PROOF IN PROPHECY
In the beginning God created
the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1
God created something from nothing in an orderly fashion, thus the beginning of time and space. God chose to create the world and people as an expression of His love. God is love. (1 John 4:8). And He chose to extend that love to others. He created man, then woman, and placed them in a beautiful garden home. Now it was their turn to choose. Sadly, they made the wrong choice causing what is called the ‘fall of man’.
Only one thing was forbidden this perfect couple, yet they chose to do what they wanted in their own way. Going against God’s divine order, sin was now introduced into this paradise. Sin is an offense against religious and/or moral law. Sadly, this cut ties between God and man. This caused a sin nature for all of mankind that is inherited by every generation from the beginning to today. Spiritual, physical, and eternal death became the consequences of their choice.
But…God is all knowing so He made allotment for this so mankind could be reconciled back to Him for eternity. God’s grace upon Eve brought, through her Seed, the One who would bring life to a new heaven and a new earth. This Seed is Jesus Christ. (Gen. 3:15). God had created mankind with the ability to make choices. Adam and Eve could choose to disobey God and partake of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil which brought the curse of death upon humanity. There was also a Tree of Life which doesn’t appear to have been off limits until after they sinned.
Just as it was with this first couple man today, is given a choice between life and death. Man cannot save himself from this sin nature he is born with, thus the need for a Redeemer. Jesus Christ is the Savior who saves mankind to an eternal paradise and from an eternal hell and torment.
Conservatively, more than 300 prophecies concerning the Messiah’s arrival were given within the Old Testament Scrolls. These prophecies told how the people would recognize Him. Yet, because of their preconceived ideas, He was not recognized as their long-awaited Messiah. He is coming again, and we are told what to look for. God has always said, within Scripture, what He will do before He does it. (Amos 3:7).
INTRODUCTION
“The LORD your God will raise up a
prophet like me from among
your own brothers.
You must Listen to Him.”
Deuteronomy 18:15
God had an original plan from the beginning on reconciling people back to Himself. Who the prophet Moses was speaking of here was the Messiah to come. (John 6:17). This future Prophet, like Moses, would lead His people as He taught divine revelation.
Moses interceded and provided deliverance for God’s chosen people, the Israelites, through God’s Law. The Law explained the difference between right and wrong and showed a need for a Savior. Now a new Deliverer would be the Mediator of a New Covenant of grace not only for the Israelites but for all Nations. This Prophet Moses prophesied about who would be the long-awaited Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Moses said: The LORD your God will
raise up for you a prophet like me
from among your brothers and
sisters. You must listen to
everything He tells you. And
everyone who does not listen
to that prophet will be completely
cut off from the people.
Acts 3:22,23
Peter was explaining to the Jewish Nation that their long-awaited Messiah was indeed Jesus. They needed to repent for the killing of Him. From this point on many of the Jews rejected God’s message of Good News through Christ. This message was then given to the Gentiles (anyone who isn’t a Jew) also, many of whom accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
BORN OF A VIRGIN
Prophecy:
Therefore, the LORD Himself will
give you a sign: See, the virgin
will conceive, have a son,
and name Him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14
“Almah” is the Hebrew word used for ‘virgin’ and means an unmarried woman of marriageable age. This is a Messianic prophecy with the young Mary being impregnated by the Holy Spirit and giving birth to ‘Immanuel’.
Fulfillment:
See, the virgin will become pregnant
and give birth to a son, and they
will name Him Immanuel, which
is translated “God with us.”
Matthew 1:23
Isaiah prophesied 700 years earlier Mary’s miraculous conception. God chose to reconcile man back to Himself. Thus, God became one of us (Immanuel) in the person of the long-awaited Messiah to the Jews and Jesus Christ to the Gentiles.
BORN IN BETHLEHEM
Prophecy:
Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are
small among the clans of Judah,
One will come from you to
be Ruler over Israel for Me.
His origin is from antiquity,
from ancient times.
Micah 5:2
This Ruler to come would have been understood by the Jewish leaders to be their Messiah. Micah prophesied of His coming some 700 years before He was born. He was to be born in Bethlehem. “His origin is from antiquity” would indicate He had been alive forever. Thus, the Messiah would be God’s incarnation in the person of Jesus Christ.
