Where Will Jesus Return

Signs Of The Second Coming: 11 Reasons Jesus Will Return in Our Lifetime: Gillette, Britt: 9781500792787: Amazon.com: Books

I intended to demonstrate to as many people as possible, via the composition ofSigns of the Second Coming, how distinct we are from other Christian generations. No other time in history have there been as many evidence of Christ’s coming as there are now, and nearly none of these signals were there 100 years ago. However, because the majority of people are not aware of the signals, I felt bound to call them out. In doing so, I hoped to produce a book that was simple to comprehend, enjoyable to read, and written in a conversational tone.

The book Signs of the Second Coming is sure to be a hit with anybody who enjoys biblical prophecy commentary, Christian eschatology, Christian prophecy, or Christian nonfiction literature in general.

Consider the ideas presented and develop your own conclusions.

a conversation with the author Q – Who is the appropriate reader forSigns of the Second Coming?

  1. A – Anyone who is interested in what the future holds is the appropriate target audience for this publication.
  2. Of course, if you’re already a Christian, the signs of Christ’s second coming will most likely fill you with joy, optimism, and a deeper feeling of peace as the date of Christ’s return approaches.
  3. Q – Why is the subtitle “11 Reasons Jesus Will Return Soon” rather than “11 Reasons Jesus Might Return Soon” included in the title?
  4. It is my firm belief that Jesus will return during the projected lifetime of the vast majority of those who read this book.
  5. The reason is that the indications of His coming are all around us, and Jesus stated, “When you see all of these things taking place, lift your eyes to the sky, for your salvation is drawing close” (Luke 21:28).
  6. He stated that His advent was soon, and I believe Him when He says that.
  7. Q – Why should readers giveSigns of the Second Cominga a chance to succeed?
  8. If you are doubtful about the possibility that Jesus will return one day, this is the book for you.
  9. Despite this, everything stays unchanged.” Is this, however, correct?
  10. I believe it is obvious that this is not the case.
  11. The fact is that Christian believers today may point to several indications, and Jesus Himself stated that “when you see all these things taking place, look up, for your salvation is drawing close” (Luke 21:28).

We may be certain that His return is imminent since we are seeing these signals now. It is when you believe this that your worldview and the way you live your everyday life will be dramatically altered. Thank you for taking the time to read this!

From the Back Cover

Did you know that there are more predictions regarding the Second Coming of Jesus in the Bible than there are about the First? To be more precise, the Bible predicts that particular signs would arise before to His return, and Jesus Himself has instructed that we keep an eye out for those signs. If you read Signals of the Second Coming, you’ll discover about the signs to look out for that Moses, Jesus, and the Old Testament prophets warned about. Signs such as: * The Jewish people regaining control of the land of Israel * The Jewish people regaining control of the city of Jerusalem * And the spread of the Gospel across the globe More significantly, you’ll discover that practically all of the signs of the prophets that you’ve been looking for are currently in evidence.

Take a look at the indicators for yourself and determine whether or not our generation is destined to see one of the most historic occurrences in human history – the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

The Second Coming of Christ

It is our belief that Christ will return a second time; Our Lord’s return from the heavenly realm will be personal, visible, and spectacular; it is a joyful hope for which we should keep vigilant and pray continuously. Prior to establishing His reign on earth, Jesus will return to gather His Church, an event known as the “Rapture” in the Christian community. At that point, the dead in Christ will be resurrected to life, and those who are alive will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and be with Him for all ever.

  • Those who have died in Christ will be raised from the dead in a body that will be comparable to Christ’s glorified body, with their redeemed souls and spirits being joined with the body of Christ.
  • 3This anticipation serves as a source of inspiration for leading a holy life as well as a source of consolation.
  • Five years after the Church has been caught up in the Rapture, Christians will be hauled before the judgment seat of Christ.
  • 6This is not a judgment in which their salvation is determined, but rather a recompense for their effort on Christ’s behalf.
  • 8Israel, as well as all nations, will be affected by this period of exceptional struggle.
  • 9At the conclusion of the Tribulation, Jesus Christ, accompanied by the armies of heaven and the Church, will come to earth to establish the Messianic Kingdom.
  • When Christ returns, Satan will be chained for a thousand years in the Lake of Fire, and the Antichrist will be tossed into the Lake of Fire.

13Israel will be returned to her country, and she will never be driven from it again.

15Because the curse that has been placed upon the world will be lifted, his dominion will be defined by material and spiritual benefits.

Seventeenth, God will put an end to this revolt in the last battle of all time, and Satan will be cast into the lake of fire.

19They will be judged by Christ and hurled into the lake of fire, where they will endure ultimate and eternal torment, as well as the suffering of the living.

A new Jerusalem will be built, as will the everlasting presence of God among all those who have repented.

