revelation 13 notes that the Antichrist
will suffer a wound to the head, but will recover to the amazement of
many—a happening which boosts his claim to deity.
Life in seas and rivers dies: Revelation 16:3 indicates that remaining life
in the sea dies as the second vial of judgment is poured out. The death
toll is such that the oceans become as blood. The third vial brings about
the death of life in the rivers (Revelation 16:4).
Scorching heat: The fourth vial of judgment brings scorching heat, which
causes misery and devastates vegetation.
Darkness: The fifth vial of judgment brings anomalous darkness and
painful maladies; some translations read ‘plagues.’ (Revelation 16:10-11).
War: There will be a series of wars—the last of which is the Battle of
Armageddon.
Victory: Though Israel will be surrounded and outnumbered by her
enemies at the Battle of Armageddon, Jesus will intervene and the
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enemies of God will be destroyed. This will conclude the seven-year
Tribulation period.
CONFLICTS ASSOCIATED
WITH THE ANTICHRIST
The Antichrist will rise to world power through cunning, deception, and
intrigue (Daniel 8:23), but in time will resort to military power to conquer
the world.
• Revelation 13:7 notes that the Antichrist will ultimately achieve
“authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.” He
will rise to power first through diplomacy and then through war.
Revelation 6 records the outbreak of global war resulting in the
deaths of one-fourth of humanity (Rev. 6:8).
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• Revelation 9 seems to indicate conventional, spiritual, and
nuclear war (nuclear because Rev. 8:7 states that the war will
result in one-third of the earth being burned up, and Rev. 16:2-11
notes
• Revelation 12-13 foretells of great oppression for those who believe
in Jesus, the Jews, and those who will not follow the Beast.
• Many will flee persecution and find protection in the “wilderness”
(Rev. 12:13-14). Various teachers believe this hiding place will be
the ancient city of Petra, located inside a box canyon in modern
Jordan. Daniel 11:41 notes that Antichrist will not conquer Jordan
when it joins the end-time rebellion.
• Zechariah 13:8 indicates that the Antichrist will kill two-thirds of the
Jewish people.
• Revelation 12:17 notes that the Antichrist will oppress the “offspring”
of Israel — namely, those “who keep the commandments of God
and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” This is a reference to those
who accept Jesus as Lord during the Tribulation period. Revelation
7:9-14 pictures a great multitude of martyrs in heaven.
• Revelation 17-18 notes an attack on the Whore of Babylon (also
called the woman who rides the beast). This is a nation or
geopolitical religious and economic system that perpetrates evil,
but is antagonistic to the nations that support the Antichrist. Many
believe Jeremiah 50-51 references God’s judgment on this entity.
• Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16-19): Invading armies advance
to destroy Jerusalem. However, just as the troops from the East
and the North arrive in the Valley of Armageddon, the Lord
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appears, speaks a supernatural word, and enemy armies are
instantly destroyed “with the breath of His mouth” (2 Thess. 2:8).
Joel 3:16 notes that the Lord will “roar from Zion” and “utter His
voice from Jerusalem.” Isaiah 10:16 notes that the result will be “a
wasting disease.” Zech. 14:12 notes that there will be a plague that
will cause the flesh of the soldiers “to rot while they stand on their
feet. Their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot
in their mouths.’’ Revelation 19 notes that the Antichrist and False
Prophet will be bound and thrown into the lake of fire for 1000
years following this defeat.
THE ANTICHRIST
The Antichrist is the Beast of the book of Revelation. He is evil
personified—indwelt by Satan, ruthless, and intent on destroying
all that God loves. A dichotomy of character will allow this monster
to garner support and move into power. He will simultaneously
charm the crowds while planning to kill millions. He will solve global
problems and appear to be good, but his agenda is evil. The scope
of the pain and suffering he will inflict on the world will have no equal.
The Antichrist will be a man, but indwelt by Satan. He will lead in
brokering a peace covenant with Israel, but is not a man of peace. He
will usher in a period of war and suffering that will cost billions of lives.
He is the personification of evil and a master of deception. Like a real-
life Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, or perhaps the nefarious Lex Luthor, he will
be wise, polished, and professional, but malevolent and merciless.
