His coming.htm

His coming

Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. Revelation 1:7

Those who believe in the pre-tribulation rapture do not understand how those who pierced Christ on the cross will see him coming on the clouds of glory. They believe that the rapture of the church leaves sinners behind to face the Anti-Christ who will rule the world harshly. The most deceptive thing about tribulation doctrine is how it fogs the mind and distorts the truth of the scriptures. Unfortunately, Christians have a better knowledge of theology than they do of scriptures.

The problem with the tribulation doctrine is that the bible does not describe the end of time and the signs of Christ’s coming with the words tribulation period. Both words are found in the bible but never in the same sentence or paragraph. Therefore God can say I never said anything about a tribulation period.

The doctrine appeals to my human instincts because I come to believe that I won’t have to go through what is described as a ugly and distasteful period of time. On the other hand, if you were to read John 5:28-29 you just may understand why the roman soldier who pierced Jesus Christ on the cross will see him coming in the clouds of glory.

"Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. John 5:28-29

Verse 28 makes a point that we need to see about raising the dead. This verse specifically declares that all who are in their graves without exception or regard to their spiritual relation to God will rise. Then verse 29 talks about the rewards given according to the good or the evil they have done. The passage above is confirmed in chapter twelve of Daniel.

"At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people - everyone whose name is found written in the book - will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:1-3

No matter how we look at the scriptures regarding the resurrection of man, the scriptures are quite blunt when (at the end of the age) Christ will raise the dead. Daniel 12:1 uses the term at that time, and that term refers to the demise of the fourth beast spoken about in Daniel 11:36. This beast is the lawless one that the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.

We read in Matthew that Christ gave a loud shout on the cross and a large number of people rose from their graves and went into the city. Just as the dead heard him at that time, Christ’s voice will be heard by everyone sleeping in their graves. The bible tells us that the good and the bad will rise at God’s command at the last day. In another place God’s word declares this.

They will be mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. Malachi 3:17-18

The word of God is irrefutable throughout the Bible, the words may state the truth in a different way, but it is always consistent with the truth. God will make a distinction between the good and bad on that day. Rather than beat around the bush Jesus spoke of a specific day when he taught on the end times.

Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." John 11:24

Martha provides the evidence that Christ taught about a specific day, but the bible offers additional evidence about raising the dead on the last day. Jesus knew that everyone was to be resurrected at the last day, even though the time and date was known only by God the Father. However Christ revealed the following.

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:39-40

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:44

Who was Christ speaking to in the verses above? Who are those Christ will raise at the last day? Read this sentence I will raise him up at the last day aloud and replace him with anyone of the bulleted items below to see if Christ is speaking about you.

 Those the Father has given me

 Those who looks to the Son and believes in him

 Those the Father who sent me draws him

Jesus also said these words

I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20

It is not only feasible but practical that the last day and the end of the age to be the one and same day? When one speaks of something as being last - at the end of the line – isn’t it the final one? When Jesus comes on the last day there will be no more days that come afterwards. Jesus also spoke of the end of the age as when the resurrection would take place.

The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. Matthew 13:38-42

"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:47-50

Jesus said I will raise those – the Father has given me – who look to the Son and believes in him – whom the Father draws to him

I will raise him up at the last day.

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