THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH

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Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, we see many references to the coming of the Messiah who will bring the Kingdom of God to earth  and  peace and prosperity to humanity. No student  of the Bible  will  deny that the coming of the Messiah is  one  of  its central themes. However, among student and scholar alike, there is much disagreement as to the timing of this great event. Historically and presently, the Jews are waiting for the Messiah's  first arrival. And most Christians wait for his second coming, but some anticipate a second and a third coming.

The Messiah Came Once and Will Return

Historical,  civil, religious, and other ancient records  confirm the authenticity of the biblical record. Historical writings  are full of evidence of the existence of the people and places  associated with the Bible and the Messiah.

Writings of Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Eusebius, and other  early church leaders mention Pontius Pilate who ruled Judea from  A.D. 26  to 36 and they make reference to his official reports to  Emperor Tiberus Julius Caesar Augustus.

Tiberius wrote of the trial and crucifixion of a Jew who many believed to be the Jewish Messiah. Tactius, a Roman historian,  mentions the  one  named  Christ who Pontius Pilate  condemned  to death (Annals  xv:44, written A.D. 115-117). Even Jewish  history  confirms the life and death of Christ.

Because  it  can be proven from historical records,  which  include both  the Old and New Testaments, that the Messiah did  come  and fulfill the prophecies of his first coming, it makes it possible to believe what the Bible says about his future return.

When Will Christ Return?

Does  anyone know when Christ will return to earth? Many in  the past  thought  they knew, and many today think  they  know.  One group of believers thought he would return in 1844, another group thought he would return in 1914, and yet  another group predicted it would be  in 1975. People  continually set dates and are  continually  disappointed; however, does this mean that no one will know the date  and hour of Christ's return until it actually happens? How many times will the Messiah return? Will it be one, two, or three times? Many will find the answers to these questions both exciting and surprising.

After  Jesus had told his disciples about the future  destruction of  the temple, they came to him privately to find out when it would happen and when the end of the age would come.

The  disciples  already knew of the  prophecies about  the Kingdom of God and its eventual rule of the earth. And many  Jews of  Jesus' day were expecting the Messiah to come  and  establish the Kingdom within their lifetime. See Lk. 17:20-24.

Matthew 24:23-51 Paraphrased

"Then  if  anyone says to you, Behold, here is  the  Christ;  or, There he is!  Do not believe. For false christs will rise up,  and  false prophets.  And they will give great signs and wonders, so  as  to lead astray,  if possible, even the elect. Behold,  I  tell  you beforehand. Then if they say to you, Behold, he is in the wilderness;  do  not go out. Behold, he is in the inner rooms; do not believe" (vs.23-26). See also Mk.13:21-22.

Throughout the centuries, many false Messiahs and false  prophets have come and gone. During the time of trouble at the end of the age, religious deception will be so intense that the only ones  who will not be deceived are the elect of God who are diligently following the true God.

Notice the clear statement that Christ makes about one event that will accompany his arrival:

"For as the lightning comes forth from the east and shines as far as the west, so also will be the coming of the Son of man" (v27).

Here,  Jesus gave a vivid picture of one of the signs  that  will accompany  his return. Lightning is not a silent or  inconspicuous occurrence; it is always accompanied by a loud thunderous  noise, which is very noticeable.

"And immediately after the affliction of those days, the sun  will be darkened, and the moon will not give her light,  and the stars will fall from the heaven, and the powers of the  heavens will be shaken" (vs.28-29).

Cataclysmic celestial events  will  take place before Christ's return and his gathering of the elect.

"And then the sign of the Son of man will appear in the heavens. And then all the tribes of the land will wail. And they will  see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and much glory. And he will send his angels with a great sound of a  trumpet, and they will gather his elect from the four winds; from the ends of the heavens to their ends" (vs.30-31).

The  signs  that precede Christ's return are awesome  events that will occur in the heavens. The sun will become  dark  (Mk.13:24-26),  the  moon will not reflect sunlight to the earth,  and  the stars (Greek,  'aster') will be moved out of their orbits. When Jesus returns in  all his glory and power, his very presence will disrupt the  physical universe. See Ex.19:16-18; 24:17; Isa.13:9-13; 24:1-5; Joel 2:10-12, 30; Hag.2:6-7.

