Category: Second Coming of Christ

The End of the World? #4

Sunday, December 30, 2012

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36 KJV).

We take the remainder of the year to contemplate the term “the end of the world.”

When the Bible speaks of “the end of the world” such as in Matthew 13:39,49; Matthew 24:3; and Hebrews 9:26, it refers to the future destruction of the underlying (satanic) world system that governs earth and its realms. The rebellious, anti-God attitude that operates in Satan is quite evident in the spheres of education, politics, society, religion, and economics: hence, “this present evil world” (Galatians 1:4), to which “world” we Christians should not be conformed (Romans 12:2). Remember, Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 19:36).

After our Dispensation of Grace closes (rapture), our planet will experience seven years of Tribulation, which Christ will end with His Second Coming. Jesus Christ will then bind Satan in the bottomless pit for 1,000 years, removing him from earth, so that God’s earthly kingdom can be established and accomplished throughout that millennium (Revelation 20:1-7). It will be the end of this present world—Satan’s evil world system—and the beginning of God’s authority and righteousness reigning on earth, which is called “the world to come” in Matthew 12:32, Mark 10:30, Luke 18:30, Hebrews 2:5, and Hebrews 6:5. However, that world to come—Christ’s reign on earth—will be interrupted.

In Matthew 28:20, our Lord told His eleven disciples, “…Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” That world is the world to come, which will one day replace this present evil world. That “end of the world”—compare verse 19 to Daniel 7:13,14 and 1 Corinthians 15:24,25—is the end of Christ’s earthly reign (the conclusion of the aforementioned 1,000 years). The world that Christ will establish will exist for 1,000 years, ending when God makes a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 20:1-21:1). Then, Christ will again reign, this time forever (Daniel 2:44; Luke 1:33; Revelation 11:15).

Indeed, the definition of the term “world” in “end of the world” makes a “world” of difference in Scripture! 🙂

The End of the World? #3

Saturday, December 29, 2012

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36 KJV).

We take the remainder of the year to contemplate the term “the end of the world.”

The King James Bible uses the expression “the end of the world” seven times. We want to focus on the latter five instances—Matthew 13:39,49; Matthew 24:3; Matthew 28:20; and Hebrews 9:26.

In Matthew 13:39,49, our Lord spoke of the end of the seven-year Tribulation period, when He will send His angels to sort believers from unbelievers: “the harvest is the end of the world… so shall it be at the end of the world.” Later, His disciples ask about “the sign of [His] coming, and of the end of the world” (Matthew 24:3). Christ’s Second Coming here is contemporary with the harvest of Matthew chapter 13 (above). But, exactly what is “the end of the world” in these instances?

Ever since Lucifer/Satan was cast out of heaven, he has tainted every region of creation with sin. In fact, on earth, he encouraged mankind to join him in rebelling against God. Ever since man’s fall into sin, Satan and sin have ruled planet earth. Hence, the Bible calls Satan, “the god [ruler] of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4; cf. Matthew 4:8,9); Satan’s fallen angels are called, “the rulers of the darkness of this world” (Ephesians 6:12). Galatians 1:4 mentions, “this present evil world.” This is the “world” of Matthew 13:39,49 and Matthew 24:3 (previous paragraph).

One day, the evil, anti-God system that governs society will be abolished—that is “the end of the world.” Earth’s wicked social, economic, religious, and political systems will pass away. Satan’s reign on earth will come to a violent end, for the glorified Lord Jesus Christ will descend from heaven, militarily defeat Satan and his minions, and then usher in everlasting peace and righteousness on earth (Christ’s Second Coming; see today’s Scripture). This victory over Satan’s evil world system is accomplished through Christ’s finished crosswork at Calvary: hence, Calvary’s crosswork is termed to have occurred, “in the end of the world” (Hebrews 9:26).

The End of the World? #2

Friday, December 28, 2012

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36 KJV).

We take the remainder of the year to contemplate the term “the end of the world.”

