J-4. THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS! AND THE WRATH OF GOD Why is properly understanding the coming of Jesus so vitally important? It is because Christians throughout the church age have been DECEIVED that Jesus has ALREADY come and they have been caught up in churches that teach false doctrine. These churches instill such FEAR in their congregation that they alone are the ONE true church and if a Christian leaves their church then they can not be saved. Many of these churches SHUN their followers who have questioned the doctrines of that church and if they had family members in that church they are taught to SHUN them as well. This demonic practice of SHUNNING is NOT Biblical and has split families apart. And once a Christian has been deceived by these churches it is extremely difficult to leave after learning that they are in a false church because of the great FEAR that has been instilled in them. So then, if ANY person comes to you and tells you that Jesus HAS RETURNED do NOT BELIEVE them. They are being deceived and if you are not careful and rooted and grounded in the TRUTH then you too may be deceived. So I implore you to read this study in God's word, searching the scriptures for yourself so that you will NEVER be deceived by any church that teaches that Jesus has already returned. There is only ONE second coming and this one coming or this one return of Jesus will be accompanied WITH the WRATH of Almighty God immediately followed by the 1000 year reign of Jesus during which there will be NO WAR. So as long as there is WARS being fought on the earth, Jesus has NOT RETURNED! DO NOT BE DECEIVED! Jesus said in Luke 21:27,28.
“And THEN shall they SEE the SON of man coming IN a cloud with power and great glory.” Whenever we see the word “then” we know that something must occur FIRST before THEY will see Jesus coming in a cloud with power and great glory. In other words, there will be something that we are to LOOK for or to WATCH for that will tell us that the coming of Jesus is very near.
In verse 28 we read.
“And when THESE THINGS begin to come to pass, THEN, look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh (Or draws near).”
Now ask yourself the question, “What things?” In order to answer this question, we will need to back up a couple of verses and read the context of this passage of scripture.
Let’s begin with Luke 21:25,26, which says.
“And 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 (Things that have already been coming and increasing in severity and will still yet continue to on the earth WHEN they BEGIN to happen. In other words, the entire world all at the same time will see something so FEARFUL that some people will have heart attacks and some Christian's “heart of FAITH” will fail as well): for (Or BECAUSE) the powers of the heaven shall be shaken.”
The “WHAT THINGS” or the “THESE THINGS” spoken of in verse 28 that we will see, which only BEGIN to come to pass, are the SIGNS in the SUN, and in the MOON, and in the STARS, and in the SEAS, and in the HEAVENS. In other words, Jesus said that when we first start to see these signs BEGIN to take place that we are to know without a doubt that he is coming to deliver us very soon. These signs will be FEARFUL signs in the eyes of the world and even to some Christians who have not been properly taught not to fear these signs because they mean that Jesus is returning very soon. In other words, we and all the world will see the beginning of these SIGNS just prior to the second coming of Jesus but the WISE will know not to fear because we will be delivered before the WRATH of God is poured out upon the WORLD. Therefore it is only when we BEGIN to see these signs starting to come to pass that we will know that our redemption is near. Remember that the definition of BEGIN means the initial setting in motion without reference to what is to follow, and it is the WRATH of God that follows immediately AFTER these fearful SIGNS in the SUN, in the MOON, and in the STARS.
Now when we compare Luke 21:25-28 with Revelation 10:7, which says.
“But when the days of the voice of the seventh angel WHEN he shall BEGIN to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he has declared to his servants the prophets,”
We see that both verses are in perfect harmony. We have already learned from the study “THE GREAT TRIBULATION VERSUS THE WRATH OF GOD!” that ONLY the FIRST SIX seals, the FIRST SIX trumpets, and the FIRST SIX vials are poured out during the GREAT TRIBULATION period, and that the SEVENTH seal, trumpet, and vial are RESERVED for the WRATH of God. The Bible clearly teaches that THESE SIGNS in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and in the heavens shall BEGIN to occur BETWEEN the sixth seal, trumpet and vial, and the seventh seal, trumpet and vial right at the time that the RAPTURE of the church takes place, which is just prior to the WRATH of God being poured out. THESE SIGNS are listed or mentioned throughout the Bible, and they always occur immediately BEFORE the WRATH of God as if they are what signify the BEGINNING of God’s wrath.