Every  person alive on earth at the time of Christ's return  will be  aware of the awesome events that will occur in the  heavens. Most people will  be terrified and fear for their lives; some  will  be terrified because they know that Christ is returning to  destroy them,  and  others will be in fear because they think  that  the world is coming to an end. The magnitude of the events that will accompany Christ's return will be far from secret or silent; they will be awesome and terrifying.

The End-time Generation

"But  learn  the  parable of the fig tree: When  its  branch  has already become tender, and it puts out leaves, you know that  the summer is near, so also when you see all these things, know  that it is near, at the doors. Truly I say to you, In no way will this generation  pass away until all these things have  occurred.  The heavens and the earth will pass away" (vs.32-35).

When  Jesus gave this parable, the disciples  thought  Jesus  was speaking  of  their day and their generation.  However,  as  time passed it became apparent that he was speaking of a people and  a generation  far in the future. When these heavenly events  occur,  Jesus' return is imminent, and nothing can delay it.

The Day and the Hour

The statement Jesus made in reference to the exact time of his return is in Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32. A casual reading of these  references seems to indicate that those who  believe  in  a secret return of Jesus are correct. However, as we analyze  this subject, we will see that many of the elect will indeed know  the exact day and hour when Christ will return:

"But  as  to that day and that hour, no one  knows,  neither  the angels of heaven but my Father only. But as the days of Noah,  so will also be the coming of the Son of man" (vs.36-37).

"The  heavens and the earth will pass away, but My word will  not at  all pass away. But concerning that day and the hour,  no  one knows,  not  the angels, those in heaven, nor the Son,  but  the Father.  Be  careful; be wakeful, and pray. For you do  not  know when the time is" (Mk.13:31-33).

The  apostles  did not give up in their quest to  find  out  when Jesus  would  return. After his death and resurrection, they questioned him further about his return:

"Then, indeed, these coming together they questioned him, saying, Lord,  do You restore the kingdom to Israel at this time? And  he said to them, It is not yours to know times or seasons, which the Father placed in his own authority" (Acts 1:6-7 KJV).

It  is true that no one including Jesus, the angels,  the  apostles, or the prophets knew when Christ would return before  his death  and resurrection. In Acts 1:7, Jesus says it was  not  for them  to know the timing of these events. But why were  they  not told? The primary reason that no one knew these details prior  to and  after  Jesus'  death and resurrection is that  it  was  not necessary for them to know when the end would come. They did  not live  in the end of the age; therefore, this knowledge would  not benefit them.

Those Who Need to Know

Because  no one but God the Father knew the timing of the end  of the  age,  does it mean that no one will know when  Christ will return?  As  we will see, those who need to know  the  timing  of Christ's return will know, because this knowledge is important to their lives and their mission.

The Sealed Prophecy

"And he said, Go your way Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed  until  the  end-time. Many shall be  purified,  and  made white, and tested. But the wicked shall do wrong. And not one of  the  wicked  shall  understand; but the  wise  shall  understand" (Dan.12:9-10 KJV).

Daniel's prophecy was sealed until the time of  the  end at which time only the wise would understand. In the Book of  Daniel  as well as in the rest of the Old Testament, there is  much information pointing to the end of the age. When this information is  combined with the prophecies of the New Testament and specific  events that will occur,  the time of Christ's return can be  known with certainty. The key to having this knowledge is to be one  of the  wise, because it is only the wise who will understand the meaning  of these events.

The Two Witnesses

"And I will give power to My two witnesses, and they will  prophesy a thousand, two hundred and sixty days, dressed in sackcloth" (Rev.11:3 Para.).

