Category: Second Coming of Christ

Aerial Attack! #5

Thursday, July 10, 2014

“And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines” (2 Samuel 5:24 KJV).

Some 3,000 years ago, Israel had aerial military support, and it is only a preview of the “fighter jets” yet to come!

John the Baptist (Matthew 3:7-12; Luke 3:7,16,17) and even the Apostle Paul warned of “the baptism with fire,” “the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10), when the Lord Jesus Christ would return to Earth “in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:8). Let us search the Old Testament prophets to see what the Holy Spirit had already foretold centuries earlier.

Firstly, consider the following, written 700 years before Jesus’ earthly ministry: “[27] Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire:… [30] And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones. [31] For through the voice of the LORD shall the Assyrian [the Antichrist] be beaten down, which smote with a rod…. [33] For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it” (Isaiah 30:27,30,31,33).

Having been treated so shamefully at Calvary, so ridiculed and snubbed for 2,000 years, the mighty Lord Jesus Christ has returned, in undiluted wrath and righteous anger, to the planet that is rightfully His. He will take it by force from Satan, his evil world system, and all of its participants. Let us see what else the prophets have to say about this fire….

Aerial Attack! #4

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

“And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines” (2 Samuel 5:24 KJV).

Some 3,000 years ago, Israel had aerial military support, and it is only a preview of the “fighter jets” yet to come!

Just as David and Israel’s army heard their God flying overhead to defend them against the Philistines (today’s Scripture), so Israel and her enemies will hear similar rushing or marching sounds above, as Jesus Christ returns to planet Earth to defend Israel and defeat her adversaries, abolish Satan’s evil world system, redeem Israel from sin and death, and establish His literal, physical, visible, earthly kingdom. While the Apostle John merely summarized Christ’s Second Coming in Revelation 19:11-21, the Old Testament prophets detailed it.

Consider Jeremiah 23:19,20: “Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly” (cf. Jeremiah 30:22-24).

Read the Prophet Zechariah’s words that speak of Messiah’s coming to save Israel: “[14] And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. [15] The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar. [16] And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land” (9:14-16).

In addition to whishing sounds (due to whirlwinds, violent air movements caused by Jesus Christ passing through Earth’s atmosphere), a consuming fire will precede the King of kings as He returns for battle….

Aerial Attack! #2

Monday, July 7, 2014

“And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines” (2 Samuel 5:24 KJV).

Some 3,000 years ago, Israel had aerial military support, and it is only a preview of the “fighter jets” yet to come!

Moses, just before death, spoke prophetically, “There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun [another name for the nation Israel], who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them” (Deuteronomy 33:26,27). Centuries before David, Moses described JEHOVAH as riding upon the heavens and on the sky when He delivers Israel from her enemies.

Now, consider the first four verses of Psalm 68, written by King David (who, interestingly enough, witnessed God’s aerial attack against Israel’s enemies in today’s Scripture): “[1] Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. [2] As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. [3] But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. [4] Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.” Verse 33 continues, “To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.”

Some Messianic Psalms describe His First Coming in meekness and lowliness, but Psalm 68 is Messiah’s return in power, great glory, and wrath. Psalm 68 describes Jesus Christ’s Second Coming, an event that will parallel His actions with David battling the Philistines. Israel’s enemies are God’s enemies, so when Psalm 68 speaks of God destroying His enemies (still future from our day), it parallels the account of when God defeated Israel’s enemies in today’s Scripture. Let us briefly survey this forthcoming “aerial attack….”

Aerial Attack! #1

Sunday, July 6, 2014

“And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines” (2 Samuel 5:24 KJV).

Some 3,000 years ago, Israel had aerial military support, and it is only a preview of the “fighter jets” yet to come!

Having just slain King Saul in battle (see 1 Samuel chapter 31 and 2 Samuel chapter 1), the Philistines now hear of King David’s reign over Israel, and they attack him; JEHOVAH God gives David and Israel victory (2 Samuel 5:17-21).

Let us proceed to today’s Scripture and its context: “[22] And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. [23] And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass [circle them and go] behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. [24] And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself [get to moving to attack them]: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines. [25] And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.” (The companion passage is 1 Chronicles 14:13-17.)

When David asked JEHOVAH what action to take concerning the approaching Philistine armies, He promised David that He would be with Israel. More than that, Israel’s God would attack the Philistines before Israel’s army would. He would attack from the air, and Israel’s troops would literally hear their God flying above them and defending them against their enemies! Because of JEHOVAH’S faithfulness, Israel won yet another military victory.

Lest we conclude that this is “just another boring history lesson,” consider the fact that today’s Scripture is actually a rehearsal for Jesus Christ’s Second Coming, when He completely defeats all of Israel’s enemies. Yea, it will be another “aerial attack….”

Cain Came and Brought Shame #10

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

“And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD” (Genesis 4:1 KJV).

Can you identify the very significant phrase our King James Bible contains in today’s Scripture, and why it was said?

