God's Story
HIS GLORIOUS APPEARING
By Homer Duncan
The most spectacular event that the world has ever witnessed is soon to take place. The Lord Jesus Christ is coming to earth again with power and great glory. He will come personally, visibly, and bodily to reign on the earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. When He comes there will be peace and righteousness, judgment, and justice in the earth. Men will change their weapons of war into agricultural implements and nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore (Isaiah 2:4).
Nearly two thousand years ago God sent His only begotten Son into the world that men might be saved through Him. For thirty-three years He lived, labored and loved among men. He healed the sick, cured the crippled, made the blind to see, and raised the dead, but men hated, despised, and crucified Him. His body was placed in the tomb, but He could not be held by death and the grave for He is the Lord of life. He is Life and the source of Life (John 1:4). He came forth from the grave as the first fruits of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20). After His resurrection He ascended to the right hand of His Father in heaven where He now lives to make intercession for all who come to God through Him (Hebrews 7:25).
During this present age God is forming the Church as the body and bride of Christ. He is calling out of the world a people for His name. His purpose is to conform these called out ones to the image of His Son, that Jesus might be the first born among many brethren (Romans 8:29). When those who are lost in sin hear the Gospel and exercise saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ they are born again by the Holy Spirit, thus receiving everlasting life (John 5:24). The Holy Spirit baptizes them into the Church, the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). This body of which Christ is the head is composed of those who are redeemed out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation (Revelation 5:9, 10). When the body of Christ is completed by the last member being added to it, Christ will come for His own (Hebrews 9:28).
He will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. The dead in Christ will be raised with immortal and incorruptible bodies. Almost simultaneously with this great event the Christians who are living in all parts of the world will be caught up with those who have been raised from the dead to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). These momentous events will take place in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:51-58).
In describing what would take place at that time Jesus said, “In that night there shall be two men in one bed, the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left” (Luke 17:34, 35).
It is easy for us to imagine what will take place at that time. A family will be seated around the breakfast table, perhaps the wife and children will be taken, and the husband left. On a fast passenger train the Christians will be taken, and the unbelievers will be left. Five people will be riding in a car; the driver will be taken and the other four left. Think what will take place on a giant air liner if both the pilot and the co-pilot are Christians!
It is not difficult for us to imagine the effect such events will have on the world. The consternation and confusion will be world shaking. Many will be bewildered about missing friends and loved ones. Those who are left behind will soon realize that a most unusual event has taken place.
If the Lord should come on a Sunday at the hour of worship, what strange events will take place. Part of the congregation will be taken; and part of it will be left. In modernistic churches very few, or perhaps none will be taken; and the Christ rejecting, skeptical, unregenerate church members will be left. If the pastor is an unbeliever, he will be left with those who worship a Jesus of their own invention.
All of the saved, born again people throughout the world, will be caught up into heaven, and all of the unregenerate, Christ rejecting sinners will be left behind. Before we study further what will happen to those who are taken and to those who will be left, let me solemnly tell you that this great event may take place at any time, at any moment.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Every scriptural sign indicates that we are rapidly approaching the end of this age. No man can know the day nor the hour when Jesus will come (Matthew 24:36), but the Bible gives dozens of signs whereby the Bible believing, Spirit taught believer may discern the signs of the times. Jesus said, “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28). What are some of “these things” that we are to look for as signs that herald the approach of the end of the age?
The twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew is the greatest chapter in the Bible on the signs of the times. This chapter opens with the disciples seeking to impress Jesus with the splendor and magnificence of the temple. But Jesus refused to be impressed and said, “There shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down.” He then walked with His disciples to the Mount of Olives, and as they sat together they asked Him three questions: “When shall these things be? What shall be the sign of thy coming, and the end of the world?’ (Matthew 24:3).
Jesus answered the first question by saying, “And when ye see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation therof is nigh” (Luke 21:20). This prophecy was fulfilled in the year 70 A.D. when Titus the Roman general took and destroyed the city of Jerusalem. The magnificent temple was burned, and as it burned the gold that had lined the walls melted and ran between the stones. In their zeal to get the gold, the conquering soldiers literally tore the stones apart, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus, ‘there shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down” (Mark 13:2). The entire twenty fourth chapter of Matthew answers the last two questions. The word world is an unfortunate translation here. The Greek word is ainos, which should be translated age instead of world. This is an important distinction, for Jesus was not talking about the end of the world, but the end of the age in which we live. The world will not come to an end until after the earthly reign of Christ, but the age of grace may end at any moment when Christ comes for His own.