These  two  men will begin to witness about the gospel  of  Jesus Christ, his return, and the Kingdom of God. They will also  foretell many of the earthshaking events at the end of the age. Moreover, they will   prophecy for 1,260 days or approximately three and a half  years; then, they will be killed:

"And when they complete their witness, the beast coming up out of the  abyss will make war with them, and will overcome  them,  and will  kill  them. And their bodies will be on the street of  the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom, and Egypt—where our Lord was crucified" (Rev.11:7-8 Para.).

Below  are some simple questions and answers about the  Two  Witnesses  that pertain to their knowledge of when Christ  will  return:

Q. How will they know they are the Two Witnesses of God?

A. God will tell them.

Q. Will they know when their ministry begins?

A. Yes!

Q. Will these two men know the day when they will be killed?

A. Yes, because it is 1,260 days from the day they begin their ministry.

Q. Will they know the day and the hour of their resurrection?

A. Yes, because they will understand the prophecies that detail their ministry.

Q. Will these two men know the exact time of Christ's return?

A. Yes, because they will understand the prophecies concerning their ministry and his return.

"And  after  three  days and a half, a spirit of  life  from  God entered  into them, and they stood on their feet. And great  fear fell on the ones beholding them. And they heard a great voice out of heaven  saying to them, Come up here. And they went  up  into heaven in the cloud. And their enemies saw them. And in that hour a great earthquake occurred, and the tenth part of the city  fell and  there were killed in the earthquake seven thousand names  of men. And the rest became terrified, and gave glory to the God  of heaven" (Rev.11:11-13 Para.).

The  Two Witnesses will be dead for three and a half  days; then, they will be brought back to life and taken up into heaven. Christ will return very  soon after these things begin to happen. Moreover, with a small  amount of addition or subtraction along with the knowledge of other time  frames  for specific events given in  prophecy,  any  true Christian  alive at this time will have little difficulty calculating the  time of Christ's return. Yes, the wise  will  understand:

"For  as  they  were in the days before the  flood:  eating,  and drinking,  merry  making, and giving in marriage, until  the  day when  Noah  went into the ark, and they did not know  until the flood came, and took them all away; so also will be the coming of the Son of man" (Matt.24:38-39 KJV).

It  is  important to remember that in Noah's  generation,  people were  so evil that God decided to eliminate the  human  race. Noah  was  found to be the only righteous individual  in  all  of humanity. Jesus says that this same condition will  prevail  at the  end  of the age. Just as the people in Noah's day  did  not listen to the call to repentance and the warnings of God's wrath, the vast majority of people in the end of the age will not listen to God's  ministers. See Gen.6:5-13.

The Righteous Disappear From Earth

"At  that  time two will be out in the field; the  one  is  taken away,  and  the  one is left; two grinding at the  mill,  one  is taken, and one is left" (Matt.24:40-41 KJV).

Many  feel  verses 40 and 41 support a secret  return  of  Jesus; however, Jesus states that when he sends his angels  to gather his elect, they will only gather the righteous; all others will be left. See our study about the theory of a secret return of Christ to collect God's elect.

A Prophecy for the Future

In verses  42 through 51 of Matthew 24, there is a warning prophecy for  a  very specific group of people who live during the end of the age:

"Watch,  then, for you do not know in what hour your Lord  comes" (v42).

In  verse 42, Jesus  gives a very specific command to  watch.  But what  should  we be watching for? Jesus is addressing  this  instruction  to a specific group of individuals. But who are  they? Verse 43 gives us the answer to these questions:

"But  know this, that if the housemaster had known in what  watch the thief comes, he would have watched, and not have allowed  his house to be dug through. Because of this, you also be ready, for in that hour you think not, the Son of man comes" (vs.43-44).  See also Rev.3:3.

It  is the housemaster (the one who rules the house) that is  responsible for watching. The ones who have the responsibility  for the care of the house of God (i.e., the church) are the ministers of Christ (1.Tim.3:14-15; Heb.13:7;17).  The things to be watched for are world  events as they relate to the specific prophecies  that will occur at the end of the age:

"Who  then is the faithful  and wise servant, whom the  Lord  has set over his household, to give them food in due season?  Blessed is  the servant whom the Lord shall find so doing when he  comes. Truly  I  say  to you, he will set him over  all  his  substance" (vs.45-47).