Scripture references: Revelation 6:17; 7:14; Jeremiah 30:79 The book of Zechariah (12:2, 3; 14:1–310) In addition to Revelation 19:7–9, 14; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 19:15, 1611; and 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Revelation 20:2, 4–612Revelation 19:20; 20:1–313Revelation 19:20; 20:1–313 3:3; Matthew 2514; Joel 3:3 Amos 9:15; Ezekiel 34:2815; Hosea 6:15 (See also Psalm 2:9 and Isaiah 11:416.) Romans 8:19–2117 (KJV) The book of Revelation 20:7–918 Revelation 20:1019 is a verse from the Bible.

Revelation 20:11–1320 (also known as the Book of Revelation) The Book of Revelation 20:14-15; Mark 9:48212; Peter 3:1322 Revelation 21:2, 3; 2:3–5; 21:2, 3; 2:3–5

Jesus’ return – the Second Coming

According to Christian belief, Jesus Christ will return at some point in the future, and when this occurs, everyone will be informed of it. His reappearance is referred to as the Second Coming. It will be a remarkable and unparalleled event in history, in stark contrast to his first appearance in Bethlehem as a defenseless infant. There are hints in the Bible about what it could be like, but there is no indication as to when it will occur. In the days leading up to his crucifixion in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, Jesus talked of his return to the earth.

  • ‘ This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven will return in the exact same way that you have witnessed him ascend into heaven.’ The final hours of Jesus’ earthly life also provide a hint concerning the Second Coming.
  • During that time period, he was seen by more than 500 individuals.
  • The ascension of Jesus is the name given to this occurrence.
  • According to the book of Acts, they assured the disciples that ‘this same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven would come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven’ would return in the same manner.
  • Continue reading below.
  • Jesus had warned his disciples that no one, other than God, could predict the exact moment of his return, but he also instructed them to make certain that they were always prepared in case it did.
  • Christian scholars have examined passages of the Bible that talk about the future during the centuries that have followed to attempt to determine the conditions under which Jesus would return.

It is a description of a complicated, lyrical vision that John has received.

It talks not only of the present, but also of the future – including a time when the existing heavens and earth will be destroyed and replaced by a new heaven and a new earth – as well as of the present and past.

Because the old order of things has gone away, there will be no more death, sorrow, weeping, or suffering.

Others believe that all believers, even those who have died, will be immediately evacuated from the world and will join God in heaven, where they will be joined by all other Christians.

According to some interpretations, the allusion to a period of 1,000 years refers to a period of just and peaceful world leadership by the Christian church, which will be followed by a horrific apocalypse involving evil.

There is a third school of thought that holds that the symbolic events described in Revelation do not foreshadow concrete occurrences.

There are several variants on these views, but the Bible instructs Christians not to get obsessed with these events and their timing, but rather to take comfort in the confidence that Jesus will return to make all things new.

‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ says the Bible, which is virtually its final words. Because the old order of things has gone away, there will be no more death, sorrow, weeping, or suffering.

Meet Five Men Who All Think They’re the Messiah

A version of this article appeared in the August 2017 edition of National Geographicmagazine. It is certain that I will be arriving shortly.’ The last passage of the Bible, which predicts the coming of Jesus Christ, has always held a fascination for me. When do you mean “soon”? And who exactly is “I”? I’ve been following seven individuals who claim to be the Second Coming of Christ for the past three years (five are shown here). Using their insights as a source of inspiration and spending time with their disciples as a source of inspiration, I’ve attempted to create pictures that express the human desire for faith, meaning, and redemption.

  • However, I’ve always loved reading the Bible, and my interest in it has risen significantly over the past decade or so.
  • As a Christian, I’ve pondered what Christ would think of the world we’ve built if he returned today to accomplish his mission on earth.
  • Having these ideas whirling about in my brain, I made the decision to begin searching for messiahs.
  • You may expect that there would be a greater number of persons who profess to be Christ.
  • Each of these gentlemen is distinct.
  • For the vast majority of individuals, belief in a greater power is a purely abstract concept.
  • They have the ability to touch their belief.
  • One thing that impressed me about some of these messiahs is how steadfast they are in their beliefs.
  • In some respects, they’re more cohesive than the Scriptures that we have available to us.
  • However, I’ve always believed that the arrival of a messiah is a key aspect of the Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—and that this is a vital part of their beliefs.
  • So, if one accepts that, why couldn’t it be one of these gentlemen instead?

I hope it will inspire others to think about their own beliefs and who has the authority to define them in the same way. The Last Testament, a novel by Jonas Bendiksen, will be released by Aperture/GOST in September of this year.

Not Forgotten: The Promised Return of Jesus

The term “Second Coming” alludes to the return of Jesus Christ, as described in the books of Revelation, Hebrews, the Gospels, and other biblical texts. When Jesus initially arrived on the planet, He was merely a little child. Upon completion of His earthly career, including the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus went to Heaven “to prepare a place” for His disciples (John 14:3). He also promises His return (1 Corinthians 15:23), during which the first resurrection will take place, He will take His disciples to heaven with Him, and sin and Satan will be annihilated for all time.

The expectation of the Second Coming is something to look forward to.

It’s the climax of God’s plan of redemption, after all.