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you; and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall about, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:4-14).
“As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24:37). Let us compare conditions in Noah’s day with the conditions in our day to see if we are living in the days before the coming of the Son of man. Four things characterized the conditions of the earth in Noah’s day. God says (1) that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, (2) that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually, (3) that the earth was corrupt before God, (4) that the earth was filled with violence (Genesis 6:5, 11). It is true that such conditions have prevailed on the earth since the fall of man, but is it not also true that we can find such conditions intensified in this our day? Because of such conditions in Noah’s day, God sent the flood to destroy man from the face of the earth. In the closing days of this dispensation, the stench of iniquity rising into the nostrils of a Holy God will cause Jesus to come “in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:8).
THE REGATHERING OF ISRAEL
Since the nation of Israel is God’s time piece, the events concerning Israel are of the greatest prophetic significance. God spoke to Israel in this way, “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and they see may lie” (Deuteronomy 30:19). “If thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord they God, to observe to do all of his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord they God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth” (Deuteronomy 28:1). “But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee” (Deuteronomy 28:15), “And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone. And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the Lord shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life: In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! And at even thou shalt say Would God it were morning! For the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see. And the Lord shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee Thou shalt see it no more again; and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bond men and bond women, and no man shall buy you” (Deuteronomy 28:64-68). Every student of history knows how literally these prophecies have been fulfilled. No matter to what part of the world you may travel, you will find the Jew. He has literally been scattered over the face of the earth because of his disobedience. But the same God who has scattered Israel has also promised to regather them. “The Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and will have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee” (Deuteronomy 30:3). “And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a king shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that they shall no more say, The Lord liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, the Lord liveth, which brought up and led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them, and they shall dwell in their own land” (Jeremiah 23:3-8).
“And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive” (Jeremiah 29:14). “Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely; and they shall be my people and I will be their God” (Jeremiah 32:37-38).
“Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel” (Ezekiel 11:17). Jesus said that the Jews would be led away captive into all nations: “And Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24).
In the thirty-seventh chapter of Ezekiel Israel is described as a valley full of dry bones. God commanded Ezekiel to prophecy upon the bones, and as he did the bones began to rattle, shake, and come together. Sinew and flesh came upon the bones, skin covered them; then they stood upon their feet, an exceeding great army. Men might speculate and theorize about what all of this means, but God said, “These bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel..O..I shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land (Ezekiel 37:11-14).
This vision was given to Ezekiel in 587 B.C. For over 2,500 years these words lay dormant in the Bible with no indication of their fulfillment; but right in your day and mine, the bones have begun to rattle and shake. They have begun to come together. Sinew and flesh are coming on them. When Titus destroyed the city of Jerusalem in 70 A. D. the Jews were scattered all over the face of the whole earth, as God had said they would be. For centuries no Jew was allowed in the city of Jerusalem, and there were only a handful of Jews in the entire land of Palestine. On November 2, 1917, the Balfour Declaration was signed promising the Jews a homeland in Palestine. On December 11th of that year, General Allenby took Jerusalem from the Turks. It had been under Moslem control since 1516.
In 1927, there were 150,000 Jews in Palestine; twenty years later, 629,000. Since the Statehood of Israel was proclaimed on May 14, 1948, over a million Jews have poured into Palestine from 80 different countries. The present (1963) Jewish population of Israel is two and one half million.
While we believe that these events are of great significance and that they are a marvelous beginning of the fulfillment of prophecy, we shall do well to keep in mind that the complete regathering of Israel will be brought about by the Lord Himself (Isaiah 11:11).
Before leaving the prophecies concerning the nation of Israel I would like to call your attention to a most interesting prophecy made by the prophet Jeremiah in 606 B.C. “As yet they shall use this speech (Hebrew) in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I bring again their captivity” (Jeremiah 31:23). This prophecy which has lain dormant in the Bible for 2,554 years is being fulfilled right before our eyes. The Jews which are returning to Palestine spoke the language of the different nations in which they have lived. When they got together in the land of Palestine the many languages caused a Babel of confusion. To eliminate this problem Hebrew, the ancient language of the Jews has been adopted as the official language and is now spoken by the Jews living in Palestine.
THIS AGE TO END IN APOSTASY
Many Christian leaders have confused Israel with the Church. They teach that all of the promises that God gave to Israel are to be fulfilled in the Church. These teachers have ignored or misunderstood the clear distinction that the Bible makes between Israel and the Church. In misunderstanding the nature and purpose of the Church they have sought to use it as a tool to reform society. They have believed that the kingdom of Jesus is spiritual and not literal. They teach that Jesus will reign in the hearts of men, but that He will not reign literally on the earth. They teach that the Gospel can be compared to leaven, and that it will work throughout the whole world until the whole is leavened or brought to Christ.