Who is a wise and  faithful minister at the end of the age? He is one  who watches and studies current world events as they  relate to  Bible  prophecy and  reveals  this understanding to those under his care at the proper  time.

"But if that evil servant should say in his heart, My Lord delays to come, and should begin to beat his fellow servants, and to eat, and  to drink with the drunkards, the lord of that  servant will come in a day in which he does not expect, and in an hour  which he  does not know, and will cut him in two, and will appoint  his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and  gnashing of teeth" (vs.46-51).

Those who do not watch will not know when Jesus will return.  The warning is unmistakable in its meaning: if a minister at the  end of the age does not continue to fulfill his responsibility toward Christ and the elect under his care, he will lose his salvation.

Paul Writes to Thessalonica

By  the time Paul wrote to the church at  Thessalonica,  the church  understood  that Jesus was not going to return  in  their generation.  Paul  says that the true elect of God  will  not  be caught unaware by the events that will culminate at the end  of  the age, because they will understand them:

"But of the times and seasons, brethren, you have no need that  I write to you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace  and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon  them,  as travail  upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.  But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that day should overtake you as  a thief. You are all the children of light, and the  children of  this  day:  we are  not  of  the night,  nor  of  darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober" (1.Thes.5:1-6 KJV).

Christians and the Tribulation

Those who subscribe to the belief in a secret return of Christ, believe  Christians will be taken to heaven and spared the horrors and agony of the  cataclysmic events just before his return. Others believe that  Christians will be protected in some geographical place  of safety  on  earth. But are either of these teachings  true?  Will there be Christians on earth during this great tribulation?  Will Christians be subject to any of the terrifying events at the  end of the age?

Christians Will be Hated

Many scriptures describe, with graphic detail, the time known  as the great tribulation. There are also many scriptures that  show  the elect of God will be persecuted, betrayed by their  own children  and brothers in the faith, brought to trial because  of their  belief, made to flee for their lives, and made to suffer many  other  horrible injustices. The following scriptures  speak  of this time period.

Matthew 24:9-11 KJV

"Then they will deliver you up to affliction, and will kill  you; and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, and they will deliver up one another,  and will hate one another. And many false prophets will  arise,  and will mislead many. And because lawlessness shall have been multiplied,  the love of many will grow cold. But the one who  endures to the end, that one will be saved. And this gospel of the  kingdom shall be preached in all the earth, for a testimony  to  all the nations; and then shall come the end."

During this time of trouble, Jesus' followers will be  persecuted, killed, hated by all peoples, betrayed by their own, make foolish decisions concerning the truth, and forsake God.

Mark 13:10-19 KJV

"And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all the nations.  But whenever  they lead you away, delivering you, do not  be  anxious beforehand  about what you should say or think, But  whatever is given  to  you in that hour, speak that. For you  are  not  those speaking, but the holy spirit. And brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father the child. And children will rise up on parents, and will put them to death. And you will be hated by all on account of My name. But the one enduring to the end, that  one will  be saved. But when you see the abomination  of  desolation, the one spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it  ought not—he  who reads, let him understand—then  let  those  in Judea flee into the mountains. And he who is on the housetop, let him not go down into the house, nor go in to take anything out of his  house. And the one in the field, let him not return  to  the things  behind,  to take his garment. But woe to those  that  are with child, and to those giving suck in those days! And pray that your  flight will not be in winter. For there will be  affliction in  those days, such as has not been the like from the  beginning of creation which God created until now, and never will be."

Jesus  tells  those in Judea to be alert to the  prophetic  events surrounding the false worship system of that day and to flee  for their lives when they see these events transpire.

Revelation 6:9-11 KJV

"And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls  of them that were slain for the word of God, and  for  the testimony  which  they held: And they cried with  a loud  voice, saying,  How long, O Lord, holy and true, do you not  judge  and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given to every one of them; and it was said to them, that they  should  rest yet for a little season, until  their  fellow-servants  also and their brethren, that should be killed as  they were, should be fulfilled." See also Rev.12:17.

