What We Are ALL Longing For!!
Only the Father Knows When
Matthew 24:36 KJV
36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. – Matthew 24:36 KJV
Mark 13:32 KJV
32But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. – Mark 13:32 KJV
Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!!
Hebrews 9:28 KJV
28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. – Hebrews 9:28 KJV
Christ came first to be crucified and bear the punishment for our sins, and He will return once more.
Man of Lawlessness Revealed
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 KJV
1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 KJV
The events to occur prior to the return of Christ matches those from the prophecies of Daniel. The verses above tell us:
- Brethren gather to Jesus
- Warning, do not be shaken or troubled
- Warning, do not be deceived
- Falling away will happen first
- Man of sin, son of perdition revealed
- Man of sin sits in temple and exalts self as God
Coming After satan and Lying Wonders
2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 KJV
8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. – 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 KJV
In these verses:
- First, wicked is revealed
- Then, wicked is consumed by the Lord
- In that time:
- Signs and lying wonders performed
- Deception of unrighteousness, no love for the truth
- God sends delusion to believe lie for those who take pleasure in unrighteousness
Desire to See Christ Return, but See Him Not
Luke 17:22-24 KJV
22And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. 23And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. 24For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. – Luke 17:22-24 KJV
We will have a great desire to see the return of our Lord Jesus Christ as the lying and unrighteousness increases in the world. Christ warns us not to be deceived or follow any claiming to be Him in that horrible time.
Some Remain Until the Return of Jesus Christ
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 KJV, NKJV, NIV
15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For 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: 17Then 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. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. – 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 KJV
15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [d]asleep. 16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18Therefore comfort one another with these words. – 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 NKJV
15According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage one another with these words. – 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 NIV
These verses tell us:
- Some will remain alive until the return of Christ
- Jesus will descend from heaven
- Jesus will be announced with voice of archangel and Trump, Trumpet of God
- Order caught up:
- Dead in Christ will rise first
- Alive from earth rise second
- Daniel 12:12 – those who wait 1,335 days
- Christ’s Ekklesia are all in the clouds together with Him
- We are forever with the Lord!
Revelation scripture calls this the 1st resurrection. This gathering is of the whited robed from heaven and the remaining saints on earth, all who have stood for the name of Jesus Christ, giving their testimony, pleading the blood of Jesus Christ and being martyred for their testimony. That is why the are referred to as “the dead in Christ”.
This is the group that will sit on thrones with Christ and judge the earth. For dying for their testimony of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and loving not their lives, they are rewarded. This group is deemed righteous for Christ, which is why scripture tells us the second death has no power over them.
4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. – Revelation 20:4-6 KJV
All who have chosen salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ will ultimately be together. But Revelation clearly indicates there will be separate resurrections for those who stood for Christ in the presence of great persecution and those who “slept” without that level persecution on earth.
Jesus Seen in the Clouds with Great Power and Great Glory!
Acts 1:9-11 KJV
9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. – Acts 1:9-11 KJV
Matthew 24:30 KJV
30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and 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 24:30 KJV
Mark 13:26 KJV
26And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. – Mark 13:26 KJV
Luke 21:27 KJV
27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. – Luke 21:27 KJV
1 Thessalonians 4:17 KJV
17Then 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. – 1 Thessalonians 4:17 KJV
Colossians 3:4 KJV
4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. – Colossians 3:4 KJV
The last 2 verses above align with the earlier verse telling us when Christ returns in the clouds the first gathering of souls is from heaven, those who have died on earth and were given white robes. Then those who are still alive on earth and have withstood the beast are brought up in the air with Him.
Christ Comes in Glory with His Holy Angels
Matthew 16:27 KJV
27For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. – Matthew 16:27 KJV
Matthew 25:31-33 KJV
31When 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: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. – Matthew 24:31-33 KJV
Christ Revealed with Angels to Take Vengeance
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 KJV
7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. – 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 KJV
These verses tell us:
- Jesus is revealed from heaven with His angels
- Jesus takes vengeance on those who do not know God or the Gospel
- Jesus will be glorified with the saints in that moment
- Jesus will be admired by all who believe
- Jesus comes “in that day”
God adds detail in these verses to the return of Jesus Christ.
Every Eye Will See
Revelation 1:7 KJV
7Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. – Revelation 1:7 KJV
All living and dead will see Christ when He makes His return, including those who hung Him on a cross over 2,000 years ago.
Mystery Made Known, Gather in Christ at Fulness of Time
Ephesians 1:9-10 KJV
9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: – Ephesians 1:9-10 KJV
These verses tell us:
- Mystery made known
- Fulness of times for gathering all in Christ
- Gathering from heaven and earth
Prophecies in Daniel also spoke of the end coming at the “fulness of times”.