  • The term “Second Coming” refers to the return of Jesus Christ, as described in the books of Revelation, Hebrews, the Gospels, and several other places in the Bible. It wasn’t until Jesus was a newborn that He made His first appearance on Earth. As a result of His earthly mission, as well as His crucifixion and resurrection, He returned to Heaven “to prepare a home” for His disciples (John 14:3). Also in 1 Corinthians 15:23, Christ predicts His return, during which the first resurrection will take place, He will take His believers to heaven with Him, sin and Satan will be vanquished forever, and the world will be transformed. It is reasonable to expect the Second Coming. It is a physical occurrence, a personal encounter, a visible experience, and a global occurrence all at the same time! Ultimately, it represents the fulfillment of God’s purpose of redemption. So, let’s find out more about this incomparably fantastic occasion: “
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Belief 25: The Second Coming of Christ

Ultimately, the second coming of Christ is the church’s glad hope, as well as the great conclusion of the gospel message. When the Saviour comes, it will be literal, personal, visible, and all-encompassing. In the event of His return, the righteous dead will be raised from the grave, and they, along with the righteous alive, will be exalted and transported to heaven, while the wicked will perish. When combined with the current state of the world, the practically perfect fulfillment of most lines of prophecy points to the nearness of Christ’s return.

  • (Matt.
  • 15:51-54; 2 Thess.
  • 3:1-5; Titus 2:13; Heb.
  • 1:7; 14:14-20; 19:11-21.)

What Will the Second Coming Be Like?

Exclusively the most educated are aware of the Second Coming, nor is it a reward only available to the wealthy. Unlike what many Christian communities traditionally thought, it is neither a metaphor or a symbol, nor is it occurring solely on a spiritual plane, as was previously believed. It is and will continue to be a literal occurrence as stated in Scripture.

  • The virtuous dead will rise from their graves and ascend to the cloud with Jesus
  • The righteous living will ascend to the clouds with Jesus and “always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 ESV)
  • And Jesus will descend on a cloud.

Adventists hold this belief to be true in its most basic form. Jesus will come on a cloud, and he will remain in the skies the entire time. He has made the decision not to step on the ground. The dead in Christ will rise with Him, and the living will shortly follow, as we are all “taken up together” in the same moment in the same place in the same time (1 Thessalonians 4:17). “When Christ, who is your life, comes, you will also appear with him in glory,” says the Bible (Colossians 3:4, ESV). This is further confirmed by Acts 1:11, in which an angel addresses Jesus’ followers after they had witnessed His ascension, confirming the visible way of His return.

Personal

The purpose of Jesus’ coming is to reunite Himself with us. His disciples were notified that He was rising back to heaven, but that He would be preparing a home for us in the meanwhile (John 14). . if I go and make a place for you, I will return and bring you to myself, so that where I am, you may be as well” (John 14:3 ESV). Our ascension to the skies with Jesus will not only be our last destination, but we will also be with Him for all of eternity. The Bible informs us in Philippians 3:20 that “our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (ESV).

“Behold, I am standing at the door, knocking.” In the event that someone hears my call and answers the door, I will enter inside his home to dine with him, as well as he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

Visible

According to Revelation 1:7, “every eye shall see Him” (ESV). The question of whether or not this is genuinely Jesus will no longer be a guessing game. We will be able to “see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great splendor” no matter where we are (Matthew 24:30, ESV). He said to the high priest just before His crucifixion that he would “from now on see the Son of Man sitting at the right side of Power” and “come on the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 26:64 ESV). Jesus will be visible to everyone, including those who have wronged Him, those who have chosen to believe in Him, and those who have chosen not to believe in Him.

Worldwide

We can see from the Bible that the Second Coming is not just a literal event, but also a worldwide phenomenon. As stated in the preceding section, “every eye will see Him”—regardless of the time zone, continent, or other geographical location. Even if it’s difficult to picture something like this happening, with God, nothing is impossible! “For as the lightning bursts and illuminates the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in His day.”, we are informed in the Bible (Luke 17:22, ESV).

No one knows “the Day or the Hour” of the Second Coming

Even while Jesus made it apparent that He will return, He also made it clear that we would not be privy to the specifics of when He would do so. However, no one, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father, is aware of the day and hour in which it will occur (Matthew 24:36 ESV). Even the angels are unsure of the exact day on which Jesus will return. This is analogous to how Noah knew that the rain would come, but he didn’t know when it would start to pour. A deluge would be sent by God to purge the earth of corruption, as He had foretold to Noah (Genesis 6).

  1. No creature on the face of the earth will be able to predict when Christ will come, just as no creature on the face of the earth could predict the deluge of Genesis.
  2. Jesus utilized parables as lessons and examples to prepare them for what was to come.
  3. According to the tale Jesus narrates, there are five wise virgins and five stupid virgins among the twelve virgins.
  4. The wise carry extra oil for their lamps, whilst the dumb bring none whatsoever.
  5. It was during their absence that the bridegroom arrived.
  6. When the five foolish virgins returned, they were unable to enter the building (v.
  7. “Watch therefore, for you do not know the day or the hour,” Jesus concludes His warning by instructing them to “keep watch” (v.