In  all  of these references, the elect of  God are still  on earth, even up to and including the opening of the fifth  seal. Notice also that they are to remain for some time after this seal is  opened, so that others may also be martyred as a witness  for Christ.

Revelation 7:1-4; 13-14 Paraphrased

"And  after these things I saw four angels standing on  the  four corners  of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth,  that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal  of  the living God: and he cried with a loud voice  to  the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the  sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees,  till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And  I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an  hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of  the children  of  Israel" (vs.1-4 KJV).

"And one of  the  elders  answered,  saying  to me, These, the ones having  been  clothed  in white robes: who are they, and from where did they come?  And  I said  to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These  are  those coming out of the great tribulation; and they have washed  their robes, and whitened them in the blood of the Lamb" (vs.13-14 ). For a detailed explanation abut the 144,000 see our study on the subject.

CHRIST TO RETURN TWICE

Throughout the Old and New Testaments, there are many  references to  God  coming to earth to reward the saints and  establish  his government upon the earth in order to bring peace and prosperity to  humanity.  Most Bible scholars will agree that  God  says  he will  indeed  come to earth to establish  his  government.  The problem  is  not with what these references say, it is  with the various beliefs of when and how this will happen.

A close review of each reference that details the presentation of rewards given to the elect of God and the establishment of  his Kingdom on the earth shows  two  distinct  returns  of  Christ. Christ's first return involves gathering the elect of God for their rewards  and change into immortal spirit-beings. During  his second return a short time later, he will conquer the earth and establish the Kingdom of God.

Jesus to Come in Clouds

When the high priest Caiaphas asked Jesus to tell him whether  or not he was the Messiah, he did not expect the answer he received:

"The high priest said to him, I adjure you by the living  God, that  you  tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of  God.  Jesus said  to  him, You said it. I tell you more. From this  time  you shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power,  and coming  on the clouds of the heavens. Then the high  priest  tore his garments, saying, he has blasphemed! Why do we have any  more need  of witnesses? Behold, now you have  heard  his  blasphemy" (Matt.26:63-65 Para.).

Jesus told the high priest that the next time he sees  him, he will be on his throne next to the Father, and when he  returns, it will be in the clouds.

After Jesus disappeared into the heavens an angel told the disciples essentially the same thing Jesus told Caiaphas about the events surrounding his return:

"As they looked on, he was taken up; and a cloud received  him from  their  eyes.  And as they were looking  intently  into  the heaven,  he having gone, even behold, two men in  white clothing stood by them, who also said, Men, Galileans, Why do  you  stand looking  up to the heaven? This Jesus, the One being  taken  from you  into  heaven, will come in the way you saw  him  going  into heaven" (Acts 1:9-11 Para.). See also Matt.24:30.

God and Clouds

Historically and symbolically, when God or a spirit-being came to earth in their glorified form, they appeared in clouds:

"And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud,. . ." (Ex.13:21 KJV). See also Ex.16:10; 19:9;16; 24:16; 34:5.

"And  the  Lord  came  down in a cloud,  and  spoke  to  him,. . ." (Num.11:25 KJV).

"And  I looked, and behold, a whirlwind came out of the north,  a great  cloud, and a fire enfolding itself, and a  brightness  was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire" (Ezk.1:4 KJV).

"I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven,. . ." (Dan.7:13 KJV).

"Who lays the beams of his chambers in the waters: who makes  the clouds  his  chariot:  who walks upon the  wings  of  the  wind:" (Psa.104:3 KJV). See also Psa.18:7-15; Rev.1:7;14:14.

As we review some of the events that surround the end of the age and  the  return of Jesus Christ, we will notice  that  a  spirit-being has a  tremendous impact upon the physical universe when it appears in its glorified form.

CHRIST RETURNS TO GATHER THE ELECT

When Jesus enters the earth's atmosphere in his glorified form, the elements will begin to disintegrate under the power of his  presence. The  air will  become supercharged with electricity, lightning, and thunder. And  fire  and  smoke will fill the sky as his  angels  collect  the elect:

"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" (Matt.24:31 KJV). See  also Isa.43:5-7;  Mk.13:24-27; 14:62; Rev.1:7.

