http://www.christianpost.com/news/chuck-smith-end-times-means-bright-outlook-for-christian-church-70802/

Smith, who regularly gives updates on the events of the Middle East at his church in Costa Mesa, often begins with news that shows the potential outbreak of war, but ends by referring to the current events as "exciting times."

"How can you make, you say, all these dire predictions with a smile on your face? Well, because the outlook for the Church is very bright," he explained. "We're almost there and I know how this story ends and that it's always comforting when you know that it ends and 'they all lived happily ever after.'"

Talking about the future, the influential pastor said, "What do we know for sure? We know there are two major events awaiting the Church. One is the rapture of the Church. It's the hope that we have right now of the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ who is coming for His Church."

He explained that although the word "rapture" is not found in English translations of the Bible, "the teaching of the rapture is definitely in the Bible," he said.

"The second coming of Jesus is the next major event when He comes to establish His kingdom here on the earth. That is what we pray for when we repeat the Lord's prayer, 'Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.'

"In the rapture He is coming for His church, but in the second coming He is coming with His Church," Smith said. "I do believe in the imminent coming of Christ and that it might be today. He could come at any moment ... hopefully, before we are out of here today. Why not?"