| | FUTURE
THE
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
by
Tony Capoccia
I. Introduction
The Bible tells us that as Christians we are only pilgrims in this world,
citizens of a Heavenly Kingdom looking forward to our salvation in the
Second Coming of Christ and Eternity. In the book of 1 Thessalonians and
in the Gospel of Matthew we are told that the coming of Christ will be on a
day much like today; a day when people will be eating and drinking,
marrying and being given in marriage (Mat 24:38). It will come like a
thief in the night and at an hour when we do not expect it (1 Thess 5:2).
So that it does not take us by surprise we are warned to be ready for Him,
to keep watch, (Mat 24:42,44), and to encourage one another to live godly
lives (1 Thess 5:8,11). According to God's calendar of events it could
begin at anytime: today, tonight, or tomorrow.
In light of this I would like us to consider some of the major passages of
the Bible concerning the Second Coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the
events of the end times so that we may more eagerly look forward to our
coming salvation in the return of Christ.
I have linked many Scriptures together chronologically to form a picture of
the end time events as I believe they will happen. I would like you to
take a trip forward in time right where you are and view the events of the
end times as history, as if you are hearing a story that has already
occurred. Can you picture us in eternity future, looking backwards toward
this era? Let me be your guide.
A. Voice from the Future
Picture us standing right now in the Father's House, in the city called the
New Jerusalem. The walls of our city are crystal clear like a diamond and
the streets are made of pure gold, like transparent glass. There is no
night here for brilliant light shines everywhere. Neither is there death
nor sin for the old order of things has passed away.
The New Jerusalem is extremely large. It measures approximately 1400 miles
square and is an unbelievable 1400 miles high (Rev 21:4). It is surrounded
by a jeweled wall 200 feet high which has twelve gates made from pearls and
the gates are attended by angels. In the city is the Tree of Life, just
like the one that was in the Garden of Eden, and we all eat of its fruit.
We drink from the spring of the Water of Life that flows down the main
street of the city. The glory of God is the illumination of the city. We
experience total joy and perfect peace here with God.
Now permit me to share some of the chronological account of the major
events that have taken place since Jesus came for us at the end of the
Church Age.
II. Events Prior to Second Coming
A. Rapture
1) The Promise (John 14:2-3)
When the beloved Jesus ministered on the earth during His first coming, He
had promised His followers in the Church that He would return to Heaven for
a while and then come back for His bride. In fact, His exact words were,
"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told
you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare
a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also
may be where I am."
Because it had been so long, some in the Church Age had struggled with the
fact that Jesus would come back. They knew that He had said He would
return but life seemed so normal and, therefore, it seemed highly unlikely
that He would return in their generation. Yet, as Jesus said in the Book
of John, "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you" (14:18).
2) The Event (1 Thess 4:16-17)
Yes, Jesus came back exactly as it was recorded in the Scriptures. Jesus
had told us to, "...keep watch, because you do not know on what day your
Lord will come...the Son of Man will come at an hour when you least expect
Him" (Mat 24:42,44).
It was a day that was like many others on the earth. Some Christians were
at their jobs busily involved in their assignments; mothers were changing
diapers and cleaning the home; in other parts of the earth the Christians
were asleep in their beds. Many young believers were busy in their
classrooms at school; some Christians were in prayer meetings at church;
and there were the persecuted Christians around the world that were being
tortured because of their faith in Jesus.
There were even some believers who were involved in acts of sin when their
Master returned for them, but everyone in every situation was taken by
utter surprise when suddenly a loud thundering voice was clearly heard from
up in the sky. Every Christian on earth instantly looked up and could see
the magnificent splendor of our Glorious Savior Jesus Christ. "He was
dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around
His chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow,...His
face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance" (Rev 1:13-14,16).
The loud command that we heard was comparable to the time when Jesus called
Lazarus from the grave with "a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!'" (John
11:43). Jesus called each Christian to come up to Him. At about the same
time there was the voice of an archangel and a resounding trumpet call and
then all those who had died believing in Christ rose from the grave in
immortal bodies and ascended up to Jesus. Then in what seemed to be a
"twinkling of an eye" all the believers who were alive suddenly lifted off
the earth to also join their Savior, and were gloriously changed into
beautiful immortal bodies.