It is not our responsibility to know when anything is going to happen since our duty is not to be concerned with “when.” Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, take the Great Commission seriously, and live as a walking testimony – knowing that Jesus will actually return to redeem us and put a stop to all sin and evil for all time is our goal.

Because many will come in my name, claiming to be the Christ, and they will lead many astray, I warn you (Matthew 24:4, 5 ESV).

The events of the second coming are unknown to everyone save God the Father, who knows when they will take place. This implies that anybody claiming to be knowledgeable is either incorrect or attempting to deceive others.

Bible Prophecies Proclaim Christ’s Second Coming

The book of Revelation is written by the author, John, who describes his vision of Christ’s return. “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who wounded him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of him,” he declares (v. 7 ESV).

In Revelation 14, he recounts other images from his vision

In this vision, John saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion with 144,000 others, a number that represents the number of Christians who will stand with Jesus at the end of time on earth, according to the Bible (v. 1). This vision lasts until John sees Jesus riding on a white cloud above him. He descends to the world on a cloud, holding a sickle in His hand, and “swung his sickle across the ground, and the earth was harvested” (Hebrews 4:15). (v. 16 ESV).

In vivid word pictures and poetry, the Bible tells of the triumphant coming of Christ in Revelation chapter 19.

“Then I saw heaven opening, and there before me was a white horse!” exclaims John. The one who sits on it is known as Faithful and True, and he judges and wages war in the name of righteousness.” (v.11) The heavens will open like a throng separating to make way for royalty, and Christ will ride into the sky on a white horse, triumphantly riding into battle. He brings with Him angelic troops, and He will fulfill His promise to redeem and judge the world. “His eyes are like flames of fire, and he wears several diadems on his head, and he has a name engraved on his chest that no one else knows but himself.” (See also v.

  1. When Jesus looks into our hearts, we can’t conceal anything from Him since He has piercing eyes.
  2. His robe is stained with blood, and his name is “The Word of God,” which means “God’s Word” in Hebrew.
  3. 13).
  4. While some believe the blood on His robe depicts the blood of His adversaries, it is more probable that the blood signifies His triumph at Calvary, according to scholars.
  5. (See v.
  6. When Jesus returns, He will be accompanied by an army of celestial creatures who will also be riding white horses and wearing pristine, pure white garments when they arrive.
  7. “He shall tread the winepress of the wrath of God the Almighty,” says the prophet.
  8. Jesus’ victory over the nations is a result of the power of His words, which emanates through His lips.
  9. A shepherd would use a staff to guide his flock, but the rod will be constructed of iron to ensure that even the most defiant will bow to his authority.

“King of kings and Lord of lords” is inscribed on his robe and on his thigh, and he is referred to as such (v. 16). As a result, the names King of kings and Lord of Lords are inscribed on Jesus’ robe as well as His thigh, so that it may be seen clearly from His vantage point on the white horse.

Symbolism in Revelation

It seems like there is a lot going on in Revelation, and most of it is depicted in symbolism because we do not yet have a frame of reference for the events that will take place. We are aware that symbolism and prophecy are techniques of communicating the most essential truths and expressing the greatest hope for mankind. When it comes to the gospel, which is Jesus’ death on the cross and the promise of His Second Coming, it is a beacon of light in a dark world. Many people see the book of Revelation as cryptic and frightening, yet it is truly a narrative of hope and love.

Revelation does not herald the end of the world; rather, it represents the culmination of the entire tale of human life as a whole.

And throughout it all, the concept of Jesus and His compassion for people is there.

The Second Coming is the Hope of Adventists

To the Seventh-day Adventists, the second coming is so vital that it is included into their name: the term Adventmeans “arrival.” Over 2000 years ago, Jesus was born as a baby in a manger and brought to earth. This is the first Advent, and it is for this reason why Christmas calendars are sometimes referred to as “Advent Calendars.” The second advent, often known as the second coming, is not only the hope of Adventists, but of all Christians worldwide. This gives us reason to be hopeful since Jesus has promised to come.

  • Believe in God, and believe in me as well.
  • Would I have informed you that I was going to arrange a home for you if that had not been the case?
  • The Bible makes a promise about Christ’s second appearance.
  • Adventists hold out the fortunate expectation that Christ’s return in the future will serve as the culmination to our tale on this planet.
  • Because of Christ’s advent, our existence will be perfected and fully realized.

Christ’s Return as a Key Topic in Adventist History

Prior to the Advent movement becoming a worldwide church, the majority of churches thought that the second coming would be a spiritual or symbolic occurrence. It’s probable that it wasn’t even brought up very much. Nevertheless, shortly after the Second Great Awakening occurred in the United States, a Baptist named William Miller resolved to devote more time to studying the Bible after returning home from battle. Miller discovered that Christ’s second coming must be a literal occurrence as a result of his study of Daniel and Revelation.

