The Blessed Hope

The Return of our Lord Jesus Christ

By Pastor Dan Kennedy

www.pastorkennedy.com

Waiting for our blessed hope,

The appearing of the glory of

our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Who gave Himself for us

to redeem us from all lawlessness

and to purify for Himself

a people for His own possession

who are zealous for good works.

Titus 2:13,14

Scripture Reading

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

4:13-18

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

5:1-11 The Day of the Lord

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Why Study “End Times”?

Why are we studying “future” events?

Given the world’s “mindset”, some of these “theories” of Christ’s return and terms like the “Tribulation Period” or the “Millennial Kingdom” are weird ideas to Twenty-first Century minds full of current political climates, personal issues, financial downturns or upswings, or current crisis facing one part of our world or the other.

The world, in general is unaccustomed to theological and “end times” terminology. When people begin talking to those unaccustomed to spiritual things about “Christ’s Return,” these might roll his or her eyes at a friend and think that such talk is certainly insane! On the other hand, those familiar with Biblical terms, who have a love for God and the Scripture, are invigorated to interact about what the Scripture says about future spiritual events regarding what the Bible reveals about the world’s future, and God’s eternal Kingdom! Where else can information about future events be trusted?

Why teach about “end times” events?

Primary reasons to teach “End Time” events could be threefold:

1. Everyone will face God. We have an opportunity to know the future. We are all going to die, or be gathered to be with Christ when He comes, if we are true believers in Jesus Christ; and, no matter, we had better be prepared for eternity! What will happen to you and me when we die? None of us live forever...there is an end of life for all things and there is an end of the systems of this world as we know it. Since the Scripture speaks of such an end, then we, as those who faithfully study and teach the Bible, reveal what we understand the Scripture discloses about the “end times”.

2. The Bible is our Authority and is full of prophecy.

The Bible, which is God’s Holy Word, was written under the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit, by some 36 to 40 authors over a time span of some 1,500 to 2,000 years on different continents and diverse cultures.

God requires Biblical prophecy to be 100% accurate. It gives to us clear information about the “end times” and if we are wise we will seek to find out what it says and means. We should be aware of and open to what the Bible says regarding “end time” events.

3. Israel became a Nation Again as prophesied by Scripture.

After 2,000 years, Israel’s prophesied reemergence as a nation established May 14, 1948, has been in a generation still prevalent today.

We are reading the fulfillment of Old and New Testament prophecies about Israel’s rebirth into the nation it is today after centuries of the Jewish people being disbursed into seeming oblivion to the ends of the earth! This “regathering” to reestablish nationhood, after such a long and diverse disbursement, has not happened to any other people group in the known history of the world. Why has the “Middle East” become so important? It is because this has been planned and foretold in the Scripture, and we are now experiencing the parts being put into place for the final events of world history. (See, for example, Jeremiah 16:14-16; Ezekiel 37)

“Be Ready” Approach

I am taking a slightly unique approach when it comes to the traditional teaching on the Coming of Christ. I am not going to promote any one particular “theory” over another as “THE Theory” (I believe some positions to be Biblically stronger than others, from my limited viewpoint); but I would prefer to promote the fact that we should “Be Ready” as the most important aspect of end time preparation. We should wisely understand different eschatological (end time) theories so we can think and speak intelligently on the matter and diligently study the Scripture, but to definitively say that anyone of the “theories” has the only “corner on the market”, so to speak, is going further than the Scripture does itself! If we are “prepared” we will “be ready”, no matter when Christ returns, or regarding which “theory” is accurate! We will not only “be ready”, we will “be much happier Christians” in the long run – without having to defend and justify our “theory” all the time.

Weather Forecasting Pales to Understanding the “Signs of the Times”

Christ tells us that if we are so good at forecasting the weather, and “being ready” for any weather event, we should also be able to interpret the “signs of the times!”

Matthew 16

2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

When it comes to the mystery of the return of the Lord, students of the Bible have not only studied this event as carefully as they can, but sometimes they may hold to certain dogmatic positions (that fit with their other theologically held dogmas). From these theological positions, “theories” of Christ’s return are molded from their understanding of the Scripture. All of us tend to interpret from our personal historical and theological viewpoint.

