There are three separate comings of Jesus Christ recorded
in God's Word. First, He came as a baby, born in a manger and lived a
submissive life to His parents for 30 years. Then, after His ministry of three
years, He died on the cross to save us from our sins, He resurrected from the
grave and ascended back to heaven to be with our Father. He is building New
Jerusalem for us, so that we can live with Him for eternity (John
14:2-3).
What we call the Rapture is the second appearing of Jesus, which happens
in the clouds, when He comes to call His Bride of Believers home to Heaven.
Those who are dead will rise first. Their spirit and soul are already with the
Lord, but their mortal body will come from the dust of the grave and be
changed into an immortal body as they go to meet the Lord in the air (1
Thessalonians 4:16-17; Isaiah 35:4). Those Believers still alive on
the earth at that time will join them (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
This occurs prior to Jesus opening the first seal on the
scroll and unleashing the reign of the anti-Christ on the earth for seven years
(Revelation
5:1-10, 6:2). God will use the Great
Tribulation to judge the ungodly nations of the world through the horrors of
the Day of His Wrath. The governments of this world will topple and every unbeliever
will be brought to their knees and realize that Jesus is Lord (Romans
14:10-12; Philippians 2:11).
God will also use the Great Tribulation to save Israel and
to bring them into the land He promised their father Abraham. God's third
reason for the Day of His Vengeance is to put an end to Satan's rule on this
earth. This brings on what is called the second coming, when Jesus physically
returns to earth with His Saints to defeat Satan's Army and to rule the earth
for one thousand years, and then on into eternity (Revelation
20-22).
Prayer:
Father God, the end time events strike fear in the heart of
everyone who respects Your name. We know they will literally happen just as
your life, death and resurrection literally occurred. We thank You for giving
us the opportunity to work in Your Kingdom throughout the Millennium. Help us
to reach as many people as possible now, to join us for eternity with You.
Thought for the Day:
Going to church and reading the Bible will not
save anyone. God calls everyone to believe that we need a savior, that Jesus
Christ is that Savior, and to surrender our life and our will to God. - John
3:16-18