When people discuss the “end of the world,” they need to explain what they mean by the term “world.” “World” means different things in diverse contexts. For instance, the first time the term “the end of the world” appears in Scripture is Psalm 19:4. This passage is beyond the scope of this study; suffice it to say that the testimony of the heavens regarding God’s glory and handiwork reaches to the farthest parts of mankind’s habitation on earth (verse 3). This usage of “the end of the world” has nothing to do with end times (prophecy), nor does “world” refer to the physical earth.

The second time God’s Word uses the expression “the end of the world” is Isaiah 62:11: “Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world,….” This is the same sense as Psalm 19:4 (above).

However, when we come to Matthew 13:39,49, the Bible uses “the end of the world” another way. These verses involve end times (prophecy): “…the harvest is the end of the world…. so shall it be at the end of the world.” Jesus Christ is describing the day—His Second Coming—when He will send angels to gather His believers and collect the unbelievers.

In Matthew 24:3, Jesus’ disciples inquired, “And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Here, “world” is in the same sense as in Matthew 13:39,49 above. Like Matthew chapter 13, Matthew chapter 24 is prophetic.

In Matthew 28:20, Jesus Christ told His eleven apostles, “…And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” This is very similar to the sense of Matthew chapters 13 and 24, but referring to a different “world.” Lastly, Hebrews 9:26 says, “now once in the end of the world hath [Christ] appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

We will proceed to discuss these usages in depth….

The Prince of Peace, Born in the Middle East

Friday, December 21, 2012

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 KJV).

Ironically, God’s wisdom ordained the birthplace of the Prince of Peace to be the contentious Middle East….

Almost from the very beginning of time, the Middle East has been a battleground, the chief war zone of good and evil. Originally the peaceful home of Adam and Eve, today it is the most contentious region on the globe. Because of Adam’s sin, what was a paradise is now known as the area where man joined Satan in his rebellion against God. Adam and Eve utterly failed to reign over the earth for God’s glory (Genesis 1:26-28). Instead they united with the opposition, and were banished from God’s presence and the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23,24).

“Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin” (Romans 5:12). Verse 14 says that Adam “is the figure of him that was to come.” God would send another Man, Jesus Christ, and He would accomplish what Adam failed to do: glorify God on the earth by dispossessing it from Satan, and reigning in righteousness. This is the “government” spoken of in today’s Scripture.

“For if by one man’s [Adam’s] offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ” (verse 17). Adam plunged the human race into sin and made it God’s enemy; Jesus Christ offers mankind eternal life, forgiveness of sins and a reconciled relationship with God! This was God’s goal in sending Jesus Christ.

As our world desperately continues to seek peace, let us remember there will be no peace on earth until the Prince of Peace returns to His nation, Israel, and rids our planet of Satan and his policy of evil (the root of the Middle Eastern turmoil). At Christ’s Second Coming, there will be peace on earth, and especially in the Middle East.

Psalm 23 in HD #6

Friday, December 14, 2012

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever” (Psalm 23:6 KJV).

Cutting through the “static” of religious, traditional thinking, we present to you Psalm 23 in HD, dispensationally delivered with astounding clarity.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” Today’s Scripture is the concluding verse of Psalm 23, the nation Israel’s grand hope. It describes Israel’s salvation—God blessing her with His goodness and mercy. “For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness” (Psalm 107:9).

The Apostle Peter describes Israel’s future: “Which in time past [looking back on our present-day Dispensation of Grace] were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:10). The Apostle Paul confirms: “There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away the ungodliness from Jacob: for this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins” (Romans 11:26,27). The aforementioned New Covenant is found in Jeremiah 31:31-34 (cf. Hebrews 8:8-13). Jeremiah 31:14, describing Israel’s coming kingdom and the reign of her Messiah-King Jesus, states: “…My people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the Lord.”

“I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Israel will enjoy her earthly kingdom forever and ever! “[God] that stretcheth the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them as a tent to dwell in” (Isaiah 40:22). “For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:18). “For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it” (Psalm 132:13,14). At Christ’s Second Coming, God will come and dwell with redeemed Israel on earth, for all eternity!