They base their belief on the parable of leaven that Jesus gave His disciples (Matthew 13:33-35). They interpret the leaven to be the Gospel which will work throughout the whole world until all are brought to Christ. We believe that the leaven is false teaching which has gradually worked (as does leaven) through the Church until the whole is leavened with apostasy. Some may wonder how we can know which of these interpretations is true. I suggest two ways whereby we may know that the latter interpretation is true. First, in the Bible leaven is invariably the symbol of evil and not of good. To verify this statement study the word “leaven” in your own concordance. Second, we know that the latter interpretation is true because that is what we can see with our own eyes. The world is not being won to Christ. After nearly two centuries of preaching the Gospel only 6% of the people in the world are nominal Protestants, and if Jesus should tarry until the end of the century only 2% will be nominal Protestants – Every major or denomination on is shot through and through with the leaven of false teachings. Jesus describes the Church in the closing days of this dispensation in this way, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked (Revelation 3:15-17).
A savorless church is worthless (Matthew 5:13). Because of its compromise with the world the church has lost its testimony to the world. Who would dare to affirm in this dark hour in which we live that the church is a mighty influence for righteousness? The apostle Paul in writing to Timothy tells us how the Church age will end. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1). “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Jesus said, “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 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. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh’ (Luke 21:25-28).
The nations of the world are in distress. They are perplexed; no one knows what to do. The whole creation is groaning and travailing together in pain. The birth pangs of a new age are on us. The new age will be born with the coming of our Lord. He must first come for His own, and then He will come with His own.
THE ANTI-CHRIST
In this confused hour in which we live the world is looking for a superman to lead it out of the present turmoil and strife. That man will be the Antichrist. He is also called the Wicked One, the Man of Sin, and the Son of Perdition. It is very likely that the man is in the world now, but he will not be revealed until Christ comes for His Church. (It is of the greatest importance that we distinguish between the outward professing Church (Revelation 17:5), and the true Church of Christ, His body and bride, which is composed of all born again Christians (Ephesians 1:22-23). At the present time the Holy Spirit, through the Church, restrains evil in the world. The Holy Spirit indwells the Church, and when the Church is caught up to meet the Lord in the air, the bodily presence of the Holy Spirit will be removed from the world, “And then shall that Wicked One be revealed” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12).
The Bible says that he is a “vile person,” to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but that he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries … he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people (Daniel 11:21,23). He will have a mouth speaking great things (Daniel 7:8). His look is more stout than his fellows (Daniel 7:20). At first his true nature will not be revealed. As a gentleman and a scholar, he will bring peace out of strife and order out of confusion. He will cause commerce and industry to prosper (Daniel 8:25). He will work such wonders that the whole world will marvel at him, and all except the elect will worship him (Revelation 13:3, 8).
THE GREAT TRIBULATION
The reign of the Anti-Christ will start the great tribulation. This is that period and time between the rapture of the Church and the revelation of Christ when God’s wrath is poured out on the earth. When we consider how much is said about this period in both Testaments, we are compelled to believe that it is of great importance. Jesus said, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21). This period is also called the day of the Lord (Zephaniah 1:7), the day of calamity (Jeremiah 46:21) the day of vengeance (Isaiah 63:4), the day of wrath (Revelation 6:17) a time of trouble (Daniel 12:1) the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) the indignation (Isaiah 26:20) and the hour of temptation (Revelation 3:10). The very names that are given to this period give us an inkling of what it will be like. Many Old Testament prophecies describe it (Psalms 2:5,9; Jeremiah 30:4-7; Ezekiel 20:33-38). Chapter six through nineteen of the book of the Revelation two times we read of forty-two months (Revelation 11:2; 13:5) which is 3 1/2 years. It is readily granted that any one of these figures taken by itself is not conclusive, but when the week of years; the time, times, and half a time; 1,260 days, and the forty-two months are all considered together, it appears quite evident that the tribulation will last approximately seven years.
THE MARK OF THE BEAST
During the tribulation the Antichrist will cause all men to receive his mark in their right hand or in their forehead. It will either be a mark, a number, or a name. The number will be 666. No man will be able to buy or sell during these days without this mark. Every person on the face of the earth, except those who are saved during this time, will receive this mark (Revelation 13:16-18). All who receive this mark will spend eternity in torment burning in the lake of fire and brimstone (Revelation 14:10, 11). Many will be aware of the consequences of taking the mark, and will determine not to do so, but economic pressure will compel them to take the mark even though it means the damning of their souls. Suppose a farmer takes his produce to the market, needing the money for the necessities of life, but he cannot sell without the mark. What will any mother or father do when they hear the cries of their children for food. The tribulation saints who do not receive the mark will seal their testimonies with their own blood.
THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON
This great battle will be fought right at the close of the tribulation period. “Behold the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle” (Zechariah 14:1-4). “Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy” (Zephaniah 3:8). “Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter. Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood. 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. For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment. The sword of the Lord is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the Lord hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea. And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. For it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion” (Isaiah 34:1-8). “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth” (Isaiah 63:1-6). “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs” (Revelation 14:14-20). This battle will be fought in the great plain of Megiddo. When Napoleon viewed this great valley, he said that it was the greatest battlefield on the face of the earth.
When the Anti-Christ with his generals and all of their mighty host see the Son of man coming with the clouds of heaven, riding on a white horse they will actually believe that with their mighty rockets, armed with atomic warheads that they can blast the Son of God from the sky. But God shall laugh, and how terrible is the laughter of God! The Lord shall have them in derision. “Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth” (Psalms 2:5-10).
Will the Church go through the tribulation? There are some who believe that the Church will go through the tribulation. The writer does not believe this for the following reasons:
(1) Jesus promised the church at Philadelphia, “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Revelation 3:10).
(2) The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). The tribulation is certainly a time of wrath, and this verse tells us that God has not appointed us to wrath. There are those who would remind us that the early church and the church during the dark ages suffered much persecution for the cause of Christ. The church in the closing days of this dispensation may suffer much persecution at the hand of her enemies, but there is a vast difference in being persecuted by man and in facing the wrath of God. The tribulation is a judgment from the hand of God on the world in general and on Israel in particular. There is no condemnation or judgment for the ones who are in Christ (Romans 8:1).
(3) The Christian is an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Before a nation declares war on another nation, it calls its ambassador home. God will call us home via the rapture before He begins to pour out His wrath on this sin cursed earth. God took Lot out of Sodom before He poured out the fire and brimstone.
(4) Chapters six through nineteen of Revelation give a detailed description of the tribulation, but the Church is not mentioned.
(5) If the Restrainer (He who now letteth) is the Holy Spirit in II Thessalonians 2:3-10, it seems quite evident that the Church will not go through the tribulation. The Holy Spirit lives in and works through the Church (1 Corinthians 3:16). He will be taken out of the world in a bodily sense when the Church is raptured. “And then” and only then can the Wicked One be revealed. The Anti-Christ may be in the world now, but he will not be revealed until the Church is taken out of the way. The tribulation will not begin until the Anti-Christ is revealed. He is the rider on the white horse in Revelation 6:2.
(6) There must be an interval between the Rapture and the Revelation. Christ cannot come for His own and with His own at the same time. It cannot be proved that the interval will be seven years or even three and one half years, but it is logical to believe that there will be an interval of some kind. It is reasonable to believe that the tribulation on earth and the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will take place during this interval.
(7) Many Scriptures exhort us to watch for the coming of the Lord. The tribulation is described in such a way that it will be known when it starts. If we know that Christ will not come back until the close of the tribulation, we will not begin to watch for His coming until that time. Paul calls the Second Coming the “Blessed Hope” (Titus 2:13). It would not be a Blessed Hope to look forward to enduring the wrath of God for more than three years.
THE CHURCH IN HEAVEN; THE TRIBULATION ON EARTH
Let us consider four important events that will take place in heaven during the tribulation. The first of these events is the Judgment Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10). This will be a judgment of the believers’ works. No sinners will be judged at this judgment, but the Christians will be rewarded according to all that they have done. It is of the greatest importance for us to distinguish between salvation and rewards. Our salvation depends on whether or not we have accepted or rejected the Lord Jesus Christ as our own personal Savior (John 1:12). If we have accepted Him we are saved; if we have rejected Him we are lost (1 John 5:12). But while we keep this great truth clearly in our minds we must remember that both the saved (Romans 14:12; Hebrews 6:10) and the lost (Revelation 20:13) will be rewarded according to their works. At the Judgment Seat of Christ it will not be a matter of determining who is saved and who is lost, but it will be a matter of rewarding the believer for his works. Every day every believer is building on the foundation of Christ, Himself. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ” On this foundation day by day we are building of gold, silver, precious stones; or we are building of wood, hay, and stubble. If we build of gold, silver, and precious stones our works will stand the test of fire and we shall be rewarded accordingly. If we build of wood, hay, and stubble our works will be burned and we shall suffer the loss of our rewards (1 Corinthians 3:9-15). During this life it may appear that some people are doing tremendous things, but if their work is done from selfish motives they receive no reward. On the other hand, there are godly Christians the world never hears of, but they have a secret prayer life, and they are faithful witnesses for in their own way. Their works will stand the test of fire and they will be rewarded accordingly.