  • It altered the way Christians saw the present and the future after the Second World War.
  • Miller’s message, on the other hand, had one flaw: it was ambiguous.
  • Despite the fact that it became evident that Miller’s prognosis was erroneous, many individuals wanted to conduct more research to see where he went wrong.
  • To an extent, Miller’s blunder contributed to the resurgence of personal and small group dedication among Christians.

Many of the Seventh-day Adventist ideas were uncovered as a result of in-depth research conducted after this period. In addition, when Christians learned more about the Bible and God’s truth, they became more determined to obey the Word and to continue their studies of it.

How to Prepare for the Second Coming

We must be ready for the bridegroom’s arrival, just as the 10 virgins in Jesus’ story were before him. We are all sinners in desperate need of His forgiveness. It is only by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that we might be admitted to the “wedding feast” (heaven). This preparation is made possible by Jesus, and as long as we have a personal relationship with Him, we will be prepared for His return to earth. If we commit a minor blunder, we will not be disqualified from entering paradise. We won’t have to be concerned about the end of time.

  1. We are all guilty of sin and fall short of the glory of God, according to Scripture (Romans 3:23).
  2. We are left with the alegacy of sin as a result of mankind’s fall in the Garden of Eden.
  3. For this reason, Paul continues in Romans 3 by assuring us that we have been “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (vs.
  4. Additionally, the Bible states in Romans 6:23, “For the price of sin is death, but the free gift of God is everlasting life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  5. It was Jesus who took our death upon Himself, dying in our place and rising from the dead so that He could return to heaven and serve to us there.
  6. Preparing for that life is the same as preparing for His return.
  7. We need to get to know Him.
  8. Some things that may be done to assist us in this endeavor include:
  • Pray every day, all throughout the day. Pray for the well-being of others. Pray together as a family. Pray in the name of Jesus, who intercedes for you in the presence of the Father
  • Make time to read your Bible. Read the Bible every day so that you can spend time reflecting on God’s Word. In your own prayer practice, make use of scriptures and Bible promises to help you. Recall scripture and make links between it and your contemporary life and experiences
  • Pay attention to sermons and teachers. Make use of free internet platforms to listen to inspiring messages and Bible lectures from all around the world. Find dependable mentors who can teach you profound Bible concepts
  • Attend services at the church. Locate a local church that is comprised primarily of Bible believers. Develop friendships with like-minded Christians who will encourage and support you in your spiritual journey. Keep your exposure to the outside world to a minimum. You are the only one who truly understands how secular actions and experiences effect you. Precaution should be exercised, and exposure to anything that can entice you or interfere with your connection with God should be limited.
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Prayer and personal Bible study are highly vital in helping us to grow in our faith in Jesus and in our connection with Him. Bible study and prayer, carried out under the power of the Holy Spirit, serve as our direct line of communication with the Savior we are waiting for. It is the most effective method of preparing for His imminent arrival. Walking this road alongside other Christians is an important aspect of the whole experience of becoming a Christian. Yes, the world is in a state of turmoil.

Sin has taken over the world.

Despite the fact that everything is working against us, we still have hope.

His reappearance will mark the beginning of the process of transforming this planet into the perfect world that it was always meant to be.

The Advent movement got its start as a result of the expectation of Christ’s return. At this point, the Seventh-day Adventist Church places all of its trust in Christ, in His promises, and in the coming of the Lord.

When Will Jesus Return?

When asked which millennial position they hold, certain Reformed Christians, particularly the more cynical among them, will occasionally respond: “I’m a panmillennialist.” “I have faith that everything will work out in the end.” A large part of this cynicism stems from annoyance with the apparently never-ending fights about the most insignificant of matters. Exasperation with the never-ending stream of false prophecies of the rapture and/or the second coming of Christ may also be a contributing factor in some instances.

  • It’s not hard to see that Napoleon Bonaparte was the Antichrist and that his exile was a portent that the end of the world was close at hand, is it?
  • Their generation was not the first to fall prey to the trap of date-setting, and it was surely not the last to do so either.
  • As a result, many people were under the impression that the end of the world was approaching.
  • As a result of Harold Camping’s forecast of a May 21, 2011, judgment day, that message was painted all over billboards and the sides of buses around the country.
  • However, that day too came and went without a trace.

What occurs is this: As a result, you make a mockery of Scripture, bring disgrace upon the name of Jesus Christ, and give doubters with even more reasons to reject the Bible’s teachings, Whenever you claim in the public arena that the Bible “guarantees” something and it doesn’t happen, the public assumes that the Bible is incorrect and hence not the Word of God, which is untrue.

  1. Many Christians, if they even bother to read biblical prophecy at all, fall into one of two types of traps.
  2. Others interpreted it as though it were a paraphrase of Nostradamus’s works, which it was not.
  3. Most of the time, this second, more gnostic method incorporates some type of numerology in some form or another.
  4. With perfect confidence, we can inform you that the final judgment will take place on May 21, 2011.
  5. There is an issue with hermeneutical techniques of this nature.
  6. In reading the newspaper as though it were poetry, or reading a poem as though it were a financial report, we lose the entire essence of a work.
  7. We are all aware that in order to accurately comprehend any book, we must first grasp its genre.

