THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
“BEHOLD, HE COMES WITH CLOUDS, AND
EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM”
REVELATION 1:7
(I approach this topic of the Second Coming with caution for 2 reasons: 1 - it can be controversial, complicated, difficult to navigate without making too many assumptions, especially with the more details presented from using both the Scriptures and other possible sources.
2 - It seems some people take an almost fanatical and obsessive interest to the point where their assumptions lead themselves and others down strange and unhealthy paths, losing sight of the glorious and loving Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
My rendition is very basic and from the perspective that I have gleaned from the Bible and perhaps some of the teachings I have been under. The final consensus I will leave to you, and I hope the content will be inspiring, helpful, and leave you with a sober understanding, preparedness, and an expectation of faith and His matchless grace.)
INDEX:
-JESUS CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN
-FOR WHAT ARE WE WAITING?
THE COMPLETE PROCLAIMATION OF THE GOSPELTHE COUNTERFEIT BEFORE THE REAL
-WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES?
THE RETURN OF ISRAEL AS A NATION
THE TEMPLE IN JERSALEM
ALL THE WORLD HAS HEARD
DISCIPLES OF JESUS BEING HATED WORLDWIDE
THE FALLING AWAY, LAWLESSNESS, THE ANTICHRIST
-WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE?
-THE ANTICHRIST
-WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE FOR BELIEVERS DURING THAT TIME?
-WHAT CAN WE DO TO BE READY?
-WHAT ABOUT THE RAPTURE, WHAT IS THE RAPTURE?
-WHEN SHALL THE RAPTURE TAKE PLACE?
-CONCLUSION
"For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy the body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another (also prophetic of our resurrection)..." Job 19:25-27
"For behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with His chariots like a whirlwind..." Isaiah 66: 15 NAS
"And then the Lord, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him!" Zechariah 14:5
"Behold, I have told you before. Therefore if they shall say unto you, ' Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the secret chambers,' believe it not. For as the lightning comes out of the east and shines (flashes) even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:25-27
JESUS CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN!
As sure as the sunrise, we know that He is coming again. The promise of the Messiah coming the first time was fulfilled at the promise of and according to the Scriptures and His return is just as sure, even as foretold, and we anxiously await Him.
FOR WHAT ARE WE WAITING?
God does all things in His timing and fulfills His Word according to His designed purpose regardless of all our assumptions and anxious anticipations. Lets look at a few:
THE COMPLETION OF HIS PLAN
"And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." Acts 3:20-21
From this passage we can learn a few things:
a. The Father has an agenda which He will and must complete.
b. Apparently He is in the process of restoring (for sure the nation of Israel, but also the church after having gone through the Dark Ages - Ephesians 4:12-16). And since we are not familiar with the final product, especially worldwide, it is hard for us to get a clear understanding where we are in the process.
c. There are so many prophetic utterances in the Scriptures regarding the Father's purposes and no one is able to fully compile all the details and facts unless God were to reveal it to them. Jesus said that even He knows not the day nor the hour Mark13:32. The religious leaders and the devil thought they understood the full plan of God for the Messiah, and they missed it. Are we all that much wiser? So I suppose that means that we will simply have to trust Him while we carry out our marching orders.
THE COMPLETE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL
"And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come." Matthew 24:14
This mandate for the church to go into all the world and preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is so utterly important, and the urgency is absolutely critical.
- First of all and perhaps the most important of all is so that everyone all over the world has a chance to get right with God and be saved from their sins "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."2 Peter 3:9.
- Secondly, that Jesus' Church must be completed and ready for His return, and that means people from every tongue, tribe, nation, and people "His bride has made herself ready." Revelation 7:9, 19:7 Is it there yet?
- Thirdly, He cannot return until all is fulfilled according to His predetermined timing and council as laid in the prophecies of the Scriptures.
THE COUNTERFEIT BEFORE THE REAL
"Let no man deceive you by any means, for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he, as God, sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Lawlessness, it's the counterfeit to grace and the antichrist is the counterfeit savior to the True, our Lord Jesus Christ. Before Jesus returns the mystery of iniquity (lawlessness) will be fully exposed (vs6-12), and the antichrist will establish himself. This appears to be the final trial for mankind, and for the purification of the Church - "Because you have kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you form the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." Revelation 3:10, Daniel 11:35
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES?