Look at Revelation 6:12-14, which says.
“And I beheld when he had opened the SIXTH seal, and low, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood: 13. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casts her untimely figs when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together, and every mountain and island were moved out of there places.”
THESE SIGNS are the exact SAME signs that we just read about in Luke 21:25-28. They are the signs in the sun, moon, stars, and the heavens being shaken. The wording may be slightly different and the sign of a great earthquake may not always be present in every passage of scripture, but nonetheless, THESE SIGNS are referring to the same event. Now notice that these signs take place at the very end of the GREAT TRIBULATION period, or more precisely, immediately AFTER this period of the great tribulation.
Matthew 24:29 says it like this.
“IMMEDIATELY AFTER the tribulation of those days shall the SUN be darkened, (Black as sackcloth of hair during the SIXTH seal just as the WRATH of God BEGINS to be poured out by Jesus), and the MOON shall not give her light (Become as blood or dark during the SIXTH seal just as the WRATH of God BEGINS to be poured out by Jesus), and the STARS shall fall from heaven (Like untimely figs during the SIXTH seal just as the WRATH of God BEGINS to be poured out by Jesus) and the powers of HEAVEN shall be SHAKEN (Departed as a scroll during the SIXTH seal just as the WRATH of God BEGINS to be poured out by Jesus).” Now if we continue reading in this passage of scripture you will find that THESE SIGNS shall occur just prior to the coming of the Son of man which agrees PERFECTLY with what we read in Luke 21:27,28.
Let’s read Matthew 24:30,31 and you will clearly see what I mean.
“And THEN shall appear (Or THEY the world shall see) the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth shall mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in CLOUDS of heaven with power and great glory. (I personally do not believe that we, the church shall see this particular sign of Jesus coming because we will have been raptured seconds before the world sees the WRATH of God being poured out upon THEM) 31. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a TRUMPET (the margin of my Bible reads or with a trumpet and a great voice, which compares exactly with 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 that describes the rapture of the church), and they shall GATHER TOGETHER the elect (God’s chosen, God chose the CHURCH to provoke Israel to jealousy) from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
It is crystal clear from these verses of Scriptures that THESE SIGNS will take place right BEFORE the rapture of the church occurs so that the WISE virgins will know to wake up and be READY for our Lord's coming. Again more accurately we will SEE these signs in the sun, moon, stars, and heaven BEGIN to occur immediately AFTER the great tribulation period just prior to the rapture of the church and then the WRATH of God will be poured out by Jesus. In other words, the rapture of the church AND the second coming of Jesus are ONE and the SELF-SAME event that will happen at the SAME time and NOT seven years apart. Then comes the kingdom of Jesus where ONLY the true and faithful Christians will rule and reign with Jesus for a literal 1000 years. And DURING that 1000 year reign of Jesus there will be NO WARS on the earth which proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that Jesus has NOT ALREADY returned as the World Mission Society Church of God, the Jehovah's Witnesses, and many other churches wrongly teach. Please read the study “HAS JESUS ALREADY RETURNED?” to learn of just how many FALSE teachings have deceived Christians throughout the entire church age. Some Christians are falsely teaching that Jesus returned in 70 AD, some teach that Jesus returned in the 1800s. Some teach that Jesus returned in 1948 while yet other Christians are falsely teaching that Jesus is ON the earth right now. But Jesus HIMSELF WARNED us to NOT be deceived and to NOT BELIEVE anyone who tries to tell you that Jesus is over here or he is over there in a secret place. Please read Matthew 24:23-31.
“Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it NOT. 24. For there shall arise FALSE Christ’s (Men saying that THEY are the Christ returned to the earth as he promised), and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25. Behold, I have told you before. 26. 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. (WHY? Why are we NOT to believe those who claim that Jesus has already returned in the past or that Jesus is on the earth right now?) 27. FOR (Or BECAUSE of this very REASON) AS the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; SO shall ALSO the coming of the Son of man be. (In other words, just as everyone at the same time sees the literal bolt of lightning in the sky so shall it be the same with the coming of Jesus where EVERY EYE shall SEE him coming in power to execute the WRATH of Almighty God. And just seconds before the WORLD sees the sign of the one coming, Jesus will have raptured the church. So there will be NO NEED to tell anyone of the COMING of Jesus. Everyone will KNOW at the SAME time all over the entire world.) 28. For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together. (Speaking of the battle of Armageddon AT the COMING of Jesus. Some Christians are calling Armageddon World War III. Some Christians, like myself, are seeing that the Bible itself teaches us that Jesus and the angels will be riding in CHARIOTS which the world may see as an alien invasion. We as Christians will already be raptured or caught up into the clouds to be aboard these chariots of God but we may see some signs of this WAR in the heavens just prior to the rapture of the church. Please read the study “THE WAR IN HEAVEN-REVELATION 12!” ) 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.” Now let’s go back to the book of Revelation and read chapter one and verse seven along with Revelation 6:15-17, which is at the very END of the opening of the sixth seal. Remember that the FIRST six seals, the FIRST six trumpets, and the FIRST six vials are what comprise or makes up the great tribulation period.
Let’s read Revelation 1:7 first.
“Behold he comes with CLOUDS, and every eye shall SEE him, and they ALSO which pierced him (The Jews who convinced the ungodly men of Rome to pierce Jesus); and all kindred of the earth shall WAIL (Or mourn) because of him. Even so Amen.”
Or even so, COME says the Spirit and the Bride, even so, COME Lord Jesus. Why do you suppose that we are told that the world and all the TRIBES will wail and mourn when they SEE Jesus coming in clouds? All we are told in this particular verse is that it is BECAUSE of him.
This does not tell us much until we read Revelation 6:15,16.
“And the kings of the earth, and great men, and rich men, and chief captains, and mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man (In other words, all the kindred of the earth) HID themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; (The elite, the Illuminati, and the governments and superpowers have underground bunkers all over the world because they KNOW that a WAR is coming from outside the earth. The men in power behind the governments of the world are in league with the god of this present world who has deceived them into building spacecraft that is what we know as UFO'S or flying saucers. Satan still thinks he can win this war he has waged against Almighty God to take over God's throne. I used to believe that this was just a spiritual war that could not be seen with human eyes but now I am seeing at least the POSSIBILITY that we may see literal spacecraft being shot down and fall to the earth and above these spacecraft will be fallen angels who will masquerade as aliens who came to warn the earth of an alien invasion. Please read the study “WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT UFO'S?” before you dismiss what I am saying as being nonsense. Have YOU yourself done any in-depth study of the chariots of God? If not then please do not make a premature judgment) 16. And said to the mountains, Fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; (WHY?) For (Or because) the great DAY of his WRATH is COME; and who shall be able to stand?” Remember the word “come” here means is coming, or in other words, is just beginning to be poured out. In other words, WHEN we see these signs just BEGINNING to happen the rapture BEFORE Jesus is seen in the air the rapture of the church will occur. And then our enemies who hate Christians will SEE all the Christians being taken up into the air. I believe that one very possible scenario of this event called the rapture of the church will look like an alien invasion and abduction of millions of people all over the world. And men's hearts will fail because of the FEAR. For you see, right after the rapture of the church Jesus will begin to make WAR from the AIR over the place called Armageddon. The hearts of men meaning the hearts of mankind will fail them because they are fearfully looking at the WRATH of God that is COMING upon them. Now, I personally believe that these failing HEARTS will be BOTH spiritual and physical meaning that the FAITH of some will fail as well as many people will have heart attacks because of these fearful things coming upon the earth. You see, the wrath of God will BEGIN or will be initially set in motion by THESE SIGNS in the sun, moon, stars, and heaven, and there will be no stopping it. That is why the world will mourn and wail because Jesus is coming as a THIEF in the night to take vengeance upon the ungodly. The world will SEE the COMING of the Son of man in great clouds of glory. For a deeper understanding of what I believe, this quite possibly may mean-- please read the study called “WHAT DOES the BIBLE SAY ABOUT UFOS?” The church is going to witness THESE SIGNS as well. I believe that is why Jesus made this profound statement in Luke 18:8 which speaks of the vengeance of God.
