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Christ's Second Coming
The Lord Comes and Reigns
Zech. 14:1-11 -- A day of the Lord is coming...
Vs. 2 -- I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to
fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped.
Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken
from the city...
Vs. 4 -- On that day his (the Lord's) feet will
stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in
two from east to west, forming a great valley...
Vs. 5 -- You will flee by my mountain valley,
for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the
days of Uzziah king of Judah.
(Luke 21:20,21 -- When you see Jerusalem surrounded by
Armies, you will know its desolation is near. Then let those in Judea flee to the
mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the
city.)
Zech. 14:5 (Cont'd) -- Then the Lord my God will come
(Second Coming) and all the holy ones with him (angels).
Vs. 9 -- The Lord will be king over the whole earth.
On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name...
Vs. 10 -- Jerusalem will be raised up (rebuilt) and
ramain in its place, from the Benjamin Gate to the site of the First Gate...
Vs. 11 -- It will be inhabited; never again will it be
destroyed. Jerusalem will be secure.
This is the Bible narrative describing activities that are scheduled to occur at the
time of Christ's Second Coming.
I believe that the only safe solution is to hold to the Biblical account and reject
anything which contradicts it. The best overall Biblical account of the Second
Coming is probably the one given in 1 Thessalonians.
The Coming of the Lord
1 Thess. 4:14-17 -- We believe that Jesus died and rose
again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in
him.
According to the Lord's own word, we tell
you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly
not precede those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord himself will come down from
heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of
God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
After that, we who are still alive and
are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And
so we will be with the Lord forever.
Surely it is of considerable importance to understand who it is speaking of when it
states "the dead in Christ will rise first."
Rev. 20:4-6 -- And I saw the souls of those who had
been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the Word of God.
They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on
their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a
thousand years.
The rest of the dead did not come to
life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.
Blessed and holy are those who have
part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they
will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
Those who will be raised in the First Resurrection will have the following
identification:
1. Martyred because of their testimony for Jesus, and the testimony of
Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10). The men (witnesses) have power to shut
up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying (Rev. 11:6).
This is why they are called "servants the prophets."
2. Martyred because of the Word of God. This Word is the everlasting
gospel from the Word of God which they are preaching to every nation, kindred, tongue and
people.
3. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his
mark on their foreheads or their hands. "These ... did not defile themselves
with women, for they kept themselves pure." They worshiped only the true God --
not false churches or their leaders.
4. They will come to life and reign with Christ for 1000 Yrs. They
follow the Lamb wherever he goes (Rev.14:4). They are before the throne of God day
and night in His temple (Rev. 7:15).
All the above characteristics
are describing the 144,000.
The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.
In the account of the Second Coming in 1 Thess. 4:14-17, referring to "the dead in
Christ will rise first," it must be referring to these martyrs who had been killed
because of their testimony for Jesus. This account of their martyrdom and subsequent
raising from the dead is described as follows:
Rev. 11:7-12 -- Now when they (witnesses) have
finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and
overpower and kill them...
For three and a half days men from every
people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial...
But after the three and a half days a
breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck
those who saw them.
Then they heard a loud voice from heaven
saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud,
while their enemies looked on.
1 Thess. 4:16 -- For the Lord himself will come down
from heaven with a loud command.
Rev. 11:12 -- Then they heard a loud voice from heaven
saying to them, "Come up here."
1 Thess. 4:16 -- And the dead in Christ will rise
first.
Rev. 11:11 -- A breath of life from God entered them
and they stood on their feet.
After their command to "Come up here," they went up to heaven in a cloud.
It appears that Christ Himself, accompanied by a cloud of angels, escorted them up
to heaven. We have a Biblical record of their subsequent presence in heaven.
Rev. 14:1-5 -- Then I looked, and there before me was the
Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name
written on their foreheads...
Vs. 3 -- And they sang a new song before the
throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the
song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth...
Vs. 4 -- They follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.
Vs. 5 -- No lie was found in their mouths; they are
blameless.
This same group is decribed in another heavenly setting, just before the Seven Last
Plagues are poured out.
