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Contemporary Christian thought has its adherents waiting for what is called a Rapture, which they think is the Day of the Lord/Second Coming of Jesus.
They await a time when unbelievers experience a Great Tribulation which some think they will live thru (mid and post tribulation rapture) and some think they will escape (pre-tribulation rapture).
This is followed by a glorious time when Jesus reigns on earth for 1000 years, and then after that taste of Heaven, Satan is released to again cause destruction during which time He is finally and utterly defeated and thrown into the lake of fire.
This is the delusion that many Christians live in, believing it totally or in part.
One of the reasons that they believe this delusion is because the forget that Jesus said that information was set forth in parables so that unbelievers would not understand it, Mark 4:12.
Mr 4:12 (RSV) so that they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand; lest they should turn again, and be forgiven.”
Here is the truth of His return.
Jesus lived as a Man and was crucified while on earth and He rose from the dead while on earth.
He then went to Heaven and the Father sends Him a second time (Through the Holy Spirit) to individuals who choose to put their faith in Him, Acts 3:20, Heb 9:29.
Ac 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you.
Ac 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
His resurrection serves as an example to us as is referred to in Romans chapter 6 and Col 3:1.
His followers imitate His resurrection on earth as they are taught not to sin, Rm 6:11.
Rm 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Col 3:1 ¶ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
His first Coming was to bear our sin, and after that He ascended to Heaven.
In Acts 1:6 we can see that after He rose but while He was still on earth His disciples, including Peter, asked Him when He was going to restore the kingdom of God to His people.
Ac 1:6 ¶ When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore (Strong’s Concordance reference #600) again the kingdom to Israel?
This seems to suggest that the Disciples still thought that Jesus would come a second time and rule an earthly kingdom.
Jesus responded to their question in Acts 1:7.
Ac 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
Jesus said this because the Holy Spirit had not yet come to them. Then Jesus explains further in Acts 1:8.
Ac 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Joh 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
(KJV)
According to John 14:19 the world and the worldly people would not see Jesus after the crucifixion/first coming, but God’s people would see Him.
This is why Heb 9:28 tells us that Jesus will appear after the crucifixion, but only to people who “look” for Him.
Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that “look” for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
The Disciples asked Jesus a question in Acts 1:6 and He answered it – He didn’t tell them the time because they probably thought He would come back and establish a physical kingdom.
They did not yet understand that the Second Coming or restoration of the Kingdom of God was a spiritual coming on an individual basis when the “restored relationship between the individual and God” had been accomplished. This restoration is Jesus Second coming spoken of in Acts 3:21.
Jesus did tell them that after the arrival of the Holy Spirit they would individually receive power.
So in responding to the Disciples question in Acts 1:6 Jesus did not answer the “when” question (because they didn’t understand yet) but in Acts 1:8 He did tell them “what” would happen after the restoration or Second Coming. They would “receive power to be witnesses”.
Ac 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Jesus then ascends to the Father (Jn 17:5) and fills all things, Eph 4:10.
John 17:5 KJV — And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.
As He was dying on the cross Jesus said that He finished what He came to do, Jn 19:30.
Joh 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
For a person to expect a “Second Coming” event that is not recorded in scripture is an incorrect addition to scripture.
Acts 2:38 and 3:20 illustrate the clearest reference in the Bible to the time of the “Second Coming” of Jesus.
In Acts 2:38 Peter says that upon repentance the Holy Spirit will come to the individual.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Then one chapter later in Acts 3:19-20 Peter says that upon repentance Jesus will come to the individual.
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
By making these two statements in Acts, Peter was telling people that Jesus comes to an individual through the agency of the Holy Spirit of God.
John 14:26 KJV — But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Then the Holy Spirit comes.
The Holy Spirit then reveals the truths about the “restoration” to Peter (John 16:13), and Peter explains it to those present at the time, Acts 3:19-21.
In Acts 3:20 Peter tells us that Jesus is sent to a person when they repent. This is Jesus Second Coming.
- The restoration of Spiritual Israel (Christians) in Acts 1:6 refers of the Second Coming of Jesus which is described in Acts 3:19-21.
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Acts 3:20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: This verse refers to the Second Coming, according to scripture.
Ac 3:21 (ASV) whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration (Strong’s #605) of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of His holy prophets that have been from of old.
John’s ministry restores all things, included in the phrase “all things” would be the restoration of the kingdom.
In Acts 3:19 Peter tells us that Jesus will come to the individual when they repent. This is the “restoration” spoken of in Acts 1:6. A time of restoring the Kingdom of God (Rm 14:17) to the person.
Matthew 17:11 KJV — And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore (Strong’s # 600) all things.
Matthew 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Matthew 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Jesus prepared the disciples to understand a Spiritual coming/presence in these verses.
John the baptist preached “repentance”, and repentance must precede the “restoration” of the Kingdom of God.
This is what Elijah/Elias coming first refers to.
The Second Coming referred to in Heb 9:28 is a Spiritual Coming or presence as Acts 3:19-20 illustrates.
The reason that many people think that Jesus will return physically is because they interpret parables to be literal events. This is incorrect because Jesus said parables, including those referring to the day of the Lord, are intended to conceal spiritual truths, Mark 4:11-12.
After His crucifixion Jesus went to prepare a place for us, and He then comes to receive us to Himself in John Chapter 14 verses 3 and 23.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (KJV)
This happens when an individual repents of their unbelief.
This happens at conversion when an individual first places their faith in Jesus.
2. There is no rapture. The verses that supposedly refer to this actually refer to the correction of an individual backslidden believer.
3. The Millennium is the 1000 year period of Christ’s reign in the life of the individual. It is referred to as the First Resurrection in Col 3:1 and Rev 20:5. It is symbolic of the period when the devil is inactive in the believer’s life due to the individual Christian’s obedience.