“I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. NEVERTHELESS, when the Son of man comes shall he find FAITH on the earth?”
Think about this for a moment. All of these dreadful signs in the sun, moon, stars, and in heaven are taking place all around you. People are mocking you, saying, where is his coming? Many will begin to doubt and THINK NOT that Jesus is coming back.
Matthew 24:44 says.
“Therefore be you also ready: for in such an HOUR ( Or time) as you THINK NOT then Son of man comes.”
Surely, such an event as this, this will be an HOUR or TIME when many Christians will THINK NOT that Jesus is going to come to rescue them. Don’t give up hope for your Redeemer is standing by. He will come just as he said, so LIFT UP your head that might be persuaded by these dreadful signs to hang down low in despair without hope thinking Jesus is not coming, for you see, when these signs or circumstances all around you may cause your head to hang down as if there is no more hope, but be assured because your redemption is drawing nigh as Luke 21:28 assures us. However, I cannot help but wonder how many Christians will fall away from the faith at this time, BECAUSE they have NOT been told the TRUTH about WHEN the RAPTURE of the church will take place, or they have heard the TRUTH, but they have REJECTED it because it was not pleasing to their ears.
God tells us in Hosea 4:6.
“MY PEOPLE (Christians) are destroyed (WHY?) for lack of knowledge: because you have REJECTED knowledge (OF the truth), I will also reject you, that you shall be no priest to me: seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.”
The Bible speaks of a GREAT FALLING AWAY that will take place before the second coming of Jesus.
Look at 2 Thessalonians 2:3, which says.
“Let no man DECEIVE you by any means: for THAT DAY (The coming of the Lord or the rapture of the church) shall NOT come EXCEPT there come a FALLING AWAY FIRST, and that man of sin (Speaking of the antichrist) be revealed, the son of perdition.”
1Timothy 4:1 says it like this.
“Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall DEPART from the FAITH, (WHY?) giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.”
The word “expressly” here means to definitely and unmistakably make known. It is vitally important that you clearly understand that the reason that some shall depart or fall away from the faith is that they did not know the TRUTH or they rejected the truth by giving heed to doctrines of devils.
1 Timothy 4:3 in this same passage of scripture goes on to say this.
“For the time will come when they will NOT endure SOUND doctrine; but after their own lust shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. 4. And they shall TURN AWAY their ears from the TRUTH, and shall be turned unto fables (That is to say turned away to believe something that is simply not true).”
The phrase “itching ears” means that they are eager to hear things that are PLEASING to hear. Now I realize that the POST-tribulation doctrine of the RAPTURE of the church is not as PLEASING to the ears as the PRE-tribulation teaching, but you can be assured that the teaching of the rapture occurring immediately AFTER the great tribulation period and before the wrath of God is poured out is the ONLY SOUND BIBLICAL DOCTRINE that agrees with ALL the verses of Scriptures having NO contradictions. Therefore, this TRUTH of the POST-tribulation teaching of the RAPTURE of the church must not be kept back or withheld from the body of Christ for any reason. The TRUTH of God's word will not ever harm the body of Christ, but will always be PROFITABLE to the believer.
Acts 20:20 says.
“And how I kept back NOTHING that was profitable unto you, but I have shown you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house.”
The TRUTH of the matter is that things are only going to grow worse and worse, and the body of Christ needs to be made aware of this TRUTH so that they might prepare their hearts in order that they will not fail in the coming days of trouble.
2 Timothy 3:1 gives us this warning.
“This know also, that in the last days PERILOUS times shall come.”
Perilous times are times of imminent danger all around. Now skip down to verse 13, which says. 2 Timothy 3:13.