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A BIBLICAL FOUNDATION FOR
THE TERM, ANTICHRIST
An antichrist is one who opposes the will of Christ. At the time of this
writing, there are many antichrists on earth. According to the epistles
of John, an antichrist is one who opposes the teachings of Christ. In
this sense, anyone who opposes truth and those who do the work of
God is an antichrist. However, during the Tribulation, a great deceiver
and enemy of Christ will appear (and reign) on earth. This individual is
known as the “Abomination of Desolation” and THE Antichrist.
• “…Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as
coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such
person is the deceiver and antichrist” (2 John 7).
• “…Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.
This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming
and even now is already in the world” (1 John 4:3).
Scripture notes that during the Tribulation period, a world leader will
come to power. The world will praise him for leading in brokering a
peace covenant in the Middle East and solving many complex global
issues. In time he will gain control of all global systems. Though he will
claim to be divine, he is a man indwelt by Satan. He is the Antichrist.
This booklet will differentiate him from antichrists throughout history
by referencing him with a capital “A” in his title. A brief profile of the
Antichrist follows:
The Timing of His Coming
• The Antichrist will initiate the seven-year Tribulation by confirming
“a covenant” with Israel (Daniel 9:27).
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His Character/Nature
• The Antichrist will be a great deceiver. Displays of power, signs,
and wonders will embolden his claim to be an agent of good
(2 Thessalonians 2:9).
• Scripture notes that seven kings or rulers will precede the
Antichrist (Revelation 17:11; Daniel 5). The empire of the Antichrist
will be similar to, but different from, past empires that embraced
paganism.
• The Antichrist will be a man (Daniel 7:24-25).
• The Antichrist will have a fierce countenance (Daniel 8:23).
• His appearance will be “stouter than his fellows” (Daniel 7:20).
This can have several meanings. It could mean the Antichrist will
be larger in stature than others, older than others, have a greater
following than others, is of higher military or political rank than
others, or that he is a greater leader than others.
Peculiar Aspects to His Rule
• A miracle-working partner, known as the False Prophet (Revelation
13:11-12), will support the work of the Antichrist.
• The Antichrist will be unusually wise and cunning (Daniel 8:23).
• The Antichrist will prosper in all he does (Daniel 8:24).
• The Antichrist will not regard the desire of women (Daniel 11:37).
He may like Hitler, present himself to be disinterested in
relationships, or he may embrace homosexuality.
• The Antichrist will sit in the Temple in Jerusalem (sometimes
called the Third Temple) and claim to be God (2 Thess. 2:4).
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• The Antichrist “will cause craft to prosper” (Daniel 8:25). It is
interesting to note the definition of the word “craft” in the original
Hebrew text is mirmah (meer-maw’), meaning deceiving, fraud,
deceit, false, guile, and treachery.
• Revelation 17:8 notes that the Antichrist “was, and is not, and
yet is.” Many believe this to be a reference to his overcoming
a seemingly fatal wound. Some understand this to refer to his
reviving a political career or empire.
(Revelation 13:3).
The Early Years of His Rule
• The Antichrist will rise from ten kings (Daniel 7:8).
• The Antichrist will oversee a ten-nation union, perhaps a form of
a revived Roman Empire (Daniel 2:44).
• The Antichrist will uproot three kings from the ten-nation union
(Daniel 7:8).
• The Antichrist will ascend to power on a platform of peace
(Daniel 8:25).
• The Antichrist will form a world government, which he will
dominate (Revelation 13:1-2).
• The Antichrist will rule a “mighty kingdom” (Daniel 7:7).
• The Antichrist will “have power over all nations” (Revelation 13:7).
• The Antichrist will lead large armies (Daniel 11:31).
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The Final Years of His Rule
• The Antichrist will have an image made after him (Rev. 15:2).
• The Antichrist will assume complete control over the world
government 3 ½ years after he confirms the covenant with Israel.
He then will continue to reign for 42 months (Rev. 13:5).
• The Antichrist will endorse the setting-up of the “Abomination
of Desolation” (an image he will force all to worship). This
event signals the beginning of the final 42 months and the
commencement of the period called the “Great Tribulation”
(Daniel 9:27).
• The Antichrist will forbid Temple sacrifices (Daniel 11:31).
• The Antichrist will control the ability to buy and sell, and force
all to prove allegiance to him by taking the ‘Mark of the Beast’
(Revelation 14:11).
• The Antichrist will kill Jews and Christians (Daniel 12:7).
• The Antichrist will wage war against Israel—culminating in the
Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 6-19).
