Because of my personal experience with Jesus, I have learned to long for His soon appearing, the second coming of Jesus Christ. One day soon, we will be living very different lives because Jesus will be with us in person.
Jesus is coming again! And it is to happen soon! The unrest we find in the world today speaks of our need for a Saviour to finally bring the trouble we have in our world to an end.
It will be a very visible event! it will not be done in secret. Jesus Himself tells us what His return will be like. (please note: I have two parallel accounts of what Jesus told His disciples, and they are placed side by side.)
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Behold, I have told you before.
Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
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.
For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Matthew 24:23-28.
And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.
And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.
For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.
But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. Luke 17:22-25.
Apparently, there is going to be a lot of deception about Jesus' second coming. People saying they are one of the dead prophets or even Christ! We are told not to believe any of these reports. Because His coming will be a very public event! For as lightning comes from the east to the west, covering the entire sky; This is what it is going to be like when Jesus comes. No matter where you are on earth, the lightning will cover the sky announcing His coming.
So, if someone says Jesus has already come, you will know that it is not true! When Jesus comes back, everyone will see it over the whole earth.
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. Revelation 1:7.
Yes, this is a very public event. every eye will see Him, and all the people of the earth will mourn because of Him. All will know that He is coming! In the next Bible text, we see that very dramatic events will be happening when Jesus comes:
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.
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
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?
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 2 Peter 3:10-13.
Paul describes the day of the Lord as a fearful day when the heavens pass away with a great noise, and fire melts the earth. The works of man will be burned up. Paul then adds meaning to these events by asking: What kind of people should we be? Who's side should we be on? So, I am reminded of Psalms 91:7-8. Where it reads "A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand: But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked."
It is a marvelous thing to be a Christian!
Now, when Jesus comes at the end of the world to collect His Saints, He gathers them together from all the parts of the earth. Here we have three parallel accounts of what Jesus told His disciples about His second coming:
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. Matthew 24:29-31. 24. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
25. And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
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. Mark 13:24-27. 25. 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;
26. 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.
27. then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28. 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.
Jesus comes after the tribulation of the time of sorrows. Once the sun and the moon darkens, and the stars fall; the wicked will be fearful because everything will be shaken. It is at that time, that Jesus come.
When Jesus comes with power and glory, His own people will be scattered over all the face of the earth, but they will look up and see their redemption coming to them. So His angels will gather His elect and bring them together when the trumpet sounds. (Elect means: His chosen ones)
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him.
He shall call to the heavens from above, And to the earth, that He may judge His people:
"Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice."
Let the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge. Selah Psalms 50:3-6
And it will be said in that day: "Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." Isaiah 25:9.
So, when the saints look up to see their redemption coming to them they will cry out" Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation. At this time, the saints are gathered together by the angels.
Now, it is clear from the next few verses that Jesus will not only take all His people who are living, but He will also raise from the dead all of His chosen ones who died. This will happen when He comes again, at His second coming, when the trumpet of God sounds.
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 them which are asleep.
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:
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. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
Concentrating on verses 16 and 17, we see that Jesus Himself comes down from heaven at His second coming. This is the big event at the end of the world when Jesus comes to get His people and take them back with Him. With a shout of the archangel's voice and the trumpet of God, the dead in Christ rise up first. Then, all who are still alive in Christ, are brought up together with those who had died in the clouds and they meet the Lord in the air to be always with Him.
It is at the second coming of Jesus, the time of the end, when both those who died and those who are alive, will be taken up into heaven.
This was the wonderful news that Paul had to tell those who lived in Thessalonica, because they were crying for the dead as if they had no hope of the future!
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.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
If Jesus rose from the dead, then we know that those who sleep in Jesus will also rise in the last day. In verse 14, it should be clear to us that Paul was saying that even those who sleep in Jesus will God take back with Him to heaven. Paul did not say that Jesus would be bringing the dead people from heaven because of what he said in the next few verses. Paul gives an order of events of what will happen on the day that Jesus comes:
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:
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. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
The dead in Christ are raised up to life when Jesus comes! So, it looks like Jesus is taking all His people back to be with Himself. From that time on, all the saints will always be with the Lord!
The idea in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 is a common theme: that if Jesus died and rose again, so will God rise us up. In Romans, we see paul saying it again but in a different way.
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11
Looking at 1 Corinthians, we find that Paul is consistent. Jesus is the firstfruit of those who have fallen asleep in Jesus and here again Paul says that the dead in Christ will be raised at the time of His coming:
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
All who have died in Christ, shall be made alive at Christ's second coming. It doesn't happen before His coming at all.
So, it looks like Jesus is taking all His people back to be with Himself, because there are places for His saints to live and He wants us to be with Him. We will see this in the next Scripture.
In the book of John, there is a discussion that Jesus had with His disciples about His leaving them. In that discussion, Jesus told them that they could not go with Him then, but that they would be able to follow Him when He comes back to take them Home with Him.
Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
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.
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. John 13:33,36-14:3
So, Jesus agrees with Paul. When Jesus comes again, He will take us unto Himself! In His Father's house, in heaven, there are many mansions. And if He goes to prepare places for us, Jesus will come again and take us unto Himself, so that where ever He is, we may be with Him. There are places for His saints to live and Jesus wants us to be with Him.
At an earlier time, Jesus told His purpose in coming to our world. He specifically points out that His people will be raised up at the last day.
For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:38-40
Again, we repeatedly see in the Bible that all those who believe in Jesus and are His; Jesus will raise him or her up at the last day, when Jesus comes to take His people Home with Him to Heaven.