Then Jesus led us, His resurrected and glorified followers, back to the
third heaven. We traveled faster than the speed of light and were in the
Father's House in a moment's time.
B. Chaos and Wrath On Earth
1) The Chaos
Our sudden disappearance caused widespread chaos throughout the world, for
we were approximately 5,000,000 people in number, not counting the
multitude of resurrected saints. Airplanes crashed because essential crew
members were missing. Cars were strewn on many freeways for lack of
drivers. Husbands were frantically searching for wives who had vanished.
Wives too were left waiting for husbands who would not be returning home.
Teenagers were searching for parents, and likewise, some parents were also
looking for their teen-aged sons and daughters.
Some world leaders were also among the missing, many people speculated that
they were abducted by terrorists. Behind the Iron Curtain the authorities
were furious over the unexplained disappearance of their "religious
prisoners." Some churches were left nearly empty and others were full of
the "falsely religious," including the Pastor and the Elders.
2) The Explanation
The world sought answers for the millions of missing persons. Some guessed
that it may have been the Rapture that some Christians had mentioned would
occur some day, but this was quickly discounted by the leading false
religions which remained, such as the Roman Catholic Church, the Mormons,
and the Jehovah Witnesses, to mention a few. It was then decided that the
Christians who had disappeared were the "fanatics," the ones who were
always talking about Jesus, the Bible and the need to be Born Again. It
was assumed that we had all gathered in giant communes somewhere to pursue
our religious zeal.
But while the world was still in a state of shock and chaos, a man arose
who offered solutions to the problems, promising "Peace and Safety." He
was the one the Bible had said would come someday--the Antichrist. But
soon the world discovered that his peace was only superficial and
temporary.
3) The Seal Judgments
The Antichrist was bent on conquering the world. He had easily conquered
Europe by deceit and began the conquest of the rest of the nations. But
other nations were not so easily overcome and soon a full scale world war
broke out which caused tremendous destruction over the entire globe.
Food supplies became critical because of the many destroyed agricultural
areas. The famine was so severe over the world that a man had to work one
day just to earn enough money to buy a day's meal for himself; his family
often went hungry. During the war, chemical weapons and germ warfare were
utilized causing widespread disease. Even the wild animals were affected
and those animals that survived became savage towards men. The casualties
resulting from the war, the famine, the plagues and the from the attacks of
the wild beasts accounted for the deaths of over one and one-quarter
billion people--one-fourth of the earth's population (Rev 6:1-8).
The Antichrist took advantage of the war and gained in power and began to
establish a one-world government. He established his own religion and was
opposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ and engineered one of the greatest
persecutions of Christianity the world had ever seen. Many Christians were
murdered because they would not partake in the government sponsored one-
world religion (Rev 6:5-11). Then the wrath of God was again poured out on
all the world because of its sin and rebellion against the Holy and True
One.
4) The Trumpet Judgments
God sent hail and fire mixed with blood down to the earth. Nuclear war
continued and, "A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees
were burned up and all the green grass was burned up" (Rev 8:7).
As God continued to punish the earth and its people with each new judgment,
He also continued to give man the opportunity to repent by allowing a
period of time to pass before the next curse. But instead of the
unbelievers crying out to God for mercy, they, "...called to the mountains
and the rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the
throne and from the wrath of the lamb...'" (Rev 6:16).
Jesus then turned one-third of the seas into literal blood, killing one
third of the sea creatures. He also caused one-third of the ships to be
destroyed. Then His judgment fell on a third of the rivers and springs of
waters causing them to become polluted and many more people died (Rev 8:10-
11). After a period of time Jesus reduced the hours of sunlight and
moonlight by one-third, and even caused a third of the stars to turn dark
(Rev 8:12). Crops all over the world died because of the sudden imbalance
between night and day.