God’s view on the matter relates primarily to His view…to how He sees what is happening in the world and who is coming into His Kingdom. God’s view will win every time! That is why “only the Father knows” the time of Christ’s Coming (Matt. 24:36) – it is what concerns Him that matters the most. Of course, His “Bride”, the Church, is of great concern to Him, so “we” are definitely still a significant part of the equation, but obviously not the “only part”!

Primary “theories” on the Return of Christ most widely known are as follows:

1. Theological Positions and Theories Concerning the Tribulation and the Coming of Christ…

Definition: The “Tribulation” [see ENDNOTES] is a seven-year period at which time the antichrist is given authority to develop a dictatorial world government. This will be satan’s final try at world conquest. The first 3 ½ years of the “Tribulation” might be what some consider to be the beginning of a peaceful utopia, through the rise of a charismatic world ruler, but with this will also come a possibly not so subtle increase in terrible wars, plagues and disasters (Revelation 6). The most extreme disasters and plagues to come in the history of the world will be during the second 3 ½ years of the Tribulation, known as the “Great Tribulation” or the “Birth Pains” before the Messiah’s return, or “Jacob’s Trouble” (1 Thessalonians 5:3; Jeremiah 6:24; 30:6,7; John 16:21; Dan. 12:1; Matt. 24:21). This “Great Tribulation” (second 3 ½ years) begins after the antichrist sets himself up as “god” in the temple (a time defined as “the abomination of desolation” by Daniel the Prophet – Daniel 9:27; Matt. 24:15). Then the devastating final wrath of God is poured out on the earth. The wicked on the earth must suffer through the intense devastation of judgment on the godless world system and satan’s false domain, before the Coming of the True Messiah, Jesus Christ, in Power and Great Glory – when He comes to establish His earthly Kingdom during the Millennium, which Kingdom continues through eternity, after the final judgment.

The following are some of the most influential end-time theories to date:

•Pre-tribulation rapture of the Church – That Christ will “rapture” (take away) His Bride, the Church, before the seven year Tribulation period.

•Mid-tribulation rapture of the Church – That Christ will “rapture” His Church before or around the time that the “Abomination of Desolation” occurs at the approximate mid-point of the Tribulation, where the Temple is defiled and the antichrist sets himself up as god, ushering in the “Great Tribulation”.

•Pre-wrath rapture of the Church – That Christ will “rapture” His Church before any of the “wrath of God” is poured out on the earth during the “Great Tribulation” (possibly around three-quarters of the way through the tribulation).

•Post-tribulation rapture of the Church – These believe that the Church will go through the Tribulation period to experience the final “purification” and be “raptured” to be with Christ at His coming in Power and Glory, at the end of the Tribulation.

There is a different “twist” on the “Post-tribulation” position from some who hold the “Reformed/Preterist” view. These believe that the Tribulation period has already occurred during the destruction of Jerusalem around 70 A.D. and years following under Rome. (They may also theorize that we are living in a “spiritual” millennium right now where things will get better and better to usher in the Kingdom of Christ on earth). I fail to see our increasingly corrupt world getting better.

Note: Many Biblical Theologians hold to one of the primary eschatological positions above – and many accept that the Tribulation period (Jacob’s Trouble – is a future tangible catastrophic event – a time of distress and trouble like this has never happened in the history of the world – (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21, 29; Mark 13:19; Rev. 16:18). The Scripture also teaches that the Millennial (1,000 year) Kingdom and reign of Christ on earth (Revelation 20:1-10) is a future event (not merely spiritual or figurative).

2. Theological Positions referring to when Christ Jesus comes in relationship to the Millennial (1,000 year) Reign of Christ.

Definition: The “Millennium” is spoken of in Revelation 20:1-10 as a 1,000 year reign of Christ, ruling over planet earth in Justice and Holiness, with a “rod of iron” (Rev. 2:27; 12:5; 19:15). Satan will be bound during most of the Millennium only to be released again at the end of the 1,000 years, to bring together the unbelieving for the final battle in the world (Rev. 20:7-9). There will be a Millennial Temple established in Jerusalem, from which Christ will rule (Micah 4:1; Ezekiel 40-48). The Millennium is spoken of in prophetical books throughout the Old Testament, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Micah, and Zechariah – mainly foretelling the glory that will be restored to Israel. The Millennium is the time when the primary earthly promises to the Jews and Israel are fulfilled. It will be a glorious time, a time of great joy and peace… a time when “the lion will lie down with the lamb” (Isaiah 11:6-9). This is the last period on earth that mankind is tested (under Christ’s very rule), from which Christ chooses the final part of His Bride.