• The focus of his rage will be God’s people and Jerusalem:
“Behold, a day is coming...when the nations [will] gather against
Jerusalem…Then the Lord will go out and fight against those
nations as when he fights on a day of battle...” (Zechariah 14:1-2).
His Fate
• The Antichrist will fight against Jerusalem and “the Prince of
princes” (Daniel 8:25).
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• Christ will consume the Antichrist, and all enemies of God with
the “spirit of his mouth,” which is the Word of God (2 Thess. 2:8).
• The Antichrist will be “cast alive into the Lake of Fire” and bound
for 1000 years (Revelation 19:20).
• At the end of the 1000-year period noted above (also known as
the Millennium or, the Millennial Reign of Christ), the Antichrist
will be released and will rally the disobedient on earth in one
last desperate attempt to thwart the plan of God. He will be
defeated. Then will come the final judgment and eternal reward
for those who have put their faith in Christ (Revelation 20:7-15).
YOU MUST RESIST
THE ANTICHRIST
Though it will be difficult, you must resist the Antichrist. Followers of
Christ will be hunted, persecuted and charged with disloyalty. Many
will accuse believers of crimes they did not commit. Authorities will
believe they are doing the right thing when threatening or harassing
those who do not submit to new laws forbidding the worship of the
one true God.
Life will be difficult, but you can trust in the promises in God’s Word.
Remember, “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world”
(1 John 4:4). You will be branded a traitor and worse. Friends and
family may believe they are doing the right thing by turning you in to
authorities; they will likely be offered a reward to do so. Eventually,
the ‘crime’ of resistance will become punishable by death. Take heart,
any temporary difficulty, pressure or torture is better than being
condemned to hell for eternity (Mark 10:29-30).
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Resisting the Antichrist’s world system and taking the Mark of the Beast will be
difficult for many reasons. It may seem impossible, but remember, God
is with you (Hebrews 13:5-6; Matthew 28:20). Keep the following in
mind:
1. Satan will empower the Antichrist. The devil has some power, but
it’s limited. He is not God. He cannot win. Though Satan knows his
fate, he will fight to take as many with him to hell as possible.
Jesus warned, “Do not be deceived…” (Matt. 24:4)
2. Legions of demons will serve the Antichrist. They are spiritual
beings: invisible, unrestricted by space or gravity, able to do
“miracles.” Don’t be surprised when the superpowers you’ve seen
in the movies are suddenly happening for real. Expect it, but do not
be deceived. It is NOT of God!
3. Many false christs and deceivers will appear. They will be
convincing, and because of demonic power, they will seem to be
like Jesus. They will convince many (Matt. 24:24-26), but you know
the truth.
4. The Mark of the Beast will be an attempt to control human activity and
ensure worship of the Antichrist. DO NOT ACCEPT THE MARK OF
THE BEAST! Those who take the Mark of the Beast may buy
themselves a little time, a little food, and a little comfort, but
because the mark is tied to a commitment to worship the
Antichrist, those who take the mark will forfeit eternal reward in
heaven.
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5. Revelation 13:16, 17 notes that all official transactions, even to
be paid at work, will require the mark. What is it? It’s speculation
and conjecture now. Bible teachers and technology experts
admit there are just too many possibilities to know for sure. What
may seem obvious and clear now, could be changed after the
Rapture. But God will give you the wisdom to see the mark for what
it is - pray for wisdom.
6. The mark itself may be an electronic device, a tattoo, implanted
chip, or an injected microscopic bio-ID. The mark may be an edited
DNA marker that can literally alter your human DNA structure,
making you “trans-human.” Some may promise the mark will make
you stronger, more intelligent, or immune to disease. The mark
will be passed-off as positive and beneficial: “It’s convenient. It’s
safe. It’s your personal identity. Never carry cash again. Never be
without your medical information.” The “benefits” of taking the
mark will be touted – its terrible consequences will bot. Beware.
7. Some people will take the mark as a sign of allegiance to the new
world order or the man who leads it. Taking the mark will prove
their complete devotion to the Antichrist (Rev. 13:15-18). Others will
be deceived into taking the mark (Rev. 19:20). Remember, the Mark
of the Beast is not harmless. Revelation 14:10-14 makes it very clear.
“He [who takes the mark] will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured
full strength into the cup of His anger, and he will be tormented
with fire and sulfur… forever and ever, and they have no rest, day
or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and
whoever receives the mark of its name.”
8. Friends will turn against each other (Mark 13:12; Matt. 24:12; Luke
21:16). Do not trust anyone who aligns in any way with the Antichrist.
