1.) The disciples were gathered on the first day of the week behind closed doors for fear of the Jews. They were not together to worship a risen Savior. It would be later that evening before Jesus appeared to them. Jesus would give them a Scripture study that told of the prophecies about Himself. Thomas wouldn’t see Jesus for eight more days. Then he would believe with the others.
3.) Jesus would stay on the earth, teaching the disciples and Apostles, for forty days before ascending to the Father, promising He would return “in like manner.”
5.) Our entire faith rests on Jesus rising from the dead. If He didn’t, we are still in our sins, our faith in Jesus is futile, and all our friends and family who were believers have perished. Also, it would mean all the eyewitnesses are liars.
6.) Paul tells us that we are not to mourn for those who die in the Lord as those who mourn and have no hope. Hope in the coming of the Lord and our resurrection.
7.) Our comfort concerning those who have died and slept in the Lord is that Jesus will come again with the shout of the Archangel, and they will rise from the grave. If we are alive, then we will meet the Lord in the air. It is then we will be with the Lord forever. He will take us to where He is now (Heaven, aka Paradise). It is these words that should comfort us and other believers.
Paul’s greatest desire was to know the power of the resurrection and to experience it. Is that your desire, too? You can ask the Lord to come into your life if it is. Then follow Him wherever He leads you. You, too, can experience the resurrection when you fall asleep in Christ.
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another, I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
You love your father greatly. You have a thousand reasons to do so. As a child, you can recall sitting on his lap as he read Bible stories and books about adventure. He took you to church every week and told you about the love of the Creator and how Jesus gave his life so that you could live eternally without any pain or sorrow. You had great times with him at the many places you went together, especially the hiking trips and fishing for your supper.
You noticed him praying in the morning and crying over loved ones who had passed away or had walked away from his Savior. He helped strangers in need and would give any of them the “shirt off his back.” He was your rock in times of trouble, pain, and doubt. You know without a doubt that he loves you and would give his life for you without even thinking about it.
One day America was attacked, and he joined the Air Force to protect liberty and shield you and the rest of the country from tyranny. He became a high-ranking officer and directed a lot of men into battle. Most all of them respected him (in the same manner you would) for his kindness even when he had to be resolute in making tough life-and-death decisions.
One day you hear that your sweet Dad tortured the enemy he captured. He did so by slowly burning them. He would let the fire slowly roast them until they cried out for mercy, willing to tell any war secrets, but your Dad showed no mercy. He wanted to punish the prisioners.
Would you believe these stories? Of course not, because you know your Father. You have a relationship with him. Yet, modern Christian teachers describe our heavenly Father as One who has reserved a place where people burn without end, tortured throughout eternity without any mercy or relief. The Author of life keeps them alive, so they continue to burn and suffer. Do you believe this?
I know my Heavenly Father. He is gracious, full of compassion, slow to anger, and great in mercy. Quick to forgive! This is the first reason why I know that this place of torture is not real but created by the enemy himself.
The next way I know the truth is from the Bible. The wages of sin is death or perishing…The warning against unbelief is found in John 3:16., but it is not eternal torture.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should NOT PERISH but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Everyone knows God loved all of us so much that He was willing to let Jesus die so we could have eternal life and NOT PERISH! If we believe the false teaching about torture, John 3:16 would have to be rewritten to say,
“whosoever believes in him will not go to hell and be tortured…”
The warning to Adam and Eve would be,
“The day you eat of the tree, you will surely go to hell and be tortured forever.
Genesis 2:17 (modified)
What amazes me is that these teachers get angry when someone rejects the idea that God tortures those who choose not to believe. Is this the kind of God you want to serve in heaven? Or is it a human desire for the wicked to experience unsatisfied anger? Many preachers ask,
“How how can I get people to come to Christ without a non-stop burning place? In other words, they feel that scaring the lost will create a life-saving relationship with Jesus. Here is my answer; bring them to Christ by demonstrating the great love of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Did we scare our spouses into marriage? Or did we woo and draw them with our great love for them?
“…I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3.
Lift Jesus up and He will draw the the lost to himself,
“If I am lifted up, I will draw all men unto myself.” John 12:32. “
Here are some of the clearest and most powerful verses on the fate of the lost (not a parable.). As instructed through inspiration, we should consider the coming of Jesus and how we live and relate to the lost. There is a hell, but it is not eternal. It burns people up instead of torturing them. The coming destruction is a warning to the people of this earth.
By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.
2 Peter 3: 7-12
An apparent delay…out of mercy:
2 Peter 3: 7-9 (above) reveals some important truths about the character of God:
1.) We think God is slow concerning His promises, but He is not tied to our mortal time-keeping and has a purpose for His apparent delay.
2.) God is patient with us. What is He waiting for that requires his divine patience? It is repentance from sin.
3.) He does not want anyone to perish. The Greek word for “perish” is “apollymi.” It means to destroy or abolish. This makes sense if you read the verses proceeding today’s verse:
4.) At the Second Coming of Jesus, He burns up the earth and those who are “ungodly.”
5.) These facts tell us we should be living lives where we remember what God is going to do to this earth.
The coming of Christ is a destructive event. It destroys the earth and those who are unrepentant “perish” in its fire. Please note: The verse does not say God does not want anyone to “go to hell” or be tortured throughout eternity. The fate of the lost is eternal destruction (Perish). Those who twist scripture to ignore the love of God and His desire to keep people from perishing ignore passages that demonstrate that God is love. Any teaching that is not founded on this Biblical principal is false.
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.” Psalm 103:8.
How do we relate to the wickedness of this world? Do we want unrepentant sinners to burn in hell forever? This is a human wish not God’s. Or do we want to save them from the coming eternal destruction?.
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Hebrews 10:39
The soul that sins shall die…For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!
Elitism is a word we hear often in today’s society. It paints a picture of people, or groups of people, who consider themselves superior based on one or more factors such as education, position, philosophy, privilege, wealth, race, politics, etc. You name it. Sinful, selfish, narcissistic humans can find many reasons to raise themselves above others and snub their noses at those they consider inferior.
Religious people are not exempt from this practice. The comic, Damon Carvey, made fun of the religious snobs as the Church Lady in Saturday Night Live. His character of the ultra-conservative religious woman was forthright when she bragged, “I’m just a little bit more superior than you.” Then, to the audience’s delight, she would do her “superior dance.”
I have fun with my wife, imitating the Church Lady. When I do something a little bit better than her, which is not very often, I’ll ask her if I should do my “superior dance.” If she calls me out and makes me dance, I feel a little embarrassed because the movements resemble a combination of Mick Jagger and a proud goose!
While Christians may not be as obvious, we can feel it and exhibit it in subtle forms. The feelings of superiority are fueled by the fact that there are over 300 denominations. Those affiliation differences split us off from other Christians resulting in some form of feeling “just a little bit more superior,” particularly over doctrines and church traditions.
The largest split occurred in the “dark ages” between those who protested against the large and powerful Catholic church. Then Protestants began to split off from each other as the Bible came out of seclusion and became available to the public to read, including priests such as Martin Luther.
Some of these splits were probably necessary. An example would be over the authority of Scriptures vs. the authority of a pope and the Catechism. This is the most obvious and well-documented split in Christianity. But, there are many splits in both Catholic and Protestants congregations. These divisions have often been used as ammunition for the unbelievers. They point to this family dysfunction as proof that Christians are all delusional in their beliefs and therefore are deceived. It makes them feel “a little bit more superior.”
But, overlooked in the reasoning of the unbeliever is the prediction of division. Paul warned the followers of Christ for three years of coming divisions. The ultimate objective of the “savage wolves” was to “draw away” people and make their own disciples.
For I know this, that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, from among yourselves, men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years, I did not cease to warn everyone, night and day, with tears. Acts 20: 29-31
To this day, spin-offs within religious congregations continue to occur, and the idea of superiority maintains its course. When congregations become disciples of a particular preacher or leader and depend upon him or her completely for spiritual guidance, the relationship becomes cultic regardless of the denomination and how charismatic the speaker is. It doesn’t have to be a David Koresh type to be a cult. It is much more subtle and accepted if it is a controlling pastor in a large mainline denomination.
What makes a denomination feel superior to others? It can be based on the same things as those in politics. But religious reasons come into play: the size of church buildings and the number of members, ancestry, tradition, theology, etc. Included in this segregation process is the idea of staying away from “sinners.” Sinners can include people of other denominations and families. Religious people can feel ‘just a little bit more superior” because they don’t do certain things: smoke, drink, do drugs, watch TV, movies, pornography, dance, have music in their church, worship on the “right” day, etc., etc., etc. But sadly, religious superiority can destroy families.
To the delight of the enemy, all of these divisions cripple the work God gave His followers to do in these last days before His return:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;..” Matthew 28:19-20
This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached into the entire world, then shall the end come.
Matthew 24:14.
God is a merciful God who doesn’t want any to perish! Dying forever is serious business! That is why the proclamation of the good news of Jesus must be given by every church and to every person on the earth. That is our primary objective!
Instead of reaching outward confidently in the Lord, we turn inward and begin to focus on the weak sheep within our congregation. Not a bad thing, but after a while, progression in outreach can be diminished in its effectiveness due to the seed sown on the shallow ground!
By not making new members disciples through patient teaching on how to lead people to become disciples, we bring even more division. Our usual process to fertilize division starts with a powerful emotional sermon followed by an appeal/ alter call and a few denominational bible studies so the new convert can learn the denomination’s view of scripture. it is followed by baptism so they can become members of the denomination and become good “church-going” members. Then we indoctrinate them on the weekly church service order and routine, being careful not to introduce anything different. Our work is done! Or is it?
