Seven Words of the Second Coming Part Two

Jesus, our Saviour and Lord will return to earth soon with such glory and majesty the World will stand stunned at what it sees. Prior to His physical Second Coming, He is coming for the church at the rapture, the next great event on God's prophetic time table! The apostate church world may argue against such and even claim spiritual messages that say we're destined to stay here and go through the tribulation; let the devil and all men be liars and God be true. The Holy Spirit through Paul clearly states, that in the "twinkling of an eye," the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together to be with them in the clouds; mortality will put on immortality; corruption will put on incorruption; death shall be swallowed up in victory. This is called the 'blessed hope' of the church and for those watching for the Lord's coming it will not catch us unaware. The message of the Holy Ghost to the church of this hour is "get ready," for both the greatest move of God's Spirit known to the annals of human history AND get ready for the coming of the Lord! Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church!

 

By Chris McDonald

 

TEXT: Luke 21:36  - Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

 

Jesus, our Saviour and Lord will return to earth soon with such glory and majesty the World will stand stunned at what is ahead and what it will experience in a society without the restraining power of the Church. Prior to His physical Second Coming, the Lord Jesus is coming for the saints at what Bible teachers call "the rapture of the Church," the next great event on God's prophetic time table!

 

The apostate church world may argue against such and even claim spiritual utterances that say the church is destined to stay here and go through the tribulation; let the devil and all men be liars and God be true. The Holy Spirit through Paul clearly states, that in the "twinkling of an eye," the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together to be with them in the clouds; mortality will put on immortality; corruption will put on incorruption; death shall be swallowed up in victory. This is called the 'blessed hope' of the church and for those watching for the Lord's coming it will not catch us unaware. The message of the Holy Ghost to the church of this hour is "get ready," for both the greatest move of God's Spirit known to the annals of human history AND get ready for the coming of the Lord! Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church!

There are seven key words relating to end time events relating to both the rapture and the Physical Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. These words are:

 

1. Parousia

2. Caught Up

3. Coming and Gathering

4. Appear and Appearing

5. Apokalypsis

6. Imminent

7. Tribulation

 

There are 453 verses in the New Covenant alone that relate to either the rapture of the church and/or the physical Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ!  To say that end time events are on the mind of God and the Holy Spirit is quite an understatement! It's sad to see that which is important in the mind of God is so neglected by the modern church. Clear-cut statements in Scripture, that do not need man's twisting and wrestling, concerning the blessed hope of the church, provide us with the basic outlook of the apostolic Church, which is the pattern for ALL new Covenant churches! The number "seven" plays a significant role, as those who study their Bibles know, in the scope of all Bible prophecy. In addition to the 453 verses relating to the Second Coming of Christ, there are SEVEN men who bore witness to the Lord's Second Coming in the New Testament as well:

 

1. Jesus

2. Paul

3. Peter

4. John

5. Luke

6. James

7. Jude

 

What these men state in various passages of Scripture stand as uncontested doctrine pertaining to the rapture of the church. Six sections of the Bible - the gospels, the Acts, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, other Pauline epistles, general epistles and Revelation - feature verses on the Second Coming of Christ. In the Gospels there are 238 verses, or 53% of the New Testament, related to the Second Coming; in the Book of Acts there are 16 verses, or 3% of that book, related to the Second Coming; in 1 and 2 Thessalonians, there are 29 verses, or 6%, related to the Second Coming; in Paul's other epistles there are 84 verses, or 19%, related to the Second Coming; in the general epistles, there are 42 verses, or 9 % related to the Second Coming; in the book of Revelation there are 44 verses, or 10 %, related to the Second Coming.  In total, as stated earlier, that makes 453 verses that either directly state or indirectly refer to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. (GENTILE)

 

Let's take a individual look at these seven words that relate to the Lord's Second Coming and hear/see what the Spirit of God is saying to the church in these last of the last days pertaining to our need to "be ready" for the coming of the Lord!