Life on earth had become very difficult. Stealing, murder, rape and sexual
immoralities were common occurrences as law and order began to "breakdown."
Still man did not turn to God but continued to openly worship demons (Rev
9:20-21). Fittingly, Jesus then ordered the "Bottomless Pit" to be opened
which allowed millions of wicked demons to infest the world. This judgment
was so severe that men and women tried to commit suicide but God would not
let them die (Rev 9:1-6).
Then the armies from the East began to march across the land to Israel, the
place of their final battle, "Armageddon." The army slaughtered over one
billion people while enroute (Rev 9:13-18). At this point over one-half of
the world's total population had been destroyed.
5) The Two Witnesses (Rev 11:1-13)
Our Most Beloved Savior continued to show mercy in the midst of His wrath
when He sent two prophets to the earth to powerfully declare the truths of
the gospel. For three and one-half years these two brothers preached the
Good News of salvation through Christ. They also inflicted severe plagues
and droughts upon the earth as part of God's judgments. Fire destroyed
anyone who attempted to take their lives.
Finally, God allowed them to be killed and the people of the earth were so
pleased that they had worldwide celebrations and sent gifts to one another.
They left the dead bodies of these two saints lying in the streets of
Jerusalem, refusing them burial. The entire world watched the bodies on
Satellite TV for three and one-half days. Then Our Sweet and Precious
Savior raised them to life and caused them to ascend up through the heavens
in full view of a watching world. Suddenly an earthquake "hit" Jerusalem
and one-tenth of the city collapsed.
6) The Bowl Judgments
Now, as the world's dictator, the Antichrist demanded that he and an image
of himself be worshipped as god by all men. He was aided by one who could
perform many signs and wonders by the power of the devil. Because of his
power he deceived most people on earth and ordered that no one could buy or
sell any item unless they had the "Mark of the Antichrist" on their
forehead or right-hand. These two also decreed that anyone refusing to
worship the Antichrist would be killed (Rev 13). Many dear brothers and
sisters in Christ were beheaded because they would not worship the
Antichrist or his image and/or had not received his mark on their foreheads
or their hands (Rev 20:4).
God too had a mark, but only for the followers of the Antichrist, "...ugly
and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and
worshipped his image" (Rev 16:2). God also gave men blood to drink!
Because the world had shed the blood of God's saints and prophets
throughout history, Jesus turned the oceans, the rivers, and the springs of
water into real blood (which killed every living thing in the waters) (Rev
16:3-7).
The world was staggering under the weight of all of God's judgments, yet
men and women still refused to repent and glorify God. God then caused the
sun to scorch the earth and its people with intense heat. This judgment
was quickly followed by total darkness yet men and women, "gnawed their
tongues in agony and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and
their sores, but they refused to repent of their sins" (Rev 16:8-11).
God then sent his final judgment upon the earth. This was the most severe
yet. A violent earthquake occurred that was so strong that all the cities
of the nations collapsed. New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles,
London, Copenhagen, Cairo, Rome, Paris, Moscow, Tokyo, Indianapolis--yes
every city of the world was destroyed by the earthquake! Coupled with this
was a terrible hailstorm that dropped huge hailstones weighing about a
hundred pounds each. What was man's response? It was to curse God because
the plague was so terrible (Rev 16:17-21).
Chaos reigned on the earth. The food supply had all but disappeared, there
was only blood to drink, and most of mankind was without shelter. The only
organizations that had any structure left were the armies that were
fighting outside of Jerusalem at the Battle of Armageddon. The earth was
enclosed in utter darkness for the sun no longer shone and the stars had
disappeared. It was cold and only the light and heat of weapons exploding
jarred the terror of the continuous night (Mat 24:29).
III. Second Coming of Christ
While the earth was cloaked in darkness and terror, there was light and
bliss up in the third heaven. The redeemed of God had been there in their
glorified bodies for seven years. They were living in their Father's house
which is the New Jerusalem, the vast city of beauty and light. Each saint
has his own room designed and decorated by his God and Lord--Jesus Christ.