The fact that we don’t know what these writings are means that we can’t hope to understand them.

The majority of the oracles directed to the northern kingdom and afterwards the southern kingdom are oracles of judgment in the preexilic prophetic literature (e.g., Amos, Hosea, Micah, Isaiah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah).

However, as the approaching exile draws nearer, the prophetic warnings of imminent judgment grow more certain, but we also come across more and more oracles of blessing, which hint to a time of restoration following the approaching exile.

From Zephaniah 1:1–2:3, we find some of the most powerful prophecies of impending doom found in all of the prophetic scriptures.

Zephaniah 3:9–20, on the other hand, is one of the most beautiful oracles of redemption to be found in the prophetic books, and it is a must-read for anybody who loves the Bible.

When we come to the book of Revelation, we see that John refers to his book as a prophecy on several occasions (Rev.

Because of this awareness of the genre, we should approach it with caution.

Millennialists,” as I like to refer to individuals who have finally realized that the book of Revelation is written in metaphorical language.

When we begin to read the Book of Revelation in the manner in which the original author intended it to be read, we may begin to grasp the meaning intended by the author.

We will not be able to grasp Revelation if we read the newspaper. Knowing the Old Testament as well as the remainder of the New Testament will aid us in our understanding of the Bible. Note from the editor: This piece was first published on December 10, 2018.

Unsettling signs of Jesus’ return

Following up on what I shared with you last Friday, Jesus provided His people with indicators that would allow them to know when the time of his return was approaching. Take a look with me at Matthew 24 of God’s Word as we study the indications that He has given us. 4th and 5th verses “.be careful that no one deceives you. ” For many will come in My name, claiming to be Christ, and many will be deceived by their claims.” The following are citations from Wikipedia: List of Messiah Claimants and List of People Claimed to Be Jesus.

  1. 6th and 7th verses “Moreover, you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; take care that you are not alarmed: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Because “country will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,” as the saying goes.
  2. This is the first and most crucial subject I want you to focus on completely and completely.
  3. Psalms 61:1-5 and 62:6-8 are other good verses to hold on to.
  4. “He alone is my rock and my salvation,” I declare.
  5. According to the facts and numbers – taken from the Wikipedia list of continuing armed conflicts – if you only consider conflicts that have resulted in at least 100 deaths in the last two years, there are now 32 wars involving 64 nations.
  6. And, according to verse 7, “famines, pestilences, and earthquakes will be experienced in many (other) locations.” adapted from Wikipedia – famines From 1980 until the present, around 3,000,000 people have died as a result of starvation.
  7. Pestilence is defined as “any virulent (deadly) sickness” according to Webster’s dictionary.

Is anyone still remembering the Ebola outbreak in 2012?

As reported by the World Health Organization, the total number of fatalities due to malaria, cholera, measles, hepatitis B, influenza, and rotavirus in a single year totals 1,504,200.

I used the important earthquakes list on usgs.gov to do my study, focusing on earthquakes with magnitudes of 6.0 and above.

earthquakes have occurred five times more frequently in the first ten years of the twenty-first century than in the first ten years of the twentieth century!

According to Open Doors USA, the most recent available numbers reveal that there were 2,983 recorded Christian martyr killings in the year 2019.

(intentional homicide).

According to the FBI’s crime in the United States report, there were 1,203,808 instances of violent crime in the country in 2019.

Take into consideration the cold-blooded death of innocent infants as well.

God has not ceased counting, despite the fact that America has.

Please, don’t give up hope, my friends.

“Thou will maintain him in perfect peace, whose mind is remained on thee: because he trusts in thee,” reads Isaiah 26:3, in reference to a person whose attention is fixed on God.

Next week, I’ll share with you some encouraging news about “the excellent indicators.” God’s blessings and protection upon you as you pursue him. At Rocky Ford Christian Church in Cana, Virginia, George Randall Jr. serves as the minister to the young people.

Theology Thursday: He Will Come Again to Judge

In the Apostles’ Creed, it says, “He will come again to judge the living and the dead.” Jesus is on his way back to earth. His “second coming” is also referred to as such. The “first coming” of Jesus occurred when he took on the form of a human person, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. The second coming is the time when Jesus comes to judge all of humanity — both the living and the dead. All those who will be alive when he returns are considered to be among the living.

Every person who has died will be resurrected from the dead and judged, according to Jesus’ words (John 5:26-29).

The Good News

In the Apostles’ Creed, it says, “He will return to judge the living and the dead.” He (Jesus) will return in the future. Also known as his “second coming,” this is when he returns to the earth. During his “first coming,” Jesus took on human form, lived a faultless life, and died on the cross in our place as a sacrifice for our sins. It is during Jesus’ second coming that all of mankind – both alive and dead – will be judged. All those who will be alive when he returns are considered to be among the alive.

Every person who has died, according to Jesus, will be resurrected from the grave and judged (John 5:26-29).