The Bible student understands what began in the book of Genesis is brought to its ultimate fulfillment in the book of the Revelation. God’s purpose and plan for creation initiated (and delayed) in Genesis is thus brought to fruition in the Revelation; Satan’s evil world system that began in Genesis is destroyed in the Revelation.

One of the primary ways that God will comfort believing Israel during those most difficult years—the horrors of the seven-year Tribulation—is to teach them using types, previews of their situation, found in the Holy Bible’s historical narratives. All of the Old Testament Scriptures about enduring hardship (especially the Psalms) will be critical to believing Israel’s spiritual edification as Satan tries their faith.

Israel will particularly benefit from the Bible’s accounts of how their ancestors were delivered from Pharaoh (a type of Antichrist), how David was delivered from Saul (a type of Antichrist), how Daniel’s three friends were delivered from Nebuchadnezzar (a type of Antichrist), how Daniel endured the lions’ den (a type of the Tribulation), how Job survived his awful ordeals (a type of the Tribulation), and so on. JEHOVAH was faithful to all of these saints, and He will be faithful to Israel’s believing remnant now facing the Antichrist’s wrath.

Regarding the story of Cain and Abel, Israel will learn how Abel gave his life for the very God they will now be serving to the Antichrist’s hatred. They need not be discouraged; they need not marvel that the world hates them (1 John 3:11-13). Even if they lose their lives (and many Messianic Jews will perish; Matthew 10:39; Revelation 20:4), Abel’s testimony still affirms that God is faithful (Hebrews 11:4). After all, Jesus Christ will return to defeat Satan, the Antichrist, and all of Earth’s wicked, and believing Israel will be resurrected bodily, to enter God’s earthly kingdom (Revelation 19:11–20:6).

Cain brought shame, but the real Messiah, Jesus, what joy and hope He will bring! 🙂

Enoch the Bible Teacher

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

“And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: and Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:23,24 KJV).

How did this most enigmatic Bible character “walk with God?”

Scripture says very little about Enoch, the father of the oldest man in the Bible (Methuselah). The genealogical records of Genesis indicate that Enoch was born about 600 years after creation (he lived contemporaneously with Adam for 300 years, so they doubtless knew each other!). Enoch “walked with God,” lived to age 365 years, and “he was not, for God took him” (today’s Scripture)—he disappeared from earth hundreds of years prior to the Great Flood (God spared him from witnessing such a horrific sight!).

Through the writer of the book of Hebrews, the Holy Spirit elaborates: “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him:…” (11:5,6a). Enoch “walked with God” by having faith in God’s Word to him; moreover, interestingly, the Bible confirms that Enoch never experienced physical death.

Although Enoch certainly did not have a written, completed Bible like we do, Jude explains what revelation Enoch had from God: “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him” (verses 14,15).

Enoch was a prophet, someone who preached God’s Word. Now, in hindsight, with a completed Bible in hand, we can see that Enoch foresaw the Lord Jesus Christ returning to earth at His Second Coming with all the holy angels with Him, to pour out His wrath on unbelieving mankind. Enoch was a Bible teacher in the midst of that most wicked primitive world. This is most interesting, seeing as to “Enoch” means, “teach,” “train up,” “discipline.”

Joshua and Jesus

Thursday, May 29, 2014

“For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day” (Hebrews 4:8 KJV).

Why did our scholarly King James translators render this verse in such an oft-derided manner?

Emulating countless others, an arrogant seminary professor once wrote a scathing article about so-called “King James Bible errors.” The wayward professor included today’s Scripture in his list of flaws: he criticized our 1611 translators by arguing that the Greek word they rendered “Jesus” should actually be “Joshua” to fit the context (the modern Bible publishers were thrilled to receive publicity and backing!).

Before we grow angry with God’s Word for being right 100 percent of the time, and before we attack the 400-year-old King James Bible, we would do well to let God teach us instead of us “correcting” Him. A quick lesson in anthroponomastics will cause us to appreciate why our King James Bible says “Jesus” not “Joshua” in Hebrews 4:8 (and Acts 7:45); the related anti-KJB remark will also be manifested as pointless.

“Joshua” is the contracted version of the Hebrew “Jehoshua” (which is pronounced “yahowshuwa”)—Hebrew is the language of most of the Old Testament Scriptures. In Greek, the language of the New Testament, “Joshua” is “Iesous” (ee-ay-sooce), and in English, “Jesus” (meaning “saviour, deliverer;” see Matthew 1:21). Interestingly,  “Jehoshua”/“Joshua”/“Iesous”/“Jesus” means “Jehovah-Saviour” (in English, we pronounce “JEHOVAH,” the name of Israel’s God, as “jahovah,” but in Hebrew, it is pronounced “yahovah”).

Today’s Scripture refers to Israel entering the Promised Land under Joshua, Moses’ successor (recorded in the Old Testament book of Joshua). According to Numbers 27:15-23, which see, Moses said Joshua was to be Israel’s “shepherd,” the man to lead Israel into God’s Holy Land to possess it (God would have then established His earthly kingdom). Historically, Israel rebelled against God by following pagan idols, thereby delaying God’s earthly kingdom. Jesus Christ—Israel’s true Shepherd (John 10:1-30) whom Joshua pictured/typified (see Acts 7:45)—will lead God’s people Israel into her Promised Land to establish His earthly kingdom (see Isaiah 35:1-10; Ezekiel 37:1-28; Hebrews 4:1-11).

