The Second Coming of Messiah Search the Scriptures; for in Them ye Think ye have Eternal Life: and They are They which Testify of ME (John 5:39) For by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. Colossians 1: 16 & 17
The Dilemma of the Second Coming of Messiah by Caleb What a collection of mixed messages preachers and teachers in the Christian community has intoduced into the body of Christ. I am sure you have read in the Gospels how the various sects within Judaism disagreed about different beliefs . . . but to our shame we have not done any better. At the time of Christ there were Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes, Helenists, and more, yet the Temple in Jerusalem was their central place of worship. Today there are so many denominations (sects) within Christianity to count them would be very difficult indeed. Now let us consider the Promise from Jesus that He would return for His followers; an event commonly referred to as the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, there is disagreement about virtually every aspect of His return. Pre-millennial, post-millennial, mid-millennial, pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib, literal, spiritual, and the list goes on and on. Some take the position that how we understand end time events does not matter, that whatever happens will happen anyway and God Himself will sort everything out eventually. I strongly disagree. If God did not consider these issues to be vitally important to His people He would not have devoted such a large portion of His Word concerning the Second Coming of our Messiah. Quite frankly I have not taken the time to read very many of the varied positions out there and I certainly do not intend to dissect all of them in this short study. What we will do is examine many very plain scriptures in context from God’s Word presenting them for your consideration. We also will study what scripture has to say about the very popular ‘the church will be raptured out before the tribulation’ position. As we dig deeper and deeper into the issues associated with Christ’s Second Coming we will follow the Biblical injunction of providing two or more witnesses to verify facts. (. . . In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. 2Corinthians 13:1) This is our intention and with God’s help we shall do.
The above lightning image depicts visually what Christ’s Second Coming would seem like to our eyes. His exact words were, “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:27. Have you ever seen the sky really lit up from a mega lightning storm display? His coming, parousia in the Greek language, is the word used to announce the arrival of a dignitary, a King. This phenomena will be the most spectacular event in all of earth’s history, in fact it will be so great that no one alive will be permitted to miss it says John the Revelator, “Behold, He cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see Him . . . ” Revelation 1:7.
The Blessed Hope, Christ, our Messiah Some consider death to be a victory for the Believer in the Messiah, but the Apostle Paul did not understand death to be our friend. In Paul’s adress to the brethren in Corinth he wrote, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” 1Corinthians 15:26 and his fellow Apostle John placed death’s fate ultimately in the lake of fire. “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” Revelation 20:14. Paul wrote a letter to his fellow evangelist Titus encouraging him in the faith and sharing with him their common hope in the coming, the parousia, of Christ. In fact, it is in this verse that Paul refers to the coming as “the glorious appearing.” Titus 2 (10) Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. (11) For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Notice in the verses quoted below that Messiah’s next appearance will be for the second time. His first appearance was when He was “once offered,” when He sacrificed His Life upon the cross at Calvary. Therefore, according to this verse, at His first appearance Jesus paid the redemptive price (bore the sins of many) through His Atoning Sacrifice and not until He appears (comes) the second time will the redeemed experience full physical and spiritual salvation (be saved). The ramification of these verses is huge. There are many who support a position (which we will examine later) maintaining that “The Messiah’s offer to “bear the sins of many” is NOW, the “day of salvation”. 2Corinthians 6 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. ESV
Hebrews 9 (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.
Let us consider excerps from three of the verses we have already mentioned: From these we want to examine the visual aspects which these passages are emphasizing.
John, Matthew, and Paul help us to see the very visual appearance of Jesus Christ as witnessed by the words of three Godly followers of our Messiah.: Dwelling upon these verses gives us a picture of what Scripture reveals to us of Christ’s great event. In your minds eye are you able to see that “every eye sees His glorious appearing comparable to an incredible sky filled lightning display”?
Left Behind . . . A Thief in the Night
For over 40 years the film industry has become involved in the validation of a position which has become so dominant that every student of Scripture should If we put these two titles into a sentence they would read, “I left behind a thief in the night” or “A thief in the night I left behind“.
These movies, the Left Behind Series and A Thief in the Night, are media presentations which have greatly affected the faith community. Millions upon millions of Christians have opened their mind gateways to the storylines presented in these movies. The titles of these movies are based upon passages taken from the Word of God.