“But EVIL men and SEDUCERS shall wax (grow) worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
Even these false teachers are deceiving themselves while they are unknowingly deceiving others. Or more precisely, they are keeping themselves under the deception by teaching the deception not realizing that they are teaching deception. This entire context of this chapter is talking about Christians who have RESISTED the TRUTH. Yes, they have a form of godliness, but they are denying the power thereof. One way to deny the power of the truth is to say that it is not important enough to teach the body of Christ. They are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of TRUTH. In other words, they are ever learning what MAN teaches rather than that which the Holy Ghost teaches. Search the word daily to see if what you are being taught is the truth. And right in the middle of all of this, we are told in verse 12. 2 Timothy 3:12.
“YEA, (Truly or of the truth) and all that will live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution.”
Just speak the TRUTH of God’s word and see if you don’t suffer persecution. The appearing of the beginning of THESE SIGNS in the sun, moon, stars, and heaven BEFORE the rapture of the church occurs is SOUND doctrine and must not be held back from the body of Christ. The saints of God need to hear the TRUTH that the church will without a doubt go through the entire period of great tribulation and shall witness THESE SIGNS begin to take place BEFORE the WRATH of God is poured out. THESE SIGNS that shall appear in the heavens and in the earth will be TERRIFYING signs, and if you are not expecting to see them, because you have been deceived into giving heed to doctrines of devils, you could very well be among the number of those whose hearts fail them for fear and fall away or depart from the faith. Now even the word “terrifying” is probably too mild a word to actually describe the feelings of those who are going to be caught unaware and are found to be themselves eyewitnesses of THESE SIGNS in the sun, moon, stars, and the heavens and earth being shaken. After you read this following list of scriptures you too may find yourself in agreement that this statement is not an exaggeration.
Isaiah 13:9-13.
“Behold the day of the Lord comes, CRUEL both with WRATH and FIERCE ANGER, to lay the land desolate, and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. 10. For the STARS of heaven and the CONSTELLATION, thereof shall not give their light: the SUN shall be darkened in his going forth (The second coming of Jesus) and the MOON shall not cause her light to shine. (Darkness day and night) 11. And I will punish the world for there evil and the wicked for there iniquity, (Which will include Christians who have sin in their lives) 12. I will make men more precious than fine gold, even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. 13. Therefore, will I SHAKE the HEAVENS, and the earth shall REMOVE OUT OF HER PLACE (Be moved out of its orbit around the sun or the earth to tip on its axis and be caused to wobble) in the WRATH of the Lord of host and in the day of his fierce anger.”
Acts 2:19,20. “And I will show wonders in HEAVEN above, and in the EARTH beneath blood, fire, and vapor of smoke. 20. The SUN shall be turned into darkness, and the MOON into blood BEFORE the great and notable day of the Lord come.”
Job 9:6,7. “Which SHAKES the earth OUT OF HER PLACE, and the pillars thereof tremble. 7. Which commands the SUN and it rises not, and seals up the STARS.”
Isaiah 24:1,6 19,20. “1. Behold, the Lord makes the earth EMPTY and makes it WASTE, and turns it upside down, and scatters abroad the inhabitants thereof… ...6. Therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned and FEW men left… ...19. The earth is UTTERLY BROKEN DOWN, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. 20. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage, and the transgressions shall be heavy upon it, and it shall fall, and not rise again.”