•Pre-millennial position regarding the coming of Christ – This position teaches that the Second Coming of Christ in Power and Glory, will be prior to the 1,000 year rule of Christ (when He will rule the world with a “rod of iron”).

•Post-millennial position regarding the coming of Christ – This position teaches that we are living in a “spiritual” millennium right now. According to the Post-Millennial position, our part would be to help usher in the Kingdom of Christ – into a world ready to receive His Eternal Kingdom.

•A-millennial position regarding the coming of Christ – When an “A” is hyphenated in front of a word generally erases the meaning the natural understanding of a word. (An example of this is the word “a-moral” which means one does not have any moral values). Thus “a-millennial” means that those who hold to this position don’t believe there will be a literal 1,000-year reign of Christ, (even though it is clearly spoken of in Rev. 20:1-6). These believe that the “millennial” kingdom is purely a “spiritual” concept and not a physical one at all. Christ is seen as having conquered the forces of darkness at the Cross and actually reigns over the world spiritually in victory right now…and will one day establish His eternal Kingdom without these “figurative” examples ever needing to actually physically happen.

Be Ready for the Return of Christ

The Scripture Clearly states that Believers in Christ should “Be Prepared” for Christ’s Coming.

If a diligent owner had left you in charge of a company, and you were told that you should keep the place running and profitable until the he returns, you could do one of two things (no matter how long it takes for the owner to return):

1. Do everything in your power to keep the company positive and profitable for the owner until he returns;

Or,

2. Live it up and care less what happens to the company, if you think the owner won’t return soon.

It is pretty obvious how the owner would respond and what will happen in either scenario, should the owner return unexpectedly.

No One but the Heavenly Father Knows when Christ will Return

Jesus told His Disciples (and subsequently us, through His Words to them) to be ready for the unexpected Coming. Christ illustrated this by the Unexpected Great Flood.

“Be Prepared”. This unexpected Coming will affect everyone!

Matthew 24

36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Diligence and Faithfulness Rewarded

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Luke 12

You Must Be Ready

35 “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

41 Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come son a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. [See the O.T. Law re: “beating” in Deut. 25:1-3 - Jesus was well aware of it as well as those to whom He was speaking.] 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

Stay Awake, Watch and Be Ready

The Parable of the Five Wise and Five Foolish Virgins

Matthew 25

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Other Verses Pertinent to Christ’s Coming

1 Corinthians 1

4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 4

5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

1 Corinthians 15

50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

1 Corinthians 16

21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! [Maranatha]

Philippians 3

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Philippians 4

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand….

1 Thessalonians 5:9

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain

salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ

The Apostle Paul, seeking to clear up speculation by some false teachers that Christ had already come, brings clarity to the time-line of Christ’s Return.

2 Thessalonians 2:1–13

The Man of Lawlessness

2 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

Clarity for the Church Regarding “Christ’s Return and our being gathered to Him” – from 2 Thessalonians 2

1.Christ’s Return hasn’t happened yet as some have taught (v. 1-3)

a. Don’t Be Deceived: Christ’s Return will not happen until:

- The Rebellion (ἀποστασία - 1 a falling away, defection, apostasy[1]) occurs.

- And the man of lawlessness is revealed – who is doomed to destruction…

1. He opposes God and everything worshipped

2. He exalts himself in God’s Temple proclaiming himself as God

B. The One who now holds it back (2 Thess. 2:5-8)

a. The Revelation of the Man of Sin is being held back… until the proper time.

“…you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time.” (v. 6)

b. There is a Spiritual Force Holding Back the spirit of antichrist

“The one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed (v. 7b, 8)

This critical passage seems to be revealing the two mysterious parts of the revelation of our being gathered to Christ.

•The restraining of the spirit of antichrist and the Man of Sin
•The revelation of the Man of Sin after the One who restrains is taken out of the way.