 

1. Parousia

 

The term "parousia," appears 24 times in the Greek New Testament as a noun, and means, "arrival," a "presence alongside, beside," and refers to the arrival of a person at a certain place. It is used in the New Covenant of a person's presence as contrasted with his absence." (GENTILE, DAKE)

 

This term "parousia," is used 17 times in reference to the second coming of Christ which includes both the rapture of the Church and the Lord's physical return to Earth at the end of the Great Tribulation period:

Parousia also had a second meaning for the New Covenant Christian meaning "encouragement that results in one's coming." Paul for instance described how "the coming of Titus" made him extremely happy (2 Cor. 7:6-7). Paul trusted that his own coming to the Philippians would also be an encouragement (Phil. 1:26). Three other references, 1 Cor. 16:17, 2 Cor. 10:10 and Philp. 2:12, allude to a person's arrival or presence. Paul also had a more technical meaning of Parousia in mind when discussing Christ's coming. One scholar, W. Bauer explains that this term "parousia" became the official term for a visit of a person of high rank, especially of kings and emperors visiting a province. The gathering of taxes or payments to make preparations for the special occasion sometimes preceded such royal visits. One record shows that contributions were made for a crown to be presented to a king on his arrival."

 

There is no greater words of encouragement for the church of these last days to know that at any moment, the trump of God may sound, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up to with them and the Lord forever and forever! When the trump sounds, the church is going to be the contribution presented to the king upon His arrival! It will be a loving, warm event when the glass will be taken away and we will see our Lord "face to face." The rapture IS a special occasion and it will be the arrival of the Supreme Ruler of the universe.

There are two appearances or "parousia:"

2. Caught Up

 

1 Thes. 4:17
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
 
Another term relating to the rapture that involves end time events is the phrase, "caught up" which is found in the passage of 1 Thessalonians 4, one of the central biblical texts concerning the Rapture. The words “caught up” come from a Greek word mean "harpazo," meaning “to carry off,” the “grasp hastily,” to “snatch up.” Our English word “rapture,” being the equivalent f the Greek "harpazo," denotes “being possessed by an overwhelming emotion (such as joy, love,) ecstasy, or wild excitement.” As such, it is a most appropriate word to use in describing this glorious event which will certainly be a time of wild excitement and great joy when the Lord appears and we are caught up to meet him in the air to be with Him forever. No wonder that the next verse exhorts us to "comfort" one another with these words!
 
1 Thes. 4:18- Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

The phrase "caught up," is tied to the word "rapture," which is derived from the Latin word "rapio," and found in the Latin Bible text of 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.  It refers to the time when the Church is taken out or "caught up" from this world!! The Holy Spirit through Paul clearly tells us there is coming a special, secret catching away of Christians just before the Great Tribulation begins, which will later followed by the glorious coming of Christ. Let the writer be clear - there are TWO appearings of Christ - one for the Church, one with the Church! The coming FOR THE CHURCH could take place at ANY MOMENT. We're not looking for a cave - we're looking for the Christ! We're not looking for a hole in the ground, we're looking for a hole in the sky. The trump of God is about to sound child of God!

 

The word "rapture," is also tied closely to the Greek word we've already looked at "parousia." Parousia means a personal presence and refers to the rapture, not the physical Second Coming of Christ.  These two comings should not be confused. The scriptures that apply to one do not apply to the other. Not one passage refers to both events as if they were one. These two distinct comings are separated by several years, so they aren't two stages or phases of one coming.

 

The rapture is the first of the two comings, not a coming to earth but in the air. It could not be the second coming because at the rapture Christ does not come to the earth to live here and fulfill a mission as He did at the first coming. When Christ meets the saints in the air He takes them back to heaven with Him and presents them before the Father's throne where they remain during the time the tribulation is running its course on the earth (1 Thes. 3:13; John 14:1-3). Christ does not remain in the air with the saints when they meet Him as in 1 Thes. 4:13-17 but He takes the saints back to heaven with Him where we will experience the Judgement Seat of Christ and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.  At the second coming after the tribulation Christ and the saints leave heaven together to come down to the earth (2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 19) at the height of the Great battle of Armageddon where the Antichrist will be destroyed along with the false prophet.

 

Look at the scriptures that speak of the rapture of the Church - Christ's Coming FOR the saints1

 

1. Pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things ... and to stand before the Son of man (Luke 21:34).

2. In My Father's house are many mansions ... I go to prepare a place for you ... I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also (John 14:1-3).

