Some very well-meaning and well-studied brethren have come to the conclusion that there is a distinction between the rapture and the second coming. One tactic they use is the implication that if Antichrist must come first (and Christ does not come until the second coming years later), it is not proper to have people looking for that "blessed hope" as in Titus 2:13 and Hebrews 9:28. If we know that Antichrist must come first, the thought goes, how can we be excited about looking for Jesus? I believe it's a fair question, yet I also believe there is a sound answer in Scripture.
Let's look at brother Peter's words in II Peter 3, as he speaks so forcefully of the coming of the day of the Lord. In the terminology of this discussion, I think it would be conceded that here is being discussed the final coming of Jesus. Peter here is looking toward the ultimate judgment and destruction of our earth, and he tells his people to live holy, knowing that these things are coming. Nevertheless, he exults in the fact that there will be a new heaven and a new earth once the destructive acts are past. Here is an example of one event that comes last outshining events that must come first. Peter's readers had no less anticipation for the new world simply because the old world must be burned up to get to it.
And I ask you, why can we not look for both Antichrist and Christ at the same time? A child whose father has been long in the military is promised: in 2 weeks Daddy will be home! But in one week, the same child has a dentist's appointment. There's no way to get to Dad's coming without that painful time in between. Even knowing of the discomfort of the Dentist's chair, the boy's heart is filled only with the bright prospects of Daddy's return. There is no contradiction here.
Trouble is coming to the planet. Incredible trouble. But we look for the Solution, Who will come in the Person of Jesus. He will lead us through the trouble to Himself. We don't know exactly when He will come, but He will come and deliver us! Why, even those whom God knew would have no connection to the end time are told to watch! (Mark 13:37). Why tell us all to watch when God the Father knows Jesus is not
coming until that certain Day?
Oh how excited many have been through the years about the possible appearing of Jesus. But all of them died. The odds are that all of us living today will also face death before we see Jesus coming in glory to the planet. Are we then "looking for death" simply because He may not come in our "life time"? No, all of us continue to look for Jesus' appearing, whether on this side of the grave or the other, whether on this side of Antichrist or the other. It is Jesus who is the center of all the church's attention.
Am I looking for Antichrist? Yes, I believe he shall precede Jesus, but I am looking for Jesus! Will I die before He comes? Quite possibly, but still I look for Jesus! We who are told to watch, knowing that some negative thing may indeed stand in the way, but we still watch. Watching is an attitude of the heart. It's the prayer mindset of a true believer. It's not a fearful Damocles' sword hanging over us, it's an awareness of hope. No matter how bad things get, whether we must suffer or die or watch Antichrist rise, whether the world goes crazy or nature fails, we still have the blessed hope that Jesus will come and set all in order.
So once again we see that there really is no distinction needed between the rapture and the second coming of Christ. One huge event at the end of all things.
http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. Just about every day I'm writing a blog featuring some news, a book, or a story of North Korea. There's a live news feed on the site, lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together!
And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond on my site.
Dreaming And Outer Body Experien
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