The prophetic indications that we are nearer to His return are why many feel we are getting very close. Although there have been a number of occasions in history that this was assumed, it appears that we have more reason to believe it to be so within this period. Actually, according to the timeline of the Bible it was never far off. "But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:8
- THE RETURN OF ISRAEL AS A NATION
- This is supremely important! Israel is God's inheritance and centerpiece of the nations, and the timepiece of His agenda for the world. The promises for the nation of Israel are paramount for not only them as a nation, but also as far as the fulfillment of His plan for mankind. It all revolves around the events of this tiny nation. The Church is His spiritual nation, and whatever happens to Israel, directly or indirectly, is a marker for the Church in our study of the Bible regarding God's plan. The return of Israel as a nation was prophesied numerous times in the Old Testament. Jeremiah 32:37-38, Ezekiel 36:24-28, ... And in the New Testament Jesus Himself referred to Israel as a nation even though it was not a nation at that time, "...for verily I say unto you, you shall not have gone over the cities of ISRAEL, till the Son of man be come." Matthew 10:23
With this being foretold, a huge landmark in the timepiece of God's plan was the re-establishment of the nation of Israel in 1948. When Israel became a nation again, prophesies of over 2700 years old were fulfilled before the eyes of the whole world, whether it is realized or not! What is more of a confirmation of the accuracy of the Scriptures, in Ezekiel 37:19-22, The Lord said that He would not only gather them from all the nations, but that He would make them one nation again. Prior to their fall, first the northern Kingdom of Israel to the Assyrians and some decades later the fall of the Kingdom of Judah to the Babylonians, the nation of Israel was split into these two Kingdoms after the reign of Solomon because of his sin. Israel had not been a united nation for around 3000 years. But here the Lord promised that when He gathers them again that they would not longer be two nations, but one - Israel, and in the land that He originally gave them. And so we all can bear witness to its credibility this very day.
MORE MISSING PIECES
- THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM - In both the Old and the New Testament it appears that there needs to be another temple built in Jerusalem. Both Jesus and the apostle Paul indicate it referring to Daniel's prophecy Daniel 11:31, Matthew 24:15, 2 Thessalonians 2:4 - There has recently been discussion about this in Jerusalem, however it faces aggressive opposition. Still, even though these are essential, there are other things we are yet or perhaps presumptuously anticipating...
- ALL THE WORLD HAS HEARD - "And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come." Matthew 24:14 As previously mentioned, this is so urgent for numerous reasons. Many Christians are working tirelessly, but there are scores of people who are still needing the opportunity to enter His Kingdom. Are we doing our part?
- DISCIPLES OF JESUS BEING HATED WORLDWIDE -"And you shall be hated of all men for My (Jesus') name's sake." Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:9 this verse, "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you:" is still and has always happened, but what Jesus is referring to is a worldwide hate and treatment, perhaps similar to that of the Jews during the reign of the Nazi's. Apparently this will take place just prior to or during the reign of the anti-Christ.
- THE FALLING AWAY, LAWLESSNESS, THE ANTICHIRST - "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition." 2 Thessalonians 2:3
The falling away I do not like to refer to it as I have seen Christians use it for an excuse to attack churches and other Christians they tend to despise. Jesus did make reference to it as an event during what some call the tribulation where the attack on believers will be so severe that, "and then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another." Matthew 24:10
Lawlessness is gaining ground and even international acceptance, which is the platform of the antichrist, but the full revelation of that system and the 'anti-Christ' have yet to be revealed.
WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE?