While this process can be beneficial in some ways, the Church service can become formal, prohibiting progress toward discipleship. Discipleship (as commanded by Jesus) should be dynamic and through progressive patient teaching of personal service and evangelism led by mature born-again teachers.
The addition of people to church membership is a weak objective. Multiplication is a better goal, where new disciples create new disciples. The new convert must learn to grow daily in the body of Christ, which has no denominational name on the front door of the church. The new Christian is often left to figure this out on their own. Sometimes, Jesus is left in the dust, and religious humdrum and ceremony set in.
Jesus prayed for unity. The question is this: Was His prayer answered? I believe it was, but not in the way you would think. For more on this, please see this article. “Was Jesus’ Prayer For Unity Answered.” Let’s continue with the superiority problem among us…
Are We Repeating Israel’s Mistakes?
God recorded their journey and their failed mission so that we would learn from it. But have we? It would appear that we haven’t. There is still segregation in modern Christian churches. Our denominations feel superior to the others. The idea is that we have it right theologically, but others do not. We are more concerned with political and theological correctness than letting our light shine to a world in deep darkness and dying on our watch!
Jesus prayed that we might be one even as Jesus and the Father are one! Wow! What an objective and prayer of Jesus!
“…that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” John 17:21
But the key is being “in” the Father and “in” Jesus! This is such an intimate relationship! It is not a surface or casual experience but “in” the follower of Christ! Wow!
Did you catch the other vital part of the prayer? The world “may believe” that God the Father sent Jesus if we are one! If we are unified via being “in” Him!
But many will rightly say, “Unity can’t come at the sacrifice of modifying or watering down the word of God. ” If we do this, we become just like the world and politics who want us to be politically correct. Where we can, we need to ensure we don’t rebuild those walls of perdition over elitism or segregation ideas just because someone is not at the same level of theological education or in their journey with Jesus. We must love people where they are and make adjustments! Paul hinted at this when he said,
“…to the weak, I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might, by all means, save some. Now, this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. 1
Corinthians 9: 22-23
There must be some flexibility in reaching people without the stiffness of religious ceremonies and even beliefs. The opposite of superiority is humbleness. This is what God calls us to be: humble.
The Lord taught us to put others before ourselves. This is the first step in humbleness;
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4
Can you keep this commandment? Only through Jesus!
It can be said with confidence and certainty that God’s people are in every denomination. Their theology may not be the best, or they may even believe differently on certain doctrines, but what puts them in the body of Christ is that they are “in” Christ.” Because of this, they are members of God’s one true church with no label on its marque. They love and follow the lamb wherever He leads them. Some are still in Babylon but are called out!
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.
Romans 12: 3-5
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
Colossians 3:11
These passages above are all written to the followers of Christ! The point is: The differences are all united for those “in” Christ! These are those who are truly born again and not just religious!
If only we could find our common ground in love for one another and stop this feeling of superiority! This love towards one another is the great litmus test given to us by the word of God concerning true discipleship! It separates the true follower of Christ from the false.
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35
Are you the disciple of Christ or the Church Lady?
Three Last-Day Messages of Final Warning
The focus in these last days is to warn people of the coming destruction associated with the second coming of Christ. We should be unified in proclaiming the gospel to the entire world, which includes the rescue of God’s people when Jesus returns and takes us to where He is now.
Please read these three angels’ messages in Revelation. This is the last warning for planet earth: Revelation 14: 6:11. It is not limited to one denomination. It is the message of Christ’s followers!
Sadly, more division is to come, but it will be just one split in the end: The sheep and the goats. Also, a split between those who keep the commandments of God and those who will accept the mark of the beast. there will be no other divisions by denomination. It will be only two groups: The group that belongs to Jesus and those who belong to the counterfeit, i.e., the beast of Revelation 13. The enemy of God.
The confirmation of unity, in the last days, centers on loving obedience and love for each other through the heartfelt keeping of God’s royal law of liberty (James 1:25), The Ten Commandments. It comes at the next verse of the three angels’ messages:
Here is the patience of the saints; hereare those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 14:12
Conclusion
There is no separation, no superiority, in the body of Christ, although there are differences. That is why we can trust people who are “in” Christ regardless of their denominational name. You can see it in their faces and in their actions. They follow the lamb wherever He goes.
These are the ones who were not defiled with women (denominational churches?), for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.” Revelation 14:4
No one will have reason to feel superior. All those who love Jesus will understand their unworthiness, and within their hearts will be placed a desire to reveal Jesus so He can save the lost who are headed to eternal death. This desire is where common ground is found.
But the final message to earth will be one of warning, and it will be loud and with the power of God’s Spirit. It is found in the three angels’ messages in Revelation. These messages are not limited to one denomination. It is the cry of all Christians who know Jesus. In the end, it is not what you know that matters as much as who you know. But knowing Him will cause you to want to know more and more. This itch will not go away for those who are “in” Christ!
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
John 17:3
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13
In these last days, It is the second coming message that will unify God’s people as it did with the sincere seekers of Christ at His first coming. it has been said that the ground at the foot of the cross is level. No one is taller or better than the other there. No one is “just a little more superior” than the other. We can learn from each other wherever we may choose to congregate.
Jeremiah said it best:
all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags
But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.; Isiah 64:6,8
God will not allow us to destroy the earth. He will destroy the planet while we are nearing self-annihilation.
And should destroy those who destroy the earth.” Revelation 11:18 b
The preceding verses here in Revelation 11:18 describe the earth’s condition when we are near destroying ourselves through atomic weapons. John had to write this verse in faith because he could probably not imagine such power man would possess to literally destroy the entire earth. But we have arrived just in one generation.
The nations are angry, and so is God!
The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, Revelation 11: 18
God has reserved the destruction of the earth for Himself.
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 (destruction) of ungodly men. 2 Peter 3:7
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Before we move along, let’s review a key component of this coming destruction. It begins with the return of Christ.
God’s word precisely describes the following about the second coming when Jesus appears in the sky and “every eye shall see Him.”Note: I am not addressing the tribulation in this article. That topic will be for another time.
The Literal Return of Christ Summary:
1.) It is not a quiet or secret event. It is a powerful rescue of God’s people! Every person alive (whether lost or saved) sees Him coming (Rev. 1:7)
2.) It is a destructive event. God destroys the earth and its contents by fire. (2 Peter 3: 10-13)
3.) There are two different responses to the second coming: The response of God’s people and the response of the wicked. The wicked run and hide (Revelation 6:16). The redeemed rejoice! (Isaiah 25:9)
4.) All can hear it! He descends with a shout and a loud trumpet. (1 Thess 4:16)
5.) Jesus’ literal return is the keeping of a promise He made and is the hope of His followers. I go and prepare a place…I will return again. His rescue is not in two parts. (John 14: 1-3)
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To this point in this review, we have primarily shown that when Christ returns, there are two classes of saved people:
1.) The saved alive who will not see death.
2.) The saved of all ages who are “dead in Christ.”
Both classes are given immortality here and rise from the earth to meet the Lord in the air. It is here that eternity begins. There are two very clear verses that support this clearly:
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. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. *Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
Notice the key statements:
1.) Lord Himself comes down with a shout, voice, and a trumpet (you can hear it). So can the lost, as we will see.
2.) The “dead in Christ” rise first. Graves open up, and out come the saved of all ages.
3.) Then those who are alive who were protected by the Lord during the tribulation rise to meet those who were resurrected and the Lord in the air. Notice the word “remain.” Some translations use the word “left.” This alludes to the fact that they were left or remained after the plagues that hit the earth. An example: If a house burns down that has a full library. There might be some books that were destroyed and some that were in a safe which were “left” or untouched by the fire.
4.) From this point forward, the redeemed will spend eternity with the Lord
*These are the words (as described in 1 Thess 4: 16-18) where we are to find comfort. Why is this verse hardly ever mentioned at funerals? Instead, the pagan idea of the bodiless soul going immediately to heaven is described, yet there is no biblical evidence of this. That falsehood contradicts both 1 Thess 4: 16-18 that we just read and Paul’s further details found in the 15th Chapter of 1 Corinthians:
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15: 51-54
Again, notice the key statements:
1.) Not all will sleep (die)
2.) The saved are “changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” Note: it is the change that is very fast…not the second coming.”
3.) The dead (in Christ) are raised incorruptible (No longer subject to decay)
4.) God gives (puts on) the redeemed incorruption and immortality to their resurrected bodies in a flash.
5.) When this change to our bodies is made, it is then that the saying “Death is swallowed up in victory.” can be made. It cannot be made at the grave site or at a funeral. It is only when Jesus returns.
Somehow, we have made dying the gateway to immortality, but without the return of Christ and our resurrection, we are all lost. We might as well live it up, for tomorrow, we die forever.
For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable…If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”
We have already seen “that every eye” will see the return. The wicked cannot stand to see Jesus when He comes. They run anywhere to hide from the face of the Lamb:
They Can’t Stand the Sight of His Coming
And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave, and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” Revelation 6: 15-17
The key points are:
1.) Every person who does not love Jesus’ appearing on the earth, (regardless of their economic status) cannot stand the sight and try to flee to dark places. They ask a question that is answered in the next chapter of Revelation: “Who is able to stand?”
a.) The sealed of Israel. This is not literal Jews, but those who are “in Christ. A study for another time.
b.) The vast multitude of those who are alive and survived the great tribulation through the power of God. “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Rev. 7: 14
Some have suggested that the 144,000 and the vast multitude are the same group of people. Another study for another time.