The Bad News

The return of Jesus as judge, on the other hand, is bad news for those who are not Christians. If I do not believe in Christ, then I have not had my sins forgiven, and I will be held accountable for my misdeeds in the future. This signifies that I’m in serious danger right now. It is the cost for sin to be separated from God, and because God is everlasting, this separation will last forever. If I have not been forgiven of my sins via the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, then the return of Christ is the worst news imaginable, for my sins will lead me to be driven out of God’s presence for all eternity.

See also:  Who Is This Jesus

God has Provided the Solution for Everyone

However, God has supplied a remedy for my sin issue, which is found in the first half of the same portion of the Apostles’ Creed, where it states that Jesus Christ “was crucified” before rising from the dead on the third day as a result of his death. Jesus took the punishment that we deserved for our misdeeds and paid it for us. Whoever turns from sin and places their confidence in Jesus Christ as their sin-bearer receives forgiveness of sins and is able to dwell in God’s presence is said to be in God’s presence.

Finally, at the conclusion of the book of Revelation, the last words are a prayer: “Amen.

He is pleading with Jesus to return and “judge the living and the dead,” as he put it.

Check out all of the articles from Theology Thursday and make sure to check back each week for a new installment.

These are the author’s own views and opinions, and they do not necessarily reflect those of Grand Canyon University. The views and ideas stated in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the university. Any sources that were quoted were up to date at the time of publication.

5 Things The Bible Says About Jesus’ Return

When it comes to the end of the world and Jesus’ second coming, there appears to be considerable skepticism and ambiguity regarding what to expect when Jesus returns. Despite the fact that we will never fully understand God’s plan for the end times, He has made promises to us in His written Word regarding what will happen at that time. According to Billy Graham, the end “shall occur with the coming of Jesus Christ. It is for this reason that a Christian can be an optimist. That is why a Christian may have a positive attitude despite all that is going on.

Don’t trust anybody who tells you, “There He is, out in the wilderness,” or “Here He is, in the inner chambers,” or “There He is, in the inner rooms,” or “There He is,” or “There He is.” Because, just as lightning that comes from the east is seen even in the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be apparent even in the east.

  • And there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity due to the roaring of the sea and the waves, and people will faint with fear and foreboding of what is about to befall the world.
  • And then they will see the Son of Man appearing in a cloud, surrounded by tremendous power and glory.
  • Luke 21:25-28 (KJV) (ESV) However, no one, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father, is aware of what day or hour it will be.
  • Matthew 25:13 (NIV) As a result, Christ will visit a second time, this time not to deal with sin, but to save those who are anxiously awaiting His return.
  • Even so, it’s a good thing.
  • Revelation 1:7 (New International Version) (ESV)

2 Peter: The Delay of Jesus’ Return & the Crisis of Patience

Whitney Woollard contributed to this article. 4 years ago today Second Peter is a small novel that is filled with a great deal of enthusiasm. While writing his final words, the apostolic pillar of the early church experiences great emotions, which is to be anticipated. The apostle Peter is well aware that he is soon to die, so he carefully constructs this farewell message to the network of churches in Asia Minor (2 Pet.

1:12-15). Specifically, he wishes for his final exhortations and cautions to be documented and kept in order to serve as a memory of his teaching for future generations, which includes our own age. And I believe you’ll find that his message is just as relevant now as it was back in the day.

What’s 2 Peter All About?

In chapter one, Peter pushes believers to never cease growing in holiness and Christ-like attributes. Then, in chapters two and three, he pivots towards the corrupt professors who were opposing the coming of Jesus and final judgment in order to defend their immoral behavior. All of this was too comfortable for them, given their combined pessimism about Jesus’ coming and their enjoyment of immorality with no repercussions. They may reject biblical authority, make easy money by spreading a false gospel of Christian “freedom,” and engage in a large amount of casual sex without fear of being held accountable or being punished.

  1. The second chapter criticizes them, reminding his readers of God’s unavoidable retribution on those who commit evil.
  2. It works like this: if A is true, imagine how much more true it is that B is true.
  3. Considering that (A) God did not spare the fallen angels, the ancient civilisation of Noah’s day, or the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (2 Pet.
  4. 9-10)?
  5. Wow.
  6. But Peter doesn’t stop there.
  7. Yes.

In any case, they happened to be in the midst of the first wave of systematic persecution against Christians that occurred under the reign of Nero, a despicable Roman emperor.

Why did Jesus delay while such apparent evil was ruling the day?

Take a glance at the environment around you.

Violence, mass shootings, and terror are all on the rise.

The innocent are subjected to oppression, while the wicked enjoy success.

High-rise developers get wealthy, but those who have been abused are ignored. We can’t help but find ourselves grappling with the same question. What is it that is taking Jesus so long to come and redeem all of humanity’s wrongs?

The Central Crisis: What’s Taking Jesus SO Long?