Rev. 15:1,2 -- I saw in heaven another great and marvelous
sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues -- last, because with them
God's wrath is completed.
And I saw what looked like a sea of glass
mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast
and his image and over the number of his name. (See Rev. 20:4)
When Christ returns at His Second Coming, to destroy the wicked and to gather up the
righteous living, He brings this group with Him.
Rev. 17:12-14 -- The horns you saw are ten kings who have
not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along
with the beast...
They will make war against the Lamb, but
the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings -- And
with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.
1 Thess. 4:14 -- We believe that Jesus died and rose
again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who had fallen asleep in him.
Both of these texts are stating that Christ, at His Second Coming, will bring those who
have fallen asleep in Him. They are described as His called, chosen, and faithful
followers.
The 144,000 are described as those that follow the Lamb wherever He goes. How
better could you label them than "faithful followers?" They were called
and chosen when they were selected by God and sealed with His seal -- before
releasing the angels to begin the devastation of the time of tribulation (Rev.7:1-3).
They fell asleep, after their 1260 days of prophesying, when killed by the beast
from the Abyss. Three and a half days later they were brought to life and called up
to heaven (Rev.11:7-11).
Now we can see a hiatus of time -- several weeks at least, between the time when
the dead in Christ are raised first and the events in 1 Thess. 4:17 transpire:
After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with
them (144,000) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the
Lord forever.
After Christ Returns
What happens, now that Christ has come, destroyed the wicked and gathered up the
righteous living who are associating with the previously resurrected and redeemed 144,000?
We note in the heavenly scene where God the Father holds a scroll sealed with seven
seals and the only One worthy to open the seals is found to be Christ, for the following
reasons:
Rev. 5:9,10 -- You are worthy to take the scroll and to
open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from
every tribe and language and people and nation. (144,000).
You have made them to be a kingdom and
priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. (Not in
heaven)
Rev. 20:4 -- And I saw the souls of those who had been
beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus... They came to life and reigned
with Christ a thousand years...
Vs. 6 -- The second death has no power over them, but they
will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand
years.
Without question this special people, raised in the First Resurrection, designated as
priests to serve God and Christ will reign on this earth. They also will reign with
Christ (on this earth) for 1000 years.
There are many prophecies in the Old Testament which describe the Second Coming and
what happens after Christ returns. I like Joel:
Joel 3:16-21 -- The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder
from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the Lord will be a refuge
for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.
Then you will know that I, the Lord your
God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy;
Never again will foreigners invade her...
Vss. 20,21 -- Judah will be inhabited forever and
Jerusalem through all generations.
Their bloodguilt, which I have not
pardoned, I will pardon. The Lord dwells in Zion!
"Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, my holy
hill." If we will know it then; then why can't we believe it now? What
was their bloodguilt which He had not pardoned, but at the time of His Second Coming, will
pardon?
Matt. 27:24,25 -- When Pilate saw he was getting
nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in
front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said.
"It is your responsibility!"
All the people answered, "Let his
blood be on us and on our children!
What About Christ's Third Coming?
(At the end of the 1000 years)
Now we come to the Biblical account as given in the last three chapters of Revelation.
Rev. 20:7-10 -- When the thousand years are over, Satan
will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four
corners of the earth...
They marched across the breadth of the
earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves (Jerusalem --
where Christ is dwelling and reigning). But fire came down from heaven and
devoured them.
And the devil, who deceived them was
thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and false prophet had been thrown.
When Satan is released from his prison, after the thousand years, he goes out to
deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth.
Nothing is said about these having been raised from the dead for this purpose.
These are the nations of the earth that have existed on earth ever since Christ's Second
Coming and which are discussed in many pasages of the Old Testament concerning this
time. These are the nations Satan deceived and convinced them to attack the camp of
God's people, the city He loves; Jerusalem where He has been dwelling and ruling for the
past thousand years. "But fire came down from heaven and devoured them."
This removes from the earth all those who have not committed their lives to Christ,
that are alive on the earth at that time.