According to as we read in the related passages of the Bible, we can expect a number of things:
THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE SUPERNATURAL - false prophets and lying signs and wonders. The supernatural has been withheld from the public eye for some time, however it appears that it will once again come to the forefront of society, but not from God Matthew 24:24, 2 Thessalonians 2:9, Revelation 13:11-14. People are starved for the supernatural and the devil will gladly give us what we want when the Lord allows it. Even the Beast (antichrist), according to the Bible, will have recovered from a fatal wound Revelation 13:3. Some of the sighs will be so convincing that even the very elect will be unsure, or so it would seem. Matthew 24:24
INIQUITY/LAWLESSNESS
- "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." Matthew 24:12 Iniquity / sinful behaviour, or lawlessness which is the allowance for what the Bible calls sin, is the mark of the antichrist system, so obviously the enemies of that system are those who uphold the laws of God and the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 12:17 As we see lawlessness creeping into our land, that is a major warning sign of coming danger. Even if such circumstances are to be isolated to our country for the time, it means that people's hearts will become hardened (by the deceitfulness of sin which causes a wandering from our faith), but that also the authority of the land (which we are commanded to pray for) will regard Christians as a public enemy of the 'righteous laws' of that nation. Expect persecution. It has happened to saints many times before.
WARS, RUMORS OF WARS, FAMINE, PESTILENCE, EARTHQUAKES, SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS AND THE SEA Matthew 23:7, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:25-26 When these events get underway it will push mankind to the max. The order of the events and the duration from beginning to end with regards to wars and rumours of wars to the signs in the heavens and the sea may have a gap. What I am saying is that the wars and rumors of war describe the unstable times before the or leading up to the introduction of the antichrist, and the signs in the heavens and sea are just prior to or at the return of Jesus Christ "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:25-28 NIV. Many theologians estimate the period of the reign of the antichrist to the return of Christ to be seven years as calculated from the times described in Daniel and Revelation. During this period and perhaps some time leading up to it, according to what the Scriptures indicate we can expect turbulent political times, oppressive and manipulative government, persecution of Believers and also serious opposition to the nation of Israel. All this is leading to the sovereign and destructive judgments of God on the world in the day of His vengeance. This may sound like today in various places around the world, but what the Scriptures appear to be indicating is that it will be intensified and more on a global scale rather than isolated to a few nations. All these topics can be found in the book of Ezekiel, Daniel, Zachariah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, 2 Thessalonians, Revelation, along with many passages throughout the Old and New Testaments. Jesus said that it would be such terrible times, "For there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Unless those days have been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short." Matthew 24:21-22 NAS. He even admonishes us to pray that it will not be in winter nor on the Sabbath. Although not being a Jew, I still literally pray these petitions, especially having lived in northern Canada most of my life, I know how terrible winter can be. In fact I also pray that none of my children or children's children are nursing or pregnant in those days according to Jesus' admonition (vs 19-20), and that they all give there hearts to Jesus.
THE ANTICHRIST
- This is an interesting topic because for generations many politicians have been suspected of being the antichrist. In fact some of them likely were antichrists, but not 'the' antichrist. I read that Nero was considered to be the antichrist. Hitler also fit the description rather closely, and no doubt others even to this day, at least in our opinions. But as with everything timing and the proper setting are the more determining factors. As I (note that I am saying I) perceive in the Scriptures, that Israel had to be a nation, and there needs to be a temple in Jerusalem for the Jewish worship. Furthermore, the event must include the entire world which was not even possible until basically the last century, and even then the Gospel work is still a pressing need until the door of the Gentiles is closed, "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles (all of us non Jews) has come in. And so all Israel will be saved." Romans 11:25. Furthermore, again as I perceive, an international vilification of Christians and the nation of Israel will have to be in motion, or will most certainly be established when he steps into power.
SOME OF THE ANTICHRIST'S CHARACTERISTICS AS DESCRIBED IN THE SCRIPTURES Daniel 11:21, 31-37, 2 Thessalonians 2, Revelation 13
- He shall assume the honor of royalty
- He will come in peaceably and gain power by flatteries
- He shall exalt himself above all gods and blaspheme God
- He shall remove the daily sacrifice and set up an abomination of desolation (seems to be related to Jewish temple worship)
- He will have no regard for the God of his fathers
- He will not regard the desire of women
- He will magnify himself above all Daniel 11:37
- He will demand that people take a mark without which they cannot buy or sell Revelation 13:16-17
WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE FOR BELEIVERS DURING THAT TIME?