3. We shall not all sleep (die physically), but we shall all be changed. In a moment ... at the last trump ... the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we (the living) shall be changed ... put on immortality ... then ... death is swallowed up in victory (1 Cor. 15:51-56).

4. Christ loved the church ... that He might present it to Himself (Ephes. 5:25-27).

5. From whence (heaven) also we look for ... Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body (Phil. 3:11,20-21; 2 Cor. 5:1-9).

6. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven ... the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air (note on earth, to go back to heaven with Him; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; 1 Thes. 2:19; 1 Thes. 3:13; 1 Thes. 5:9,23).

7. We beseech you ... by our gathering together unto Him ... until he be taken out of the way (§2 Thes. 2:1,7-8, notes).

8. When Christ ... shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory (Col. 3:4; 1 John 2:28; 1 John 3:2; 1 Peter 5:4).

9. Be patient ... unto the coming of the Lord... until He receive the early and latter rain (James 5:7-8).

 

There are many scriptures on the Second Coming of Christ WITH the saints:

 

1. One like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages shall serve Him (Daniel 2:44-45; Daniel 7:13-14; Daniel 18; Daniel 27).

2. Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations ... His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which ... shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west ... the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with Thee (Zech. 14:1-5,9,16-21).

3. Immediately after the tribulation ... then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24:29-31).

4. When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory. And before Him shall be gathered all nations (Matthew 25:31-46).

5. When the Lord shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God (2 Thes. 1:7-10; 2 Thes. 2:8).

6. The Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all ... that are ungodly (Jude 1:14-15).

7. He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him ... all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him ... the armies of heaven followed Him upon white horses (Rev. 1:7. See 1 Thes. 19:11-21; 1 Thes. 20:1-3; Isaiah 63:1-6; Joel 3).


3. Coming and Gathering
 
2 Th 2:1 - Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
 
The word “coming” is also tied into the Greek word "parousia," which means “an arrival and presence with.” It is used in relation to Christ’s arrival both FOR his saints at the rapture and WITH his saints at the SECOND COMING. It also signifies the fact that we will be in his presence until His full revelation and manifestation to the world seven years later. The word “gathering” is from the Greek word "episunagogeí" and means “a complete gathering.” This means that all the dead in Christ, all the living in Christ from all the parts of the earth out of all denominations and dispensations will meet Christ in the air and will be present at this great event. The word literally means “a gathering together upon” and by extension, it is a separation of the Godly living from the ungodly.
 
This phrase “coming of the Lord Jesus Christ” occurs 4 other times in the NT:

4. Appear and Appearing
 
1 John 2:28-3:2 - And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
 
The word “appear” comes from the Greek word "phaneros" and means “to appear” in the sense of revealing one’s true character. The same word is used in 3:2. It means that at the Rapture not only does Jesus reveal to us His true nature, but at the same time our true nature is also revealed. Only those who have become partakers of the divine nature (II Peter 1:4) will recognize Him. This is the MYSTERY that Paul spoke of in 1 Cor. 15:51-53. We shall be changed! Our bodies will take on the nature of Jesus which John saw in his vision on Patmos and Paul was given a revelation concerning. Corruption will put on incorruption mortality will put on immortality.

 

1 Cor. 15:51-53
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

 

5. Apokalypsis

 

The terms "apokalypsis," means "revelation, disclosure, unveiling, and uncovering," and appears 18 times in the Greek New Testament and means "an uncovering, a laying bare, making naked." It refers to events "by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all." The meaning can be illustrated by the unveiling of a statue. Imagine this scene: a war here is to be memorialized by the proud citizens of his hometown. A statue is commissioned, completed and installed in a local park, where it is temporarily covered with a shroud. On the day of dedication, as proud townsfolk gather, a city dignitary speaks glowingly of the hero, then pulls the restraining cord. The covering drops off and the magnificent statue suddenly appears to all. An "unveiling," a public apokalypsis has just taken place!