The Testimony of Job, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, & Daniel about the Resurrection These four dynamic men found in what we call the Old Testament something to say indirectly about the second coming of Messiah. Job, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, & Daniel are unique figures in Scripture, all enduring trials beyond human comprehension. These men believed in and witnessed to a “resurrection from the grave.” Again we quote: “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” 1Corinthians 15:26. Job 19 (25) For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: (26) And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: (27) Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins [heart] be consumed within me. Jeremiah 25 (30) Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roarupon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. (31) A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD. (32) Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. (33) And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground. Ezekiel 37 (11) Then he said unto me, Son of man, 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. (12) 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. (13) And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, (14) And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD. Daniel 12 (1) And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (2) And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
‘ Does Jesus Return as a Thief Do you remember the movie “A Thief in the Night?” This movie, released back in the early 70’s was loosely based upon various Bible verses. The premise of the movie was that Jesus had returned as a thief in the night rapturing (catching up) both alive & dead true believers who were then taken to heaven. This was done so that they would not have to go through the tribulation. The people “left behind” (that’s another movie) were given another chance to repent & be saved although it would be under extremely harsh conditions. Following are the main verses used to support this position. These first two verses (1Thess.5 & 2Peter 3) are misused, promoting the view that Jesus is coming as a thief. This is not at all what these verses are saying. These verses do say that the day of the Lord is coming unexpectedly . . . just as a thief unexpectedly breaks into our homes. This is not a difficult deception to see through. Again, the day will come upon us just like the day that a thief visits us is unexpected also. Notice In 2Peter 3 that “on the day of the Lord” the elements, the earth, & the earth’s works are BURNED UP ! Unbelievers do not survive the second coming of Christ. 1Thessalonians 5 (1) But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. ^ What to notice about these verses:
__________________ 2Peter 3 (10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (11) Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, (12) Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (13) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. ^ What to notice about these verses:
__________________ Luke 17 (26) And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. (27) They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. (28) Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; (29) But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. (30) Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. (31) In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. (32) Remember Lot’s wife. (33) Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. (34) I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. (35) Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (36) Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. ^ What to notice about these verses:
_____________________________________________________________________
Summarizing : When Jesus (Yashua) returns unexpectedly (No man knows the day or the hour.), there are two groups of peoples in view. Believers are saved and non-believers are destroyed along with all that is on our corrupt earth. The day that He returns is like a thief, not Jesus returning as a thief. It is as simple as that !
The Testimony of Paul on the Second Coming of Yashua (Jesus) Now is the time in our study to examine what the most prolific writer of New Testament has to say about the Second Coming of Messiah. This should be very interesting indeed! If you will remember we quoted a Pauline verse very early in our discussion. It was Titus 2: “looking for that blessed hope, and glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” First of all we will list various verses from Paul one right after another. 1Thessalonians 5 (1) But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. ^ What to notice about these verses:
__________________ 1Thessalonians 4 (13) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (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 [precede] them which are asleep. (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. ^ What to notice about these verses:
__________________ 1Corinthians 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. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. Ezekiel sees this same event. Ezekiel 37 : (13) And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, ^ What to notice about these verses:
__________________ These next two groups of verses (2Thessalonians 1 & 2Thessalonians 2) are combined because they deal with the same issue. 2Thessalonians 1 (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. 2Thessalonians 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. (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: Isaiah 11 (4) But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. ^ What to notice about these verses:
__________________
Summarizing : When Jesus (Yashua) returns unexpectedly (No man knows the day or the hour.), there are two groups of peoples in view. Believers are saved and non-believers are destroyed along with all that is on our corrupt earth. It is as simple as that !
The Testimony of Yashua (Jesus) on His Second Coming Of course, we have left the best for last. The testimony of Jesus will be the ultimate authority on this issue. And if anyone knows the who, what, when, and why of His Second Coming it will certainly be the Messiah, Christ, Himself ! Also, the testimony of all others will agree with the “author and finisher of our faith.” As we open up the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, may God’s Spirit continue to “lead us into all truth.”
John 5 (26) For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; (27) And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. (28) Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, (29) And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. ^ What to notice about these verses:
__________________ John 14 (1) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (4) And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. ^ What to notice about these verses:
__________________ Luke 17 (26) And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. (27) They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. (28) Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; (29) But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. (30) Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. (31) In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. (32) Remember Lot’s wife. (33) Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. (34) I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. (35) Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (36) Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. ^ What to notice about these verses:
__________________ Mark 13 (26) And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. (27) And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. ^ What to notice about these verses:
__________________ Matthew 24 (27) For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (28) For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Revelation 19 (17) 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; (18) 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. (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. ^ What to notice about these verses:
__________________ Matthew 25 (31) When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (32) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: (33) And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. (34) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ^ What to notice about these verses:
In Conclusion : As we consider the testimony of the many witnesses we have called upon to bear witness to the Second Coming of our Messiah, Yashua I would ask you to consider the weight of evidence that is presented before you in this article. Many will read and negate all the scriptures and comments we have made based upon one or two verses. I would ask you to not pit scripture against scripture but follow the counsel from God’s Word: Isaiah 28 (9) Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. (10) For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: We have demonstrated that the Resurrection of the Righteous and the Second Coming of the Messiah are inextricably connected. And furthermore Scripture testifies that those that are not gathered by God’s holy angels will be destroyed/slain by His Glorious Appearance. To the teachers and preachers out there I would ask you to consider what you are teaching to God’s sheep. Humanity’s first chance was with the first man (Adam). Our second chance is championed by our Messiah Jesus (Yashua). To teach that the church will be raptured to escape tribulation with the rest of humanity still having a third chance will not happen. This is a misleading doctrine and an abomination.
I pray that I have not offended you. Thank you for your consideration. Caleb.
Please look for two supplemental studies soon to be posted:
Copyright © 2018
Pasted from <http://www.thebereanway.com/the-second-coming-of-messiah/>
|
And searched the scriptures daily . . . Acts 17:11
