The second coming of Jesus is probably the most anticipated event in the history of the world. Throughout the 6000 years that have transpired since the world began, God’s people have looked forward to the time that Jesus would come to put an end to sin and set up His everlasting kingdom. This anticipation has caused many people, at different times, to set dates predicting the time of the second coming. It has also sparked the arrival of many self-proclaimed Jesus imitators. As we are now nearing the final crisis and the time of Jesus' second coming, it is important that we understand when and how Jesus will return. Most Bible prophecy has been fulfilled with Jesus' coming one of the only prophecies that remain. This is one of a number of features that show us how near we are to this final scene of prophecy.
The most fundamental truth to this discussion is that no one knows exactly when Jesus will return.
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. Matthew 24:36
Anyone who tries to place a date to Jesus’ second coming is best ignored. It is for good reason that God has not disclosed this information to us; we would not make the right use of it if He did. If we knew when Jesus was going to return many would delay in repenting and submitting themselves to Christ, instead choosing to pursue selfish interests with the intention that they will only repent and prepare for Jesus coming just before He arrives. It is also true that many who are actively proclaiming the coming of Jesus would become lethargic in this important work, knowing His coming to be possibly a long way off, and as a result, many people would come to their graves without having accepted Jesus. Our probation can close at any time; death puts an end to the opportunity for repentance, sealing our fate for eternity. We should not put off turning to Jesus and living a humble life of obedience to Him. We should live each day as though it were our last.
Today, many believe that Jesus is not going to be coming back. They say that 2000 years have transpired with no evidence of Him coming, so who says He will be coming now? This in itself is a fulfilment of prophecy that shows we are in the last days.
Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 3:3-4
Instead of giving an exact time for His coming Jesus gave us signs of His soon return. By looking at the events that are to take place just prior to His return we can know that He is coming very soon.
Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Matthew 24:32-33
There are a number of signs that show that we are living right before Jesus coming: fulfilled prophecies, increasing natural disasters (Matthew 24:7), a lack of faith and love (Luke 18:8 & Matthew 24:12), economic decline (James 5:1-4), increasing unrest and strife between nations (Matthew 24:6), increases in violence and crime (2 Timothy 3:1-5), the push toward union of church and state in the USA (Revelation 13:12-14), the move toward a cashless society (Revelation 13:17), and the unity of churches and religions. Ultimately, it is the whole world that will be forced to worship the beast and its image (Revelation 13:16). A certain level of unity is required for this to occur. Those who will not comply will lose their ability to buy and sell, and possibly even their lives.
For more information on this please read ‘The Keys of Prophecy’, ‘Cashless Society Creeping In’, ‘Unmasking the Antichrist’, and ‘Signs of Jesus Coming’. Key current events that show where we are in history are also covered in the article ‘The Final Crisis’ which can be downloaded from the home page of the website.
Just as prophecy has fulfilled as predicted in the past we can expect those prophecies that are yet future to also come to pass. Jesus has given us the assurance that He will come again, and that He comes quickly.
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. Revelation 22:12
It may at times seem as though Jesus is tarrying, but He will come right when He should.
For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Hebrews 10:37
Jesus gave some very specific predictions that would take place right before His return.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Matthew 24:29
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; Mark 13:24
The tribulation here is the 1260 years of the religiopolitical rule of the Roman Catholic Church from 538 – 1798 A.D. These days of persecution were shortened for the sake of God’s saints (Matthew 24:22). This was accomplished through the opportunity to flee religious persecution in America, and the Reformation causing public persecution to cease in 1773, 25 years before the fulfilment of the time. At the time the tribulation ceased (just prior to 1798), IN those days, we are told that there will be signs in the heavens.
On May 19, 1780, came ‘The Dark Day’ that covered much of New England and parts of Canada. Scientists and historians have long debated the cause of this incredible darkness with no definite explanation able to be provided. Some suspect fires may have caused it, yet eye witnesses describe darkness as black as midnight and no mention is ever made of the smell of smoke or the presence of fires. That same night brought the blood red moon.
On November 13, 1833, came the next prophecy, the greatest meteor shower ever to be witnessed. The Old Countryman in the Portland Evening Advertiser, November 26, 1833 described it thus,
“A more correct picture of a fig tree casting its figs when blown by a mighty wind, it was not possible to behold.”
This echoed perfectly the prediction made nearly 2000 years before.
And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Revelation 6:13
And so these prophecies came at their appointed time.
Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near. Luke 21:28
After these things have taken place Jesus describes the next thing being His coming to retrieve His saints.
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 24:30
The rapid increase in knowledge today serves as another significant sign we are in the last days. Knowledge has increased exponentially over the past two centuries. Even the past two decades has shown incredibly rapid advancements in modern technology.
But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase. Daniel 12:4
The most important thing that must happen before Jesus can return is the gospel going to the whole world.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14
Many wonder why Jesus has not returned when it seems that essentially every nation has been exposed to the gospel of Jesus. A big part of the issue is that the true gospel is not being preached by most (see 'The Law and Grace - The True Gospel'). This preaching of the gospel does not necessarily indicate that everyone will be converted and go to heaven. In our day very few believe the truth and people are becoming increasingly wicked.
But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13
Those who proclaim to follow Jesus are often following a belief of their own devising.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Despite this message of Jesus soon return most will be heard crying peace and safety, when suddenly destruction will come.
For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:3
For those who are not watching, Jesus' return comes as a complete surprise.
And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Luke 17:26-27
Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:44
Almost every prophecy in scripture has been entirely fulfilled, with Jesus’ second coming being the only thing that remains. There are, however, some prophecies that are yet future. Revelation 13 tells us that we are looking for the Catholic Church to regain its religiopolitical power, the Church and State to unite in the USA to produce the image to the beast, and the whole world to be forced to worship the beast and its image by worshipping on Sunday, a tradition that the Roman Church claims as the mark of its authority (please see ‘Unmasking The Antichrist’ to learn more). Once all have decided for or against God, our fates will be sealed and the seven last plagues will be poured out on those who have rejected God’s salvation (Revelation 16:1-2). We are living in the moments before these final prophecies will be fulfilled. We are living half way through the sixth seal in Revelation 6. To give context, the last half of the six seal, and the seventh seal, describe Jesus’ second coming.
The message of Jesus' soon coming should be one that brings great joy, but for many this will be a horrible experience because they have chosen sin over their Saviour. We can all look forward to Jesus return with gladness but we must prepare ourselves to meet our God.
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