Fulfillment:
And you, Bethlehem, in the land
of Judah, are by no means least
among the rulers of Judah: Because
out of you will come a Ruler who
will shepherd My people Israel.
Matthew 2:6
The religious elite, for the most part, believed in Bible prophecy. There was little, if any question that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem as Micah had prophesied.
FORERUNNER
Prophecy:
A voice of one crying out: Prepare the
way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a
straight highway for our God in the desert.
Isaiah 40:3
Israel, as a Nation, would be in a spiritual wilderness without a prophet to guide them in the ways of the Lord for 400 years. The voice prophesied by Isaiah calling out in the wilderness would come to be known as John the Baptist according to all four of the Gospel writers. His proclamation (public announcement of great importance) was to announce the Messiah’s arrival and ministry.
Fulfillment:
In those days John the Baptist
came, preaching in the wilderness
of Judea and saying, “Repent,
because the kingdom of heaven
has come near!” For he is the one
spoken of through the prophet Isaiah,
who said: A voice of one crying out
in the wilderness: Prepare the way
for the LORD; make His paths straight!
Matthew 3:1-3
Once again sin and immorality had taken over the Nation thus the proclamation to repent. The kingdom of heaven had come near when God entered human history in the person of Jesus Christ. His arrival was proclaimed through John the Baptist as was prophesied by Isaiah.
PUBLIC MINISTRY
Prophecy:
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me,
because the LORD has anointed Me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to heal the
brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty
to the captives and freedom to the
prisoners; to proclaim the
year of the LORD’s favor…
Isaiah 61:1,2a
This verse mentions all three persons of the Trinity, Lord God, Lord Messiah, and Holy Spirit. Stopping short of finishing verse two at the word ‘favor’, this proclaimed the mission of His first Advent (coming of a notable person). Finishing out verse two pertains to His second Advent and judgment.
This first Advent was a public ministry to preach the Good News of their Messiah who was now among them. He would be a teacher, healer, and deliverer. The Jewish leaders should have recognized He came as a prophet to preach, a priest to heal, and a king to issue out proclamations. He would be a Comforter and Redeemer.
Fulfillment:
The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was
given to Him, and unrolling the scroll,
He found the place where it was
written: The Spirit of the Lord is
on Me, because He has anointed Me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim release
to the captives and recovery of
sight to the blind, to set free the
oppressed, to proclaim the year
of the LORD’s favor… He began by
saying to them, “Today as you listen,
this Scripture has been fulfilled.”
Luke 4:17-19; 21
Jesus implied this reading entirely about Himself. He was clearly claiming to be the Messiah. Israel was at this time under Roman rule causing the people to be conquered and oppressed. They had the presumption their deliverer would be a conquering king or of the priestly line bringing healing to the Nation of Israel.
In their preconceived idea of what their Messiah would look like or who He would be, they failed to recognize Him. They did not grasp He had come to conquer sin, forgive the sinner, and bring salvation and reconciliation to the One True Living God, thus fulfilling the Law. (Matt 5:17)
MIRACLES
Prophecy:
Then the eyes of the blind will
be opened, and the ears of the
deaf unstopped. Then the lame will
leap like a deer, and the tongue
of the mute will sing with joy…
Isaiah 35:5-6
This was a future prophetic proclamation of not only spiritual healing but that physical healing would also take place. These miracles would reveal who the Messiah was. This Scripture is twofold, in that this is also a foretaste of life in the new heaven and new earth after the 1,000-year reign of Christ. (Rev 21:1-7).
Fulfillment:
Jesus replied to them, “Go and
report to John what you hear and
see: The blind receive their sight,
the lame walk, those with leprosy
are cleansed, the deaf hear,
the dead are raised, and the poor
are told the good news…
Matthew 11:4-5
While John the Baptist was in prison, he sent his disciples to Jesus to see if indeed He was the one to come. (Ps 40:7). With him being in prison he was questioning if this was the intended outcome. Jesus sent John’s disciples back to him to declare the miracles they had personally witnessed proving Jesus to be the Messiah they had been waiting for.
PARABLES
Prophecy:
I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings of old.
Psalms 78:2
‘Dark’ isn’t meant as we understand but means ‘hidden’ or ‘secret’. This is foretelling the Messiah would speak of things which were kept secret since the world began.