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Section
THREE
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Will a new group of new believers arise during the Tribulation Period
to carry-on God’s work and usher-in a revival? I believe the answer is
Yes. The Bible speaks of many coming to faith in the last days. It speaks
of God sending two powerful witnesses and sealing 144,000 to carry-
out His work. The Bible speaks of individuals resisting the Antichrist, of
Tribulation martyrs, and of believers who survive the Tribulation and
reign with Jesus on a renewed earth in what is called the Millennial Reign
of Christ.
Yes, it will be different. There will be no denominational offices, Christian
bookstores, or true TV evangelists. Believers will not (at least for long)
meet openly in church buildings. The church of the Tribulation will not have
vibrant youth or women’s programs, comfy accommodations, or well-
staffed nurseries. The Tribulation-era church will be considered an
enemy of the State. Oppression will be fierce and violent. Believers will
meet covertly, barter and trade food and services to survive, and will often
be in survival mode. But like the church in the book of Acts, the
Tribulation-era church will be blessed and accomplish a mighty work.
COULD GOD BE CALLING YOU
TO BE A LEADER IN HIS GREAT WORK?
Could it be that God is calling you to do something significant for HIm?
Could it be that God desires to use you to serve as a leader in the new,
post-Rapture church? Don’t be quick to discount the possibility that God
may have great plans in mind for you. As for excuses, I’m sure you have
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some—even a few good ones. I assure you, God has heard them before,
and from some notable fellows. The prophet Jeremiah, for example,
told God he was too young. Abraham and Sarah probably questioned
whether or not they were too old. Moses gave God five excuses and
even provided the name of someone he felt could do a better job.
Peter provided a most poignant excuse when he told Jesus He would
not want to use him, for he was a ‘sinful man.’ It doesn’t matter what
you’ve done—what matters is what you are willing to do now?
The bottom line is, God can use anyone, at any time, to do anything.
This is a critical point in the history of planet earth. The ‘church’ is gone.
Pastors who taught truth and served well are gone. Those who loved
and followed the Lord were Raptured and are now in heaven. The
Bible speaks of apostasy in the church, false teachers, a coming false
religion, and the persecution associated with the coming Antichrist. But
the Bible also speaks of Tribulation period saints, of a kind of new
remnant Church being born, and of a great revival with millions turning
to the Lord. There is a need for new believers in Christ to share in
witnessing and mentoring those who come to faith in the last great
revival. Will you honor God by being a part of that important team?
Gary Ray
A STRATEGY FOR LIVING IN THE
POST-RAPTURE WORLD
Living for God at this time in history will require a radical plan and radical
faith. Noted below are some things to consider:
• “Count the cost” (Luke 14:28-30). Know that the world as you’ve
known it has about seven years left. The events that are about
to take place will be unprecedented. The sorrows associated
with the last 42 months of the seven-year Tribulation will be
unbelievably difficult. Those who believe in Christ will become
enemies of the State. Millions will die as martyrs for their faith in
Christ. The goal then is not to survive or live, but to live well and
finish well in these last days. Yes, to live for Christ at this time in
history will be exceedingly difficult, but those who do will receive
an unimaginable (and eternal) reward (1 Cor. 2:9).
• Learn as much as you can, as fast as you can. Learn how to
respond in an emergency (earthquake, no power, civil unrest, no
services, etc.). The goal is to be ready and able to serve others so
that you will have opportunities to witness to others.
• Research medicine and medical treatment alternatives.
Medical services and pharmacy access will be controlled and
restricted in the future. Stock up on first aid supplies and
become familiar with medication alternatives.
• Store medicine, food, water, and fuel.
• Purchase a generator, batteries, and solar-powered devices.
• Learn how to grow, catch, store and preserve food, operate a
generator and purify water. As possible, take measures to be self-
sufficient and live off the grid.
Gary Ray
Learn what Bible prophecy
foretells will happen. Note: An e B o o k on Bible Prophecy
is included in the Rapture Kit resource under the Section 04 -
Books folder.
• Purchase physical copies of spiritual study resources. Because
there will likely be disruptions in online and power services,
and prohibitions on Christian literature of all kinds, I urge you
to download and print copies of the study resources the I Am
A Watchman ministry makes available at IAmAWatchman.com.