The Elect Rise to Meet Christ

"For  the  Lord himself shall descend from heaven with  a  shout, with  the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:  and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive  and remain  shall be caught up together with them in the  clouds,  to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the  Lord" (1.Thes.4:16-17 KJV). See also 2.Thes.2:1-8.

What happens as the righteous of all ages rise to meet Christ  in the clouds above the earth?

"Listen I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we will all  be changed–– in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at  the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed" (1.Cor.15:51-52 NIV).

The  change to spirit-beings will be a spectacular event. It  will be accompanied by the blast of a trumpet, lighting, thunder,  and fire in the sky  as the elect rise to meet Christ:

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet  appear what  we  shall be: but we know that, when he  shall  appear,  we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (1.Jn.3:2 KJV). See also Rom.6:1-5; Phil.3:21; Rev.1:13-16.

The righteous will be changed to spirit-beings  just like Jesus. At the instant of this change, the elect will  become spirit  Sons  of God and they will shine with the brightness  of  the stars:

"And  they  that  be wise shall shine as the  brightness  of  the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the  stars for ever and ever" (Dan.12:3 KJV).

 As  the saints rise into the sky, they will be instantly  changed into  glorified spirit-beings, and they will begin to  shine with  the brightness and power of the stars. At the instant of their change, the very power of their presence will rip apart the  atmosphere, dissolving  its basic elements. The noise of this  awesome  event will  be almost unbearable to the human ear as sonic  booms, explosions, blinding light, thunder, and clouds fill the sky. The sights  and  sounds of this day will put terror  in the hearts of all those who witness it. To many, it will seem  as if the world is coming to an end.

Christ and the Elect Disappear  

Between the time of Christ's first return to gather the elect and his second  return to conquer the earth, Jesus promises to keep the elect from the final portion  of  the tribulation:

"Because  you kept the word of My patience, I also will keep  you out  of the hour of trial which is going to come on all the  habitable world in order to try those dwelling on the earth. Behold, I  am coming quickly, Hold what you have that no one  take  your crown" (Rev.3:10-11).

But,  how will Jesus protect the elect? After Christ's  first  return,  the righteous of all ages will be spirit-beings who  will  have  been taken to heaven.  When  the  righteous  are changed into spirit-beings and taken to heaven, there will  not be  one person alive on earth with the spirit of God. Because the elect  will no longer be human, they will be protected  from  God's wrath that will come upon the earth.

CHRIST RETURNS TO CONQUER AND RULE

The Tribulation Cut Short

After  all  of the righteous have been taken from the  earth  and only the unrighteous remain, what will stop God from destroying the earth and the rest of humanity?

"For  there  will be great affliction, such as has  not  happened from the beginning of the world until now; no, nor ever will  be. And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would be saved --but on  account of the elect, those days will  be  shortened" (Matt.24:21-22).

Jesus says it is for the elect's sake that all of humanity will not be destroyed.  But why? God will not destroy the entire earth because of his promises  to the  patriarchs and the elect concerning their inheritance,  descendants and rulership, and because of his future plans for the rest of humanity.

Jesus Comes to Conquer

After the final plagues are poured out on the earth, Jesus will return  with  the  Elect of God to conquer the  beast  power  and establish the Kingdom of God:

"Now you prophesy against them all these words, and say to  them, the  Lord shall roar from on high, and utter his voice  from  his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar over his dwelling place. He  answers  with a shout, like those who tread out  the  grapes, against  all the inhabitants of the earth. A roaring will  go  to the  ends of the earth; for the Lord has a controversy  with  the nations. He will enter into judgment with all flesh; he will give the wicked  to the sword, declares the Lord" (Jer.25:30-31 ).   See   also  Isa.43:5-7;  Mal.3:2-3; 4:1;   Am.9:1-4; Oba. vs.15-16.