Fulfillment:
Jesus told the crowds all these things
in parables, and He did not tell them
anything without a parable, so that what
was spoken through the prophet might be
fulfilled: I will open My mouth in parables;
I will declare things kept secret from
the foundation of the world.
Matthew 13:34-35
Here Jesus fulfills Psalms 78:2, but also was teaching truths not previously revealed. From this point on His ministry consisted only of teaching in parables (a simple story that teaches a religious or moral lesson).
RIDING ON A DONKEY
Prophecy:
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem!
Look, your King is coming to you;
He is righteous and victorious,
humble and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah 9:9
Daughter Zion/Daughter Jerusalem are the inhabitants of Jerusalem representing the Nation of Israel. This King would have been understood to be the coming Messiah. In the Ancient Near East a king rode on a stallion if he were coming in war. If a king was coming in peace he rode in on a donkey. This Scripture tells the Messiah would be coming in peace, riding on the foal (son) of a donkey.
Fulfillment:
Jesus then sent two disciples, telling them,
“Go into the village ahead of you. At once
you will find a donkey tied there with her
foal. Untie them and bring them to Me.
This took place so that what was spoken
through the prophet might be fulfilled:
Tell Daughter Zion, “See, your King is
coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a
donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
Matthew 21:2,4,5
This is not how a conquering king would have normally come, but it had been foretold this is how their Messiah would enter Jerusalem and should not have escaped their notice. This prophecy of Christ being their Messiah is nowhere more plainly fulfilled.
HIS DEATH
Prophecy:
Therefore, I will give Him the many as a
portion , and He will receive the mighty
as spoil, because He willingly submitted
to death, and was counted among the
rebels; yet He bore the sin of many
and interceded for the rebels.
Isaiah 53:12
In the Old Testament sacrificial animals were offered up as a forgiveness of sins. The Old Testament scrolls prophesied that there would come One who would bear the sins of ALL people through HIS own blood sacrifice. This ONE would intercede for ALL sinners.
Fulfillment:
“For even the Son of Man did not
come to be served, but to serve, and
to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:45
Jesus’ ministry was to reconcile sinners back to God as all are separated from the Father because of sin. The word ‘lytron’ is ‘ransom’ and means the “price of release.” This was payment to release a slave or captive from bondage. People are captive under sin and death. Jesus’ death was a substitution for the sinner’s death freeing ALL that BELIEVE in HIM to spend ETERNITY with HIM.
HIS BURIAL
Prophecy:
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
but He was with a rich man at His death,
because He had done no violence
and had not spoken deceitfully.
Isaiah 53:9
Jesus died between two thieves and was to be disposed of with the wicked. It would not have been an actual burial, but rather a fiery garbage dump where all unclean and defiled items and people were thrown that did not deserve a proper burial. Fires were kept burning, in this area east of Jerusalem, to consume the refuse and keep down the stench. This is the ‘grave’ the authorities would have assigned Jesus.
Fulfillment:
When it was evening, a rich man from
Arimathea named Joseph came, who
himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.
So, Joseph took the body, wrapped it in
clean, fine linen, and placed it in his new
tomb, which he had cut into the rock.
Matthew 27:57,59,60
Joseph of Arimathea was a prominent Jewish member of the Sanhedrin (ancient Jewish court system) but had become a secret believer that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. Joseph asked Pilate (Roman governor of Judea) for Jesus’ body and buried Him in his own tomb. This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9. The reason for Him being buried was for the purpose of proving His death.
HIS RESURRECTION
Prophecy:
For You will not abandon me to
Sheol; You will not allow Your
Faithful One to see decay.
Psalms 16:10
David was speaking for himself but mainly this verse is prophetic concerning the coming Messiah’s death, burial, and resurrection. Acts 2:24 states: God raised Him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by death. Psalms 16:10 is quoted in Acts 2:27. Acts 2:29 speaks of David being both dead and buried and “his tomb is with us to this day.” Acts 2:31 explains David spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah as “He would not be abandoned in Hades, His flesh would not experience decay.”
Fulfillment:
The angel told the women, “Don’t be
afraid, because I know you are looking
for Jesus who was crucified. He is not
here; for He has risen, as He said.
Come and see the place where He lay.”