Purchase used books from a thrift or used bookstores (while it is
still legal to do so). Try to obtain study books by evangelical
publishing companies such as Tyndale, Eerdmans, Zondervan,
Moody Press, Lifeway, Baker, or Nelson. Recommended resources
include Bibles Encyclopedias and Dictionaries, a Bible Thesaurus,
a Topical Bible, and Bible Commentaries. Particularly helpful will
be commentaries on the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and
John), the book of Acts and writings of Paul (Ephesians, Galatians,
Philippians, Colossians), and the prophetic books of Revelation,
Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, and Zechariah).
• Make it your mission to witness and disciple. This requires that
you strategically, pro-actively, and meaningfully interact with
people you do not know. Like a missionary, view these times of
interaction with others as opportunities to share what God has
revealed to you. The goal is to draw individuals to Christ and
help new believers grow in their faith. The plan to do this will likely
need to evolve as the global situation changes and persecution
increases. However, I encourage you to prayerfully consider
adopting some of the How to live for the Lord suggestions noted
in the next section.
Gary Ray
THE GRID PLAN: A STRATEGY FOR BEING A
WITNESS FOR GOD IN THE POST RAPTURE WORLD
The GRID PLAN is an evangelism principle that can be adapted to fit
one’s personal situation. Four examples or applications of the GRID
PLAN are profiled in this section. The goal is to facilitate the following:
1. An understanding of the missional role of every believer. That
is, every follower of Jesus is to share their faith and consider
themselves a missionary for Christ.
2. An evangelism mindset. Followers of Jesus are to use their gifts,
skills, contacts, resources, and opportunities to share the Gospel
and reach people for Christ.
3. A general understanding of the strategy to reach and disciple as
many as possible in the short time left. The GRID PLAN shows
how to move from 1 believer (yourself), to reaching and discipling
4 new believers, to coordinating teams that reach and disciple 90
believers.
Implementing the GRID PLAN begins with a recognition that you are
saved to serve. As most trained church leaders were taken in the
Rapture, there is now a need for a new generation of leaders to rise up
and champion the cause of Christ. You can be part of that team.
Time is short. Now is the time for maximum effort and boldness. It is
unclear how long after the Rapture it will be before the Tribulation begins.
There are only a few years left, and as I’ve already mentioned, most
will not survive the next seven years. There is a critical, immediate need
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for people to share about what happened, how to be saved, and what
is about to happen. The GRID PLAN represents an efficient strategy to
do as much as possible in the brief time available.
To this point you may not have lived a life that is honoring to Christ— but
it is possible to finish well. Adopting GRID PLAN principles is a good
way to ensure you will not be ashamed when it is time to give an
account for how you lived your life at the Judgment
HOW THE GRID PLAN WORKS:
The Grid Plan represents a call to “regular believers” to be a bright
light for Christ during the darkest period of history the world has
ever known. Successful implementation of Grid Plan principles is not
contingent on advanced degrees or significant theological training.
Courage, faith, and a desire to serve the “King of Kings” in the last
days are principle requisites.
In general, Grid Plan participants will focus on sharing four things:
1) What happened (the Rapture) 2) what God has done for you
(forgiven your sins/saved you) 3) what is about to happen 4) how
others can be saved and sure of an eternal destiny in heaven.
The GRID PLAN is a strategy to assist with connecting people, and as
God leads, share with people. The goal is to identify four people who
will meet with you on a regular basis for several months, for prayer
and study. Together, you will review Christian material, become more
familiar with the prophecies that will unfold in the future, and prepare
for the next phase (see below).
In the next phase you will commission/send the four individuals
noted above, out to duplicate the process. That is, each of the four
will try to connect with people, and as God leads, witness to new sets
of people. The goal is that in time, those four will identify four new
people, and meet with them for regular times of prayer and study.
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The GRID PLAN is a strategy for you to use your gifts, location, contacts,
skills, work, relationships, etc. to put you in connection with individuals
to whom you can witness. The goal is to identify four people to pray and
study with (this is called discipleship). Four examples follow:
Presented below is a four-step plan using where you
live (or any particular location) to implement GRID PLAN principles. It
is expected that the plan outlined below will need to be adapted
to address the needs and opportunities in your area. The goal is to
develop a plan to witness and be a missionary to your community.
A. Note the location of your home (or any particular location) in the
center of a grid map. The map below shows a one square mile box in
the center of a city map.
