The doomsday clock is set at two minutes to midnight. Some scientists and politicians think that climate change will destroy the earth in less than 12 years unless we do something. Predictions about the end of the world abound. In January of 1989 my wife and I walked into a bookstore. A book caught my eye. It had to do with 88 reasons why Jesus would come back in 1988. It was 50% off. Men’s predictions of the end of the world are always foolish.
Jesus is coming again. There’s no doubt about it. We just don’t know when. What many fail to realize is that there are two future comings of the Lord. One day Jesus will come back to rule and reign on earth. This will happen immediately after “great tribulation such as has not been since the beginning of the world” (Matt. 24:21). This is commonly referred to as the second coming.
But prior to this He is coming back for His church – all those who have trusted in Him as Savior. He will descend from heaven with a shout and “the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (I Thes. 4:15-17). This is referred to as the rapture. And though the word is not in the Bible the concept is.
At the rapture the believers are removed from earth to meet the Lord in the air. Only unbelievers are left on the earth. Many of them come to faith in Christ after the rapture (Rev. 7:9-14). Then at the second coming, when Christ returns to earth, those who have come to faith in Christ and survived the tribulation remain on the earth to enter in Christ’s kingdom on earth. He then reigns for a thousand years. Those who have continued in unbelief are removed to judgment (Rev. 20: 6; Luke 17:37).
When Christ comes back in the air (the rapture) to remove the church, this is an imminent event. It can happen at any time. It could happen today or it may not happen for years. The Scripture teaches the believer to be “looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). This truth should comfort us; not make us fear (I Thes. 4:18). The Bible tells us about the future tribulation, but does not instruct believers to look for it or the coming antichrist.
The most important question is, are you ready to meet the Lord when He comes? You can learn more about how you can be ready at https://assuranceofheaven.com/assurance/.
Thank you for visiting assuranceofheaven.com. I invite you to follow as we explore God’s amazing grace and eternal security for all who have believed the gospel.
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