One day, there suddenly appeared something very unusual in heaven: horses,
white horses came silently and stately down the golden streets. There were
millions of them and each horse seemed to know exactly where they were to
go, for one white horse stopped by each room of the redeemed. The saints
joyfully mounted their horses and all rode to the gates of the city. The
horses and riders rode out through the pearly gates and all gathered in
columns outside the city. Then Jesus joined the army of saints riding His
own white horse.
On His head were many crowns and He was clothed in a robe which had his
name written on it: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. All of the saints and
the chorus of angels sang praise unto His Name. He looked at the redeemed
with a deep love in His eyes and said, "Follow Me." Although there were
millions upon millions of saints on white horses and all following Jesus,
each believer could see Jesus. It was as if each was riding right next to
Him! This is the way heaven is, for although there is only one Jesus and
He is in bodily form, He seems to be visible and accessible to everyone at
once.
It was so wonderful that Our Precious Lord Jesus would allow His saints to
be a part of that moment in history. Jesus was assembling His army to
conquer the earth. In His army were the Holy Angels and all those who had
hungered and thirsted for righteousness. There was Moses, Joseph, David,
Bathsheba, Rahab, Peter, James, John, Mary, Martha, and Paul. I could see
Moody, Spurgeon, Billy Sunday, Billy Graham, and many other great men and
women of God.
But there was also great joy in seeing those in the Lord's army who were
former great sinners such as former homosexuals, former murderers, former
fornicators and former liars: everyone who had been redeemed and restored
were sitting on their horses dressed in pure white fine linen because of
the cleansing power of the Blood of Jesus Christ. There were even those
who had never walked on the earth but were murdered by the act of abortion,
and they too were sitting pure from the original sin of Adam because of the
Cross of Calvary. What an incredible sight it was!
As we rode out we traveled faster than the speed of light and suddenly as
Jesus turned His eyes to the earth they changed, becoming like blazing
fire. We could then see the planet but the darkened sun did not illumine
it; it was the light of Jesus as He emanated a brilliant radiance (Rev
19:11). Then fire began to appear all around us, along with loud
thundering sounds and blinding flashes of lightning.
A. Rider on White Horse (Rev 19:11-16)
On earth, those fighting in the darkness of Armageddon were suddenly
blinded by the light of Jesus Christ and His army. In an instant the Lord
Almighty came with, "thunder and earthquake and great noise, with windstorm
and tempest and flames of a devouring fire" (Isa 29:5-6).
It was Isaiah who prophesied, "See, the Lord is coming with fire, and His
chariots are like a whirlwind; He will bring down His anger with fury, and
His rebuke with flames of fire. For with fire and with His sword the Lord
will execute judgment upon all men, and many will be those slain by the
Lord" (Isa 66:15-16).
B. Return to the Earth
1) Response of Those on the Earth
Every eye on earth saw Jesus return and mankind began to mourn for their
own lives knowing that the hour of judgment had come (Mat 24:30). They
fled, "...to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from the dread
of the Lord and the splendor of His majesty..." (Isa 2:19).
2) Standing on Mount of Olives
Jesus Christ, the King of the Earth, dismounted from His White Horse
directly upon the Mount of Olives. As soon as His feet touched the
mountain it split in two, exactly as prophesied in Zechariah 14, "...His
feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of
Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with
half of the mountain moving north and half moving south" (v. 4). When the
mountain split it created a large valley which was called the Valley of
Decision (Joel 3:14).
C. Judgment of Earthly Wicked
1) Armies Set to Attack Christ
Then the Antichrist and "...the kings of the earth and their armies
gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and His army"
(Rev 19:19) It seemed incredible that those who were fighting on the earth
could be confronted with the supernatural return of Jesus Christ from
Heaven and yet turn their weapons on the Savior and His army as if God
could be destroyed.
2) Beast, False Prophet, and Armies Judged
But before they could fire one weapon, the Lord struck them with great fear
and a plague that caused their flesh, their eyes and their tongues to
decompose while they were still standing on their feet. This caused great
panic and some soldiers attacked and killed one another (Zech 14:12-13).