 

This term is used FOUR times in the New Covenant:

Luke 2:32
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Romans 16:25
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Ephes. 1:17
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

1 Cor. 14:6
Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

1 Cor. 14:26
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

2 Cor. 12:1
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 Cor. 12:7
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Galatians 1:12
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 2:2
And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

Ephes. 3:3
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

Rev. 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Romans 2:5
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Romans 8:19
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

1 Cor. 1:7
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Thes. 1:7
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

1 Peter 1:7
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 1:13
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 4:13
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
 

When used of a revelation it always denotes that which has had the covering taken off and the mystery removed, so that all can see alike what is revealed; When used of a person it means his visible appearance and manifestation to others (Luke 2:13; Romans 8:19; 1 Peter 1:7).

 

It is used of:

 

1. The gospel light (Luke 2:32)

2. The coming judgment (Romans 2:5)

3. Unveiling of truths previously hidden but now revealed (Romans 16:25; 2 Cor. 12:1,7; Galatians 1:12; Galatians 2:2; Ephes. 1:17; Ephes. 3:3; Rev. 1:1)

4. The coming glory (1 Peter 4:13)

5. The second coming of Christ (1 Cor. 1:7; 2 Thes. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:7,13)

6. Manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19)

 

When the Lord comes at the rapture, there will be an unveiling of unprecedented GLORY as well as unprecedented Judgement upon those left behind to face the wrath of Almighty God. Hollywood and all the political pundits won't be able to laugh this off or make fun of Godly authority during this time. The authority over the world will be the spirit of antichrist and the man, THE Antichrist will control the entire world and cause men to either worship him or lose their heads. Truths that are now hidden will be revealed! When the trump sounds that which we are inside - HIS GLORY - will be revealed in us!

 

1 John 3:1-2
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. [2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
 

We are NOW the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be - but we know this - WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR - we shall be like HIM for we shall SEE HIM as He is - He will be revealed to us in His fullness and glory! That is why we look forward to the rapture of the church!

 

1 Thes. 4:16-17
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] T

 

6.  Imminent

 

Imminent is also a term used to describe the soon return of Christ for the Church; it also describes the fairly soon time table on the Lord's PHYSICAL return to Earth as well. Rapture people look to the coming of Christ at any moment. There is not ONE single Scripture that must be fulfilled for the rapture of the church to take place, while there are TONS and SCORES of scripture that must take place and be fulfilled before Christ returns PHYSICALLY to Earth. No prophesied event stands in the way, before Christ can return to rapture the Church.  Every passage related to the rapture of the church in the New Testament carries with it the warning "watch," and "wait."

 

Mark 13:33-35 - Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. [34] For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. [35] Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Mark 13:37  - And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Mark 14:34  - And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

Mark 14:37-38 - And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? [38] Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Luke 2:8 - And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Luke 12:38 - And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

Luke 21:36  - Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man

 

Acts 20:31- Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

1 Cor. 16:13 - Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Col. 4:2- Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

1 Thes. 5:6 - Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

2 Tim. 4:5 - But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Hebrews 13:17 - Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

1 Peter 4:7 - But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

Rev. 3:3 - Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
 

The message of the Holy Ghost is clear to the modern day church - "WATCH!" The coming of the Lord is imminent and could take place at any moment. If you're not hearing the message proclaiming the IMMINENT soon return of Christ, you're listening to the devil! Satan wants the church to put down as many stakes in this world system as we can believe me. The enemy does not want the church making itself ready for the coming of the Lord. Church, get back to preaching the rapture of the Church! Jesus is Coming and He is coming soon!

 

7.Tribulation

 

The word Tribulation refers to a time of earthly troubles (three and half years, seven years or an indeterminate time) occurring prior to the glorious physical Second Coming and after the rapture of the Church. God will pour out judgment and even wrath on the world despite the fact that many in the end time church who do not believe such. God is not going to be calling Saddleback or Willow Creek to find out if it's ok for Him to fulfill His Word.

 

There is coming a Great Tribulation period and friend, if you're not born again, you're destined to experience this horrible times coming upon planet Earth.

 

Matthew 24:21
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. .
 

There are a lot more messages coming in the weeks to come concerning the soon hour of the Lord's return. I pray you know this Christ today we speak of

 

 

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