Matthew 28:5-6
There are several proofs of the resurrection. The main proof is the tomb is empty even though there were men guarding the entrance to make sure this did not happen. Another proof He was raised on the third day, was His appearing over a forty-day period. He appeared to Mary Magdalene, to Peter, to the twelve disciples, to over 500 brothers and sisters, to James His half-brother, and to Paul on the road to Damascus. (1 Cor 15:5-8). He indeed had risen!
HIS ASCENSION
Prophecy:
…He was taken up as they were watching,
and a cloud took Him out of their sight.
While He was going, they were gazing
into heaven, and suddenly two men in
white clothes stood by them. They said,
“Men of Galilee, why do you stand
looking up into heaven? This same Jesus,
who has been taken from you into
heaven, will come in the same way that
you have seen Him going into heaven.”
Acts 1:9-11
This is the end of the first coming of Jesus Christ. What was not seen, understood, or anticipated was the Church-Age in between the two Advents. Even the believing remnant of Jews believed their Messiah would only come once. They did not have a full understanding of their Messiah’s death, burial, resurrection and ascension at this time. They had no understanding of 2,000 plus years of a Church-Age involving the Gentiles. They were looking for their Messiah to come and remain and reign on the earth. They believed His coming would be a one-time event, even though two advents are prophesied in their scrolls.
SO…NOW WHAT?
How will we know that Jesus will once again enter human history?
Indeed, the Lord GOD does nothing
without revealing His counsel to
His servants the prophets.
Amos 3:7
So, some 2,000 plus years after Christ’s Ascension there are still prophetic predictions proclaimed. The time between the Rapture of the Church-Age saints and the Tribulation is unknown. Some scholars believe there will be a very short interval between the two events. Others believe there possibly will be a longer period of time as conditions become unbearable, setting a pathway for the Antichrist to rise.
RAPTURE TO TRIBULATION
But know this: Hard times will come in the last
days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of
money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient
to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving,
irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal,
without love for what is good, traitors, reckless,
conceited, lovers of pleasure, rather than lovers
of God, holding to the form of godliness but
denying its power. Avoid these people.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
The term ‘last days’ refers to the end of Jesus’ first coming to His second arrival into humanity. These are visible traits that are recognizable within society and have been for centuries on a much lesser degree than today and will grow worse as time goes on. These actions have increased remarkably and will only get worse as the Rapture draws closer. Leading into the Tribulation they will accumulate in strength and severity.
THE RAPTURE
Listen, I am telling you a mystery: we
will not all fall asleep, but we will all
be changed, in a moment, in the
twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52
The mystery (Greek: mysterion) here is the Rapture of the Church-Age believers. This event was unknown in the Old Testament but is now being revealed as Paul speaks to the believers in Christ. First the dead in Christ will be raised followed by the living believers being instantaneously transformed to a Heavenly body.
This trumpet is similar to the Old Testament blowing to call everyone to gather together for a message from the LORD God to His people. It is a trumpet call for gathering and rejoicing. This trumpet is not to be confused with Rev. 11:15-19 which is associated with God’s wrath. This is a last trumpet call for Church-Age believers as they will be gathered to the LORD never to be separated again.
I am going away to prepare
a place for you. If I go away and prepare
a place for you, I will come again
and take you to Myself, so that
where I am you may be also.
John 14:2-3
The preparation for this place was His death, burial, and resurrection. He ascended back into heaven from where He came knowing He would return at the end of the Church-Age to receive all that BELIEVE in Him, those dead and those alive, to be with Him FOREVER.
Heaven’s location, detailed description, and an understanding of heaven is not necessarily explained. Nor is it understood since “what has never come into a man’s heart, is what “God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Cor. 2:9). What is assured is Jesus is there!
For the Lord Himself will descend from
heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s
voice, and with the trumpet of God,
and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are still 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.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
The Lord Jesus ascended into heaven (Lk. 24:51), but a time has been allotted when He will descend from heaven. Although not named this archangel is thought to be Michael based on Daniel 12:1-3 as he has to do with the resurrection of Israel. This trumpet is one of deliverance, not judgment, and is a call of the people to meet with God. (Ex. 19:16-19).