B. Formally adopt that one square mile grid (or the size that you
think best) as your mission field. Your initial task is to strategically
and aggressively share your faith in that region. Use the ideas
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presented in the following section to help you in this work. Your
goal is to connect with four individuals whom you will pray with,
mentor and commission to work with you to expand the work in
the days to come (see #3).
C. When you have enlisted the four individuals noted in the bottom
paragraphs of page 47, and you sense God’s leading to expand
the work, have each coworker adopt a grid area as you have.
Your task now is to continue mentoring your coworkers, help
them mentor new coworkers, and adopt a new grid area
yourself (see below).
D. The idea is to focus on an assigned grid area (of the size that
works best for you and your area) for 3-6 months, then multiply
with the assistance of the new workers you enlist. Your third
rotation could involve a team of 20 (if your initial four can each
engage four new coworkers to carry on the work). The graphic
on the next page shows how a grid plan could expand.
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By following GRID PLAN principle, you will build a team to witness to
an ever-growing area In just three generations of this work, 84 people
would be saved, trained, and commissioned to continue the good
work (see the graphic below).
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Often, the most difficult step in
the process is the first one. This is where the GRID PLAN can help.
Witnessing to people you have a connection with (neighbors,
relatives, team or club members, co-workers, etc.) is often the best
place to start. People you have common ground with are likely to be
receptive to a conversation. What follows are several simple GRID
PLAN ideas to aid in witnessing:
2. Note: This
plan will likely cost you some friendships. You may be labeled a
fanatic, unwise, intolerant, or worse. That’s okay. Do not be
unnecessarily offensive, but take the offensive and share the truth
that can save individuals from eternal suffering in hell. The truth must
be shared – carefully and with boldness. The prophetic clock is ticking.
There is not much time left, and there are no guarantees that a calamity
won’t strike your area tomorrow. Pray for boldness. Be assertive.
“Seize the day.” A four-step plan is presented below.
A. Gather as much information as you can on your contacts (name,
phone, email, Facebook, address, etc.).
B. Alphabetize the contacts noted above.
C. Determine the best way to make contact with all names on your
list.
D. Pray, then begin working through the list. In general, the process
should be to:
• Ask how they and their family are doing.
Gary Ray
• Offer any help you can.
• During the phone call, share that you have some thoughts
regarding what has happened (or what is happening or what
will happen). Invite them to meet with you to discuss it (perhaps
over a cup of coffee or a meal). Note that this is important and,
if possible, should be an conversation.
• Schedule a time to meet and share what the Bible says about
the Rapture and if they are open, what the Bible says about
the Antichrist and Tribulation to come. If possible, give
individuals printed information about how to be saved and
Bible prophecy (feel free to copy information from this book).
Close by asking if they would like to meet again to continue
this discussion. Do not be offended if the answer is NO. If it is,
leave the communication door open. Let them know they can
call anytime if they have a need, prayer request, or question.
• Continue working through your list with the goal of identifying
four to regularly meet with and disciple.
• When you believe the time is right (and this should be sooner
than later) commission (send) the four you have discipled to
adapt and use the GRID PLAN to reach more for Christ.
3. This simple plan encourages a review of
your schedule. Note who you see and when. Prayerfully consider
Gary Ray
what opportunities there might be to expand the list of individuals you
interact with. A simple four step plan is noted below:
A. Note the names of individuals you see on each day of the week.
B. Note the names of individuals you see on a weekly, monthly or
quarterly basis (clubs, hobbies, sports, shopping, etc.).
C. Note the names of individuals you see on an annual basis
(holidays, vacations, business trips, etc.).
D. Pray, then begin working through the list. As noted in section #2
(alphabetize your contacts), the process should be to:
• Ask how they and their family are doing.
• Offer any help you can.
• Share that you have some thoughts on what has happened
(or what is happening or what will happen). Invite them to meet
with you over a cup of coffee (or a meal).
• Schedule a time to meet and share what the Bible says about
the Rapture and if they are open, what the Bible says about the
Antichrist and Tribulation to come. If possible, give individuals
printed information about how to be saved and Bible prophecy
(feel free to copy information from this book). Close by asking if
they would like to meet again to continue this discussion.
• Continue working through your list with the goal of identifying
four to regularly meet with and disciple.
• When you believe the time is right, commission (send) the four
you have discipled to adapt and use the GRID PLAN to reach
more for Christ.