The last section of the 20th chapter of Revelation then deals with all who are in their
graves. The NIV uses the section heading of:
"The Dead are Judged."
In Rev. 20:11-15 the judging of the dead from all ages is presented. The wicked
living have just been eliminated, as recorded in the previous passage.
Now we come to the prophecy of Christ who predicts what takes place in Rev. 20:11-15.
John 5:28,29 -- Do not be amazed at this, for a time is
coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice (Son of God's) and
come out -- those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have
done evil will rise to be condemned.
Christ speaks of "a time is coming." This indicates that at a time
(specific time) all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out. This
time is the "Great White Throne Judgment" described in Rev.20:11-15 under
the heading "The Dead are Judged."
Rev. 20:11-15 -- Then I saw a great white throne and
him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no
place for them.
And I saw the dead, great and small,
standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is
the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded
in the books.
The sea gave up the dead that were in it,
and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged
according to what he had done.
Then death and Hades were thrown into the
lake of fire. The lake of fire is the Second Death.
If anyone's name
was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
This represents the judgment of the dead of all ages. This includes the righteous
dead as well as the wicked dead. All whose names are not found in the book of life
are thrown into the lake of fire.
At the conclusion of this judgment and execution of sentence, the last remaining wicked
(the wicked dead) will have been extinguished. Rev. 21 reveals the earth after sin
and sinners have been destroyed.
Rev. 21:1,2 -- Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth,
for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned beautifully for her
husband.
This is explaining the earth after the extermination of the wicked and the earth
completely recreated. Into this perfect environment the Holy City comes down from
God out of heaven. If the New Jerusalem had been the home of the redeemed for the
preceding thousand years, would it likely be described as a bride adorned
beautifully for her husband?
There follows a vivid description of the holy city throughout most of the remaining
portion of Ch. 21. In Ch. 22 there is a description of the river of life and the
tree of life growing on each bank of the river of live.
Rev. 22:18,19 -- I warn everyone who hears the words of
the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him
(or her) the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from
this book of prophesy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in
the holy city, which are described in this book.
Nowhere in the Biblical account is there any mention of Christ returning to this earth
at the end of the thousand years. He is already here where He will have remained and
reigned since His Second Coming, a thousand years earlier. The record of this in the
Old Testament is extensive.
I believe that God realized that many would feel the desire to add words to this book
to make it reveal what the book, as He wrote it, did not quite reveal. Even though
the urge to do so is strong, our determination to resist this urge should be many times
stronger. Especially in view of the rewards promised to those who may give way to
these urges and add words to the prophecy of this book. These will be liable to
receive the rewards as listed in Revelation 22:18,19 above.
The First Resurrection
Summarized
We are shown from Rev. 20:4-6 that the First Resurrection consists of those who had
been martyred for their testimony for Jesus and had not worshiped the beast or his image,
or received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. Also that the rest of the
dead did not come to life until the thousand years had ended. This portion of
Scripture adequately furnishes us with an entirely indispensible insight into the words of
1 Thess. 4:15-17:
Weymouth: For this we declare to you on the Lord's own authority --
that we who are alive and continue on earth until the coming of the Lord, shall
certainly not forestall those who shall have previously passed away.
For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven with a loud word of command, and
with an archangel's voice and the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Afterwards we who are alive and still on
earth will be caught up in their company amid clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
Berkeley: We tell you this on the Lord's own saying: We, the living
who remain at the coming of the Lord, shall not at all take precedence over those asleep.
For with a shout, with the voice of an
archangel and the trumpet of God, the Lord will personally descend from heaven and those
who died in Christ shall rise first.
Afterward we, the living who still
survive, shall be caught up along with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
Now that we can see who are represented in the First Resurrection, we can be assured
that 1 Thess. 4:15 is describing that event.
New International: According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that
we who are still alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede
those who have fallen asleep.
For the Lord himself will come down from
heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of
God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first.
This is pinpointed to the event where the witnesses for Jesus have completed their
testimony and are martyred; after three and a half days they are resurrected.