The first participants of the Rapture are to be those who have previously died and were Church-Age believers in Jesus Christ. Immediately after they rise to meet the Lord in the air, the Church-Age believers in Christ who are still alive on earth will quickly follow. (1 Cor. 15:52).
The return of Christ for His Church-Age saints will apparently be announced from heaven. It is believed only His followers will hear the announcement. Those who are not believers in Christ will be left on earth only to face a time of tribulation like has never been seen before. (Matt. 24:21). The ‘how this will happen’ is not the most important part of this verse. The dispensation (divinely appointed order) of the Church-Age saints will indeed meet their Lord in the air and be with Him FOREVER!
TRIBULATION
Because you have kept my command
to endure, I will also keep you from
the hour of testing that is going to
come on the whole world to
test those who live on the earth.
Revelation 3:10
The word ‘endure’ here means ‘patient continuance’ (waiting). The hour means ‘short time’ or ‘season’. The word ‘testing’ means ‘discipline’, ‘examine’, or ‘scrutinize’. The time of testing will be after the Rapture of the Church-Age saints and before the actual return of Christ to earth once again. (Zech. 14:4,9).
The testing will be the seven years of Tribulation between these two events in the way of seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments. (Rev. Chapts. 6-19). These will be judgments of man’s sin, rebellion, and rejection of God. And will bring an end to human history as we know it. The first four seals of the scroll, the title deed of the Universe, are an unfolding of judgment and destruction. This unfolding of the scroll brings forth war, bloodshed, famine, and death. (Rev. 6:1-8).
Then I saw Him open the sixth seal.
A violent earthquake occurred;
the sun turned black like sackcloth
made of goat hair; the entire moon
became like blood; the stars of
heaven fell to the earth as a fig
tree drops its unripe figs when
shaken by a high wind; the sky
was split apart like a scroll being
rolled up; and every mountain and
island was moved from its place.
Revelation 6:12-14
This earthquake will be Universal just as the flood in Noah’s day was worldwide and changed the landscape, so will this earthquake change the earth’s surface. Just as the sky opened and brought forth rainfall that had not ever happened before in Noah’s day, here the sky will be opened to reveal the God they have rejected.
This will produce an overpowering fear in all that have been left on the earth after the Rapture. (Lk. 21:26). All this will come upon the people as they are going about their daily activities just as in the days of Noah. (Matt. 24:37-39). The seventh seal will be opened to reveal God’s wrath in the way of the seven trumpet judgments.
And the seven angels who had the
seven trumpets prepared to blow them.
Revelation 8:6
The first trumpet is hail and fire mixed with blood and will cause a third of the earth to be burned up. (Rev. 8:7). The second trumpet will cause a third of the sea to become blood ensuring a third of living creatures in the sea will die along with a third of the ships that will be destroyed. (Rev.8:8-9).
The third trumpet will cause a third of the rivers and springs to become ‘Wormwood’ which is toxic at high doses. Many people will die because of these waters made bitter. (Rev. 8:10). The fourth trumpet will cause a third of the sun, moon, and stars to be darkened. A third of the day and night will not have light. (Ex. 10:21-23; Is. 13:10; Rev. 8:12).
The fifth angel blew his trumpet, and
I saw a star that had fallen from
heaven to earth. The key for the
shaft to the abyss was given to him.
Revelation 9:1
Most scholars determine this star is a high ranking fallen angel of Satan’s. This will occur at the mid-point of the Tribulation. He will be given the key to the ‘shaft of the abyss’ which is a bottomless pit and home of some of the fallen angels (demons). (Lk. 8:31; Rev. 9:11; 11:7; 17:8; 20:1,3).
The key will open the abyss which will bring forth a great smoke darkening the sky and sun. Creatures, called locust, will come out of the smoke having the deadly sting of scorpions. This venomous stinger can cause a person to fall to the ground, foaming at the mouth, and grinding their teeth. These particular ‘locusts’ may not only inflict physical pain but spiritual as well.
These ‘locust’ (demons) are described as horses prepared for battle with human faces, gold crowns, women’s hair, lions’ teeth, ironlike breastplates and wings that have the sound of chariots rushing into battle. This judgment will continue for five months. They were commanded to harm only mankind that did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. The demon’s ruler is called in Hebrew “Abaddon” and in Greek “Apollyon”. Both names mean ‘destroyer’.
