We Christians have different views on the manner of Christ’s return, concerning the Rapture, Tribulation, Second Coming, Antichrist, Babylon, wars, etc. Many, many areas of the last days have been discussed by those interested in our Lord’s return. Even those who don’t believe He will return have thrown their two cents in.
I too have thrown my hat into the ring on occasion and stated what I believe concerning the last days, so I’ll not rehash my beliefs at this time.
After all the dust has settled and we’ve all had our say, the bottom line is; Jesus Christ is going to return for His Church, judge the world, and bring the apple of His eye, Israel, back to Himself.
I for one feel strongly about what I believe the Scriptures say concerning the last days, as I’m sure others do too. It is great that these issues are being discussed and anticipated. We need to talk about them and share what we know with each other and a dying world that is walking straight into judgement.
The most terrifying thing to me is seeing the shadows of the Tribulation looming upon us, and at the same time, witnessing mankind going about his business with seemingly no concern of what lies ahead.
The beggar on the street corner walks around with his sign saying, “Jesus is coming,” and people walk by giving it little thought. We drive down the highway and there on the side of the road is a sign someone erected saying, “Jesus is coming.” Do we give it much thought?
If the doctor told us today that we would be dead in a month, we would be frantically looking for the hope of more life in every corner. If our child’s recital is tonight, we would be getting properly dressed this afternoon to attend. If our belly reminds us we are hungry, we would be preparing something to eat. The alarm clock goes off in the morning. We prepare for work. We are always preparing for something.
Almighty God is sounding the alarm to a world gone mad that judgment day is coming, and the world sleeps. He is using His saints to inform others of events called the Rapture, the Tribulation, the Second Coming, and everything else in between. He has opened the valves to release many signs that the Tribulation is near. At first it is only a trickle, then a small stream as they pour through the pipes, bringing with them God’s judgment. When the judgment arrives, the valves will be completely open and the wrath of God will fall full force upon this world. But yet, the world sleeps.
I thank God that I, as part of the Church, will not be here. Will you?
I remember so vividly smelling the coffee my parents were brewing each morning from my bedroom. Yep, it was coffee. When my wife is frying bacon, I don’t have to see it to know it is bacon. I can smell it, and it sure is good. My sense of smell told me each time there would be coffee. There would be bacon.
There is a stink in this world that can’t be missed. It is called corruption. It’s everywhere. Do you smell it? Yes, it is there, and it may taste good in the mouth, but it is going to sour in the belly of those who are ignoring the dark clouds of judgment.
We look with our eyes, but do we see? Jesus often said, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Are we listening?
Jesus told us that when the world becomes like it was in the days of Noah and Lot, it would be one sign among many that His coming is nigh. If you read closely what the world was like in the days of Noah and Lot, you can see the days in which we live match it like two perfectly matched pieces of a puzzle. Jesus is coming.
There are more Old Testament signs for Christ second return than for His first. Jesus spoke more about His second return than His death. He chastised the Pharisees for not seeing the signs of their day for His first coming. The bottom line is; we aren’t doing much better seeing the signs for His second coming. We need to wake up and smell the coffee and the bacon. Breakfast will be ready soon.
The first major sign of Christ’s first coming was His virgin birth. The first major sign for His second coming is another birth; the birth of the Israel as a nation on May 14, 1948. Are we paying attention?
How close is our Lord’s return? I have no idea. I may be here for the Rapture, and I may not, but one thing is certain. The signs are all around us for an event (Tribulation) that takes place after the Rapture. We, as Christians, certainly do not want anyone to face judgment. So we need to be telling the Good News of Jesus Christ; the salvation He offers and His return.
Most will not listen, but there will be some who will listen and be saved. God delays His coming for one reason; “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
The bottom line is that Jesus does not want to judge anyone, but any who do not come to Him by faith, He will judge.
Grant Phillips