Joel 3:15,16. “The SUN and MOON shall be darkened, and the STARS shall withdraw their shining. 16. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the HEAVENS and EARTH shall SHAKE: but the Lord will be the HOPE of his people, and the STRENGTH of the children of Israel.” The WRATH of God will be so fierce that this very planet that we live on will be moved out of its orbit, or tip on its axis and will reel to and fro like a drunkard. There will be a great earthquake such as never been before. The Bible also tells us that the earth will be destroyed by fire and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. Please keep in mind that the WRATH of God BEGINS at the SECOND coming of Jesus IMMEDIATELY AFTER the time of Great tribulation. And then the wrath of God is lifted for a 1000 years when Satan shall be bound during the 1000 year reign of Jesus. And after this 1000 year reign of Jesus, Satan will be loosed to DECEIVE the nations one final time and Almighty God will pour out the REMAINDER of his WRATH upon the wicked. Look at 2 Peter 3:10, which says. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; IN THE WHICH (Or during which or at which time) 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.” However, the word of God assures us in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 that those who are watching and who are found blameless or those without sin will ESCAPE the coming WRATH of God which is reserved for the ungodly and sinners. 2 Peter 3:11-13 goes on to say. “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of person ought you 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 dwells righteousness.” In other words, our eyes need to be focused on the PROMISE of the new heavens and the new earth rather than on THESE SIGNS lest our hearts fail within us also. Let me summarize by giving the order in which these events will take place. The time clock or count down will begin with the ABOMINATION of DESOLATION spoken of by Daniel the prophet which will initiate the last 3 ½ years of GREAT TRIBULATION. Immediately AFTER the great tribulation period, there will appear THESE SIGNS in the SUN, in the MOON, in the STARS, and in the HEAVENS. Then when we BEGIN to witness THESE SIGNS we are to lift up our heads and be of good courage for our redemption is drawing near. It is at this time that the dead in Christ will be resurrected and then we who have remained alive will be changed in a moment and a twinkling of an eye TOGETHER with the resurrected saints. It is then that we will see Jesus coming in a cloud with power and glory AS we are being caught up in the air to meet our Lord never to be separated again. Since there will be Christians ascending into the clouds all over the earth it will be necessary for us to be GATHERED TOGETHER. Jesus will send his angels to gather us together to a place called ARMAGEDDON where we will help execute judgment and the WRATH of God upon the ungodly. After the WRATH of God is poured out upon all those who commit iniquity, the 1000 year reign of Jesus will begin and all those who take part in the rapture will be given eternal life and we will rule and reign with Jesus for 1000 years. Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit at this time during this 1000 year reign of Jesus. Then when the 1000 years are finished Satan will once again be loosed to tempt and deceive the nations. The nations will rebel against God and surround the saints in the beloved city, and then fire from God, out of heaven, will come down and devour them. Satan will then be cast into the lake of fire for all eternity never to deceive mankind again. A SECOND and final resurrection will also take place after the thousand years are finished and this is where all the ungodly will be resurrected and cast into the lake of fire as well. However the ungodly will not be the only ones who are resurrected at this time. All the righteous who died during the 1000 year reign will also be raised and judged according to their works. After the 1000 year reign, Jesus will then deliver the kingdom back into the hands of his Father and then we will, I suppose, go into the ages to come spoken of in Ephesians 2:7. I cover this summary in more detail in the study I have entitled “The Rapture”. Since the ABOMINATION of DESOLATION is what starts the count down of the great tribulation period it is important to know what it is. Now I know that there is a lot of speculation as to what the abomination of desolation may be, and these speculations may as well take place, but I wish only to focus on what the Bible actually has to say. Look at Matthew 24: 9-16, which says. “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be HATED of all nations for my name's sake. 10. And then many shall be offended and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12. And because the love of many shall abound, the love of many shall wax (Grow) cold. 13. But he that shall ENDURE unto the END, the SAME shall be SAVED. (Please read the study “IS ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED BIBLICAL” and the study “COULD ISLAM BE THE MARK OF THE BEAST!”)
Now read Mark 13:13,14. “And you shall be HATED of all men for my name's sake; but he that shall ENDURE unto the END, the same shall be saved. 14. But when YOU shall SEE the ABOMINATION of DESOLATION, spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing where it ought not, (let him that reads UNDERSTAND,) then let them that be in Judea flee to the mountains.” I want to draw your attention to the order of where the wording of “abomination of desolation” is placed in both of these verses. Notice that it is sandwiched between the wording “and you shall be HATED of all men…he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” and “then let them which be in Judea FLEE into the mountains.” With this thought in mind, read this same account given in. Luke 21:17-21, which says. “And you shall be HATED of all men for my name's sake. 18. But there shall not a hair of your head perish. 19. In your patience possess you your souls. 20. And when you shall SEE Jerusalem COMPASSED WITH ARMIES, then know that the DESOLATION thereof is nigh. 21. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let them which are in the midst of it depart out, and let them that are in the countries enter thereinto.” Notice that verse 20 is where we should see the wording as it is in the other gospels: “When you shall SEE the ABOMINATION of DESOLATION spoken of by the prophet Daniel,” But instead, we see these words. “And when you shall SEE Jerusalem COMPASSED WITH ARMIES, then know that the DESOLATION thereof is nigh.” Therefore, the “ABOMINATION of DESOLATION” IS Jerusalem being COMPASSED or surrounded with ARMIES spoken of by Daniel the prophet.