- It will be a time of severe oppression for believers and we will be defeated for a period - "He will speak out against the Most High and wear out the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in time and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time." Daniel 7:25 - " It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to over come them..." Daniel 7:21, Revelation 13:7 - "...but the people who know their God will display strength and take action (do exploits KJV). Daniel 11:32, "You will be hated by all because of My Name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved." Matthew 10:22 NAS
Dear friends I am not writing these to scare anyone, but that we may be prepared for a reality that untold amounts of brothers and sisters had to, and are enduring to this day so that we will not be surprised and lose heart. Jesus said, "But these things I have told you, that when the time shall come, you may remember that I told you of them...These things I have spoken unto you, that in ME you might have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD." John 16:4,33 - "Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12 - "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and the loved not their lives unto the death." Revelation 12:11
WHAT CAN WE DO TO BE READY?
- Jesus said to watch and pray that we may be able to escape all these things, "Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Luke 21:36
- "But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keeping yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Jude20-21 "...God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16
- Flee from iniquity/sinful behaviour/lawlessness "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure to the end shall be saved." Matthew 24:12-13,
- "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait on thee." Psalm 25:22 We are to strive to keep our hearts and motives free from selfishness, greed, and whatever else that will corrupt it.
- Have extra oil Matthew 25:1-13 We need to be leery of trying to get by on the minimum effort of faith while living our lives in this world. Being filled to overflowing with His Wonderful Holy Spirit in a life of faith and love should be our life long endeavour.
NOTE: Lawlessness is the devil's counterfeit for God's grace, therefore beware about any teaching, ideal... law that says that any form of murder, sexual sin, drugs, drunkenness, idolatry, witchcraft, blasphemy, theft, lying, hate, dishonoring of parents... is acceptable, or not a sin against God. Flee from that as from the wrath of God!
WHAT ABOUT THE RAPTURE, WHAT IS THE RAPTURE? "...we shall not all sleep (die) but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on in corruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." 1 Corinthians 15:51-53
(I approach this topic of the Second Coming with caution for 2 reasons: 1 - it can be controversial, complicated, difficult to navigate without making too many assumptions, especially with the more details presented from using both the Scriptures and other possible sources.
2 - It seems some people take an almost fanatical and obsessive interest to the point where their assumptions lead themselves and others down strange and unhealthy paths, losing sight of the glorious and loving Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
My rendition is very basic and from the perspective that I have gleaned from the Bible and perhaps some of the teachings I have been under. The final consensus I will leave to you, and I hope the content will be inspiring, helpful, and leave you with a sober understanding, preparedness, and an expectation of faith and His matchless grace.)
INDEX:
-JESUS CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN
-FOR WHAT ARE WE WAITING?
THE COMPLETE PROCLAIMATION OF THE GOSPELTHE COUNTERFEIT BEFORE THE REAL
-WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES?
THE RETURN OF ISRAEL AS A NATION
THE TEMPLE IN JERSALEM
ALL THE WORLD HAS HEARD
DISCIPLES OF JESUS BEING HATED WORLDWIDE
THE FALLING AWAY, LAWLESSNESS, THE ANTICHRIST
-WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE?
-THE ANTICHRIST
-WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE FOR BELIEVERS DURING THAT TIME?
-WHAT CAN WE DO TO BE READY?
-WHAT ABOUT THE RAPTURE, WHAT IS THE RAPTURE?
-WHEN SHALL THE RAPTURE TAKE PLACE?
-CONCLUSION
"For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy the body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another (also prophetic of our resurrection)..." Job 19:25-27
"For behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with His chariots like a whirlwind..." Isaiah 66: 15 NAS
"And then the Lord, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him!" Zechariah 14:5
"Behold, I have told you before. Therefore if they shall say unto you, ' Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the secret chambers,' believe it not. For as the lightning comes out of the east and shines (flashes) even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:25-27
JESUS CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN!