They Are Destroyed By The Brightness of His Coming:
As far back as the Old Testament, the fate of the lost has been described. Here is a clear example:
“For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” Says the Lord of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch.…You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this,” Says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 4: 1,3
Key Points:
1.) That day will be like an oven
2.) All who do wickedly will be like stubble and will be burned up
3.) Burned up means nothing left (neither a root nor a branch left)
4.) They shall be turned to ashes
Paul describes the same event in 2 Thessalonians:
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2: 8-11
Key Point
1.) As shown earlier, Christ’s return is destructive. God destroys the “lawless one” (aka Antichrist) and those who perish with “him” because they did not love the truth. They chose the convenience and selfishness of a lie.
What are the Second Death and the Second Resurrection?
Both Jesus and John talk of two resurrections:
Jesus clearly states that all who are in the graves will be resurrected. But the resurrections have two different results: life or condemnation.
Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. John 5: 28-30
John, who recorded Jesus’ statement above, adds more detail about the timing of the two resurrections. They are separated by 1,000 years:
And they (the saved) lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. Revelation 20: 4-6
Key Points as we compare with previous verses:
1.) When Christ returns, those in the grave are resurrected. They are in the “first resurrection.”
2.) Those in the first resurrection (along with those who were alive at the return of Christ) live and reign with Christ for 1,000 years. A lot of our questions are answered during this time.
3.) The second death has no power over those who are reigning with Christ for this 1,000 years.
4.) Those who were wicked and dead when Christ returned were not resurrected until the end of the 1,000 years. Those who were wicked and alive were destroyed by the brightness of the Lord’s return. Both the wicked dead and the wicked destroyed are raised at the second resurrection at the end of 1,000 years.
5.) The wicked at the return of Christ die twice! One on earth and again for eternity after their judgment. The second death is forever with no hope. Fire comes down and devours them. “And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.” Revelation 20:9
6.) The ultimate fate of the unbelievers is “perishing,” as John described in that famous verse John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Notice the fate of the lost: “Perish.” It is contrasted with the believers’ gift of everlasting life. The lost do not have everlasting life in a burning place.
Christian, Do you really want to believe in a God who so loved the world that He would burn the lost or quad trillions of years without mercy? This is a horrible picture of burning people in some corner of the universe. Do you really know Jesus if you believe this pagan picture?
At the end of the 1,000 years, John describes (in the next Chapter 21) the “New Jerusalem” coming down out of heaven. It is at this point that God creates a new heaven and a new earth. The saved of all ages spend eternity with sin and death destroyed forever. God dwells with His people in the new dwelling place of God…with His people who have been redeemed
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21: 1-4
Key Points
1.) Like John, the redeemed will be witnesses to God creating a new heaven and a new earth! Praise God! What a sight!
2.) The New Jerusalem, currently residing in heaven, will come to this new earth!
3.) God will reside with us here on the new earth!
4.) All tears, sorrow, crying, and pain will be eliminated…gone forever. Praise our Holy God!!
One last picture. Each month and each week, we will be worshiping together. Congregating will be continued on the new earth!
“For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord, “So shall your descendants and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass From one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord. Isaiah 66:22-23
Just as the Sabbath of the 10 commandments commemorated the creation of the earth, this “new” Sabbath will honor the new earth…a new creation. And as on the first earth, we will work six days and then worship on the seventh day.
They shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. Isaiah 65: 21-22
Heaven, as we call it, will be a real place on a real earth.
Summary of the Fate of all People
In this simple chart, we see the fate of everyone who has ever lived on this planet. There are only two places: eternal life on a new planet or eternal death. You can have the promise of eternity today through Jesus. Will you repent of your sins and turn to Him? He will gladly save you from yourself and the wiles of the enemy.
Redeemed
Lost
Both dead and alive, go where Jesus is now at His second coming.
Destroyed by the brightness of His coming
Spend 1,000 years in New Jerusalem-A Honey Moon of sorts
Lay in the grave for 1,000 years
At the end of the 1,000 years, the redeemed come down in the New Jerusalem with Jesus
Are resurrected in the resurrection of the condemnation.
Resurrected and then try to attack the New Jerusalem. God sends fire down from heaven. This is the second death for the wicked. They died once on earth and once at the end of the 1,000 years. They perish for eternity.
The redeemed enjoy eternity without any more pain or death. They build houses and plant vineyards and enjoy the work of their hands in immortal bodies. They worship on the Sabbath.
In a previous article, I wrote regarding the Second Coming made simple. This question came up regarding the rapture and those left behind. We will examine this passage closely, comparing it with Luke’s parallel passage of the same event. But, first, a quick review of just a few clear passages from the Bible about the return of Christ.
The disciples of Christ understood the clarity of the events of Jesus’ return. They never contradicted each other. They only added clarity. So it is with the question today. Taking each disciple’s description into account, we can get a clear picture. Today’s Bible passage (Matthew 24:40-41) is often used to support the secret rapture and left-behind theory. Books and even movies have built a picture that is not entirely accurate. We will examine the question of the day from two different disciples and find out exactly what is being described.
As we study the return of Christ, we begin to understand that,
1.) It is not a quiet or secret event. It is a powerful rescue of God’s people!
John described the brightness of the event that is seen by all who are alive at that time, including the wicked and those who are ” dead in Christ.” As John describes it,
“He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” Revelation 1:7
2.) It is a destructive event
Peter describes this very clearly. heavens pass away with a great noise. Even the elements (including the earth) melt with fervent heat.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up… the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless, we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
2 Peter 3:10, 12
3.) There are two different responses to the second coming:
The unprepared or lost cry for the rocks to…“Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.” Rev. 6:16
The prepared cry out,
“Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.“
Isaiah 25:9
4.) All can hear it!
Paul described the event as loud (shout and voice of an archangel, and a trumpet of God). All can hear it! Even those who died in Christ!
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.
1 Thess 4: 16
5.) Jesus’ literal return is the keeping of a promise He made and is the hope of His followers
The hope He gave you and I was that He would go away and prepare a place and then return to take us where He is now. This does not happen at death but when He returns.
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
John 14: 1-3
________________________________
Let’s take a look at the passage today and see if it supports the “left-behind” theory of the rapture despite the clear picture painted by the disciples regarding Jesus’ return.
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. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
Matthew 24: 37-41
Here is a list of the key components of this passage:
Matthew compares the second coming of Christ to the days before the flood. This context helps us understand the events of the second coming.
He states that the flood came and took the unprepared away. Notice it is not the saved (i.e., Noah and his family) that were taken away.
Matthew says it will be the same on the day of Christ’s return, i.e., The unprepared are going about the routine of life, not expecting the end of time and the return of Christ. But on that day, the unprepared die in the flood waters. You would have to really add to this passage to say, they are left behind to endure the tribulation.
So Matthew is saying that those unprepared at the second coming will be like the unprepared of Noah’s time, who were “taken away” by the flood waters and died.
Luke’s account adds clarity to this in his description by not using the “took away” phrase but rather the clearer word for modern ears, “destroyed.”
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, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
Luke 24:26
Matthew and Luke describe the exact same thing but use different words (“took away” is the same as “destroyed.”)
So this fits perfectly with the other disciples who described the second coming as a “destructive event” for this sinful earth and the wicked who have turned their back on God.
Please notice that there are 4 classes of people at the return of Christ mentioned in our passages today:
1.) Those who are alive and saved (they meet the Lord in the air.)
2.) Those who are dead in Christ and saved (they are resurrected and meet the Lord in the air.)
3.) Those who are alive and lost. (They are destroyed by the brightness of His coming.-See 2 Thess 2:8)
4.) But the 4th group, those who were already dead and lost; what happens to them?
The simple answer is they are resurrected too, but not for a thousand years. This we will study next time.
But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished….Blessed and holy is he who has a part in the first resurrection. Over such, the second death has no power.
Revelation 20: 5, 6
Jesus said there are two resurrections which John also described here in Revelation. This we will examine next time:
Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
John 5:28-29
What is this second death, and what happens to the lost who were destroyed at Christ’s return and the lost dead that come up in the second resurrection after the thousand years?
“At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Everyone who is found written in the book.
Daniel 12:1
The Doctrine of Fear?
A well-meaning friend with concern about end-times said,
” I hope I am not alive when Jesus returns because I don’t think I could endure the time of trouble.”
A different statement from another friend:
“I don’t worry about the time of trouble because God will rapture the church before it all starts.”
Regardless of what one believes about tribulation, “pre-tribulation” or “post-tribulation,” there is a danger in both of the two responses above.
For the easy-way-out person, i.e., “I don’t have to worry about the time of trouble,” spiritual preparation to trust God to the uttermost becomes a low priority. The health and wealth “gospel” and mindset leave a person with the possibility of great disappointment and exposure should their thinking be incorrect.
The believer who worries that they want to escape trials and trouble through death is equally in danger. They don’t have faith in God to strengthen and protect them even when times are rough before the great time of trouble.
There is a third response. It is a response of faith that can conquer any situation.
“I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me,” Pilippians 4:14
Paul
Can this mindset be true even during a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation? Trust in God to the uttermost has been demonstrated throughout the Church’s history. Persecution of believers who have this level of faith reflects God’s power, truth, and grace even while being burned at the stake.