Second Peter 3 actually contains the most explicit treatment of the delay of theparousia(a Greek word that refers to Jesus’ second coming at the end of human history) in the entire New Testament, making it particularly important if you’re trying to make sense of this wait for Jesus’ second coming in human history. As Peter opens his letter, he reminds his readers that the Scriptures forewarned them that there would be scoffers in the end days who would turn away from the truth and pursue immoral desires.

They deliberately ignore the fact that God had interfered in the past, both in the story of creation and in the account of the flood.

3:1-7).

It is not the Lord’s intention that any should perish, but rather that everyone should come to repentance, that he is slow to fulfill his word, as some consider slowness, but he is patient with you.”

Hit Pause!

When we reach this point, we need to take a moment to reflect on the fact that there are several schools of thought on how to interpret Peter’s argument in verse 8 (“one day is like a thousand years”). With the goal of not boring you, I’ll quickly discuss two widely held beliefs in order to discredit both in favor of a more balanced and biblical alternative that, I believe, would better assist us in understanding the significance of the delay. (Please note that I am following in the footsteps of Richard Bauckham’s superb work on 2 Peter.) It is taught by one school of thought that you need to understand the passage in the context of parallels found in current Jewish and Christian literature, and that you should use a chronological formulation in which a “day” represents a thousand years in human terms.

  • However, in light of the context of 2 Peter 3, this does not make sense.
  • It just doesn’t stack up in the end.
  • They don’t recognize Peter as drawing on any materials from current Jewish or Christian literature, as he claims.
  • As recorded in the Apocalypse of Baruch, a contemporary of Peter muses on Psalm 90:4, drawing a contrast between God’s eternal existence and man’s finite period of existence.

The idea that Peter, writing as a genuinely Jewish Christian, was completely uninformed of this material while also employing Psalm 90:4 in the same manner is difficult to swallow. It’s not going to fly. Having stated that, how should we interpret Peter’s reasoning in verses 8 and 9 of his letter?

Hit Play Again—What’s Taking Jesus SO Long?

We should view these passages in the context of their genre (apocalyptic eschatology), keeping in mind that Peter is a Jewish Christian who has been influenced by apocalyptic visionaries throughout history. It is likely that he was well aware with writers like as Habakkukor and Danielelor Baruch, men who experienced what it was like to cry out in sorrow, “How long, O Lord,” while keeping faith in God’s sovereign designs, even while he delayed his plans. It is likely that he would have gained confidence from their unwavering faith in the face of adversity that God’s timeline was not his own and that God’s delay was an integral part of the plan.

His ingenious approach is to dive into a lengthy line of eschatological tradition soaked with eschatological delay in order to develop arguments regarding theparousia that were already acquainted to his readers’ thoughts.

Take a look at his two main points:

One: God’s timetable is different than ours (verse 8).

Ah. In the face of all the evil that we witness, it’s difficult to fathom this concept, but apocalyptic writers were eager to remind out that God operates on a whole different eschatological clock than we do. His timeless, never-ending perspective of time frees him from the problems of the human race. Because of our own transitory existence and our desire to experience complete salvation, our human expectations of the “situation” as we perceive it are restricted by our own limited perspective.

Peter tells us that “the eternal God is not afflicted by that specific impatience” (II Peter 3:8).

He is neither constrained by a desire for personal atonement or constrained by the limitations of human viewpoint.

Two: God is patient, wanting all to come to repentance (verse 9).

If we believe God operates on his own timetable, we will lose sight of the urgency with which evil and suffering confront us. Peter’s second argument, which comes from Jewish apocalyptic writing, is that God delays not because he is slow, but because he is patient with sinners, allowing them all the opportunity to repent. “.The Lord, the Lord, a God kind and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in steadfast love and faithfulness, retaining steadfast love for thousands of years, forgiving sin and wickedness, but who will by no means clear the guilty.” This is God’s description of himself in Exodus 34:6-7.

God has permitted these last days to continue in order for more people to come to trust in Jesus and the defeat of all evil, despite our longing for his return and the annihilation of evil.

However, as long as the parousia continues to be postponed, there is still opportunity for people to repent and place their faith in Jesus as their personal Savior. This knowledge should actually serve to increase our patience and zeal as we anticipate the coming of our Lord.

So How Do We Live Right NOW?

With perseverance and determination! As we await and work to accelerate the arrival of the day of God, Peter says we should be marked by purity and godliness in our lives (2 Pet. 3:11-12). The apocalyptic visionaries of old were required to patiently trust in the flawless designs of God, and we are invited to do the same. The passage, however, also argues that Christian life can really have an impact on God’s timeline (we can “haste” the coming of the Lord if we live out the truths of the new covenant as they are revealed in Scripture).

When we believe that the eschatological promises have been fulfilled through the work of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we do not wait idly for Jesus’ return, nor do we live in the manner of the corrupt teachers who saw Jesus’ delay as an opportunity to indulge their own fleshly desires.

Every day, we live out our lives offering testimony to Jesus, carrying on his mission, resisting the forces of darkness, and working to accelerate the day when those purposes will be completely realized.

But we wait patiently, knowing that God is arranging all of human history in order to bring it all to a magnificent conclusion.

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