Basically, our King James translators alerted us in Hebrews 4:8 that Joshua’s leadership represented Jesus Christ’s future headship of Israel. Our Authorized Version translators are hereby vindicated, and their critics still puzzled! 🙂

Blessed Reading

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3 KJV).

Although the book of the Revelation is a source of confusion to many, it is a source of joy for the Bible believer!

Commonly known as “The Apocalypse” (from the Greek word apokalupsis translated “Revelation” in chapter 1, verse 1), the book of Revelation is a very challenging book for so many. Actually, there are even preachers and denominations that simply ignore it because it intimidates them. They never teach the book because they claim that their members do not need to learn from it. (Revelation is so despised that John is slandered as being a “drug abuser!”)

Speaking through the Apostle John, the Holy Spirit disagreed with those who view the Revelation as a burdensome mish-mash of verses. Today’s Scripture testifies that the Revelation is a book that provides its reader with blessedness (happiness, joy). Its audience, the nation Israel (John is an apostle of Israel; Galatians 2:9), is to pay attention to its contents and obey them. John reminds them that their fulfillment is near; Israel’s program will culminate.

Although not written to or about us in this the Dispensation of Grace, Revelation should bring joy to our hearts. As people who have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, and as Berean Bible students, we understand that Satan’s policy of evil has operated for the last 6,000 years. God’s original purpose and plan for creation has yet to be fulfilled. The Revelation is the “unveiling” or “appearance” of Jesus Christ: the last book of the Bible’s canon manifests the Lord Jesus Christ as the rightful King and righteous Judge; who physically returns to earth in great wrath, power, and glory; who utterly defeats prideful, rebellious creatures (Satan, his angelic rebels, and unbelieving mankind); and who literally assumes His throne in Jerusalem as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

May we take the time to read the book of the Revelation in our own time, bearing in mind that it is not to or about us, but still a most enjoyable book!

Iniquity Not Yet Full #13

Saturday, May 24, 2014

“But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full” (Genesis 15:16 KJV).

Today’s Scripture expressly declares why the God of the Bible “takes His time” when dealing with sinful mankind.

Just as God finally had enough of the sinful Amorites and evicted them (today’s Scripture), so the unbelieving, unrighteous world will be dispossessed from God’s planet one day (the day of His wrath). Rest assured, God will right the iniquitous deeds of the world one day, just not today, not in our Dispensation of Grace.

Regarding our dispensation, God has given all of mankind nearly five times as much longsuffering as He gave the Amorites, but how mankind has squandered that goodness! “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). God has given all of mankind nearly five times as long as He gave the Amorites, to prove Himself righteous in pouring out His wrath on them.

As in Peter’s day, the Christ-rejecters still inquire about the Lord’s return in flaming fire and vengeance (2 Peter 3:3,4). Peter replied, “[5] For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: [6] Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: [7] But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. [8] But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Dear friend, you can be saved from God’s wrath, so please do not reject His grace. Come by faith alone in Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork, and your iniquity will be paid in full! 🙂

Iniquity Not Yet Full #9

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

“But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full” (Genesis 15:16 KJV).

Today’s Scripture expressly declares why the God of the Bible “takes His time” when dealing with sinful mankind.

The Old Testament prophets (Psalm 2:4,5; Isaiah 2:12ff.; Jeremiah 25:29-33; Joel 2:30-32; Zephaniah 1:14-18; Zechariah 13:8–14:4; et cetera) foretold of God’s wrath, “the day of the LORD” (the seven-year Tribulation). John the Baptist (Matthew 3:7-12), Jesus Christ (Matthew chapter 24), the Apostle Peter (Acts 2:19-21), and the Prophet Stephen (Acts 7:55,56) warned of “the wrath to come.” God’s wrath on wicked mankind was expected to come within their lifetime!

Nearly 2,000 years later, and God has not poured out His wrath on Earth. Why? Was the wrath not real? Was God lying? Nay, He was gracious to implement a plan, a dispensation, He had devised long ago, but had kept secret until He revealed it to the Apostle Paul (Romans 16:25,26; Ephesians 3:1-11; Colossians 1:23-27). To “have mercy upon all” (Christ-rejecting Jews and Gentiles; Romans 11:32), God concluded all lost people “in unbelief.”

The Apostle Peter answered scoffers who asked where was Christ’s coming back in wrath (2 Peter 3:3,4): “[9] The Lord is not slack [careless, unreliable] concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. [15] And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; [16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (verses 9,15,16).

Notice, Peter instructed his audience to read Paul’s epistles (especially Romans chapters 9-11) to learn that God had paused Israel’s program, and was “longsuffering” so “all should come to repentance [trust Christ and get saved].” As Peter and Paul affirmed, Israel’s prophetic program (which involved God’s wrath) is currently postponed….