…say to the sixth angel who had the trumpet,
“Release the four angels bound at the great river
Euphrates”. So, the four angels who were
prepared for the hour, day, month, and year
were released to kill a third of the human race.
Revelation 9:1-15
These four angels are actually demonic angels as holy angels are never ‘bound’. These four angels, as with the Rapture of the Church-Age saints, and Christ’s return to earth are predetermined as to the hour, day, month, and year by God. No one knows the hour of events to take place but Him that sets all things in motion. (Matt. 24:36).
The releasing of the four angels results in the unleashing of an army of 200 million on horseback. If this is symbolic or literal either way, it represents a formidable military force. (Red China claims to have an army of 200 million). The 200 million are said to come from the east crossing the Euphrates River on dry land. The heads of the horses carrying the army are like heads of lions and fire, smoke and sulfur come from their mouths to kill a third of the human race. Their power is in their mouths and their tails resemble snakes and have heads that will inflict injury. (Rev.9:17-19).
The fourth seal resulted in a fourth of the earth’s population being killed. Here a third of mankind is killed. These two judgments alone kill half of all humanity at that time. The seventh trumpet will be opened so as to reveal the seven bowls.
Then I saw another great and awe-inspiring
sign in the heaven: seven angels with
the seven last plagues; for with them
God’s wrath will be completed.
Revelation 15:1
These bowls are the last and most severe judgments on those who refused God’s gracious offer of salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ. The first bowl will be poured out on all the Antichrist worshipers in the form of incurable, open, oozing sores. (Rev. 16:2). The second bowl will cause the oceans to become like thick, coagulated blood of a dead man. This judgment will cause the death of all sea creatures, thus causing a dreadful stench worldwide. (Rev.16:3).
The third bowl will cause rivers and springs of waters to become blood. This will leave no drinking water or cleansing of their sores. (Rev.16:4). The fourth bowl was poured out on the sun causing Antichrist worshipers to be scorched by fire. (Rev. 16:8).
The fifth bowl caused the Antichrist’s worldwide kingdom to become completely dark (supernatural darkness that will be painful). Because of the thick darkness, sores, drought, and intense heat those choosing to worship evil will gnaw their tongues trying to get some kind of relief from all that is transpiring. (Rev.16:10). The sixth bowl will be poured out on the Euphrates River causing it to completely dry up making a way for the kings of the east and their armies to cross over thus, being destroyed in the battle of Armageddon. (Rev. 16:2).
The last and final bowl precedes the second coming of Christ upon the earth. God can be heard from heaven saying, “It is done”! There will be a great and mighty earthquake such as has never occurred on earth before. Also 100-pound hailstones from heaven will fall on the people causing unimaginable devastation and death. (Rev. 16:21).
The earth’s landscape will be changed in preparation for Jesus’ arrival and His Millennial (1,000 year) Kingdom.
For at that time there will be great
distress, the kind that hasn’t taken
place from the beginning of the
world until now and never will again.
Matthew 24:21
There is a difference between man’s wrath that causes havoc and God’s DIVINE WRATH that brings judgment on the disobedient. Right before Jesus’ return to set up His Kingdom, the world will be in a chaotic state and out of control in a horrific manner. Persecutions, natural disasters, and corruption will be experienced by the inhabitants as have never been before.
Judgment will fall as in the days of Noah on the unprepared, unbelieving, Godless population of the entire earth. The Tribulation period is seven years in duration as prophesied by Daniel. (Dan. 9:24-27). It is a time period that will usher in Christ’s return. At the beginning of the seven years the Antichrist will make a peace covenant with Israel. Midway he will break this covenant. The last three and one-half year period of these seven years are called the Great Tribulation.
At this time the pure evilness of the Antichrist, the beast and the false prophet that make up the unholy trinity will be revealed. Because of unbelief and rebellion, the wrath of God will intensify to a degree not seen or known before. Immediately at the end of the Great Tribulation of those days Jesus Christ will appear in the sky coming in great power.
THE SECOND COMING
Now concerning that day and hour no one
knows — neither the angels of heaven nor
the Son — except the Father alone. As the
days of Noah were, so the coming of the
Son of Man will be. For in those days before
the flood they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage, until the
day Noah boarded the ark. They didn’t
know until the flood came and swept them
all away. This is the way the coming of the
Son of Man will be. This is why you are also
to be ready, because the Son of Man is
coming at an hour you do not expect.
