The Second Coming |
According to the Bible |
End Times Scriptures.......Unchangeable Laws |
For everything in existence there is an opposite. There is an up, and there is a down. Whatever goes up must come down. Life and death are opposites, as are light and dark, first and last. We want to consider first and last. If a thing is first, there is nothing before it. Likewise, if a thing is last there can be nothing after it. Let's begin this study by defining the term "The Last Day".
Jesus himself stated, in Revelation, Chapter one, Verse 8.... I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Verse 11. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last:...
Verse 17. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
And in chapter Twenty-Two...Verse 13. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Jesus said that he was first. That means that there was no one before him. Had there been someone before him then that someone would have been first. But Jesus said that He was first...that none came before him. He also said that he is Last, and there will be none after him. So we see that first is first and there is none before it; last is last and there is none after it. We must keep this immutable law in mind as we proceed with this study. It will never change.
I know there are some who are wondering what this has to do with our study of the end times. Please bear with us and keep it in mind, because it is a very important part of the overall picture.
It is our hope, and our desire to see the second coming of Jesus Christ, and the scriptures say that he is coming again. In the book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verse 11, we read..."Which also said, ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
Also, in Matthew 24, verse 30...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.
NOTE: What did Jesus mean by "all the tribes of the earth"? It is argued that the saints are already gone at this point, because they would not be mourning at Jesus' arrival. Let's see what Jesus said concerning this in the book of St. John, chapter 17, verses 14 through 16...
14. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
So Jesus said that the saints are not "of the world", yet they are still "in the world" . So we see that the tribes of the earth shall mourn at Jesus' appearance, but those who are not of the earth, but are in it, who belong to him, shall rejoice.
The book of Mark, chapter 13... Verse 26. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
And in Revelation, chapter 1...Verse 7 Behold, he cometh 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.
In reading all these scriptures and many more, questions kept coming to mind because of all the different interpretations. Are these scriptures referring to the second coming or the third coming of Christ? Well, if we haven't just lost half our readers, let us look at what is written in the Bible.
Hebrews, Chapter 9...Verse 28. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
This scripture says how many times Jesus would come back, and it said that he would return the second time, and it counts the time He was born, walked the earth, and went to the cross as the first time. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that Jesus will come a third , muchless a fourth time.
There is one group saying that when Jesus returns for his people, he will do it secretly. Remember, in Revelation 1:7 we are told that every eye shall see him, even to those who pierced him. There is no secret about that. As a matter of fact, there is not one scripture in the Bible that says anything at all about a secret coming. It doessay that he will return as ";a thief in the night";, or when he is least expected. If then, as Revelation states, there is no "secret" coming, then what really happens when Jesus returns? We see one picture in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 21......
.Verse 25...
Verse 26... Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Verse 27... And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Many say that the things mentioned in verses 25 and 26 have already been fulfilled. We will cover that subject thoroughly, beginning later in this study.
Verse 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
When did these things take place? Even back in the seventeen or eighteen-hundreds, and early nineteen-hundreds, who, among us remember seeing them? Some people will say that verse 28 is too vague, that it doesn't specify any particular amount of time. Well then, let us look at some of the parallel scriptures, like in Matthew 24.
... 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:
30... 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.
31... 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.
32... Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33... So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34... Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Yes, Jesus was talking to his disciples at the time, but did generation see everything take place right before their eyes? Did they see or hear all of the following?
1.. Many coming in Christ's name, deceiving many?
2...Wars and rumors of wars?
3. ...Nation rise up against nation?
4. ...Kingdom rise up against kingdom?
5. ...Famines, pestilence and earthquakes in divers (many) places?
6. ...Brother being delivered up to be afflicted and killed?
7. ... Many offended, betraying one another and hating one another?
8. ... False prophets coming and deceiving many?
9. ...The love of many waxing cold, because of iniquity?
10. ...The Gospel preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations?
11. ...The abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet?
12. ...The great tribulation, such as was not, no, nor ever shall be?
13. ...The arising of false Christs?
14. ...The sun darkened and the moon not giving her light?
15. ...The stars falling from heaven and the powers of heaven shaken?
16. ...The sign of the son of man coming in the clouds?
17. ...Were they hated of all nations for Christ's name's sake?
Ask yourself the question again... did the disciples see all of these things?
Matt. 24:33... So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34... Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Now, the question again...did the Disciples see all these things? If the answer is yes, then Christ has already come again. If the answer is no, then Jesus was speaking of a generation in the future that would see all these things during its lifetime. One of the key verses here is the following:
Matthew 24:8. ...All these are the beginning of sorrows.