Psalm 23—Israel’s glorious prospect, to be fulfilled in due time.

Psalm 23 in HD #3

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3 KJV).

Cutting through the “static” of religious, traditional thinking, we present to you Psalm 23 in HD, dispensationally delivered with astounding clarity.

“He restoreth my soul.” The human soul is naturally rebellious. It devises wicked, anti-God thoughts, which thoughts lead to actions (sinful acts). Each human soul needs to be rescued from its sinful condition; otherwise, upon physical death, those souls will be lost to everlasting degeneration and conscious suffering in the lake of fire (Matthew 16:26; Mark 8:36; Luke 9:25; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ is the way we sinners escape this deserved eternal damnation.

David, who wrote today’s Scripture, penned in Psalm 32:1,2: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” This describes a believing Jew in Israel’s program (1 John 2:12). In Romans 4:6-8, Paul quotes some of that to describe our salvation in the Dispensation of Grace.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making simple the wise” (Psalm 19:7). The Hebrew word translated “converting” is rendered “restoreth” in today’s Scripture. How does God “restore” (“convert”) the human soul? With His Word! “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). In Israel’s program, a Jew is converted by trusting Jesus as his Messiah/Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 16:16; John 11:27; Acts 8:37; 1 John 5:1-14).

“He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” After our dispensation, the nation Israel, who is currently nationally blinded, will be saved (Romans 11:25-27). At Jesus Christ’s Second Coming, He will blot out Israel’s national sins by instituting the New Covenant (Acts 3:19-26; Hebrews 8:8-13; Hebrews 10:16,17; cf. Jeremiah 31:31-34). They will receive the same forgiveness we have now in Christ (Romans 5:11). According to the New Covenant, God will write His righteous laws in Israel’s heart, and they will serve Him faithfully forever, bringing glory to His name.

Psalm 23 in HD #1

Sunday, December 9, 2012

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1 KJV).

Cutting through the “static” of religious, traditional thinking, we present to you Psalm 23 in HD, dispensationally delivered with astounding clarity.

“The LORD is my shepherd.” Jesus Christ likened Himself to a shepherd who led and cared for His sheep (Israel): “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep…. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine” (John 10:11,14). Jesus used the term, “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6; Matthew 15:24; cf. Matthew 18:11-14; Luke 15:3-10).

Moses, because of his rebellion, cannot enter into the Promised Land, so he asks the LORD to “set a man over the congregation [nation Israel]… that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd” (Numbers 27:16,17). The LORD then chooses Joshua to take Moses’ place in leading Israel into Palestine. Moses and Joshua are types/previews of what Jesus Christ will ultimately do when He returns at His Second Coming, to lead Israel into His kingdom and her Promised Land.

Israel’s restoration (after our Dispensation of Grace has ended) is described in 1 Peter 2:25: “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (cf. Hebrews 13:20). The Bible calls the LORD the “Shepherd of Israel” (Psalm 80:1).

In today’s Scripture, David, a believing Jew, also wrote, “I shall not want.” Christ will meet Israel’s spiritual and physical needs (yet future), just as a shepherd provides for his sheep. Israel will lack neither material goods (Amos 9:11-15; Joel 3:17-21; Luke 12:22-32) nor spiritual blessings (particularly forgiveness; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Acts 3:19-26; Hebrews 8:8-13) in her kingdom.

Describing the Millennial Reign (Kingdom) of Christ, we read: “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11). Recall John 10:11,14 from earlier? As their faithful Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, upon His Second Coming, will feed Israel, spiritually and physically, forever. They will lack nothing.

One Little Nation With a Big God #5

Monday, November 19, 2012

“Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud” (Psalm 94:2 KJV).

Israel’s enemies are persecuting and destroying her, and today’s Scripture is her plea for JEHOVAH to shew Himself!

When Jesus Christ left earth in Acts chapter 1, He ascended to sit at His heavenly Father’s right hand (Acts 2:32-36). “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Psalm 110:1). Today, Christ is still sitting at the Father’s right hand in heaven (Colossians 3:1), albeit temporarily—notice “until.” One day, when it is time to judge earth’s wicked inhabitants, Christ will rise from His sitting position at the Father’s right hand, and return to earth—His Second Coming—to punish His enemies (unbelievers) with His righteous wrath.

“Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. 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” (Psalm 68:1,2). “Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people [Israel]” (Psalm 50:3,4). This vengeance of fire will accompany Christ as His Second Coming, punishing those who “know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:7-10).

The verse preceding today’s Scripture reads: “O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself” (Psalm 94:1). “For we know him that hath saith [Deuteronomy 32:35], Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again [Deuteronomy 32:36], The Lord shall judge his people [Israel]” (Hebrews 10:30).

At His Second Coming, Jesus Christ, Israel’s “Prince of Peace,” will militarily defeat her enemies, and then usher her into her kingdom of peace, salvation, and prosperity (Isaiah 11:1-16; Isaiah 59:16-22; Jeremiah 23:5-8; et al.).

Little Israel has a glorious hope. In due time, her BIG God will fulfill it!

One Little Nation With a Big God #4

Sunday, November 18, 2012

“Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud” (Psalm 94:2 KJV).

Israel’s enemies are persecuting and destroying her, and today’s Scripture is her plea for JEHOVAH to shew Himself!

Jesus Christ described the end of the seven-year Tribulation: “And they [Israel] shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24). Basically, the antichrist and his armies will unite against Israel and persecute Jews (Revelation 16:12-16; Revelation 19:17-19)… but God will retaliate (Psalm 83:1-18)….

Zechariah 14:1-4 explains: “Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle [Armageddon]; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley….”

Just when Israel’s fate seems utterly hopeless (refer back to Luke 21:24), Jesus Christ will leave the third heaven and return to earth (His Second Coming). Just as He brought Israel military victories in the past, JEHOVAH—who had been silently waiting in heaven for 2,000 years—will finally “shew [Himself]” and defend Israel. Jesus Christ, riding a white horse as He glides over earth, will speak forth God’s Word, and He will slay and consume in His wrath the antichrist and all the armies gathered against Israel (Revelation 19:11-21; 2 Thessalonians 2:8).

And thus, God will “render a reward to the proud,” eternally punishing Israel’s arrogant enemies with His wrath in the lake of fire.

One Little Nation With a Big God #3

Saturday, November 17, 2012

“Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud” (Psalm 94:2 KJV).

Israel’s enemies are persecuting and destroying her, and today’s Scripture is her plea for JEHOVAH to shew Himself!

For the past 4,000 years—ever since her beginning with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the nation Israel has been harassed, oppressed, and mistreated by the Gentile world. This is partly due to her sins and God’s chastisement (Leviticus 26:31-39; Deuteronomy 28:48-53). Moreover, it is also due to Satan seeking to wipe out Israel (for in doing so, prophecy and God’s purpose and plan for the earth would be abolished).

Even today, little Israel battles her enemies to retain what small amount of real estate she has. Is not Israel God’s “chosen people?” Then, why has God not gotten rid of Israel’s opponents? Actually, God has temporarily set aside the nation Israel, and her program that operated in “time past” is paused: “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (Romans 11:25). When God is finished forming the Body of Christ, He will return to Israel, and then He will take care of her enemies.

After our Dispensation of Grace terminates with the rapture, and the Church the Body of Christ is removed from earth, Israel will experience “one week” (seven years; Daniel 9:27) of God’s wrath, during which He will separate believing Jews from unbelieving Jews (Zechariah 12:8,9). Also, the satanic antichrist will be ruling the world, and he will persecute believing Israel. His religious leader, the “false prophet,” will gather the armies of the world, in hopes of annihilating Israel (Revelation 16:13-16). In this last great battle, Armageddon, Gentile armies will assemble in Israel, eagerly waiting to defeat her once and for all (Revelation 19:18,19; cf. Psalm 83:1-4).

However, these haughty Gentile armies are unaware that the “judge of the earth” has left heaven’s glory, and He is rapidly nearing planet earth, to “render a reward to the proud….”