Rev. 11:7 -- Now when they have finished their testimony,
the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them.
Vs. 11 -- But after three and a half days a breath of
life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw
them.
Vs. 12 -- Then they heard a loud voice from heaven
saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud,
while their enemies looked on.
Immediately following this the Seventh Angel sounds his trumpet announcing:
(1) The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and
he will rule for ever and ever.
(2) Your wrath has come (The Seven Last Plagues).
(3) The time for rewarding your servants the prophets (144,000).
(4) And for destroying those who destroy the earth.
We have three group pictures of this First Resurrection group -- taken in heaven
with each identified so as to leave no room for doubt that these are speaking of the
144,000. When they are all considered together -- the picture is complete.
Rev. 7:9-17 -- After this I looked and there before me was
a great multitude... They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in
their hands...
These are they who have come out of the
great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the
Lamb. Therefore "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night
in his temple.
Rev. 14:1-5 -- Then I looked and there before me was
the Lamb, standing on Mt. Sion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his father's
name written on their foreheads...
And they sang a new song... No one
could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth...
They follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
Rev. 15:1-3 -- I saw in heaven... Seven angels
with the seven last plagues -- last because with them God's wrath is
completed.
And I saw what looked like a sea of glass
mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast
and his image and over the number of his name.
This last description lists an important identifying character-
istic of those who have been raised in the First Resurrection. Also it reveals
that they are in heaven before the seven last plagues are distributed to the seven angel
who will pour them out onto the earth.
Christ's Second Coming occurs following the pouring out of the Seventh Plague.
This indicates that they had to be in heaven when the Seven Last Plagues were poured out.
Battle of Armageddon
Rev. 16:13-16 describes evil spirits coming out of the mouths of the dragon, beast and
false prophet -- going out to the kings of the earth to gather them to the battle
of the great day of God Almighty. "Then they gathered them to a place called
Armageddon."
Rev. 17:13,14 -- They (kings of the earth) have one
purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. They will make war
against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of
kings -- and with him will be his called, chosen, and faithful followers
(the 144,000 for sure).
The best description of this battle is in Ezek. 38 & 39. Following this
battle with extermination of these armies, the wicked of the earth are systematically
eradicated and the living righteous are caught up as described in
1 Thess. 4:17 -- After that, we who are still alive and
are left will be caught up with them (144,000 -- First Resurrection group),
in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
This makes it clear that there is a time interval for dispensing the Seven Last
Plagues, that separates the event in 1 Thess. 4:15,16 and that event in verse 17.
The exact time isn't important but the important consideration is that the First
Resurrection occurs several weeks at least before Christ's Second Coming. There will
be no resurrection at that time since "the rest of the dead lived not again until the
thousand years had ended." This will be the time for collecting the living
saints.
Christ's Preview of His Second Coming
I believe that Christ has left us with a preview of His Second Coming in miniature.
I believe there are important lessons to be found in the discription of this event
over and above what one would see from a mere surface reading. Notice the account:
Matt. 16:28 (RSV) -- Truly, I say to you, there are some
standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his
kingdom.
Matt. 17:1-8 (RSV) -- And after six days Jesus took
with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart.
And he was transfigured before them, and
his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light.
And behold, there appeared to them Moses
and Elijah, talking with him...
Vss. 5-8 -- He was still speaking, when lo, a bright
cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son,
with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."
When the disciples heard this, they fell
on their faces, and were filled with awe.
But Jesus came and touched them saying,
"Rise and have no fear."
And when they lifted up their eyes, they
saw no one but Jesus only.
This is a beautiful representation of the Second Coming in miniature. I believe
that Christ planned it with meaning and prophetic insight. After telling them that
some standing there would live to see Him coming in His kingdom, "And after six
days" He took them up into a high mountain. Do you believe it just happened
to be six days, or was it by careful orchestrated design? Remember Peter's words:
2 Peter 3:7,8 (RSV) -- But by the same word the heavens
and the earth that now exist have been stored up for fire, being kept until the day of
judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not ignore this one fact, beloved,
that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.