The spirit of the antichrist is and has been in the world…and the Man of Sin will one day be revealed at the proper time.

1 John 2:18

18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

1 John 4:1–3

1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

2 Thessalonians 2:6-8

These verses, to me, are the clearest (and most mysterious) support of rapture prior to the Tribulation [see ENDNOTES].

2 Thessalonians 2

6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed…

The Holy Spirit is seen by many to be “He who now restrains” (the lawless one), in the above verses.

The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, and believers in Jesus Christ are the “Temples of the Holy Spirit”, and since “those whose names are in the Book of Life” will be delivered from this “time of trouble” (Dan. 12:1), then it would seem reasonable to conclude that a “taking away” of those Born Again by the Spirit of God, before the time of trouble, could be an explanation for the removing of the restraint holding back the lawless one in 2 Thess. 2:6-8.

Titus 2:13

13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ….

James 5:7-9

7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

1 John 2:28

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

Revelation 3:11; 22:7, 12, 20

“I am coming soon!”

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

“Christ’s Coming in Power and Glory”

In Revelation 19:11-16, we have a clear picture of the Second Coming of Christ in His Power and Glory. At this time Christ comes physically in the clouds with great glory and with His own Saints, to make war with and destroy the antichrist, false prophet and rogue world government under the temporary rule of satan, after which Christ will establish His earthly Kingdom for 1,000 years.

Revelation 19:11-16

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Second Coming of Christ – an Event Seen Worldwide, and a gathering of Christ’s Elect from one end of Heaven to the other

Matthew 24

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, 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. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Zechariah 14:1–5

1 A day of the Lord is coming when your plunder will be divided among you.

2 I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city.

3 Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. 5 You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

Notice the events in the above Passage that Christ says will take place at the Second Coming:

Events the Scripture Gives Leading Up to Christ’s Second Coming In Power And Glory:

•A Strong Covenant is Established with Israel, by the antichrist (Daniel 9:27) initiating the seven-year Tribulation period.
•The Rebuilding of the 3rd Temple must be accomplished so the sacrificial system can be reestablished (Dan. 9:27; 8:13; 12:11; 2 Thess. 2:4; Rev. 11:1-2).
•The Antichrist’s power rises – spoken of as “the 4th Beast” rising from the sea (Rev. 13:1-10; 2 Thess. 2:3-4; Daniel 7:24-25; 8:25; 9:27; 11:36).
•The False Prophet rises (another “Beast” rising from the earth) to promote and confirm the antichrist. He causes great signs and wonders to take place, such as calling fire down from heaven, to deceive the people of the earth (Rev. 13:11-18).
•The Abomination of Desolation revealed in the middle of the Tribulation. The antichrist sets himself up as God – from God’s Temple (Daniel 9:27; 12:11; Matt. 24:15; Mk. 13:14; 2 Thess. 2:4). Sometime, during this period, there is an attempt to assassinate the antichrist at which time he is mortally wounded, but lives – to the amazement of the whole world (Rev. 13:3, 12, 14).
•“Two Witnesses” sent by God are revealed, call down God’s fierce judgment on the world for three and a half years, from Jerusalem. They are finally killed by the antichrist, to the great delight of the world, but rise again after three and a half days and are taken up into heaven, causing great fear to all who so fervently wished them dead (Rev. 11:3-12).
•The Image is Set Up: The Artificial Intelligence (AI) and universal surveillance system could be that which is commissioned by the False Prophet, to carry out the world-wide draconian plans of the antichrist through the “Image” the False Prophet constructs and “brings to life” (Rev. 13:14-17).

It is interesting that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being developed to the point that some of our most forward thinking entrepreneurs are fearing what Artificial Intelligence is becoming! AI may some day control the world – if that is the fundamental resource for the “Image” brought to life by the False Prophet.