Endurance and Salvation
The endurance of believers is the theme of encouragement for us in the last days. They are found all through the Bible and the history of Jesus’ church. It is a biblical certainty prophesied by Jesus and recorded for us in Matthew, John, and Mark.
“…If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you… John 15:20
Jesus
And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:22
Jesus
When Jesus spoke about the last generation on planet earth, He said,
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. but he who endures to the end shall be saved. Matthew 24:12
Jesus
At the end of time, the strong in Christ endure the pressure of the beast’s power (political and religious entity). They are faithful and obedient to the commands of God. As a result, they are recognized specifically as those…
…who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, Revelation 15:2
John
There is no doubt that the believers, i.e., His Church, go through this terrible time of trouble to glorify God and reward those who endure to the end. They are singled out as victorious over anything the Beast Satan (dragon) can throw at them.
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. Revelation 12:17
John
God’s Purpose
What is the purpose of all persecution and suffering? Paul said it this way:
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. Romans 8:1
Paul
Suffering has a purpose: God’s glory revealed in us!
Enduring times of trouble is an opportunity to demonstrate the level of faith and strength God gives you in mini-trials throughout your Jesus’ journey. The daily exercises in faith build the bone and muscle of the believer’s confidence!
The ancient prophet, Jeremiah, asks this relevant and revealing question:
“If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with horses? Jeremiah 12:5
Jeremiah
In modern terms, If we can’t trust God in the small challenges of life, how will we have confidence in Him in the large things? Paul, that great man of God, encourages us to be conquerors and tells us nothing can separate us from God. Is this fact of Jesus true for you today? Do you believe He is with you through good times and bad times?
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 37-39
Paul
God’s continual presence, love, and victory is are demonstrated in the conquering power God gives us!
Protection During The Time of Trouble
When modern Bible fiction writers and their followers talk about the time of trouble, they emphasize the terrible conditions during the great tribulation predicted by Daniel and Jesus. They paint a dark, bleak picture of the beast’s actions in Revelation 13 and the Anti-Christ, followed by God’s judgments of the seven last plagues of Revelation 16. And, I might say, “rightly so.” These judgments are not warnings; they are actions of a Holy God, who has determined enough is enough!
These judgments fall on the people of the earth who have rejected God. At the same time, His people are protected from the effects of the judgments falling on planet earth. There is precise precedence for this type of situation.
A foreshadowing of God’s protection during the plagues is presented in the story of the deliverance of Israel from Egypt.
Just as God protected His people in the days before they were delivered from the might of Egypt, God will protect His people in the last days of rescue from a fallen world.
As you read the story of Israel’s preparation for deliverance, notice the plagues fell on the Pharaoh and Egypt while God’s people were still in Egypt! When the last plague of the death angel who slew the firstborn. God asked the Israelites to put their protection in the blood of the lamb by putting the lamb’s blood on the doorposts. The angel of death “passed over” the home that had followed God’s commands. That event is celebrated to this day through the ceremony of The Passover. So it will be in the last days, God will pass over those who are hidden in Christ and depend upon His blood for their salvation! David must have been reflecting on the power of God’s protection when he wrote:
Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; Psalm 91: 9-10
David
There were ten plagues in Egypt; there will be seven in the time of trouble. Just as God protected His people in Egypt, God will protect His people in the final days of the planet in rebellion against God.
The view of faith to endure via God’s grace and strength is more Biblical than the easy way out. The person who fears such times may lack the faith that is available every day until the proclamation of God seals the fate of those who have faith in Christ and are alive just before He comes.
He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him [e]be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
Revelation 22: 11-12
“…when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8
Jesus
Jesus asked this rhetorical question directed at the disciples, with the Pharisees nearby, demonstrating the importance of faith before He returns.
Trust (faith) in Jesus propels the believer through the toughest of times, even the great tribulation.
As mentioned at the start, some pastors ignore the topic of the coming great tribulation, saying things like, “I won’t be here anyway.” The proverbial head in the sand would apply here. To give an easy way out of the turmoil upon the earth in the final days eliminates the story of victory, the rejoicing of overcoming, and the glorification of God through us! The demonstration to the universe of believers staying faithful to God even amid extreme difficulty is lost if their faith is not seen! It is a smooth doctrine of peace and safety for an escape.
“At That Time”
In the final chapter of Daniel, the angel describes a point where Michael “stands up.” This motion is a powerful allusion to strength, decision, and finality. In modern terminology, Jesus has had enough. The wicked and their leaders have crossed a line. Their continuous battles and wars have gone too far (See Daniel 11 for context).
In Daniel 12: 1, the “time” is described in this order:
1.) Jesus, who watches over His people, stands up.
2.) A time of trouble begins after Jesus stands up
3.) At that time (time of trouble), the people are delivered whose name is written in the book of life. This is not a deliverance FROM the time of trouble but THROUGH the time of trouble. This is not wordplay but the context of precedence. Think of all the characters in the Bible and Church History. They did not escape persecution; they endured it. Examples: the disciples, the early Christians, those in the dark ages against the powerful Roman church, and even those in modern-day Islamic-controlled countries.
After Jesus stands up, He returns to take up His people to where He is now (John 14: 1-3). Those who remain alive after the terrible catastrophes on the earth AND those who sleep in the dust! Those who never see death are few and far between, but they have endured through the power of their faithful God and Jesus Christ. These faithful few will witness the most spectacular event of all times…” never since there was a nation.” Here is a description from three inspired writers of the Bible:
“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake…” Daniel 12:2
Daniel
And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Job 19:26
Job
The context of the above verses gives hope to believers that the dead will come to live again.
Christian brothers, we want you to know for sure about those who have died. You have no reason to have sorrow as those who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and then came to life again. Because we believe this, we know that God will bring to life again all those who belong to Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-14
Paul
Book of Life-And Believers at the End
All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8 John
The context of Revelation 13:8 is the two beasts that enforce economic sanctions on earth’s people (verses 1 and 11-17). Those not in the book of life will worship him (the sea beast). Conversely, those written in the book of life don’t worship the beast and his image. This last group is the believers. They are on earth to glorify God and demonstrate His power.
Since the anti-Christ and the beast are part of the time of trouble, it confirms God’s people are still on earth and standing faithfully for the Lord by obeying His command to have no other gods before them, not to bow down and worship graven images. This same scenario is found in Daniel 3. The golden image and the command to bow down and worship it under the duress of the death decrees. But God’s people stand firm.
Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12
John
Notice that this small group has patience, and they are identified as loyal to God’s commandments and have faith like Jesus!
Is this deliverance before or during the time of trouble? Delivered from what? How is the deliverance accomplished? The next verse in Daniel 12 adds context to the deliverance.
And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life… Daniel 12: 2
Daniel
At this time, those living in peace and safety in our society are a sensitive narcissistic generation who could care less about God. They are caught unaware when the Lord “stands up.”
They have become like the people of Noah,’ and Lot’s generations. They are described as going about their normal routines of life just before destruction. Jesus described it this way,
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, 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: 26-30
Jesus
These unbelievers wrapped up in everyday life apart from God are contrasted with those who stay faithful to God. Their eyes are looking upward. They are protected and saved. The others are looking to nature to save them:
Two Different Responses:
Those who have made God their refuge…their hiding place, stand in the open as Jesus returns and proclaims,
“Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9
Isaiah
Those who have failed at faith or ignored it, will say,
and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
Revelation 6:16-17
The answer to the question in Revelation is this:.
Those who are able to stand are the believers who have put their complete trust in Jesus and His word daily. This choice has resulted in faith that is able to endure the most difficult time of planet earth.
My friend, Jesus wants to save you to the uttermost. Take time just now to examine yourself and commit your whole life and situations to total trust in Jesus every step of the way. You will develope strength for whatever is thrown your way. Would you do it just now?
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” 2 Corinthians 13:5
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1: 7-8
After John’s Prologue, Greetings and Doxology, John turns the reader’s attention to what Jesus will do. He then reminds us of who Jesus is.
What Will He Do?
The principal of understanding Revelation’s message is to know when John talks in symbolic language and when he describes the literality of situations or events. There is nothing in Revelation 1:7 that would indicate symbolism. It concerns the eyes of every person who is alive (and resurrected) at the return of Christ and their reaction. He also includes another group in this spectacular event: “they who pierced Him.” This is a direct reference to those who were responsible for His crucifixion. How can this happen? Aren’t those people dead already? That will be answered later in Revelation.
Verse 7 obviously describes the literal second coming of Christ and the end of the world’s history as we know it. How do we know His coming is literal? To solidify the event as tangible, a comparison of the exact same event from other inspired writers of the Bible is critical. Here are just a few passages:
Daniel 7:13
“I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven!
Daniel sees a similar vision of the “Son of Man” (Jesus) coming with the clouds of heaven. Notice it is not the clouds of the earth but heaven. Both John and Daniel “SEE” with their eyes as does every believer throughout the ages. including this special group of persecutors.
Zechariah 12: 10-14
“…then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. in that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem,
Zechariah describes those who” pierced” Jesus and their location: Jerusalem, the place where Jesus was crucified. They will look on Me (Jesus). Again, the eyes are used to see the events of Jesus’ return.
Finally, we hear from the lips of Jesus Himself as recorded by Matthew, a description of His return that matches Daniel and Zechariah, to name a few.
Matthew 24:30
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
There is something mentioned by Jesus that is not be the other writers. It is the “sign” of the Son of Man. It appears John is describing something just before Jesus appears. This sign, indicates that Jesus is coming and the mourning begins. Then they see Jesus coming in “the clouds” of heaven. It is a powerful and glorious thing to see.