Gary Ray
4. Consider needs: This is a little more difficult. The thought is to
identify (and meet) needs in your circles of influence (family, community,
work, etc.). Due to the Rapture and coming tribulations on the earth,
new needs will likely arise frequently, and the scope of the work can
easily become overwhelming. However, meeting needs is very fulfilling.
Serving others softens hearts and puts you in a position to share the
Gospel message. A simple four step plan follows:
A. Pray. Ask God to help you identify the needs in your circles of
influence (family, community, work, etc.). Make a list.
B. Pray for God to reveal how your gifts, experience, and resources
can be used to meet one or more of the needs identified above.
C. Pray for a heart to sacrifice and give. Know that when you
help the hurting, your investment of time and money will not be
reciprocated by man, but will be rewarded by God.
D. Through the process of serving and helping others, try to identify
individuals who will be open to speaking with you about what has
happened (or what is happening or what will happen). Invite them
to meet with you over a cup of coffee (or a meal).
• Schedule a time to meet and share what the Bible says about
the Rapture and if they are open, what the Bible says about the
Antichrist and Tribulation to come. If possible, give individuals
printed information noting how to be saved and Bible prophecy
(feel free to copy information from this book). Close by asking
if they would like to meet again to continue this discussion.
• Continue working through your list with the goal of identifying
four to regularly meet with and disciple.
Gary Ray
• When you believe the time is right, commission (send) the four
you have discipled to adapt and use the GRID PLAN to reach
more for Christ.
Utilizing technology has the benefit of being able to reach many people
quickly and relatively inexpensively. However, at this point in history, it
is probably wise to keep a low public profile. It is likely that Christian
gatherings, literature, and online posts will be illegal in the future.
Leaders of ministries and movements will be targeted, threatened, and
arrested. Therefore, the posting of Christian material should be done
with great care. Use a computer or smart device with an untraceable
IP address (the easiest solution here is to purchase a used laptop).
Post from a variety of locations that do not have video surveillance and
offer unlocked (public) wifi. Choose a nondescript username. Post at
random times through the week, on platforms upon which you can set-
up accounts that cannot be traced to you. Seek wise counsel. Pray.
Those who feel led to pursue an online ministry may wish to consider
the following:
• Post brief devotional thoughts. Share verses that inspire,
encourage perseverance, and impart hope.
• Post a Bible prophecy and note how it has been fulfilled in recent
days, or that it is expected to be fulfilled in the near future.
• Post material that encourages individuals not to focus on the
problems of the moment, but on God’s promises for the future. The
Tribulation will not last. The Antichrist will not win. The Millennial
Reign of Christ will come. A wondrous destiny awaits faithful
followers of Christ.
Gary Ray
• If there is a way to post information on a bulletin or community
news board anonymously, consider occasionally posting FAQ’s
for spiritual and prophecy-themed questions. Present a common
question, and then answer the question with supporting Scripture
references. The posts may be pulled down, but some may see it
and seeds of faith could be planted before that happens. Most
cities have multiple bulletin board/community news options.
Note: Do not post in one city or region too often.
• As possible, post information on the things you are learning.
Something as simple as,
can be a compelling witness.
• As possible, post information. This can be
suggestions about how to pray, how to study, how to witness, what
to read, where to find good information, etc.
People who have not been accustomed to actively serving the Lord
may find it difficult to take that first step. The GRID PLAN is a simple
tool to help individuals identify options and methodically move
forward. It can be applied to many situations in many environments.
The GRID PLAN is not about a map, it is about mapping possible
ways to serve God, and boldly stepping out in faith to witness for God.
The next section provides a few suggestions.
Gary Ray
SUGGESTIONS FOR
HOW TO SHARE YOUR FAITH
Subtle ways to create open doors to share your faith
• Be someone people want to be around. This is not about
being popular; it is about being positive. Smile, compliment,
encourage, be generous, help others as you can, etc.
• Whistle or hum a spiritual song (see if that invites a comment).
• Quote a part of a Bible verse or spiritual principle that is (or was)
part of mainstream vernacular. Examples are: Joy comes in the
morning. Make the most of every opportunity. Fear not. Two are
better than one. Let there be light. Let not your heart be
troubled. Love thy neighbor. Be bold-be strong. Verse
fragments like these sound optimistic, impart positive
challenges, and invite a response that could open the door to a
spiritual discussion.
• Have instrumental praise music playing in your car or home.
See if that invites comment.
• Include Christian decorations in your home décor (as safe and
appropriate).