The beginning of sorrows, are the birth pains... "as a woman travaileth with child" Any woman who has children of her own will tell you that the pains get stronger and stronger, faster and faster, lasting longer and longer until it is one massive pain so great that the mother almost feels like she can't live through it. Suddenly, Hallelujah! It is born. Did the birth take place when the woman had her first labor pain? Not likely.
Now the scripture comes to life, as we read:
"And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: But for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." ... Matthew 24:22
So when you see Jesus coming, will you see anything secret about all this?
So far, we have discovered and discussed the immutable law of God, that First is First and there is none before it, and Last is Last and there is none after it. We have also read that Jesus will return The Second Time without sin unto salvation to those who are looking for his coming. Heb. 9:28 .
(Note that there is no salvation unto those who disbelieve.)
Now, without trying to set a date for the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, let us read the scriptures to see when He will return. Here is...
St. John 6: 39. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
We see that it is God's will that all that was given to Jesus should be raised up on the last day. Let's look at the next verse...
40. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Here we see the resurrection on the last day ...Now let's look at another scripture:
John 6:44... No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Again, we see the resurrection on the last day. Isn't it meaningful that we see three scriptures, even in the same chapter, saying the same thing? But wait, let's look at another...
John 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Well! Was Jesus trying to tell us something? After all, he spoke these words Himself. It is obvious that Jesus was trying to tell us something very important, like when the resurrection was going to take place? Well, let's not stop here, let's look at another scripture in...
St. John 11...Verse 23... Jesus saith unto her, thy brother shall rise again.
Verse 24.... Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
Wait a moment! Martha even knew when the resurrection was going to take place. Did Jesus rebuke Martha, and say, "No Martha, you're wrong. The resurrection will actually take place secretly about seven years before the last day"? No, He didn't say that, because Martha's statement was in complete agreement with what Jesus himself taught in John 6:39, 40, 44, and 54. It was all his own teaching. Remember in chapter one, First is First, and there is none before it. Last is Last, and there is none after it.
| Last Day |
| Figure 1 |
Let's look at another verse of scripture, and see what else happens on the last day.
St. John 12:48 ...He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
We have seen that the resurrection was going to be on the last day, but now we see that judgement also will take place on the last day. We now have two very important events which both take place on the last day. Let's make another drawing and try to present these events in a visual representation of each one's relationship to the other.
| LAST DAY |
| Resurrection, Judgement |
| Figure 2. |
Now that we have established that the resurrection is going to take place on the last day, and that judgement also will take place on the last day, let's look at more of the scriptures to see if there is a conflict with this conclusion or if the rest of the Bible backs up what we have covered up to now.
I Corinthians, chapter 15...
51... Behold I shew 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Now we see a little different piece of the puzzle. Here we see the dead shall be raised, (the resurrection). When? ...at the last trump. Let's look at more scripture. Here's First Thessalonians, Chapter 4...
15. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
NOTE: The word prevent, in this connotation, means to precede, or to come before. It does not mean to stop. Hence, the scripture says that we which are alive and remain when Jesus returns will not be raptured up before the resurrection.
16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17. . 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.
We have now learned a lot from the scripttures in First Corinthians and First Thessalonians. (1) We see the resurrection of the dead. (2) We see this taking place at the last Trump. (3) We see that this also takes place when Jesus returns (The Second Coming). And (4) We see that these scriptures also bear witness with previous scriptures, that Jesus is coming again, and He shall return in the clouds.
Now let's put these scriptures on the visual display and take another good look at what we have so far.
| LAST DAY |
| Resurrection.......Judgement |
| LAST TRUMP |
| Jesus Returns.......Resurrection |
| |
| Figure 3. |
There is another scripture we need to look at which will tell us what else happens when Jesus returns. In
II Timothy 4...1. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.
So what happens when Jesus returns (at his appearing)? ...He shall judge the quick and the dead. So now we can safely put the two visual displays in figure 3 together. We now see that when Jesus returns He shall judge the quick and the dead (II Tim. 4:1 and St. John 12:48). We also see the resurrection in St. John 6:39,40,44, and 54; and in St. John 11:24 and I Corinthians 15:52 and I Thess. 4:15-17. Now let's put it all together.
| Jesus Returns |
| LAST DAY |
| LAST TRUMP |
| Resurrection.......Judgement |
| Figure 4. |
Let's look at a few more scriptures to see what else happens when Jesus returns.
Revelation 22:12 ...And behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Matthew 16:27 ...For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Luke 14:12...Then said he also to him that bade him, when thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee.
13. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
14. And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
Now it is shown that when Jesus returns he brings his rewards with him, to give to every man according to his works. So we see the resurrection, the judgement, and the rewards. The Bible says that all this will be on the Last Day.
| Jesus Returns |
| LAST DAY |
| LAST TRUMP |
| Resurrection.......Judgement |
| Rewards |
| Figure 5. |
Rev. 6:16...and said to the mountains and rocks, fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the lamb:
17. For the great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand?
Isaiah 2:19 ...and they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
II Thess. 1: verses...7. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8... In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9... Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10... When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Actually, there are two short subjects covered here. Beginning with Revelation 6:16, let's list some of the content of the scriptures we have covered together...
Rev. 6:16. ...and said to the mountains and rocks, fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne...
Isaiah 2:19 ... for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
Matt. 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man inheaven:...
Isaiah 34:4 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.
Rev. 6:14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
Mark 13:25 ...And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
Luke 21:26 ...men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: For the powers of heaven shall beshaken.
The scriptures tell us that the heavens shall depart as a scroll. Men shall see Jesus sitting on the throne. The scriptures say that all the tribes of the earth shall mourn. Men shall see Jesus stand and pour out his wrath upon those who do not know God, and upon those who do not obey the gospel. Men shall hide themselves in the rocks and caves to hide from the face of God, because He is pouring out his wrath upon the earth, and God shall shake terribly the earth. This great shaking shall be so violent that every mountain and every island shall be moved out of its place. Revelation 6:17 , because God's wrath is so great, asks the question, who shall be able to stand.
Then in Isaiah 13, we read the following. ...
Verse 9. Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
10. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: The sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
11. And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
Here are more descriptive references to the Great Shaking. ...
Isaiah 13:13 ..Therefore I will shake theheavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
Isaiah 24:20 ...The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
Then, as we look in the New Testament, we see this scripture which also describes the great shaking. ...
Hebrews 12:... 26. Whose voice then shook the earth: But now he hath promised, saying, yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27... And this word, yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28... Wherefore we, receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
More of the great shaking and other subjects will be covered later on, but for now we want to point out the significant events that take place at the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So out of these last scriptures we see that God's wrath is poured out, and God will punish those who do not know Him and those who do not obey the gospel. Before we continue, let us review the events briefly and put them all together on the visual display.
We read that first is first and there is none before it and last is last and there is none after it. In John 6 we read that the resurrection will be on the Last Day. We also saw the same thing again stated in John 11. In John 12 and also in II Timothy 4, we read that judgement will take place on the Last Day (when Jesus returns). We also read that Jesus would bring his rewards with him to give to every man according to his works (at the resurrection of the just). And He will come in all his power and glory and with all his angels. Lastly, we read that God's wrath will be poured out and God will destroy or punish those who do not obey the gospel.Now let's look at all this information again. ...We will illustrate the overall harmony of all these scriptures by placing them in another visual display, then we will go on to the most important step in this study.
| Jesus Returns |
| LAST DAY |
| LAST TRUMP |
| Resurrection......Judgement |
| Rewards.......Wrath |
| Figure 6. |
We read in I Cor. 15:52 that the resurrection would take place at the last trump. Keeping in mind all the information we have covered up to now, let's go to the Last Trump and the scriptures relating to it to see if everything matches up, or if there is any conflict in the scriptures. Let's begin with Revelation Chapter 11 ...
Verse 15 ... And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16.. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17. Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Did everything match up? Yes. But that is not all. Let us read on, making special note of the events taking place in the next verse.
Rev. 11:19 ...And the temple of God was opened in heaven, andthere was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Now let's look at our visual displays and see what the relationships of all the events are: All this is contained in the scriptures that follow:
| Jesus Returns |
| LAST DAY |
| LAST TRUMP |
| Resurrection.......Judgement.......Rewards |
| Wrath |
| Figure 7. |
Listed below are the scriptures that build Figure 7.
| Top Group: | John 6:39 | I Cor. 15:52 |
| John 6:40 | I Thess. 4:15-17 | |
| John 6:44 | John 6:54 | |
| John 11:24 | John 12:48 | |
| Bottom Group: | John 6:39, 40, 44, 54 | John 11:24 |
| John 12:48 | I Tim. 4:1 | |
| Rev. 22:12 | Matt. 16:27 | |
| Rev. 6:17, | Isaiah 2:19, Isaiah 13:13 |
Now let's construct figure 8.
| The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord |
| LAST TRUMP |
| Lightnings, Voices, Thunderings, Earthquake, Hail Return of Christ |
| Judgement, Rewards, Wrath |
| Figure 8. |
...And these scriptures construct figure 8.
| Top Group: | Revelation 11: 15-18 | |
| Central Group: | Revelation 11:19 | |
| Bottom Group: | Revelation 11:18 |
Remember this: the Last Day and the Last Trump are the LAST, and there can be no more after them. As we look at this next scripture, we find the picture basically the same.