Jesus talked directly to those who were soon to “pierce Him.”
Mark 14: 61:62
Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”
Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Summary-What He Will Do.
So, What will Jesus do? He will return visibly. It will be an event that is powerful and glorious to see. Every eye of those who are alive (and those resurrected in the first resurrection-(See 1 Thess 4: 16-18) and those who pierced Him will see Him coming (See Mark 14: 62), Matthew 26:64). Those on earth will mourn (grieve) like someone who has lost someone very close to them. As described later in Revelation. those who mourn are under tremendous conviction of remorse and lost opportunity. They have been such great enemies of Jesus that they can’t stand to look at him. They run from Him to hide His face from their sight:
Revelation 6: 14-17
Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
The other eyes that will see Him are those who are “in Christ” and alive at His return. The follower’s of Christ living and the those who “died in Christ” from all ages will see His return. The “dead in Christ” are resurrected to see Him coming. It is something they were promised before they fell asleep in Christ. Perhaps the clearest description of this portion of Christ’s return comes from Paul. Paul was encouraging the believers of the Thessalonian church by describing that great day of Jesus’ return. These early believers thought Jesus should have returned already. But Paul described things that had to happen first (See 2 Thessalonians 2:3). As this church watched believers die and buried, they longed for Jesus, as do many today, to come quickly and put an end to death.
1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18
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. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Our comfort is to know that Jesus is coming! The saved of all ages will rise from the dust of the ground along with those who alive to meet Jesus in the air. Here is where eternity will begin. It is after those who are asleep in death are raised and their bodies are changed (See 1 Corinthians 15: 51:55). Then we all meet Jesus in the air. He takes us back to where He is now (See John 14: 1-3)
The saved will not be mourning, rather they will be praising.
Isaiah 24:9
And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”
Who is this Jesus?
This question is answered in the context of the previous verses about Jesus return. After John describes the return of Christ, He reminds us who Jesus is, especially as it relates to that glorious event of Jesus’ return.
Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
First, John describes Jesus as the “Alpha and the Omega”. These are the Greek letters we would describe as “A” to “Z” The start and the finish. The Beginning and the End. This world’s history started with its creation and it will end with the return of Christ. Peter described the world’s end as the “day of the Lord”:
2 Peter 3: 10,
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
Again, another inspired writer and an apostle of Christ (Peter) describes the end of this world as a destructive event at the return of Christ or “the day of the Lord.”
Jesus is both the beginning and the end. He acted in the past, he is present now, and he will always be .
“The conclusion of world’s history will not be through ‘a gradual process’ of either degradation or development but through the coming of Christ in glory and majesty.” “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” Stefanovic, p.71
Finally, Jesus is referred to as “The Almighty.” The Greek word for Almighty is pantokratōr. It is used in the Old Testament as “Lord of the Sbaoth” (“Lord of Hosts” or Lord overall). It is used nine times in the book of Revelation (1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 15: 21:22; 19:6;)
To put it plainly, John in both Revelation and His gospel, describes Jesus as God Almighty, the Creator (beginning) and Sustainer of life on earth
John 1: 1-3, 14
In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. He (Jesus) was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him (Jesus), and without Him (Jesus) nothing was made that was made.
And the Word (Jesus) became flesh (incarnation) and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth
Conclusion
There can be little doubt that the theme of Revelation is centered on What Jesus will do: A very literal destructive return to planet earth . Every eye will see Him coming in heaven’s clouds. “Every eye” includes the living; those who are resurrected; and those who pierced Him. The lost living will “mourn” and try to hide their face from Him. The saved of all ages will rejoice at the fulfillment of His promise to return.
John reminds us of who Jesus is: This is important in the scope and reason for Jesus’ return. He is the one who began life on earth (The Alpha) and is the one who will end it (Omega) except for those who are “in Him.” He is everything in between. Finally, Jesus is the Lord Almighty, The Lord of Hosts. He will return and not keep silent:
Psalm 50:3
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him.
This is the theme, the foundation of the Book of Revelation. Everything revolves around the literal event of Jesus’ return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Revelation 19:16
And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
“When all this comes true—and it surely will—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”
Ezekiel 33:33
AUTHOR NOTE: THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS REVELATION STARTS IN DANIEL. TO OPEN THE BOOK OF REVELATION WITHOUT READING DANIEL PUTS THE READER AT A DISADVANTAGE. THIS IS WHY WE START IN THE GREAT BOOK WRITTEN CENTURIES BEFORE THE BOOK OF REVELATION
PLEASE READ DANIEL 2 BEFORE PROCEDDING.
Have you ever had a dream you could not remember? Did you feel that the dream was very important, but you just could not remember it?
This is exactly what happened to an ancient king. His name was King Nebuchadnezzar. In his second year as king he “had dreams” which troubled him so much that he could not sleep. His story is found in Daniel 2.
The Fakers
He needed help in remembering his dream so he sent for the people who claimed to know about dreams and spiritual matters:
Then the king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. And the king said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to know the dream.”
Daniel 2: 2-3
These wise men tried to impress the king so they spoke in his language “Aramaic” and made a simple request,
“Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.”
Daniel 2:4
Here is the first sign, these guys were fakes. If they were so knowledgeable of matters of the spirit, etc., why did they not know ahead of time that the king did not remember the dream? They were not even good listeners because the king was anxious to “know the dream.” This meant he couldn’t remember the dream!
They were anxious to give an interpretation and get back to whatever they were doing, but they did not realize that the true God of heaven would soon separate the true prophets from the false prophets.
These men had something new thrown at them. The king had never before asked them to tell him the dream. Usually, he would tell them a dream and they would interpret. Interpretation is easy. You can make it up so it sounds plausible. But reading the mind of someone else is something altogether different. Only God has that ability.
So these fakers were in a pickle! The king made a threat that he intended to execute. Wow! That dream must have really impressed him!
“My decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap. However, if you tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation.”
Daniel 2:5-6
They couldn’t believe what they were hearing so they requested again that the king would tell them the dream,
“Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will give its interpretation.”
Daniel 2:7
But the king was wise to their tricks and he said,
“I know for certain that you would gain time, because you see that my decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, there is only one decree for you! For you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the time has changed. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can give me its interpretation.”
Daniel 2:8-9
Yes. They were stalling. The fakers then informed the king that his request was not fair. But, unwittingly they said a couple of things that were true:
“There is not a man on earth who can tell the king’s matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean.”
Verse 10
Truth #1-There IS no man “on earth” who can help the king. Only the Omnipotent God of heaven has answers about the future.
“…there is no other who can tell it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”
Verse 11
Truth #2 -The “gods” do not dwell with flesh. Why? Because they are not real. They are not alive. They are dumb idols, but the Creator Himself would one day become flesh and dwell among flesh. In fact, He would come in the flesh:
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
None of this mattered to the king. He was extremely angry. He was furious and made a decree to have all the wise men killed. In the king’s mind, he knew they were all fake, they would attempt to deceive him and therefore they were useless to him.
For this reason the king was angry and very furious, and gave the command to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree went out, and they began killing the wise men;
Verse 12-13
In today’s world, there are many who claim to know more than they really do and surprisingly there are many who know the true God who are given wisdom by Him. They are confident and humble in their knowledge and wisdom. Daniel was such a man.
True Prophets
Daniel asked the king for more time, which was obviously granted even though the fakers wanted time too, but I think the king had heard of the God of Daniel and gave them extra time expecting they would deliver.
Daniel went back to his three friends and they had a prayer session and sought God.
“Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.”
Verse 17-19
These four men, asked for mercies regarding the secret. The secret was revealed to Daniel. His first action? “Bless the God of heaven.” May we never be in such a haste that we fail to stop to thank our Creator for His mercies. There is a blessing for us when we take time to thank God.
Daniel’s prayer of blessing to the God of heaven is below. In his blessing, he describes God’s abilities.
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.
“I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, And have now made known to me what we asked of You, For You have made known to us the king’s demand.”
Verses 20-23
Notice the things Daniel confirms about God:
1.) Wisdom belongs to God
2.) He changes “times” and “seasons”
3.) He sets up kings and removes kings
4.) He gives wisdom to the wise (Notice who gets the wisdom. It is the wise! Who gets the knowledge? Those who have understanding!)
5.) He reveals secret things (This fits with our opening verse from Amos 3:17-He reveals His secrets to His servants the prophets.)
Next, Daniel intercedes for the wise men, even the fakers! He could have just saved himself and his three friends, but the character trait of the person who knows the true God of heaven is to save life, not destroy it, even if the “wise men” are fakers.
Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wisemen of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; take me before the king, and I will tell the king the interpretation.”
Verse 24
Daniel is taken in before king Nebuchadnezzar. The king asks,
“Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its interpretation?”
Verse 26
Before Daniel answers the king, he demonstrates, with power, the comparison between the fakers and the true God in heaven.
“The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.”
Verse 27
Daniel has a mini-sermon before he starts to reveal to the king what he wants to know. The mini-sermon is this: There is a God in heaven (He is real). He reveals secrets or things that man on earth would not know. These secrets are given to man through God’s servants the prophets. It is not only for the prophets benefit, but also it is for the benefit of the ones who are hearing the message from God through His prophets.
I can image the king on the edge of his seat. He can sense through Daniel’s confidence that what he is about to hear is the truth and there is no guile (falsehood or fakery) from the mouth of this prophet of God. It is one man (Daniel) and his God (Jehovah) in comparison to the many astrologers, magicians, and soothsayers.