"And  I saw the heaven opened, and behold a white horse;  and  he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness  he  does judge and make war. His eyes were as a  flame of  fire,  and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name  written,  that no man knew but he himself. And he was clothed with  a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God" (Rev.19:11-13 KJV).

The Elect Return With Jesus

During the time period between Christ's first and second  return, his  armies  will be preparing to invade and conquer  the  earth. Remember at this time the righteous of all ages will be  immortal spirit-beings in the Family of God:

"And  the  armies which were in heaven followed  him  upon  white horses,  clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out  of  his mouth  goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite  the nations:  and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he  treads the  winepress  of the fierceness and  wrath  of  Almighty  God" (Rev.19:14-15 KJV). See also Rev.2:26-27; 3:4; 19:8.

"And  Enoch  also, the seventh from Adam,  prophesied  of  these, saying, Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his saints [the elect], To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have  ungodly committed, and all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him" (Jude 14-15 KJV).

"These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall  overcome them:  for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they [the elect] that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful" (Rev.17:14).

When Christ returns as the conquering king, the elect of God will come with him as a part of his  vast spirit army:

"And  to you, who are  troubled, rest with us,  at the  revelation  of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, that will take  full vengeance on those who do not know God,  and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus  Christ, these will pay the penalty of  everlasting destruction from the  face  of the Lord, and from the glory of his strength, when he comes to be glorified  in  his  saints, and to be admired by all those who believe in that Day, because of our testimony" (2.Thes.1:7-10 Para.).

Christ's Rule Begins

"And  his  feet shall stand in that day on the Mount  of  Olives, which  is before Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount  of  Olives shall  divide from its middle, from the east to the west, a very great valley.  And half of the mountain shall  move  toward  the North,  and  half toward the South (v4). . .. And the Lord  my  God shall   come,  and  all the saints  with  you" (Zech.14:4-5 Para.). See also Hag.2:6-7.

His Rule to Last Forever

"And the seventh angel trumpeted. And there were great voices  in heaven,  saying,  The kingdoms of this world became  our  Lord's, even  of  his  Christ;  and he  shall  reign  forever and  ever" (Rev.11:15).

This  is  the  time that was spoken of from  the  beginning  of humanity  when salvation will begin to come to all  of  humanity through the Kingdom of God:

"For a Child is born; to us a Son is given; and the government is on his shoulder; and his name is called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. There is no  end  to the increase of his government and of  peace  on  the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to order it, and to  sustain it with justice and with righteousness, from now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this" (Isa.9:6-7 Para.) See Lk.1:32-33.

THE SECRET RAPTURE

The false teaching of a secret coming of Christ is  known to most as  the Secret  Rapture, and it is believed almost  universally  by  professing Christianity. However, the coming of Christ will not be a secret to  the  elect nor will it be a silent event.

The  beginnings of the Secret Rapture theory seems to  have  come from  Emanual Lacunza who had become a Chilean Jesuit  in  1747. When the Jesuits were expelled from Chile, Lacunza settled north of  Italy where he devoted the remainder of his years to writing  'The Coming of the Messiah in Glory and  Majesty',  in which he speculated that Christ will come twice: once for  his saints and again with his saints.

Although Lacunza had actually stumbled onto a Biblical truth, his speculation was to be the catalyst for the doctrine of the Secret Rapture. There does not seem to be any literature referring to  a secret coming of Christ until after 1830 when many began to  come forth with the concept of a secret coming. Among those who taught this concept were the Anglican Curate J.N. Darby,  Newton, George V. Wigram, Andrew Jukes, and J.P. Tregelles.

The Secret Rapture Theory

Although there are many variations of the Secret Rapture  theory, most who believe this theory believe that Christ will return twice:

First  Return

Second Return

THE BIBLICAL FACTS OF CHRIST'S COMING

The  biblical facts clearly show the following two returns of Christ:

First  Return

Second Return

The  Bible shows,  beyond  a shadow of a doubt, that when  Jesus  returns  to gather  the  elect of God, the event will neither be  secret  nor silent. The  Secret  Rapture  theory is just that; it is  a theory.