Daniel 11:31 says.
“And ARMS shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall PLACE the ABOMINATION that makes DESOLATE.” There have been many opinions about what the abomination of desolation might be though the years, such as an idol or a pig, something that would desecrate the holy sanctuary. And these opinions may be right. However, I have an opinion of my own based upon the word of God that I want you to closely consider. Think along these lines for a moment. When you SEE Jerusalem is compassed about with ARMIES that want to completely annihilate her and literally wipe Israel off the map, what could these armies PLACE in Jerusalem that would make her DESOLATE? I propose to you that if an ATOMIC BOMB were PLACED in Jerusalem and detonated that this would surely cause the complete DESOLATION of Jerusalem. Also, keep an eye on the rise of Muslim nations uniting and coming against Israel. I believe Islam truly wants to dominate the world. For a deeper understanding of Islam in Bible prophecy please read the study “COULD ISLAM BE THE MARK OF THE BEAST!” One definition of the word “abomination” is to greatly oppose. Since the detonation of the atomic bomb at Hiroshima, pretty much all nations have been greatly opposed to the use of nuclear weapons. It would truly be an abomination to detonate an atomic bomb in a city filled with innocent civilians. Also, the margin of my Bible says that the meaning of abomination that makes desolate is ASTONISH. Now the word “astonish” means to fill with sudden wonder, to confound. It comes from the Latin word “extondre” which means to strike with thunder, to STUN. The word astonished implies the condition of being overwhelmed and often dazed or dumbfounded. It is synonymous with the word surprise, which means to encounter suddenly or unexpectedly. One could say that the abomination of desolation is an army that GREATLY OPPOSES Israel and wants to see her total destruction. So to me simply placing a pig in the temple would not matter much to the wicked and ungodly rulers of this present world. It would matter to the Jews, but it would not cause them to FLEE to the mountains. It would not cause fear in their hearts. However, being SURROUNDED by Muslim ARMIES with one purpose in mind, which is to wipe Israel off the face of the earth would indeed strike fear not only to the Jews but to the entire world. It is up to you to believe whichever OPINION you choose, but no matter which OPINION may be right, we are still told to watch Jerusalem and WHEN she is COMPASSED about with ARMIES. Then those who are in Judea are to FLEE to the mountains because Jerusalem is on the verge of being made desolate. LET HIM THAT READS UNDERSTAND! Here is a drawing that I made to teach a Bible study on the end times at church. I could not find one anywhere on the Internet at the time so I improvised and made my own drawing. It is a drawing showing what the Bible itself teaches will take place in the ORDER that they will occur. CLICK on the image to enlarge.
Keep in mind the church age CONTINUES right on THROUGH the ENTIRE period of Great tribulation right up to the SECOND COMING of Jesus. The above drawing does not make this clear, but the word of TRUTH clearly teaches that from the day of Pentecost to the SECOND COMING of Jesus is the church age. In truth, there has been great tribulation pretty much all throughout the entire church age, but in the last 3 1/2 years there will again be Great tribulation in the Middle East such has never before. The Bible says that those in Judea and surrounding countries should FLEE to the mountains for safety. The word “mountain” is also used to speak of kingdoms, so this verse could mean for those in Israel and surrounding countries to FLEE to other more distant countries for refuge and safety when they see Jerusalem SURROUNDED by ARMIES. For further study on the coming of Jesus and all the end-time event please read all the studies under the heading >>>PROPHECY-THE COMING OF JESUS!<<< Simply click on this link to open a new page that will have LINKS to all the studies that I have on the end times. Each study is an in-depth study of each specific end-time event. Thanks for reading and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ, Brother Mark. RETURN TO HOMEPAGE AT
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