Truth does not come through the majority. It comes from the God of heaven and His prophets. It has always been a testimony to the power of God, that one with God is stronger than the majority.
Daniel begins to explain the dream:
Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these: As for you, O king, thoughts came to your mind while on your bed, about what would come to pass after this; and He who reveals secrets has made known to you what will be. But as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but for our sakes who make known the interpretation to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.
Verse 28-30
The dream is for the benefit of both the prophet (who makes known the interpretation) and the one who is receiving the interpretation so that the thoughts of the heart may be revealed. Notice the phrase:
“for OUR sakes…”
What a wise and powerful Creator! Daniel is telling the king that God’s revealing of the dream and God’s secrets are for both the speaker and the hearer!
When I read Bible prophecy, it has a strange effect of letting me know where my heart stands with God. The effect can be fearful or it can be comforting. All people have the invitation to move from fearful (lost) to comforting (saved from the penalty of sin i.e., eternal death)
Daniel tells they king the topic of the dream. It is about
“….what will be in the latter days.”
“The term “latter days” is simple to understand in the context of the dream. Since this dream will be about the “latter days” of the kingdom of Babylon and its kings we can use it in that context. But, it is also about the end of all kingdoms as well. So the “latter days” can also refer to the end of time and this earth as we know it.
The Dream Revealed
To the amazement of the King, Daniel begins to recount the dream for him. As he talks, the king starts to remember and cold chills run throughout his body:
“You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome. This image’s head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs[ of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.[ You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.”
“This is the dream.”
Verses 31-36
An artist’s idea of the image the king saw:
The king must have been amazed as he recalled each detail. Before the king could say anything, Daniel began the interpretation. We will let Daniel interpret for us. Then we will look back at history to see if it was true. Finally, we will look into the future using the foundation of the interpretation.
Here is how Daniel interpreted the king’s dream as God showed it to him:
“Now we will tell the interpretation of it before the king. You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all—you are this head of gold.”
Verses 36-38
So what does the head of Gold represent? Daniel said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “you are this head of gold.”
Nebuchadnezzar and the kingdom of Babylon are represented in both time and space as the “head of gold.” Could there be any other interpretation with something so plainly spoken?
The King must have been proud as he thought, even if just for a moment, that he was the top and the most valuable metal in the image. But, he was soon to be disappointed. Daniel continues with the interpretation of the great image,
The Interpretation
But after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth.
Verse 39
As great and wonderful as was King Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon, it would fall to another. Not just another, but an inferior kingdom. Just as silver is of less value and strength as gold, the next kingdom was to be inferior.
The Second Kingdom
Does the Bible tell us who this next kingdom was to be? Yes! The story can be found in Daniel 5. It is an interesting story about Belshazzar (The son of Nebuchadnezzar and the then current king of Babylon) The king and his subjects were having a feast with debauchery, and disrespect for things God had made holy. During the drunken sacrilegious feast, a man’s finger appears and writes a message on the wall.
This supernatural act made the king’s “countenance” change. Like his father Nebuchadnezzar, he was troubled as to what it meant so he called for the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. Remember them? They are the fakers. Just as they could not see Nebuchadnezzar’ s dream. They were unable to read the writing and make an interpretation. Sound familiar?
Fortunately for the king, the queen remembered Daniel. She told the king,
There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans,and soothsayers. Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.”
Daniel 5:11-12
Daniel’s interpretation confirms what he had told King Nebuchadnezzar with the image of God falling to an inferior kingdom,
And this is the inscription that was written:
MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
Daniel 5:26-28
The king was slain and Babylon fell to the dual kingdom of the Medes and Persians led by Cyrus and Darius.
That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.
Daniel 5: 30-31
The Medes and the Persians were represented by the arms and shoulders of silver. (Two arms-two kingdoms)
It is interesting and shows the foreknowledge of God as to how Babylon fell and the way the enemy was able to get into the walled city.
Also, before Cyrus was born, God called him by name as the conqueror of Babylon
Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut…
Isaiah 45:1
So how were Cyrus and Darius able to get into the walled city of Babylon?
*They dried up the river Euphrates (a familiar prophetic term in Revelation! )! This diverted the river that ran under the walls and through the city. Along the river within the city was another set of walls with gates. The citizens were protected should someone swim in under the outer walls. The enemy swimmers would then need to get through the second set of gates. But on the night of Babylon’s fall, the gates had been left open due to drunken feast! So the Medes and Persians were able to walk under the walls and up the banks through the leaved gates and into the city!
God is so amazing! He knows the end from the beginning!
* See pages 265, 266 of Volume 1 of the book The Great Events by Famous Historians in the chapter on “Conquests by Cyrus The Great B.C. 538,” by George Grote. — University Edition, copyrighted 1905, by The National Alumni. See also The Golden Age, as of June 7, 1922. page 572.
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Third Kingdom
But, there was to arise yet a third kingdom represented by the belly and thigh of brass.
“And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.”
Verse 39
The deciding point in the fall of the Persians was reached on the field of Arbela, B.C. 331, in which the Grecians, were entirely victorious; and Alexander became absolute lord of the Persian empire.
More could be said on this third kingdom, but let’s move on. We will talk more about each kingdom as we study the prophecies that provide more detail.
The events really pick up when the powerful fourth kingdom comes on the scene,
And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others.
Verse 40
History tells us that this fourth power of legs of iron is none other than the “iron monarchy” of Rome. Rome became the world power after it crushed the third kingdom of Greece.
Rome was in power during the life of Christ on earth and continued on for hundreds of years afterward.
4th Kingdom-Forever Division
But the prophecy does not stop there, there was to be a time when this iron would mix with clay (partly strong and partly weak substances)
It is interesting that Rome eventually was divided into 10 divisions by the invading nomadic tribes. These divisions became the modern day countries of Europe. Three of these 10 divisions were eventually annihilated so that there was only 7, but even those events are part of the prophecy were will study later in Daniel and Revelation. Those divisions of Rome are as follows:
10 Toes or Divisions of Rome
Heruli
Ostrogoths
Vandals
Franks
Visigoths
Burgundians
Lombards
Anglo Saxons
Alamanni
Seuvi
Daniel continues on and informs the king of something that stands to this day. These divisions of Rome would attempt to unite, but as iron does not mix with clay, they would never unite:
Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay.
Verses 41-43
This 4th kingdom would be divided and would never reunite. Throughout recent history, there have been attempts to reunite the old divisions of Europe, but it has always failed and it always will because the God of Heaven has spoken. Those who have tried were:
Charlamagne, 8th Century;
Charles V l6th Century;
Louis XIV l5th Century;
Napoleon, l9th Century;
Kaiser Wilhelm and Hitler, 20th Century.
All of these men invested enormous resources and countless lives in their efforts to unite Europe, but each one failed. Even today the leaders of Europe are trying to unite as one, but God says this will never happen!
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Our Day-The Soon Coming Eternal Kingdom
Daniel ends the interpretation of the dream with a dramatic ending!
You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
Verse 34, 35
Jesus is the Rock that was cut out without hands.
For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.
I Corinthians 10:4
Daniel takes the king and the reader of this chapter to a time when God would set up his kingdom that would never end:
And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
Verse 44
My Friends, we are living in the “days of these kings.” The old divisions of Rome!
When Jesus returns the earth is melted and no trace of anything left on this earth will be found. Then He will make a new heaven and a new earth.
About 500 years before Jesus came to this earth the first time as a lamb to pay for the sins of a planet in rebellion, we see a prophecy concerning his second coming when he comes to “break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms.” It will stand forever!
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matthew 24:30
When Jesus returns the earth passes away.
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Matthew 24:35
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
II Peter 3:10
And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Mark 4: 62
When God destroys the earth, he creates a new heaven and a new earth that will last forever:
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
“The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.”
Verse 45
After hearing Daniels recalling of the king’s forgotten dream and the interpretation, there wells up in the heart of this heathen king both fear and joy!
Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel
Verse 46
This is what each of us should do as we see that God is in control of the history of planet earth and of our own lives. He knows the exact number of hairs on your head. He is all-powerful but most important, He loves each one of us so much as to send His son to pay for the sin we have committed.
His law, that can never be changed, shows we are sinners and deserve to die for eternity, but God makes a substitutionary sacrifice (atonement) for us so that we might live and enjoy the greatest gift he could have given us: Life to the uttermost!
The king understood that there is a God in Heaven who reveals secrets
The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.”
Verse 47
I hope you have been blessed by this study. Next, we will look at a vision given to Daniel that repeats this dream but expands it. He will receive other visions that will demonstrate that God knows the end from the beginning.
The secular community, as well as Christians, pretentiously poked fun at Harold Camping’s prediction of the “Rapture.” He said it would occur on May 21, 2011. The day came and went as usual. Christians all over the world knew from the words of Jesus himself that Mr. Camping’s prediction was in error.
“But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”Matthew 24:36
Just one verse in scripture is enough for anyone who would attempt to narrow down the Second-Coming to a particular day or hour. Most Christians can quote it by heart! We can trust in Jesus’ word on this. But it is just one verse among many others Jesus had to say about His coming! Matthew 24 is a great source of plain language about the Second Coming if read in its context (without adding or subtracting) will prepare the sincere seeker of truth to be prepared for that great day!
Even though the faithful watchers can discern the times, Jesus will come at a time when they do not expect it, but they can be prepared!