The person is obedient and in accordance with Proverbs 16:7 the Lord protects the person from all His enemies (including Satan).
Pr 16:7 ¶ When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (KJV)
4. The tribulation is what Jesus said would happen if an individual Christian lives “in the world” or lives in a worldly manner, John 16:33. The discipline that follows willful ungodly behavior is actually called “The Day of the Lord”.
Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (KJV)
The application of each of these concepts to an individual as opposed to a group, solves most of the problems of interpretation.
Misunderstanding these four concepts contributes to Christian confusion.
Daniel 9:24-27 is a timeline of sorts. With 69 of the weeks fulfilled by the time of the crucifixion of Jesus. There remains 1 week to go in the timeline which concludes with “bringing in righteousness or becoming right in God’s eyes” (Dan 9:24) , and this week is described in verse 27. Midweek or amidst this week the sacrifice ceases to be offered in the temple due to abominations occurring, resulting in desolation. Again this is a parable to be interpreted. It is a mistake to read something intended by the author to be misleading as a literal occurrence.
Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. KJV
Jesus will confirm the covenant with many for the entire week.
That confirmation involves Jesus allowing desolation’s. These are the result of the “abomination that causes desolation” or willful sin. These resultant desolation are God’s judgment upon the willful sin of His people, and they continue until God’s desired result or “end” is reached or achieved, Matt 5:26.
Mt 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
The sacrifice for sin is Jesus, but God will Himself cause this sacrifice to cease.
This means that Christians who sin will no longer seek forgiveness through recognizing and confessing their sinful actions as being sinful.
Hen 10:26 ¶For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
This is in accord with 2 Thess 2:11-12 which indicates that God will send delusion upon a person so that they can be judged. The sacrifice will cease. In other words Christians will no longer appeal to God for forgiveness.
They will no longer appeal to God for forgiveness through Jesus because their sinfulness has become willful.
In this manner the sacrifice (appeal for forgiveness) and oblation ceases.
This is another reason why only confession is required to obtain God’s forgiveness, Matt 18:22. The recognition that something is sinful must come first, then when repentance is granted to the person by grace the person is enabled to repent, Acts 11:18.
Acts 11:18¶When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Then God’s grace can teach a person to abstain from the activity by giving him the ability necessary.
Hence the often misapplied phrase “by grace you are saved through faith not by works” is understood, Eph 2:8.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
(KJV)
Mankind is not capable of teaching himself to “abstain from ungodliness”. Only God’s grace can give Jesus followers this ability, Titus 2-11-12.
We cannot in and of ourselves do the “work” that only God’s grace is capable of.
Romans 11:6 KJV — And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
After willful sin God will send them a delusion causing them to believe a lie which results in their continuing in sin and not appealing for forgiveness.
Then the events illustrated in 1 Kings 22:20-23 have been employed due to the person’s willful sin and their refusal to repent of it.
This is so He can judge their behavior and make them realize that it is truly sinful and ultimately cleanse them of it.
1 Kings 22:20 And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth gilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.
21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, saying, ‘I will entice him.’
22 And the LORD said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go forth and do so.’
23 Now therefore behold, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the LORD has spoken evil concerning you.”
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: (ASV) 12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (ASV)
Willful sin is the abomination that brings desolation.
Jesus will make the person desolate until the consummation, or decided end. This involves God’s judgment being enforced (by Hell, Matt 5:26) and the sinfulness being consumed or rendered idle, 1 Cor 11:32 and 1 Chron 21:15.
1 Chron 21:15 And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
Mt 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
This “end” is sometimes referred to as the “consummation”, meaning the “completion” of something, Dan 9:27.
Da 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
It is seen in 2 Thess 2:3 that the Lord’s presence “Consumes” the lawlessness from within the “fallen Christian”.
Again in 2 Thess 2:7 these things can be seen to happen to a Christian individual, where the person must be taken “out of the way” (the “way” referring to Jesus who is the “way”, Jn 14:6) before the man of sin or lawlessness is revealed.
In 2 Thess 2:8 the reference refers to “consuming” (Strong’s 355 ) or bringing the “lawlessness” to an end. The concept is seen in 2 Thess 2:8 when the sin is consumed by the Lord’s presence. This is in keeping with God’s grace which teaches us to deny ungodliness Titus 211-12.
In this manner we can see the fulfillment of 1 Cor 11:32.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
These verses illustrate the Grace that God expresses toward mankind as He teaches Jesus followers to deny ungodliness, Titus 2:11-12.
As a consequence of “willful disobedience” an individual will experience discipline or tribulation called the “Day of the Lord”.
Daniel 9:24-27 is a parable concerning the correction of the backslidden condition of the nation of Israel (Christian individual after the Crucifixion). It is similar to the truth behind the so-called “rapture theory”.
Daniel 9:24-27 is God’s response to Daniels prayer in verses 4-19 of the chapter.
The discipline/tribulation of the Christian individual ends with a conclusion. Consummation means that something is completely finished. The “end” or desired result is found in 1 Peter 1:9.
1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (KJV)
Jesus refers to this consummation as the “end or goal of the age, mentioned in Matthew 24:14.
Mt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2 Peter 3:12 KJV — Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements (elements or rudiments = sinful tendencies per the following references) shall melt with fervent heat?
Ga 4:3; Ga 4:9; Col 2:8; Col 2:20; 2Pe 3:10; 2Pe 3:12
As Rev 20:5 shows, the dead do not live again until the 1000 year period/millennium is fulfilled/achieved, or until they are again obedient to Christ.
The spiritually dead do not experience the resurrected life in Christ again until the 1000 year period/millennium is completed/attained. In other words until they stop the willful sin.