As sure as the sunrise, we know that He is coming again. The promise of the Messiah coming the first time was fulfilled at the promise of and according to the Scriptures and His return is just as sure, even as foretold, and we anxiously await Him.
FOR WHAT ARE WE WAITING?
God does all things in His timing and fulfills His Word according to His designed purpose regardless of all our assumptions and anxious anticipations. Lets look at a few:
THE COMPLETION OF HIS PLAN
"And He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." Acts 3:20-21
From this passage we can learn a few things:
a. The Father has an agenda which He will and must complete.
b. Apparently He is in the process of restoring (for sure the nation of Israel, but also the church after having gone through the Dark Ages - Ephesians 4:12-16). And since we are not familiar with the final product, especially worldwide, it is hard for us to get a clear understanding where we are in the process.
c. There are so many prophetic utterances in the Scriptures regarding the Father's purposes and no one is able to fully compile all the details and facts unless God were to reveal it to them. Jesus said that even He knows not the day nor the hour Mark13:32. The religious leaders and the devil thought they understood the full plan of God for the Messiah, and they missed it. Are we all that much wiser? So I suppose that means that we will simply have to trust Him while we carry out our marching orders.
THE COMPLETE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL
"And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come." Matthew 24:14
This mandate for the church to go into all the world and preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is so utterly important, and the urgency is absolutely critical.
- First of all and perhaps the most important of all is so that everyone all over the world has a chance to get right with God and be saved from their sins "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."2 Peter 3:9.
- Secondly, that Jesus' Church must be completed and ready for His return, and that means people from every tongue, tribe, nation, and people "His bride has made herself ready." Revelation 7:9, 19:7 Is it there yet?
- Thirdly, He cannot return until all is fulfilled according to His predetermined timing and council as laid in the prophecies of the Scriptures.
THE COUNTERFEIT BEFORE THE REAL
"Let no man deceive you by any means, for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he, as God, sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Lawlessness, it's the counterfeit to grace and the antichrist is the counterfeit savior to the True, our Lord Jesus Christ. Before Jesus returns the mystery of iniquity (lawlessness) will be fully exposed (vs6-12), and the antichrist will establish himself. This appears to be the final trial for mankind, and for the purification of the Church - "Because you have kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you form the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." Revelation 3:10, Daniel 11:35
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES?
The prophetic indications that we are nearer to His return are why many feel we are getting very close. Although there have been a number of occasions in history that this was assumed, it appears that we have more reason to believe it to be so within this period. Actually, according to the timeline of the Bible it was never far off. "But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:8
- THE RETURN OF ISRAEL AS A NATION
- This is supremely important! Israel is God's inheritance and centerpiece of the nations, and the timepiece of His agenda for the world. The promises for the nation of Israel are paramount for not only them as a nation, but also as far as the fulfillment of His plan for mankind. It all revolves around the events of this tiny nation. The Church is His spiritual nation, and whatever happens to Israel, directly or indirectly, is a marker for the Church in our study of the Bible regarding God's plan. The return of Israel as a nation was prophesied numerous times in the Old Testament. Jeremiah 32:37-38, Ezekiel 36:24-28, ... And in the New Testament Jesus Himself referred to Israel as a nation even though it was not a nation at that time, "...for verily I say unto you, you shall not have gone over the cities of ISRAEL, till the Son of man be come." Matthew 10:23
With this being foretold, a huge landmark in the timepiece of God's plan was the re-establishment of the nation of Israel in 1948. When Israel became a nation again, prophesies of over 2700 years old were fulfilled before the eyes of the whole world, whether it is realized or not! What is more of a confirmation of the accuracy of the Scriptures, in Ezekiel 37:19-22, The Lord said that He would not only gather them from all the nations, but that He would make them one nation again. Prior to their fall, first the northern Kingdom of Israel to the Assyrians and some decades later the fall of the Kingdom of Judah to the Babylonians, the nation of Israel was split into these two Kingdoms after the reign of Solomon because of his sin. Israel had not been a united nation for around 3000 years. But here the Lord promised that when He gathers them again that they would not longer be two nations, but one - Israel, and in the land that He originally gave them. And so we all can bear witness to its credibility this very day.