“So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!” …”Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Matthew 24:33, 44
On the other hand, those not prepared are not looking for Jesus and are going about their normal routine. To them, Jesus will come as a thief in the night…totally unexpected. But to the watchers, they will not be overtaken as a thief as we shall see in this study.
Second Coming Shams
There are a host of other shams thrown at us by the enemy more complicated and tougher to unravel. Many rely on non-biblical reasoning or sources concerning the Second-Coming. Examples:
“If my grandmother believed it, that is good enough for me.”
“If it is on the internet, it must be right. “
“The religious programming and books can’t be wrong.”
“The nice preacher on the TV is telling the truth. Look at his big church!”
But, the enemy is at work with trickery that is so deceptive that even the best of Christians could be deceived.
“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.“Matthew 24:24
This warning by Jesus tells those who will listen that false christs (Messiahs), and false prophets (teachers, forecasters) will use the platform of religion to promote falsehoods that could deceive the “elect.” The word for “elect” as translated from the Greek is the word, “eklektos.” It means those “chosen by God”
These events and teachings are a strong delusion, but the implication is that the “elect” are not deceived. What makes this group different? Very simply, they listen to the voice of Jesus and His word. Their guiding principle is Sola Scriptura. The Bible alone. Scripture comes first before the words of any person, book, movie, or institution.
“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”Isaiah 8:20
The situation in the last days is very profound. The magnitude of the deception is revealed through God’s word. Paul gave an important warning when He wrote to the Corinthians, He stated plainly that evil appears to be good! The bad guy is in a white hat!
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.II Corinthians 11:14.
This verse tells us that Satan and his servants can look like an angel (messenger) of light! Satan can even use scripture to lead people down the wrong path. He certainly tried with Jesus during the days of temptation in the wilderness. But, Jesus knew His Father and He knew the word of God.
As Christians were quoting Matthew 24:36 when Camping made his prognostication, it would have been well for all of us to read the entire chapter and listened closely to the instruction Christ gave his disciples when they asked,
“…what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? Matthew 24:3.
His answer?
“Take heed that no man deceive you. Matthew 24:4
The very first words out of Jesus’ mouth regarding the sign of His coming and the end of the world is a warning to LISTEN so that no man deceive you!
Deception in the Manner of His Coming
As we have seen from Matthew 24:36, Jesus himself does not know when he will return, but He knows there will be deception involved. But the deception is not just only the timing, but the way He comes back to earth.
The whole of Matthew 24 and the parallel chapters in the other Gospels tell of Jesus as He described to the disciples how He would return. It is straight forward with no ambiguity! Why is this important, especially to Christians? Could it be that even Christians could be deceived and thereby lost? If you read Jesus’ warning, it is primarily to His followers. The lost of this world could care less.
“For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. ” 1 Thessalonians 5: 3
Recently, I heard a well-known TV evangelist say he doesn’t look at the signs or worry about the mark of the beast and other end-time-events because that is for those in the tribulation to worry about. Is this true? Isn’t this a dangerous way to prepare for Christ’s return? Is this not the object of the enemy’s falsehood to feel secure in something that is opposite from the teaching of Jesus?
We will use primarily Mathew 24 for this first study. Jesus’ return is not just about the “when” but the “how.” Rest assured, the “elect” will know that his coming is near; by the signs he left us. If they are a student of the word of God, they will have stored up the truth in their minds and walked in the light.
“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 are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1Thessalonians 5: 4-6
Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. Revelation 3:3
How We Got Confused
There was a time when Christians knew how Jesus would come and many of the events of His coming by simply reading the portions of scripture that plainly tell of His coming. In the last several years, there are books, movies, radio programs, preachers and teachers with a different story that is not based on plain scripture but rather on a script from Hollywood or a book.
In the study of Jesus’ Second Coming, there is no need for any fanciful interpretation or any deep study. It is plain and simple; written for all men, women, and children, not just university theologians or popular TV preachers.
Staying in Matthew 24, Jesus goes on to describe his Second Coming in verse 27-31:
For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Matthew 24: 27-31
What do you see in the words of Jesus regarding his coming? Is it secret? Are only a few Christians affected by it? Is it in two parts or just one? From the verses above, we can plainly see:
His coming is bright like lightning! While lightning is quick, the comparison here is not the speed but by the brightness (shining)! The reference to shining involves sight. Is there anything quite or secret about lightning that lights up the whole sky from east to west?
There is a tribulation before he comes and the sun is darkened and the moon does not give her light and the stars fall from heaven (massive meteorite shower?) and the powers of the heavens are shaken! Can anyone miss this? Is the tribulation before or after he comes? It is before he comes!
Those who are lost see the sign of the Son of man in heaven and the people of the earth mourn! They see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. They are not left to wonder. They see Him!
He sends his angels with a great sound! You can hear it! The angels gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other! Will this gathering be secret? No! There is no indication here that this will be at the speed of lightning. The process of gathering is for both the alive and those who died in Christ.
A Clear Picture
The clearest picture of the 2nd Coming is found in the letter to the Thessalonians by Paul. Here he provides more detail to the canvas of this event.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18.
From this verse, we can plainly see:
Jesus comes down from heaven (where he went to prepare a place for us-John 14: 2, 3) and there is sound in the form of a shout, a voice, and a trumpet. So can we conclude there is sound involved with the Second Coming? Yes!
Those that died in Christ are resurrected. The resurrection of the saved is the beginning of literal eternal life. It is the reward Jesus brings with him (Revelation 22:12).
Those who are alive when Jesus comes will begin to ascend up into the heavens and meet both Jesus and those who were resurrected. Here is the “rapture.” It means to be caught up, but there are two groups that meet the Lord in the heavens. Those who were in their graves asleep in Christ and those who did not experience death. (1 Thessalonians 4: 13, 14)
This is where immortality is given. Eternity with Jesus starts here at this event! (Notice it is not at death)….”and so shall we ever be with the Lord!”
Paul”s further explanation of these events are found in his letter to the Corinthians.
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump(et): for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Corinthians 15: 52, 53
Notice that when Jesus returns, immortality is given instantly at that point…not at death. As mentioned above, this is the reward Jesus brings with Him…It is out of context and in error to use the following verse at a funeral (as I heard) because the saying can only come to pass when Jesus returns and gives us immortality.
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
1 Corinthians 15: 55
The context of this quote is found in the verse just before (v. 54)
“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed…
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
1 Corinthians 15:54
Very plainly…it is at the second coming that Jesus takes the dust of the dead and shapes them back into life. The sleep of death is but like a mere second. When Jesus resurrects those who are asleep in death, they are instantly (a twinkling of an eye) given the gift of immortality and bodies that will never decay.
There is a lot going on in these verses to let us know there is nothing secret and it is not in two parts. Other verses from the other writers further describe the glory of his coming, Here are just a few:
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Mark 8:38
Jesus does not come in his glory alone, but the glory of his Father and with the holy angels! With all that glory, there is nothing secret or invisible about His coming!
The lost have a different response to His coming:
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
Revelation 6: 15-16:
The unsaved will hide in the darkest places of the dens and rocks of mountains and pray for them to fall on them to hide them from the face of Jesus! No secret coming here! This was also foretold by Isaiah:
“Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from dread of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty!”
Isaiah 2:10
“Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”
Revelation 1:7
From the verses above, we can see:
When he comes, he comes in His own glory and the glory of the father and the holy angels. It only took the glory of one angel to make the soldiers at the tomb of Jesus drop to the ground like dead men (Matthew 28: 2-4). Imagine the whole sky full of the glory of millions of angels and the glory of the Father and Jesus!
Those that are lost cannot bear to look upon the sight of Jesus’ coming and try to hide from the face of Jesus by calling for the rocks and mountains to fall on them.
Every eye sees him coming! Much like every eye can see the sun as the earth turns. It is possible that his coming is seen up to as long as a 24 hour period!
Nothing secret about this!
Notice the contrast of the words of those that are saved.
“And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Isaiah 25:9
In the next writing, we will study out where Hal Lindsey and others came up with the idea of a sudden snatching away of the church and the 7-year tribulation.
Another topic we will study is the fate of the lost. The reason for the Lord’s apparent delay in coming is because when he comes, there will be those who perish in the destruction of the earth:
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, 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; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2 Peter 3: 9, 10
The Second coming is both rejoicing and destruction for this earth as we know it. Nowhere does the word of God split the return of Christ into two parts. But, as we shall see, the saved spend a honeymoon of one thousand years with Jesus in heaven (where he is now) before He creates the new heavens and the new earth prepared in the saved of the redeemed.
“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3: 13
In conclusion, the Lord taught his disciples about the deception regarding the timing and manner His second coming. This deception would be very tricky and inspired by the enemy himself with the intent to take as many as possible with him, especially those who give up on the return of Christ and return to their former life:
But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,..Matthew 24: 48-50
It is critically important for the follower of Christ to know what Jesus and the writers of the Bible have to say about this grand event when all the saved will meet the Lord in the air and begin eternity with each other: never to experience sin and death ever again. What a day that will be! It will be glorious! We shall behold Him!
The secular community, as well as Christians, pretentiously poked fun at Harold Camping’s prediction of the “Rapture.” He said it would occur on May 21, 2011. The day came and went as usual. Christians all over the world knew from the words of Jesus himself that Mr. Camping’s prediction was in error.
“But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”Matthew 24:36
Just one verse in scripture is enough for anyone who would attempt to narrow down the Second-Coming to a particular day or hour. Most Christians can quote it by heart! We can trust in Jesus’ word on this. But it is just one verse among many others Jesus had to say about His coming! Matthew 24 is a great source of plain language about the Second Coming if read in its context (without adding or subtracting) will prepare the sincere seeker of truth to be prepared for that great day!