The Antichrist and the false prophet were then captured and thrown alive
into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Then the rest of the wicked army
was killed by the command of Jesus. Their flesh was given to be eaten by
the birds of
the air (Rev 19:21).
D. Chaining of Satan
While the birds gorged themselves on the defeated armies, Satan was
captured, bound with a chain and locked away for 1,000 years. The place of
his torment is the "Abyss," which means the "bottomless pit." The demons
were also bound with Satan, just as Isaiah had revealed would happen when
the Lord returned, saying "In that day the Lord will punish the powers in
the heavens above...They will be herded together like prisoners bound in a
dungeon; they will be shut up in prison and be released after many days"
(Isa 24:21-22).
E. The Judgment of the Living
Then all of the remaining people, the noncombatants of the earth were
transported to the Valley of Decision where Jesus judged them. He sat on a
throne in all of His heavenly glory and separated the people one from
another, placing the Christians on His right and the unbelievers on His
left (Mat 25:31-33).
Then King Jesus said to the Christians on His right, "Come, you who are
blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you
since the creation of the world..." (Mat 25:34). The kingdom He gave to
them was the Millennial Kingdom that was about to begin.
Then the King said to those on His left, "Depart from me, you who are
cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels..."
(Mat 25:41). Then the unbelievers went away to eternal punishment, but the
righteous to eternal life (Mat 25:46).
F. Thousand Years
There was a 75 day transition time after the battle ended before the 1,000
year reign of the Lord began. In fact, it took seven months just to bury
the remains of the dead. And some of the weapons from the war were used
for fuel in Israel and lasted for seven years (Ezek 39:9-16).
1) Earth is Restored to Beauty
Jesus began to remove the curse of sin from the earth. The earth was
restored, every valley was raised up, every mountain and hill was made low,
and the rough ground became level, the rugged places became a plain (Isa
40:4). Mt. Zion was established as the chief among the mountains; it was
raised above the hills (Isa 2:2). The desert regions were covered with
many pools of waters from the new rivers and springs. Jesus set beautiful
trees everywhere. There were pines, firs, cedars, olives, and many other
kinds of trees (Isa 41:18-19). Beautiful flowers burst in bloom, just like
the crocus, all over the earth (Isa 35:1-2), and every land was fertile and
cultivated (Ezek 36:36).
2) A Kingdom of Light
The Millennium was truly a kingdom of light. The moon was as bright as the
original premillennial sun and the sunlight of the kingdom was seven times
brighter than before, like the light of seven full days (Isa 30:26). The
night of the Millennium was as bright as the old noonday sun.
3) The Inhabitants of the Kingdom - Parents
Now, the only people that were left alive in the Millennium were the
believing Gentiles and Jews. The entire world consisted of Christians with
Jesus Christ reigning as the King of the earth. But there were also young
unsaved children who were under the age of accountability, who could still
choose to reject the gospel. And the adult Christians had many children
born during the Millennium who like all children since Cain and Able, were
born into the world as sinners.
4) The Inhabitants of the Kingdom - Children
The children living in the Kingdom all needed salvation, but they were
given plenty of opportunities to hear the gospel, for their parents were
Christians, Jesus Christ was visibly on the earth as King, and there were a
multitude of immortal glorified saints (you and me) ruling and reigning
with Our Master Jesus Christ.
5) Life in the Kingdom
a) Long Life
Most mortals who lived on the earth during the Millennium lived out their
years (Isa 65:20). Their life spans were like those in the days prior to
the Flood when, for example, Methuselah lived for 969 years! Those born at
the beginning of the Millennium lived for 1,000 years.
b) Death in the Kingdom
Yet, there was death in the glorious Kingdom of Light, just as the Bible
had revealed to us, "...he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere
youth...and he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed
[condemned to Hell]" (Isa 65:20). Jesus gave children up to the age of 100
years to make a decision for Him and at that point, if they remained in
unbelief, Jesus took their lives in judgment.