MORE MISSING PIECES
- THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM - In both the Old and the New Testament it appears that there needs to be another temple built in Jerusalem. Both Jesus and the apostle Paul indicate it referring to Daniel's prophecy Daniel 11:31, Matthew 24:15, 2 Thessalonians 2:4 - There has recently been discussion about this in Jerusalem, however it faces aggressive opposition. Still, even though these are essential, there are other things we are yet or perhaps presumptuously anticipating...
- ALL THE WORLD HAS HEARD - "And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come." Matthew 24:14 As previously mentioned, this is so urgent for numerous reasons. Many Christians are working tirelessly, but there are scores of people who are still needing the opportunity to enter His Kingdom. Are we doing our part?
- DISCIPLES OF JESUS BEING HATED WORLDWIDE -"And you shall be hated of all men for My (Jesus') name's sake." Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:9 this verse, "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you:" is still and has always happened, but what Jesus is referring to is a worldwide hate and treatment, perhaps similar to that of the Jews during the reign of the Nazi's. Apparently this will take place just prior to or during the reign of the anti-Christ.
- THE FALLING AWAY, LAWLESSNESS, THE ANTICHIRST - "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition." 2 Thessalonians 2:3
The falling away I do not like to refer to it as I have seen Christians use it for an excuse to attack churches and other Christians they tend to despise. Jesus did make reference to it as an event during what some call the tribulation where the attack on believers will be so severe that, "and then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another." Matthew 24:10
Lawlessness is gaining ground and even international acceptance, which is the platform of the antichrist, but the full revelation of that system and the 'anti-Christ' have yet to be revealed.
WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE?
According to as we read in the related passages of the Bible, we can expect a number of things:
THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE SUPERNATURAL - false prophets and lying signs and wonders. The supernatural has been withheld from the public eye for some time, however it appears that it will once again come to the forefront of society, but not from God Matthew 24:24, 2 Thessalonians 2:9, Revelation 13:11-14. People are starved for the supernatural and the devil will gladly give us what we want when the Lord allows it. Even the Beast (antichrist), according to the Bible, will have recovered from a fatal wound Revelation 13:3. Some of the sighs will be so convincing that even the very elect will be unsure, or so it would seem. Matthew 24:24
INIQUITY/LAWLESSNESS
- "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." Matthew 24:12 Iniquity / sinful behaviour, or lawlessness which is the allowance for what the Bible calls sin, is the mark of the antichrist system, so obviously the enemies of that system are those who uphold the laws of God and the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 12:17 As we see lawlessness creeping into our land, that is a major warning sign of coming danger. Even if such circumstances are to be isolated to our country for the time, it means that people's hearts will become hardened (by the deceitfulness of sin which causes a wandering from our faith), but that also the authority of the land (which we are commanded to pray for) will regard Christians as a public enemy of the 'righteous laws' of that nation. Expect persecution. It has happened to saints many times before.
WARS, RUMORS OF WARS, FAMINE, PESTILENCE, EARTHQUAKES, SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS AND THE SEA Matthew 23:7, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:25-26 When these events get underway it will push mankind to the max. The order of the events and the duration from beginning to end with regards to wars and rumours of wars to the signs in the heavens and the sea may have a gap. What I am saying is that the wars and rumors of war describe the unstable times before the or leading up to the introduction of the antichrist, and the signs in the heavens and sea are just prior to or at the return of Jesus Christ "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:25-28 NIV. Many theologians estimate the period of the reign of the antichrist to the return of Christ to be seven years as calculated from the times described in Daniel and Revelation. During this period and perhaps some time leading up to it, according to what the Scriptures indicate we can expect turbulent political times, oppressive and manipulative government, persecution of Believers and also serious opposition to the nation of Israel. All this is leading to the sovereign and destructive judgments of God on the world in the day of His vengeance. This may sound like today in various places around the world, but what the Scriptures appear to be indicating is that it will be intensified and more on a global scale rather than isolated to a few nations. All these topics can be found in the book of Ezekiel, Daniel, Zachariah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, 2 Thessalonians, Revelation, along with many passages throughout the Old and New Testaments. Jesus said that it would be such terrible times, "For there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Unless those days have been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short." Matthew 24:21-22 NAS. He even admonishes us to pray that it will not be in winter nor on the Sabbath. Although not being a Jew, I still literally pray these petitions, especially having lived in northern Canada most of my life, I know how terrible winter can be. In fact I also pray that none of my children or children's children are nursing or pregnant in those days according to Jesus' admonition (vs 19-20), and that they all give there hearts to Jesus.