"If you're not concerned about AI safety, you should be. Vastly more risk than North Korea," Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted on Friday (8/11/17).[2]

That is some concern from a man who wants to link human brains to computers in his start up company called Neuralink.[3]

•The AI “Image” institutes “the Mark of the Beast” for the absolute control of worldwide commerce Rev. 13:16-18. Those who worship the Beast and participate and receive “the mark” have no hope of salvation and eternal life with God (Rev. 14:9-11; 20:4).
•Armageddon, the Final Battle in the world assembles. There is a serious gathering of the nations of the world to battle against Israel at Jerusalem. (Rev. 16:16)
•The Powers of the Heavens are Shaken preceding Christ’s Coming (Matt. 24:29; Luke 21:25-26):

Sun darkened

Moon darkened

Stars fall

Matthew 24:29-31

•The Sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven. The peoples of the earth will morn at their judgment and accountability to Christ, because of God’s impending wrath. (Rev. 6:16-17)

Revelation 6:15–17

15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

•Jesus will return to stand on the Mount of Olives, just as He said He would (Acts 1:11; Zech. 14:4). There is a splitting of the Mt. of Olives and subsequent fleeing of those surviving in Jerusalem – through the newly exposed mountain valley (reminding us of the Children of Israel with Moses escaping through the parting of the Red Sea). Zech. 14:4,5

Zechariah 14:2–5

•Christ Returns in Power and Glory. The world will see the Son of Man Coming on the clouds of heaven, destroying the nations of the world which came in defiance against Him (Matt. 24:30-31; Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-21; Zech. 14:4,5).

The Scripture reveals events leading up to Christ’s Second Coming in Power and Glory. As believers in Christ, we need to be reminded that the Lord tells us that we should “Be Prepared” and not “sleeping”, and ready for His Coming.

Throughout Scripture, God has seen fit to take His Children out of, or away from the extreme judgment times, in which He brings upon the world, or certain parts of the world. There is a pattern of deliverance of God’s Children in times of His Wrath. Waiting up until the time of the “Second Coming” does not resolve this “protection” of Christ’s Bride, but a “secret” catching away prior to God’s wrath seems to find consistency with other examples of other deliverance.

• Noah and his family are saved God’s judgment on the world during the Great Flood (Gen. 6-8)
•Lot and his family are saved from the fiery judgment of Sodom (Gen. 19).

•Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are delivered from the fiery furnace (Daniel 3).

•Daniel is spared from the Lion’s den (Dan. 6).

•Daniel prophecies in Dan. 12:1, deliverance from the terrible “time of trouble”…not just “wrath”.

Daniel 12:1

“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.

•“Jacob’s Trouble” Prophesied, with “Deliverance”

In Jeremiah 30, there is a prophecy of the coming days when God restores His blessing on Israel. Yet, within this passage the prophet speaks boldly of “Jacob’s Trouble” a phrase used to identify a time of terrible suffering that will come on the earth – such as has never, ever been seen before. Unusually, within this context there is embedded a promised deliverance!

Jeremiah 30:7

7 How awful that day will be! None will be like it.

It will be a time of trouble for Jacob,

but he will be saved out of it.

•Christ, speaking to the church in Philadelphia, with “Deliverance” from the “hour of trial”

Revelation 3:10

“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.”

“When the prophets used the phrase ‘in that day,’ they were usually referring to the future time when God will judge the nations of the world and restore the Jews to their land.

Before Israel is delivered, however, all the nations of the earth will experience ‘the time of Jacob’s trouble’ (v. 7), a phrase that describes the time of tribulation that will come upon the earth (Matt. 24:21–31; Mark 13:19–27; Rev. 6–19). A frequent biblical symbol of suffering is a woman in travail (Jer. 30:6), and this image is used to describe the Tribulation in the end times (see Isa. 13:8 and context; Micah 4:9–13; 1 Thess. 5:1–3).”[2]

The “Rapture” of the Church is thus seen to be a “secret” event prior to the “wrath” of God’s final judgment on the world, to spare God’s Children.

[The “exception” to this “catching away” will be the commissioning of the 144,000 Jewish “evangelists” – Rev. 7, and those who come to the saving knowledge of Christ through their ministry. Those who come to Christ through these evangelists, and are not martyred, will go through the most serious judgments that God has ever poured out on the world. I believe Mark 13:20 and Matt. 24:22 referring to God shortening the days for His elect, could be referring to these elect 144,000 evangelists and those who believe on Christ through their witness.]

Anticipation of Christ’s Return not Procrastination

Can’t you hear people saying…“Oh, such and such event has not happened yet, so Christ won’t be coming back for at least seven years…”, or ten years, or fifty years, etc.