Even though the faithful watchers can discern the times, Jesus will come at a time when they do not expect it, but they can be prepared!
“So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!” …”Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Matthew 24:33, 44
On the other hand, those not prepared are not looking for Jesus and are going about their normal routine. To them, Jesus will come as a thief in the night…totally unexpected. But to the watchers, they will not be overtaken as a thief as we shall see in this study.
Second Coming Shams
There are a host of other shams thrown at us by the enemy more complicated and tougher to unravel. Many rely on non-biblical reasoning or sources concerning the Second-Coming. Examples:
“If my grandmother believed it, that is good enough for me.”
“If it is on the internet, it must be right. “
“The religious programming and books can’t be wrong.”
“The nice preacher on the TV is telling the truth. Look at his big church!”
But, the enemy is at work with trickery that is so deceptive that even the best of Christians could be deceived.
“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.“Matthew 24:24
This warning by Jesus tells those who will listen that false christs (Messiahs), and false prophets (teachers, forecasters) will use the platform of religion to promote falsehoods that could deceive the “elect.” The word for “elect” as translated from the Greek is the word, “eklektos.” It means those “chosen by God”
These events and teachings are a strong delusion, but the implication is that the “elect” are not deceived. What makes this group different? Very simply, they listen to the voice of Jesus and His word. Their guiding principle is Sola Scriptura. The Bible alone. Scripture comes first before the words of any person, book, movie, or institution.
“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”Isaiah 8:20
The situation in the last days is very profound. The magnitude of the deception is revealed through God’s word. Paul gave an important warning when He wrote to the Corinthians, He stated plainly that evil appears to be good! The bad guy is in a white hat!
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.II Corinthians 11:14.
This verse tells us that Satan and his servants can look like an angel (messenger) of light! Satan can even use scripture to lead people down the wrong path. He certainly tried with Jesus during the days of temptation in the wilderness. But, Jesus knew His Father and He knew the word of God.
As Christians were quoting Matthew 24:36 when Camping made his prognostication, it would have been well for all of us to read the entire chapter and listened closely to the instruction Christ gave his disciples when they asked,
“…what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? Matthew 24:3.
His answer?
“Take heed that no man deceive you. Matthew 24:4
The very first words out of Jesus’ mouth regarding the sign of His coming and the end of the world is a warning to LISTEN so that no man deceive you!
Deception in the Manner of His Coming
As we have seen from Matthew 24:36, Jesus himself does not know when he will return, but He knows there will be deception involved. But the deception is not just only the timing, but the way He comes back to earth.
The whole of Matthew 24 and the parallel chapters in the other Gospels tell of Jesus as He described to the disciples how He would return. It is straight forward with no ambiguity! Why is this important, especially to Christians? Could it be that even Christians could be deceived and thereby lost? If you read Jesus’ warning, it is primarily to His followers. The lost of this world could care less.
“For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. ” 1 Thessalonians 5: 3
Recently, I heard a well-known TV evangelist say he doesn’t look at the signs or worry about the mark of the beast and other end-time-events because that is for those in the tribulation to worry about. Is this true? Isn’t this a dangerous way to prepare for Christ’s return? Is this not the object of the enemy’s falsehood to feel secure in something that is opposite from the teaching of Jesus?
We will use primarily Mathew 24 for this first study. Jesus’ return is not just about the “when” but the “how.” Rest assured, the “elect” will know that his coming is near; by the signs he left us. If they are a student of the word of God, they will have stored up the truth in their minds and walked in the light.
“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 are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1Thessalonians 5: 4-6
Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. Revelation 3:3
How We Got Confused
There was a time when Christians knew how Jesus would come and many of the events of His coming by simply reading the portions of scripture that plainly tell of His coming. In the last several years, there are books, movies, radio programs, preachers and teachers with a different story that is not based on plain scripture but rather on a script from Hollywood or a book.
In the study of Jesus’ Second Coming, there is no need for any fanciful interpretation or any deep study. It is plain and simple; written for all men, women, and children, not just university theologians or popular TV preachers.
Staying in Matthew 24, Jesus goes on to describe his Second Coming in verse 27-31:
For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Matthew 24: 27-31
What do you see in the words of Jesus regarding his coming? Is it secret? Are only a few Christians affected by it? Is it in two parts or just one? From the verses above, we can plainly see:
His coming is bright like lightning! While lightning is quick, the comparison here is not the speed but by the brightness (shining)! The reference to shining involves sight. Is there anything quite or secret about lightning that lights up the whole sky from east to west?
There is a tribulation before he comes and the sun is darkened and the moon does not give her light and the stars fall from heaven (massive meteorite shower?) and the powers of the heavens are shaken! Can anyone miss this? Is the tribulation before or after he comes? It is before he comes!
Those who are lost see the sign of the Son of man in heaven and the people of the earth mourn! They see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. They are not left to wonder. They see Him!
He sends his angels with a great sound! You can hear it! The angels gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other! Will this gathering be secret? No! There is no indication here that this will be at the speed of lightning. The process of gathering is for both the alive and those who died in Christ.
A Clear Picture
The clearest picture of the 2nd Coming is found in the letter to the Thessalonians by Paul. Here he provides more detail to the canvas of this event.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18.
From this verse, we can plainly see:
Jesus comes down from heaven (where he went to prepare a place for us-John 14: 2, 3) and there is sound in the form of a shout, a voice, and a trumpet. So can we conclude there is sound involved with the Second Coming? Yes!
Those that died in Christ are resurrected. The resurrection of the saved is the beginning of literal eternal life. It is the reward Jesus brings with him (Revelation 22:12).
Those who are alive when Jesus comes will begin to ascend up into the heavens and meet both Jesus and those who were resurrected. Here is the “rapture.” It means to be caught up, but there are two groups that meet the Lord in the heavens. Those who were in their graves asleep in Christ and those who did not experience death. (1 Thessalonians 4: 13, 14)
This is where immortality is given. Eternity with Jesus starts here at this event! (Notice it is not at death)….”and so shall we ever be with the Lord!”
Paul”s further explanation of these events are found in his letter to the Corinthians.
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump(et): for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Corinthians 15: 52, 53
Notice that when Jesus returns, immortality is given instantly at that point…not at death. As mentioned above, this is the reward Jesus brings with Him…It is out of context and in error to use the following verse at a funeral (as I heard) because the saying can only come to pass when Jesus returns and gives us immortality.
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
1 Corinthians 15: 55
The context of this quote is found in the verse just before (v. 54)
“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed…
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
1 Corinthians 15:54
Very plainly…it is at the second coming that Jesus takes the dust of the dead and shapes them back into life. The sleep of death is but like a mere second. When Jesus resurrects those who are asleep in death, they are instantly (a twinkling of an eye) given the gift of immortality and bodies that will never decay.
There is a lot going on in these verses to let us know there is nothing secret and it is not in two parts. Other verses from the other writers further describe the glory of his coming, Here are just a few:
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Mark 8:38
Jesus does not come in his glory alone, but the glory of his Father and with the holy angels! With all that glory, there is nothing secret or invisible about His coming!
The lost have a different response to His coming:
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
Revelation 6: 15-16:
The unsaved will hide in the darkest places of the dens and rocks of mountains and pray for them to fall on them to hide them from the face of Jesus! No secret coming here! This was also foretold by Isaiah:
“Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from dread of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty!”
Isaiah 2:10
“Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”
Revelation 1:7
From the verses above, we can see:
When he comes, he comes in His own glory and the glory of the father and the holy angels. It only took the glory of one angel to make the soldiers at the tomb of Jesus drop to the ground like dead men (Matthew 28: 2-4). Imagine the whole sky full of the glory of millions of angels and the glory of the Father and Jesus!
Those that are lost cannot bear to look upon the sight of Jesus’ coming and try to hide from the face of Jesus by calling for the rocks and mountains to fall on them.
Every eye sees him coming! Much like every eye can see the sun as the earth turns. It is possible that his coming is seen up to as long as a 24 hour period!
Nothing secret about this!
Notice the contrast of the words of those that are saved.
“And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Isaiah 25:9
In the next writing, we will study out where Hal Lindsey and others came up with the idea of a sudden snatching away of the church and the 7-year tribulation.
Another topic we will study is the fate of the lost. The reason for the Lord’s apparent delay in coming is because when he comes, there will be those who perish in the destruction of the earth:
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, 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; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2 Peter 3: 9, 10
The Second coming is both rejoicing and destruction for this earth as we know it. Nowhere does the word of God split the return of Christ into two parts. But, as we shall see, the saved spend a honeymoon of one thousand years with Jesus in heaven (where he is now) before He creates the new heavens and the new earth prepared in the saved of the redeemed.
“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3: 13
In conclusion, the Lord taught his disciples about the deception regarding the timing and manner His second coming. This deception would be very tricky and inspired by the enemy himself with the intent to take as many as possible with him, especially those who give up on the return of Christ and return to their former life:
But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,..Matthew 24: 48-50
It is critically important for the follower of Christ to know what Jesus and the writers of the Bible have to say about this grand event when all the saved will meet the Lord in the air and begin eternity with each other never; to experience sin and death ever again. What a day that will be! It will be glorious! We shall behold Him!
Listen to the correct theology of Christ’s second coming in Sandi Patty’s version of “We Shall Behold Him.” May the Lord bless you as you listen.