More direct ways to share your faith
• Invite people to your home for a meal. Bring up a spiritual topic
or current event that has prophetic significance.
• Invite others to your home to watch a movie with a bold spiritual
theme. Examples include The Chronicles of Narnia, The Robe,
The Jesus Movie, etc. Discuss afterward.
Gary Ray
Bold ways to share your faith
• Meet someone at a café or coffee shop to discuss a spiritual topic.
Perhaps review and discuss a spiritual tract or a current event that
has a tie to Bible prophecy. Or discuss a portion of this booklet
(such as the section on the Rapture, the Antichrist, or the section
on what is to come).
• Use the material in this booklet (or other Christian resources) to
create brochures that note how to be saved and what is coming.
Place these in strategic places about your city and, as the Lord
leads, initiate one-on-one and small group meetings to discuss
the content.
• Carefully make known that you are hosting a discussion group on
What happened or Bible prophecy and future events. Note: Even
if there are no prohibitions regarding Bible Studies or sharing your
faith at this time, know that the State may identify you as a Christian
and potential subversive. Use caution. Pray. Consider meeting at
a location other than your home. In-depth spiritual discussions
(particularly later in the Tribulation period) will entail risk. Pray for
wisdom and discernment (Jer. 33:3; James 1:5-6).
• Share your faith by serving others (service-based evangelism).
The objective is not to interact with someone so that you can
immediately preach to them. The goal is to interact with someone,
so you can build a relationship with that person, which will yield
opportunities to share the Gospel. Studies show that individuals are
more likely to listen to what you have to say if they trust and know
you. Presented on the next page are a few examples of service-
based evangelism:
Gary Ray
• Based on your experience and gifting, offer to assist
individuals with a need or project (such as home repair,
childcare, transportation, auto maintenance, computer
work, etc.). Use these opportunities to share the love of God
through service. Ask the Holy Spirit to present windows of
opportunity to share spiritual truths.
• Comfort and teach: In time there will be disruptions in
services around the world. Take advantage of such times
to comfort and care for people. As there is opportunity,
invite people to your home and teach a practical skill that
you have learned (how to purify water or use a generator,
first aid and homeopathic options, gardening, etc.). You can
also invite others to share what they have learned as part of
your home meetings. Again, share the love of God through
serving others. Look for windows of opportunity to share
the Gospel.
• Consider coordinating sharing and bartering. Become a hub where
neighbor helps (and interacts with) neighbor and services and
goods (tools, food, medicine, clothes, etc.) are kindly exchanged.
Identify believers in Christ and create a secret network where
spiritual resources and key services can be accessed by believers.
Pray to connect with individuals skilled in the medical or dental
fields, electricians or plumbers, maintenance experts, teachers,
those with libraries, counselors, gardening experts, etc. These
resources will be very important for the cause of Christ in the
days to come.
Gary Ray
Closing thoughts:
Yes, this booklet presents sobering information about the future, but
there is hope! You have an opportunity to switch gears, learn new
things, meet new people, find new purpose, and enter into a
relationship with Jesus—the Lord of lords and King of kings.
Remember, Jesus loves you, promises to be with you, and in the end,
will defeat evil and reward the faithful. Live for Him and you will be
blessed by Him.
Gary Ray
NOTES
NOTES
The I AM A WATCHMAN ministry anticipates the day when news
headlines will be filled with stories of how millions across the globe
suddenly vanished. On that fateful day, planes will go down, trains
will derail, cars will crash, and basic services will be disrupted.
There will be chaos and panic, and fabricated explanations for what
happened.
Perhaps you remember warnings from Christians who spoke of a
coming RAPTURE—a momentous event where Jesus returns to whisk
away true believers in advance of terrible judgments and
tribulations on the earth. If millions suddenly disappeared, the
Rapture has happened, the seven-year Tribulation period is about
to begin, and the Antichrist will soon rise to power. This booklet
provides a glimpse into what will happen, how to prepare, and how to
become a witness and servant for the Lord.
Though you missed the Rapture, you can still turn to Christ. You
can be forgiven, have the hope of heaven, live a life of meaning, and
finish well for the Lord. This booklet profiles what you must know,
and what you must do.
If you are reading this after the Rapture, then God has given you a
second chance – do not let it pass by. Read this booklet to learn
more about Jesus’ love for you, and how you can serve Him. Know
this: Great reward awaits the faithful.
“...Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be
discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever
you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