It seems that one reason God has allowed the sense of urgency is to nullify the natural reaction of people's procrastination...so they won’t put off looking for His return and thus become spiritually lethargic and impure. Isn’t it interesting that in every generation, from His ascension forward, in every culture, this anticipation has been keenly felt!

There is always the agnostic scoffing…

2 Peter 3:4

4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”

Peter follows this nay saying line in the following verses, with additional, Godlier reasoning: “They deliberately overlook the fact…”

When we know we have “time” we may want to procrastinate – we also may be less motivated to live a holy life.

Looking forward to Christ’s Coming undermines procrastination and unbelief, and goes on to give us great Hope in a world groaning under the weight of the curse of sin, waiting for our redemption (Romans 8:22-25).

The Cause for Hope, Celebration and Purity

We have the greatest hope and cause for joy in the world. One day our Redeemer will return and bring us to the home He has been preparing for us and change our sin-cursed bodies to be like His Own! We will be delighted when the “curse” of our depravity and the “groaning” we have, together with the world around us, because of sin, will be taken away (Romans 8:18-25)!

John 16

20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

John 14

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Romans 5

2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Hebrews 9

28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

1 Peter 1

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 4

13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

1 John 3

2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we will be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Conclusion

We are facing the most traumatic days that the world has ever seen! We could be potentially on the threshold of the Tribulation. May 14, 1948, Israel once again became a nation after being scattered across the face of the earth for some two thousand years! Is this the “budding of the fig tree” spoken of by Christ (Matt. 24:32,33)?

“Be Prepared”… “Be Ready”. Nothing can replace this preparedness to come face to Face with our Lord and God.

Disaster Preparedness of the Most Urgent Kind!

We are continually being told that in case of an earthquake, tsunami or other natural or man-made disaster, we should have food, water and appropriate supplies in our house or even in our car, in case of such an eventuality. This coming eternal event should sustain our greatest preparation over any other potential event.

Christ tells us that if we are so good at forecasting the weather, and “being ready” for weather events, we should also be able to interpret the “signs of the times!”

Matthew 16

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour!” (Matt. 25:13)

How can I, as a Believer in Christ, “Be Prepared”?

The practical steps are often what we already know, but sometimes don’t practice!

1. Affirm your relationship with the Lord and whether or not you are truly “Born” into God’s family, through the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. (John 3; Rom. 10:9,10)

2. Keep “Short Accounts”. Confess any known sin before God and keep honorable relationships with others. (1 John 1:9; James 5:16)

3. Stop doing, by the power of God’s Spirit, what you know you shouldn’t be doing, going places you shouldn’t be going, or building relationships you shouldn’t be having! (Romans 8). Feed your mind and spirit with that which is God honoring instead of that which drags you down spiritually.

4. Build the Word of God into your heart and soul and commune with God in prayer. (Joshua 1:8,9; Psalm 119:105; Philippians 4:8)

5. Fellowship and build friendships with folks who love God and can build positively into your life. (Hebrews 10:25)

6. Use the gifts that God has given you to seek first and build His Kingdom. (Matt. 6:33)

7. Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, soul and mind and your neighbor as yourself! (Matthew 22:37-40)

May we always “Be Prepared” for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! It may be today!

_______________________

ENDNOTES

Questions concerning the Great Tribulation (Daniel 12:5–13)

by Drs. J. D. Pentecost, J. F. Walvoord, and R. B. Zuck

Daniel 12:5–6. This section (vv. 5–13) includes two requests (one by an angel and one by Daniel) and two angelic replies. The first request is in verses 5–6, and the first answer is in verse 7. The second question is in verse 8, and the second reply is in verses 9–13. Evidently two angels had attended the angelic messenger, who was probably Gabriel (cf. comments on 10:5). One of the angels across the river (the Tigris; cf. 10:4) called to an angel standing by Gabriel (the one clothed in linen; cf. 10:5) and asked, How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled? “These astonishing things” probably refer to the events recorded in 11:36–45, which pertain to Israel’s final occupation by the coming Gentile ruler.