The second great event during this time will be war in heaven. It will be a war of angels. The Devil and his angels will be cast out of heaven by Michael and his angels. Satan’s wrath will be great because he knows that his time is short (Revelation 12:7, 12).
The third and fourth great events will be the marriage of Christ to His Church, and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-10).
THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
Immediately after the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, Christ with the Church will return to earth with power and great glory. The Apostle John describes the revelation of Christ in this way: “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And He was, clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army” (Revelation 19:11-19).
When Jesus comes the Anti-Christ, the false prophet (quite likely the head of the Ecumenical Church), and all who have received the mark of the beast will be cast alive into the lake burning with fire and brimstone (Revelation 19:20).
THE MILLENNIUM
The word millennium comes from two Latin words—mille meaning a thousand and annus meaning years. Six times in the twentieth chapter of the book of the Revelation the length of this period is given. There are two principal reasons why we shall have a millennium of peace and righteousness on the earth. The first reason is that during this period Satan will be bound and will be cast into the bottomless pit (Revelation 20:1-3). The second and principal reason for this time of blessedness is that Jesus Christ will be reigning on the earth in peace and righteousness (Revelation 20:4-6). King David described the millennium in this way, “In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him” (Psalms 72:7-11). Isaiah said, “The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:1-4). “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose” (Isaiah 35:1). Jeremiah described it in this way, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jeremiah 23:5, 6).
At the close of the millennium Satan will be loosed for a little season so that he may go out once again and deceive the people in all parts of the world (Revelation 20:7, 8). The masses will join with him in his rebellion against God. God will send fire from heaven to devour them, and the Devil will be cast into the lake burning with fire and brimstone (Revelation 20:7-10).
THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT
At the end of the millennium the wicked dead will be judged. The Apostle John describes it in this way, “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15).
THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH
“Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet” (1 Corinthians 15:24, 25). Time is a line of duration having both a beginning and an ending. This line of duration is bounded on either end by a circle expanding into infinity. At the close of the millennium, Satan is to be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). The wicked dead are to be raised and judged at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). Time will come to a close, and we will step out into eternity. The first heaven and the first earth shall pass away, and God will create a New Heaven and a New Earth. The New Jerusalem will come down from God out of Heaven. Read the description of this in Revelation 21:9 – 22:5. When we see all of this, we shall exclaim as did the Queen of Sheba. “The half hath not been told.”
THE BLESSED HOPE
The Second Coming of Christ is the Blessed Hope for the Christian. In a world that is torn with discord and strife it is blessed to know that Christ is coming again to straighten out all of these things. It is a comforting hope, for when death comes and snatches away our loved ones; it is comforting to know we shall meet them again. It is a purifying hope, for if we believe that Jesus is coming again; it will make a difference in the way we live. Jesus said, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44). Dear friend, are you ready to meet Him if He should come at this hour? It is well that every man, woman, boy, and girl should give honest consideration to this question. The answer that they give will determine whether you will spend eternity in Heaven or in Hell.
Do not let Satan deceive you with false assurance. He will spend eternity in Hell, and he wants to take you with him. Many souls are damned through religion. There is not a religion on the face of the earth that can save one single soul. Only Christ can save. Many will go to Hell because they are trying to be saved by their own good works. The Apostle Paul said of the Jews, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:3). Ordinances and ceremonies cannot save you; church membership cannot save you, only Jesus can save. Do you have Him? Do you know Him?
The simplest definition of a Christian is, “A Christian is one who has Christ.” I base this on 1 John 5:12 where we read, “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” It is just that simple. The issue is this: Do you have Christ? Perhaps you ask, “How do I get Him ? ” The answer is, by receiving Him by faith. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (83).
Jesus wants to come into the heart of every man. He is now knocking at your heart’s door, but you must open the door and ask Him to come in (Revelation 3:20). When you realize that you are a sinner, lost and undone, without God and without hope, then you will realize that you need a Saviour. Jesus is that Saviour. He died on the Cross for your sins, for my sins, and for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). “He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:25). When by faith we invite Him to come into our heart we are made a child of God.
I trust that I shall have the joy of meeting you in Heaven one day.
