Time of Christ's return to earth
As of late there has been considerable interest in the return of Christ to the earth. I suspect that in a large part this interest has been generated by the degenerating condition of the world in general. Sin on earth is running ramped. It is increasing, unchecked and uncurbed. Many of these sins are an abomination to the LORD and are now being accepted as normal and proper in our country and around the globe. There are even laws that have been passed in our country in their favor. Some of these sins are proudly promoted by the sinners in the streets of large cities and even operate their own worship centers that they promote as "gay churches". They have holidays where they celebrate their sin publicly by parading in the streets exhibiting exaggerated body parts. They label this as the "gay pride parade". It is completely understandable that some believe that the coming of Jesus to earth is imminent. Scripture teaches that without question Jesus will return to earth. The question is when?
Scripture addresses this gross lifestyle:
God's Wrath on Unrighteousness
GENISIS 18:20 And the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous,
21 "I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know."
GENISIS 19:1-13 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. And he said, "Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant's house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way." And they said, "No, but we will spend the night in the open square." But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally." So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him,
7 and said, "Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly! "See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof." And they said, "Stand back!" Then they said, "This one came in to sojourn, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them." So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door. But the men reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door. Then the men said to Lot, "Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city -- take them out of this place! "For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it."
Romans 1:18-32 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man -- and birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
An abomination to God
Scripture teaches of at least 71 things that are an abomination to God found in The Old Testament. In the Old Testament the words "An abomination" is translated from the Hebrew word "ow`ebah" and means, "something disgusting (morally),an abhorrence". This lifestyle is an abomination to the LORD and is sickening to the sane person that understands Gods creation.
Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.
Leviticus 18:22 'You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.
Leviticus 20:13 'If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.
Deuteronomy 7:25 "You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 22:5 "A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman's garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the LORD your God.
Proverbs 11:1 A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight.
Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.
Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but He loves him who follows righteousness.
Proverbs 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but the words of the pure are pleasant.
Luke 16:15 And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
Revelation 21:24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.
25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).
26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.
27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Here are a few of them found in the New Testament.
In the NewTestament there are at least four verses where we find the word abomination. Here it is translated from the Greek word {bdel'-oog-mah} (1) a foul thing", "a detestable thing".
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso reads, let him understand:)
Mark 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that reads understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles, neither whatsoever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
The specific sin of homosexuality, sodomy, incest, lesbianism, human trafficking, and related sexual sins are not new. They are documented throughout Scripture. For examples read Genesis 19:1-29, Exodus 20:14, Matthew 5:27, 2 Corinthians 12:21 "and lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and licentiousness which they have practiced". This is to mention only a few.
These are not the only sins that Jesus will bring to an end when He returns to earth.
He will cleans the world of corruption, murder, hate, rape, robbery, riots, theft, deception, pornography, child molestation, human trafficking, and the list goes on.
Sin is sin and will never cease to be sin. Jesus will return to earth the second time for the specific purpose of eradicating sin forever.
Scripture teaches that no one knows the day or hour that Jesus will return to earth.
Matthew 24:36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
37 "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
38 "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
39 "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Days of Noah
Increasing Corruption on Earth
GEN 6:1 Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them,
2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.
3 And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years."
4 There were giants [nephiyl i.e. a bully or tyrant] on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.
5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6 And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.
7 So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them."
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
NOTE:
In the days of Noah the flood took all of the sinners away and left Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives to be saved in the ark. (Genesis 7:13-16)
At the rapture of the church the Christians will be taken to be with Jesus in the clouds (1st Thessalonians 4:17) and the sinners will be left to go through the seven year tribulation period. (2nd Thessalonians 2:1-12)
At the end of the tribulation period the sinners will be taken (anilalted at the battle of Armageddon) and the righteous will be left and enter into the thousand years on earth with Jesus. (Matthew 24:38-41, Revelation 20:4-6)
Mark 13:32 "But of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
33 "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.
1st Thessalonians 5:2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
2nd Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
The Coming of the Lord in the clouds
(The rapture of the church)
1TH 4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 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.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Scripture teaches that without question Jesus will return to earth one day. The question is when?
When we study predictive prophecy we understand that the next event on God's calendar is the rapture of the church. (See the study on the rapture of the church)
After the rapture of the church is the seven year tribulation period.
At the end of the seven year tribulation period is the battle of Armageddon.
Scripture teaches that this is the time that Jesus will return to earth.
The Rider on a White Horse
REV 16:15 "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame."
16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
REV 19:11-21 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, "that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great." And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
The New Heaven and the New Earth:
Scripture teaches that after Jesus returns to earth and purges it of sin He will one day, after HIs thousand year reign on earth create a new Heaven and a new earth.
Isaiah 65:17 "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
2nd Peter 3:10-13 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Scripture absolutely teaches that Jesus will return to earth and that no one knows when the day or the hour will be. However Scripture does give us some clues to pursue. In Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth he was addressing the church regarding speaking in tongues. In this letter he assured the church that God is not a God of confusion. 1st Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Since God is not a God of confusion we can rest assured the He has a logical plan that He follows. As we study Scripture we will find the course of His plan.
Scripture clearly teaches that Christ will return at the close of the seven years of tribulation which begins at the time of the rapture of the church. Jesus returns at the battle of Armageddon. The saints that have been raptured will return with Him. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
The question we need to answer now is, are you ready for Christ to return?
~I Never Knew You ~
Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
EPH 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
We are not saved by any works that we may have done.
All that it is necessary to be redeemed from the condemned condition that we have inherited is to pray to God and acknowledge that we understand our position and are doomed to die because of our inherited sin. Acknowledge that we are in need for a redeemer. And the redeemer that God has provided for us is His sinless Son, Jesus Christ.
1. Confess your sin to God.
1st JOHN1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
2. Ask for His forgiveness.
Acts 4:12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
3. Invite Christ into your heart.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name:
5. Pray to God audibly.
Romans 10:8-11 But what does it say? "The word is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."
May God Bless You.