Matthew 24:36-39; 44
As he was building a big boat nowhere near water to float it, Noah preached judgment to come for 120 years. (2Pet.2:5). The people had no interest in his doom’s day talk and continued on in the everyday pursuit of enjoyment. There was no thought of imminent judgment to come.
The prophetic prediction proclaimed by Noah in the way of a catastrophic flood was ignored thus judgment fell suddenly on an unprepared generation. In Noah’s day the world was materialistic, immoral, and spiritually corrupt to the point the citizens felt no need of God.
Look, He is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see Him, even those
who pierced Him. All the tribes of
the earth will mourn over Him.
Revelation 1:7
This prophetic prediction was proclaimed at His Ascension. (Acts 1:11). There would come a day when Jesus would descend from heaven in the same way He ascended into heaven. At Jesus’ first coming He came as a baby born of a virgin. (Is. 7:14). It was so prophesied so the Jewish people would recognize their Messiah’s arrival onto earth’s stage. This appearing was for the redemption of mankind and the ultimate sacrifice for sins.
The Rapture may not be seen but may be known only to believers in Christ as He comes mid-air to receive His own. (John 14:3). But…at His second return every eye will see Him for who He truly is. This will be a visible arrival and an unmistakable appearing. (Dan. 7:13). This second coming of Jesus into the realm of mankind will be to conquer evil and judge each according to their deeds.
The ‘who’ that pierced Him are of “the House of David”, and “residents of Jerusalem”. (Zech. 12:10). They are Jews that are truly repentant for what they did to their Messiah. They did not recognize who He was at His first coming, but now, see who it was they killed at His return. The tribes of the earth that mourn at His coming are Christ rejecters. They are not repentant but fear judgment. (Rev. 9:21).
But the day of the Lord will come
like a thief; on that day the heavens
will pass away with a loud noise,
the elements will burn and be
dissolved, and the earth and the
works on it will be disclosed.
2 Peter 3:10
The ‘Day of the Lord’ is the triumphant day that Christ will return to earth. With His return comes deliverance or doom. It is a day God personally intervenes in history according to His prophetic promise that has been proclaimed. At the end of Christ’s 1,000 year reign the earth’s atmosphere will disappear with a roar. The heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat. (2 Pet. 3:12). All works will be exposed for what they really are.
I also saw the dead, the great and
the small, standing before the throne,
and books were opened. Another book
was opened, which is the Book of Life,
and the dead were judged according to
their works by what was written in the
books. Then the sea gave up the dead
that were in it, and death and Hades
gave up the dead that were in them;
each one was judged according to
their works. And anyone whose name
was not found written in the Book of
Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:12,13,15
Those standing before the Great White Throne Judgment are the resurrected dead who did not believe in the work of God nor believe in the One He sent. (John 6:29). This occurs at the end of Christ’s 1,000-year reign. Those whose names are in the Book of Life were found blameless on the basis of Christ’s redemptive work on their behalf and accepted His invitation to spend eternity with Him.
Those who have refused His gracious offer will one day stand before this Throne in judgment of their own thoughts, words, and deeds proving they sinned and chose not to repent of their wrong choices. Each one being judged according to their works implies there may be degrees of punishment in hell. None-the-less, the determining factor of consignment to hell has to do with rejection of Christ and the absence of their name in the Book of Life because of their rebellious actions.
“These words are faithful and true.
The Lord, the God of the spirits of
the prophets, has sent His angel
to show His servants what must soon
take place.” “Look, I am coming soon!
Blessed is the one who keeps the
words of the prophecy of this book.”
Revelation 22:6-7
The purpose of prophecy is God’s way of communicating His intended future events. Much of Revelation is symbolic, but even so, is given so as to be understood by those taught by the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ return is imminent! The Greek word ‘tachy’ is translated both ‘soon’ and ‘quickly’. All need to be alert to His coming as it will be sudden, as in the ‘twinkling of an eye’. (1Cor. 15:52).
Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth,
and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me.”John 14:6
The prophetic prophesies have been proclaimed!
BIBLICAL PEOPLE 