c) Peace on Earth
The earth was a place of great peace and safety just as God had declared in
the Book of Isaiah, "They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy
mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the
waters cover the sea" (Isa 11:9)
Jesus was enthroned in His headquarters in Jerusalem; the law went out from
Zion; the word of the Lord went from Jerusalem. He judged between the
nations and settled disputes for many peoples. The nations recycled their
weapons of war into farming equipment. Nation did not take up sword
against nation, nor did they train for war anymore (Isa 2:3-4).
d) Peace in the Animal Kingdom
Truly, peace reigned everywhere, even in the animal kingdom. The lion did
lie down with the lamb. The wolf and the lamb fed together, and the lion
ate straw like an ox (Isa 65:25). The wolf lived with the lamb, the
leopard laid down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the colt were
together; and little children led them around. The cow ate with the bear
and the young calves and the cubs laid down together (Isa 11:6-7).
Infants played near the holes of cobras, and young children put their hands
into the nests of vipers to play with them (Isa 11:8).
Life in the Kingdom was indeed very blissful and we, the immortal redeemed,
were there assisting Our Savior in His rule. We were daily interacting
with the mortals and enjoyed with them this time of true peace on earth.
G. Satan's Doom
At the end of the one thousand year Kingdom Jesus ordered Satan to be
released from prison. Immediately the devil went out to deceive the
nations to make them war against Jesus and His people. Satan actually got
an attacking force to surround the city of Jerusalem, but fire came down
from heaven and devoured them. Satan was then thrown into the lake of
burning sulfur, his final resting place, to be tormented for ever and ever
(Rev 20:7-11). The devil was never to be seen or heard of again: he would
never again trouble God's people. Amen.
H. The Total Destruction of Heaven and Earth
Immediately following this judgment of Satan, Jesus then removed all the
mortal believers from the earth. They were translated into their glorified
bodies and given their rooms in the Father's House. He then raised from
the graves "the rest of the Dead" (Rev 20:5). These were those who had
died throughout the ages of time and had failed to believe God's word for
salvation. They had been held in torment since the day of their deaths,
awaiting the day of final judgment.
Then God destroyed the earth and the heavens by fire. The heavens
disappeared with an explosive thundering sound; the elements were destroyed
by fire, melting in the intense heat (2 Pet 3:10-12).
I. Great White Throne Judgment (Rev 20:11-15).
It was now time for God to judge the sins of all the generations of unsaved
people. God brought them to stand before His Great White Throne for
judgment by Jesus Christ, who was seated there. Each person was judged
according to what he had done in his life as was recorded in the books.
These deeds were compared with God's perfect Word as He had revealed it to
each generation in the Holy Bible.
The judgment was simple. The standard by which one could enter into heaven
was a life on earth without one recorded sin. One sin would result in the
eternal judgment of Hell; and any additional sins would increase the amount
of torment and agony he would eternally receive. As each person was
brought before the Judge his sins were revealed. Then the Lamb's Book of
Life was opened to see if the person had allowed Jesus to pay for their
sins. None were found to have trusted Jesus for salvation. Therefore,
each unbeliever was found guilty and then thrown into the lake of fire to
be tormented for ever an ever (Rev 20:11-15).
As we, the redeemed, watched we knew that we too had sinned in our own
earthly lives, but we remembered that at the Cross of Calvary all of our
sins were charged to the account of the sinless one, Jesus Christ. Because
He took our sins upon Himself our books of sins contained nothing but pure,
white, blank pages, washed clean by the Blood of Jesus Christ.
No one could ever fault the Judge Jesus at the Great White Throne Judgment
for not showing mercy; for even as He sentenced the unsaved to torment, one
could clearly see the sacrificial scars on His hands and on His feet from
the nails of crucifixion and see the scar in His side from the Roman's
spear. Jesus offered mercy to all when they were on earth and for those
who desired to remain in their sins He could then only give His wrath.