12:7. Gabriel answered the inquiring angel that those events will be fulfilled in a time, times, and half a time, that is, in three and one-half years (cf. comments on 7:25). Though this final ruler will reign for seven years, the first half will be a time of comparative peace for Israel. They will be enjoying the benefits of the covenant this king will make with them (9:27). Israel will be “a land of unwalled villages,” a land in which the people will be “without walls and without gates and bars” (Ezek. 38:11). But the Antichrist will break that covenant (Dan. 9:27) near the middle of the 70th “seven” of years. Then the king of the South and the king of the North will invade Israel (11:40). After destroying these two armies, this Gentile king (the Antichrist) will move into Israel, occupy the land, and set up his political and religious headquarters in Jerusalem (11:41, 45). He will reign in Jerusalem as king and god and will become the greatest persecutor Israel has ever known (Rev. 13:5–7). Israel’s power will be broken by his ruthless power, and then at the end of the Tribulation all these things (the events in 11:40–45) will be completed.

12:8. Then Daniel addressed a question to Gabriel, whom he called My lord (a term of respect like “Sir”; cf. 10:16–17, 19). Daniel asked, What will the outcome of all this be? He wanted to know God’s program for Israel beyond the Tribulation period. Little information about Israel’s blessings in the millennial reign following the Second Advent of Christ had been given to Daniel, though he did know that God’s eternal kingdom will be established (2:44; 7:14, 22, 27) and the saints will possess (rule in) that kingdom. Many such prophecies had been given through the prophets and more would be given through prophets who were yet to come (Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi).

12:9–10. As the angel already stated (v. 4), the words are to be closed up and sealed (kept intact and thus made available) until the time of the end (the second half of the 70th “seven” of years; cf. v. 7; also note “end” in vv. 4, 13). In that period of time many Jews will turn to the Savior (cf. v. 3), and as a result will be spiritually purified … spotless and refined. But the wicked will continue in their ways, following and worshiping the Antichrist, the world ruler. What God revealed to Daniel will continue to be obscure to them (cf. 1 Cor. 2:14), but the wise (i.e., the righteous; cf. “wise” and “righteousness” in Dan. 12:3) will understand.

12:11. The angel said that 1,290 days will be measured off from the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished (cf. 9:27, “he will put an end to sacrifice”) and the abomination that causes desolation is set up (cf. 9:27, “one who causes desolation will place abominations on a wing of the temple”). The last half of the 70th “seven” of years is “a time, times, and half a time” (7:25; Rev. 12:14), which is three and one-half years. It is also designated as 42 months (Rev. 11:2) or 1,260 days (Rev. 11:3). How then can the variance of 30 days (1,290 compared with 1,260) be explained? Some suggest that the 30 days will extend beyond the end of the Tribulation, allowing for the judgment of Israel and the judgment of the nations. Another possibility is that the 1,290 days will begin 30 days before the middle of the 70th “seven” of years when the world ruler will set up “the abomination that causes desolation” (Matt. 24:15). The 1,290 days could begin with an announcement (about the abomination) made 30 days before the abomination is introduced. This abomination, as stated earlier, will be an image of himself (Rev. 13:14–15) and will be the symbol of this religious system.

12:12–13. Blessing is pronounced on one who waits for and lives to see the end of the 1,335 days. This is an additional 45 days beyond the 1,290 days (v. 11). Forty-five days after the end of the Tribulation Israel’s long-awaited blessings will be realized. This may mark the blessing of the Millennium; or it may be when Christ, who will have appeared in the heavens (Matt. 24:30) 45 days earlier, will actually descend to the earth, His feet touching down on the Mount of Olives (cf. Acts 1:11). For believers Christ’s coming is a blessing and a glorious hope.

Daniel did not live to see many of his prophecies fulfilled. He, the angel said, would rest, that is, in death (cf. v. 2). But he will be resurrected (you will rise at the end of the days), and he will receive his allotted inheritance in the Millennium. Because of Daniel’s faith in God he led a life of faithful service for Him, and for that faith and that obedience he will receive a glorious reward. All who like Daniel trust the Lord will share in the blessings of His millennial kingdom.[3]

[1] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1995). Be decisive. An Old testament study. (Je 30:1). Wheaton, Ill.:Victor Books.

[3] Pentecost, J. D. (1985). Daniel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, pp. 1373–1374). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.