I believe Christ was showing us that, after six days (6000 years) of living in turmoil,
danger and uncertainties of this life, we will complete the week (seventh day) by
entering into a thousand years of living in His presence at His Coming. I also
believe it was no coincidence that Elijah and Moses were chosen to participate in this
miniature presentation.
Let us see if the Scriptures shed light on this matter.
Before Christ is presented to the world in all His glory at His Second Coming, He will
first be revealed to the world through a group of people whom He will personally select
and seal with the seal of the living God in their foreheads. We know from Eph.1:13
that this seal is the Holy Spirit and these who are so especially designated are the
144,000 (Rev.7:3).
Rev. 11:3 reveals that the two witnesses will prophesy for 1260 days (three and a half
years). These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands.
The olive trees produced the oil used in the temple to keep the lamps burning.
The oil represents the Holy Spirit who is the author of the light.
The Two Trees represent the early and the latter rain.
The Two Lampstands represent the light, or the Word of God -- Old and New
Testaments.
The Two Witnesses are the Holy Spirit and the Word of God (Everlasting Gospel).
The Message that is promoted by these two witnesses is through specially selected,
chosen and sealed channels; --
The 144,000, filled and sealed with the Holy Spirit and preaching the Everlasting
Gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue and people
Rev. 11:6 -- These men have power to shut up the
sky so it will not rain during the time they are prophesying. (They are
prophets and they prophesy for 1260 days, or three and a half years).
Elijah also prophesied that it would not rain for three and a half years.
James 5:17 -- Elijah was a man just like us. He
prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a
half years.
This shows that these men came in the Spirit and power of Elijah.
Rev. 11:6b -- And they have power to turn the waters into
blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
This shows that they also come in the spirit and power of Moses.
At this preview presentation of the Second Coming, Moses and Elijah came as
representatives of those witnesses who are to reveal Christ to the world prior to His
coming in person. This witnessing will be for 1260 days after which they all will be
martyred. After three and a half days they will be brought to life and a loud voice
from heaven calls them up to heaven in a cloud. (Rev. 11:11,12).
If this scenario, as listed, is correct, we are at the end of the sixth day (6000
years). The next thing that we should be expecting is the presence of the 144,000 to
be demonstrated in their witnessing the everlasting gospel to every nation, kindred,
tongue and people. This is to occur during the time of the great tribulation.
This group is one in which man has no vote in their selection. These are
personally selected by God. They are sealed in their foreheads with the seal of the
living God -- the Holy Spirit. This explains how they are able to come in the
spirit and power of Elijah and Moses. Also, like these two prophets of God, the
144,000 are also prophets. They are called "servants the prophets."
After their testimony is completed (after 1260 days of prophesying) the beast from the
Abyss makes war on them and kills them. After three and a half days a breath of life
from God entered them and they are called up to heaven by a loud voice. Immediately
thereafter the Seventh Trumpet sounds announcing, among other things:
(1) The seven last plagues
(2) Time for rewarding your servants the prophets (Rev. 11:18)
This indicates that they are in heaven at the time the plagues are distributed.
How better could the "servants the prophets" be rewarded?
To complete the analogy with Christ's preview and His actual Second Coming, it might be
helpful to show Scriptural evidence that they also come with Christ at His Second Coming.
His first official act at His Second Coming is the Battle of Armageddon.
Rev. 16:16 -- Then they gathered the kings (10) together
to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
Rev. 17:12-14 -- The ten horns you saw are ten
kings... They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.
They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is
Lord of lords and King of kings -- and with him will be his called, chosen
and faithful followers.
One of the major identifying characteristics of the 144,000 is noted in Rev. 14:4,
"They follow the Lamb wherever he goes" -- (faithful followers).
As I review in my mind the scenario that unfolded on that mountain top, I am convinced
that perhaps the major reason for the presence of Elijah and Moses is to reveal that the
144,000 come with Christ at His Second Coming. Beyond question the prophets Moses
and Elijah are the prototypes of the 144,000 "servants the prophets" who are so
prominent in the events surrounding the Second Coming.
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