Here is more Scripture concerning those who have fallen asleep in Christ:
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
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.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
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.
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:51-57.
Remember, those who are living when Jesus comes will not see death. We saw that was true in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Now, Paul talks to the Corinthians more specifically about those who will not see death when Jesus comes.
So Paul tells of a marvelous mystery concerning all those who would be alive when Jesus comes: "We will not all sleep". You see, they all thought they were living in the very last days and they figured that they would experience immortality without seeing death.
They were not living at the end of time, but maybe, we might be able to experience immortality without seeing death, 2000 years later.
We need to realize that ultimately, it is the last generation that will have the blessing of not seeing death when that day comes!
The following verses are short descriptions and expressions of joy and hope, looking forward to that day.
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:11.
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Matthew 16:27.
Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Matthew 26:64.
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. 2 Thessalonians 1:10.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9.
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. John 18:36.
Daniel describes one like the Son of man (Jesus Christ) who is given dominion and power from the Ancient of days (God the Father). Here it is described that all people will serve him. However in most of the other passages we see that it is the righteous only who are left. They will receive the kingdom under Christ.
and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
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.
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:1-3.
Here in Daniel, we see that it is those whose name is written in the book of life only, who are delivered. We also get a glimpse that there are two resurrections. One for the righteous and one for the wicked.
What will Happen to the Wicked When Jesus Comes?
Let's look to see what the wicked will experience when Jesus comes. However, before we do, we must realize that we do not need to look at the coming of Jesus with fear and uneasiness. Don't find yourself among the wicked when Jesus comes! Click on: Are You Saved? How do you know if you are saved? Is it a feeling or is there a more sure way to know?
Please find out for yourself what the free gift, that Jesus has for us, is all about. Jesus wants us to experience the same joy that the righteous will feel when they see Him coming in the clouds. And they will be able to say: "Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." Isaiah 25:9.
OK, now what is it that happens to the wicked when Jesus comes? It is going to be a very traumatic experience. When Jesus comes, all will be rewarded according to what they have done in their life.
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Matthew 16:26-27
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. Revelation 22:12.
He will be coming with great power. There will be a fire around Him and it will be tempestuous which means, wild, raging, furious, and angry.
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. Psalm 50:3.
Jeremiah speaks of the Lord as roaring from on high. It will be very tempestuous.
The Lord shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout." Jeremiah 25:30.
The earth will start to respond to this tempestuous God coming toward it.
The earth is violently broken, The earth is split open, The earth is shaken exceedingly.
The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, And shall totter like a hut; Its transgression shall be heavy upon it, And it will fall, and not rise again. Isaiah 24:19-20.
The earth will be self-destructing in front of the eyes of the wicked and their hears will fail them for fear. And they start to realize that it is going to get worse.
men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Luke 21:26-27.
In terror, the wicked will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud and they will hunt for holes and caves to craw into so they don't have to see what is coming.
And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;
To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. Isaiah 13:19-21
It is the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the lamb that they want to hide from.
And the heaven [sky] departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places."
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Revelation 6:14-17
And God will kill the inhabitants of the earth. The dead bodies will be everywhere on the face of the earth.
. . . Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts.
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 roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.
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.
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.
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. Jeremiah 25:29-33
The wicked, those who are left, will mainly be destroyed by the brightness of God who is coming. All the wicked will perish in that day.
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:.
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12
Here is the description of the final battle as it is described in Revelation. In verse 21 we see that the remnant of the wicked are slain with the sword.
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.
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. Revelation 19:19-21
If you were to read Revelation 19 starting with verse 11, you would find that the one who rides the horse is Jesus. Because of His great wrath all the wicked are slain and no one is left on the earth.
Friend, I do not want you to die with the wicked. Please consider the fact that Jesus loves you and that He would rather have no one experience destruction.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 2 Peter 3:9-12
Jesus has such strong love for us, and he longs to gather us together and to take us up with Him to Heaven. When Jesus was on earth the disciples asked Him to look at the wonderful buildings of Jerusalem. When He looked at the place of the temple and Jerusalem, He broke down and cried.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Matthew 23: 37 NIV
Jesus came to die for us that we might be saved from sure destruction.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.
I pray that we are willing to be part of this gathering that is taken to Heaven because the things that He has planned for us is unimaginable.
But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9
Yes the wicked are destroyed, but the righteous are taken to God's home!
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.
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. John 14:2-3
Friend, why don't you try out what God has planned for you? Click on: Are You Saved? to find out if you are saved? Is it a feeling or is there a more sure way to know?
When Jesus comes, you can be among the group that exclaims: "Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." Isaiah 25:9.
Jesus is Given the Kingdom
So, lets look to heaven where something special happens to make it possible for Jesus to come again:
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14.
Daniel describes one like the Son of man (Jesus Christ) who is given dominion and power from the Ancient of days (God the Father). Here it is described that all people will serve Jesus because He has received the kingdom from His Father. As we will see, from the other passages of the Bible, that it is only the righteous who will be present when this happens, and they will receive the kingdom under Christ.
In Revelation, John describes the same event. In this event The Earth will become part of the kingdoms of Jesus, and He will reign forever and ever. It is at this point that Jesus rewards his people and He also destroys all the wicked people who destroy the earth.
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"
And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God,
saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth." Revelation 11:15-18.
When Jesus comes to the earth the first thing He does is to reap the earth of His righteous people.
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. Revelation 14:14-16.
In Revelation, John's visions of the end, that there will be a great reaping. Reaping usually involves good grain, not tares etc. So this must be the gathering of the righteous.
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