J. Eternity
After the Great White Throne Judgment only the Trinity, the angels, and the
redeemed saints remained in Heaven. The old earth and heavens had been
destroyed and all those who had rejected Christ were forever bound in the
Lake of Fire. Jesus then created a new heaven and a new earth and brought
"the Father's House," the New Jerusalem, down from heaven and placed it on
the new earth. Then God Himself came down to earth to live forever with
redeemed man (Rev 21:1-3).
Life in the Eternal State is perfect. There is no more death, no more
mourning, no more crying or pain (Rev 21:4). But the most magnificent
sight in Eternity is the Precious Lord Jesus Christ. His beauty is without
equal and His love for each believer is never ending. We never tire of
worshipping and serving Jesus and learning more about Him.
IV. Conclusion
We have heard the record of God's future accomplishments. As we now step
backward in time to the present, the scenario I have just painted has not
yet occurred. But the Scriptures are clear that it will indeed happen,
with perhaps some slight changes from this chronology. It only awaits the
Rapture of the Church to set it all in motion. And the Bible indicates
that this event could happen at any moment.
What should be our response to these truths of Scripture? What should we
do from now until the Rapture?
A. If Unsaved
If you are not saved then seek salvation today. There are no salvation
opportunities after our moment of death. The Bible declares, "...man is
destined to die once, and after that to face judgment" (Heb 9:27). Jesus
Christ has revealed these truths to warn you of the tribulations to come.
He wants to cleanse you of your sins and receive you into His Kingdom.
Repent of your sins, confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive
His glorious free gift of salvation.
B. If Saved
1) Renewed Desire to Serve Jesus
For those of us who are saved, we should feel humbled that God would love
us and save us from the wrath that our sins deserve. He will give us a new
and glorious body, a room in the Father's House, and an eternal, blissful
future. We should renew our dedication to Him and strive to serve Him with
all of our minds, souls, and strength.
2) Renewed Compassion for the Lost
Let us show compassion for the lost. We have seen what awaits the
unbeliever when Jesus returns to the earth. And those judgments, as
terrible as they are, are mild compared to the endless torment and agony of
the eternal Fiery Lake of Burning Sulfur.
We must attempt, by the power of the Holy Spirit within us, to live holy
lives before our lost families, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. We are
their only hope, for if they do not see Jesus Christ in us, then they will
not see Jesus at all. This will cost us, for we must be different than the
world in order to "stand out as light."
a) Our Conversation
Our speech must be gracious and yet seasoned with the salt of the truths of
the Bible. In Ephesians 5:4 God reminds us that for a Christian there must
never be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place,
but rather thanksgiving."
b) Our Life Styles
We must be a holy people in order to lead others to Christ.
In this age of sexual freedom God reminds the Christian that in our lives,
"...there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of
impurity..." (Eph 5:3).
In fact, God clearly tells us what we should have as uppermost in our
thinking, "...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things..." (Philippians 4:8).
We must keep ourselves pure, for the evil one is constantly attempting to
corrupt us. Let us not be deceived; nearly all that is on television, in
popular magazines and in books today are things that do not please God. A
Christian cannot be entertained by the world and still please God. To
watch and be entertained by TV murders, TV adulteries, TV violence, TV
drunkenness, and TV crime is to partake in what God calls sin. Even when
we drive our cars we must maintain the high Christian standard and never
purposefully exceed the posted speed limits. Radar detectors have no place
in a car belonging to one of God's children.
C. Final Thoughts
Jesus is coming back for us soon with the Rapture, at an hour when we least
expect Him. Once we are gone the horrors of the tribulation period will be
unleashed. Many of our loved ones, friends and acquaintances would be left
behind to face God's wrath if Jesus came for us today. He has privileged
us to know the future and to play integral parts in His plan. May we do
all that we can by the power of the Holy Spirit to help those around us who
are lost to share in the wondrous salvation we possess.
Tony Capoccia
BIBLE BULLETIN BOARD MODEM (318)-949-1456
BOX 130 300/1200/2400/4800/9600/12000/14400 DS HST
SHREVEPORT, LA 71110../ |