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
Email: grantphillips@windstream.net
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