Rev. 16: beginning with verse 17...
17. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
18. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
19. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
20. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
21. And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, Saying, it is done.
The first thing we want to look at is in verse 17: "It Is Done" It is all over...it is finished...it is complete.
In Revelation 11:15 we read ..."the Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." Now we see "It Is Done."
Next, look at verses 18 through 21 and notice the earthquakes, the thunderings, the lightenings and the great hail. Suppose we now put all this information down in visuals, recalling figures 7 and 8 and adding figure 9. Now we find that the times all converge into one time, and that each is upheld by the other...no secret coming and no mention of multiple comings. Observe...
| Jesus Returns |
| LAST DAY |
| LAST TRUMP |
| Resurrection.......Judgement.......Rewards.......Wrath |
| Figure 7. |
| The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord |
| LAST TRUMP |
| GOD'S WRATH |
| Lightnings, Voices, Thunderings, Earthquake, Hail Return of Christ |
| Judgement, Rewards, Wrath |
| Figure 8. |
| It is Done |
| LAST VIAL |
| GOD'S WRATH |
| Voices, Thunders, Lightnings, Earthquake, Hail |
| Figure 9. |
Look closely now, and consider. Remember in the beginning, about God's immutable laws (first is first and last is last) we determined that last is last and there is none after it. See the events depicted in the visuals, first there is the Last Day, next, there is the Last Trump, and then the Last Vial. There will be no more days, there will be no more trumps, and there will be no more vials. It is apparent then, according to all the scriptures, that these events take place at the one and only Last Time.
There was silence in Heaven
There were voices
There were thunderings
There were lightnings
There was an earthquake
The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord.
Thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast reigned.
Thy Wrath has come.
Time for the dead to be judged.
Time to give Rewards
Destroy those who destroy the earth.
There were Voices
There were Thunderings
There were Lightnings
There was an Earthquake
There was a Great Hail
IT IS DONE
There were Voices
There were Thunderings
There were lightnings
There was an Earthquake
There was a Great Hail
With all these scriptures before us, let's see if there are any contradictions, or if the rest of the Bible points to the same teaching. So far, all the scriptures say that the resurrection, the judgement, the rewards and God's wrath will take place on the Last Day. This, however, is not what a large group of the churches are teaching at this time. Many of them are teaching that Jesus will return secretly about seven years before the last day. They call this secret coming 'THE RAPTURE'. We have just seen in the scriptures that there is nothing secret at all about the second coming of Christ. As a matter of fact, there is not one scripture in the Bible that mentions a pre-tribulation Rapture.
Look at the following scriptures located in the book of II
Thessalonians, Chapter 2...
1. Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2. That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3. 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;
4. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
We have just read that we should not let anyone deceive us by any means, that the Day of Christ (the day Christ returns) is at hand.
NOTE: Take note of the fact that verse one couples the
"return of Christ" and "our gathering together unto him". Then, in verse 3,
this time is referred to as "that day" ...(one day).
The scripture says there will be a great falling away first, and the son of perdition will be revealed. This, in itself, may not mean much to you, but let's read on and see what happens next in that same chapter...
Verse 8. And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
This scripture clearly states that the wicked one (the son of perdition or the Anti-Christ) will be destroyed by the brightness of the coming of Christ.For those who believe in a "pre-tribulation Rapture" this scripture presents quite a problem. The Anti-Christ is the central figure in the Great Tribulation, therefore if he is destroyed by the brightness of Christ's return, and Christ returns before the tribulation period, then there can be no tribulation. Now, since the Bible says that the Great Tribulation will take place, it follows that the Anti-Christ must be destroyed after it is over. Since he is destroyed by the brightness of Jesus' coming, it follows that the second coming of Christ is after the tribulation of those days (as stated in Matthew 24:29).
With everything we have now covered showing the Second Coming of Christ at the Last Day and the Last Trump, let's once again match it up with Matthew 24...
Verse 29... 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:
30... 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.
31... 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.
So when does Jesus return? ...Immediately after the tribulation...after the sun is darkened...after the moon refuses to give her light...after the stars fall from heaven. When is this?...Refer again to...
Revelation 6:12......And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
13. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
14. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
God said to rightly divide his Word. What did he mean by that? It is really very simple...Whenever we reach any conclusion about what a scripture says or means, that conclusion must Agree with the rest of the Book. If there is conflict between our conclusion and the rest of the Book, then our conclusion is wrong. We simply cannot read only segments or sections of the Bible without connecting them with the rest of the Book.
From one end of the Bible to the other, the scriptures we have studied all support the same conclusion: Christ will return a Second Time, at the Last Day and at the Last Trump, After the tribulation period.
"Let no man deceive you by any means..."
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