THE ANTICHRIST
- This is an interesting topic because for generations many politicians have been suspected of being the antichrist. In fact some of them likely were antichrists, but not 'the' antichrist. I read that Nero was considered to be the antichrist. Hitler also fit the description rather closely, and no doubt others even to this day, at least in our opinions. But as with everything timing and the proper setting are the more determining factors. As I (note that I am saying I) perceive in the Scriptures, that Israel had to be a nation, and there needs to be a temple in Jerusalem for the Jewish worship. Furthermore, the event must include the entire world which was not even possible until basically the last century, and even then the Gospel work is still a pressing need until the door of the Gentiles is closed, "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles (all of us non Jews) has come in. And so all Israel will be saved." Romans 11:25. Furthermore, again as I perceive, an international vilification of Christians and the nation of Israel will have to be in motion, or will most certainly be established when he steps into power.
SOME OF THE ANTICHRIST'S CHARACTERISTICS AS DESCRIBED IN THE SCRIPTURES Daniel 11:21, 31-37, 2 Thessalonians 2, Revelation 13
- He shall assume the honor of royalty
- He will come in peaceably and gain power by flatteries
- He shall exalt himself above all gods and blaspheme God
- He shall remove the daily sacrifice and set up an abomination of desolation (seems to be related to Jewish temple worship)
- He will have no regard for the God of his fathers
- He will not regard the desire of women
- He will magnify himself above all Daniel 11:37
- He will demand that people take a mark without which they cannot buy or sell Revelation 13:16-17
WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE FOR BELEIVERS DURING THAT TIME?
- It will be a time of severe oppression for believers and we will be defeated for a period - "He will speak out against the Most High and wear out the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in time and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time." Daniel 7:25 - " It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to over come them..." Daniel 7:21, Revelation 13:7 - "...but the people who know their God will display strength and take action (do exploits KJV). Daniel 11:32, "You will be hated by all because of My Name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved." Matthew 10:22 NAS
Dear friends I am not writing these to scare anyone, but that we may be prepared for a reality that untold amounts of brothers and sisters had to, and are enduring to this day so that we will not be surprised and lose heart. Jesus said, "But these things I have told you, that when the time shall come, you may remember that I told you of them...These things I have spoken unto you, that in ME you might have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD." John 16:4,33 - "Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12 - "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and the loved not their lives unto the death." Revelation 12:11
WHAT CAN WE DO TO BE READY?
- Jesus said to watch and pray that we may be able to escape all these things, "Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Luke 21:36
- "But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keeping yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Jude20-21 "...God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16
- Flee from iniquity/sinful behaviour/lawlessness "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure to the end shall be saved." Matthew 24:12-13,
- "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait on thee." Psalm 25:22 We are to strive to keep our hearts and motives free from selfishness, greed, and whatever else that will corrupt it.
- Have extra oil Matthew 25:1-13 We need to be leery of trying to get by on the minimum effort of faith while living our lives in this world. Being filled to overflowing with His Wonderful Holy Spirit in a life of faith and love should be our life long endeavour.
NOTE: Lawlessness is the devil's counterfeit for God's grace, therefore beware about any teaching, ideal... law that says that any form of murder, sexual sin, drugs, drunkenness, idolatry, witchcraft, blasphemy, theft, lying, hate, dishonoring of parents... is acceptable, or not a sin against God. Flee from that as from the wrath of God!
WHAT ABOUT THE RAPTURE, WHAT IS THE RAPTURE? "...we shall not all sleep (die) but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on in corruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." 1 Corinthians 15:51-53