Christ Returns at the Last Trumpet
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 – Return of Jesus Christ
51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In 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. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. – 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 KJV
51Behold, I tell you a [m]mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. – 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 NKJV
51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. – 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 NIV
These verses tell us:
- Mystery will be revealed
- Revelation 10:7 – God’s mystery revealed
- Not all shall sleep, but all will be changed
- Daniel 12:12 KJV – those waiting 1,335 days receive blessing
- Will be fast, in the twinkling of an eye
- Matthew 24:27 KJV – Christ comes like lightning
- Last Trump, Trumpet will sound
- 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 – Christ returns at the Last Trumpet of God
- Dead raised incorruptible
- Immortality put on
At the Last Trumpet
Revelation 11:15-19 KJV
15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 16And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 18And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. – Revelation 11:15-19 KJV
Verse 18 tells us this time is a time of:
- Reward for the prophets and saints
- Destruction for those who destroy the earth
Raised Up at the Last Day
John 6:40 KJV
40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. – John 6:40 KJV
This verse indicates the will of Jesus and God is for all who believe to be part of the first resurrection on the last day.
Plagues Poured Out in One Day
Revelation 18:8 KJV
8Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. – Revelation 18:8 KJV
Last Day Scripture Regarding Resurrection
Last day is the pouring out of the vials of God’s wrath. The last hour is victory of Jesus Christ over the beast at the battle of Armegeddon.
There are many scriptures referring to the return of Jesus Christ on “the last day”.
Different translations use slightly different wording, but it all reflects a time of finality, not a midterm event.
48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. – John 12:48 KJV
John speaks of condemnation on the last day. After Lazarus’ death, Martha also professes Lazarus being raised up on the last day.
24Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. – John 11:24 KJV
Judgment will also be, “on the last day,” according to Jesus’ words.
44Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. – John 12:44-50 KJV
God is judging on the last day with His vials of wrath. Christ is speaking the words given to Him by God.
Vapour of Smoke Before the Day of the Lord
Acts 2:19-20 KJV
19And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
20The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: – Acts 2:19-20 KJV
Vapour of smoke from the opening of the bottomless pit occurs with the sound of Trumpet 5, one of the final “woes” warned of by the angel in Revelation.
Blessed Are Those Who Die After the Beast and Before Return of Christ
Revelation 14:9-16 KJV
9And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 12Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
13And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
14And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 16And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. – Revelation 14:9-16 KJV
Christ’s Return is All Revealing, Counter to Secret Removal
This is not a hidden moment. It will happen fast, in the blink of an eye. But, those following God’s commandments will know. The reason we each need to keep oil in our lamps, reading our Bible and seeking the Lord, is so we, like the faithful servant, will be found ready in that moment!
Christ warns His disciples, not because it is a moment that might be missed, but because many will fallen away, weak and saddened by what they believe to be a delay in the return of Christ.
Closing on Christ’s Return
Teachings that ignore what Jesus told His disciples or alter Revelation scripture are not of God. In the last days, there will be many false prophets teaching doctrines of devils. Any doctrine based on fear, sloth or any of the deadly sins spoken of in scripture is false. We should not fear last days events.
4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. – 1 John 4:4 KJV
God may lead some to build arks. For others, He may shut the mouths of lions. Still others, He may protect from fiery infernos. He calls us to trust like children. He sends His angels to keep watch over us, to protect us, to help us, that He and He alone be glorified.
The more we are able to breakdown earthly ways and earthly needs in our hearts, minds and bodies, the more we will be the children God and Jesus Christ we are called to be. God loves his children and He protects His children. We all have the choice to continue to stand in hardship and tribulation. We are each able to seek and ask God to use us here on earth in ways that lead to us being pillars in His temple for eternity!
Stop fearing that God does not love you enough! He loves all His children!! And when you seek with a pure heart to grow ever closer to Him and follow His commandments, He will meet you where you are and feed you to grow in Him!
7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. – Matthew 7:7 KJV
6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. – John 14:6 KJV
Repentance and humility for wrongs done and things left undone are vital for continued growth. There will be times of weakness, but God is with us through those difficult times. We do not need to fear! He grows up trees in an instant to provide food. He sends angels to bring sustenance. He sustains clothing from wearing out over 40 years in the desert. He provides water from a rock. He parts waters to provide a path to safety. The list goes on and on and those are just the examples written of in scripture. God is the Creator of all!! He has infinite ways to protect, love and care for each of us!!
God has told us Christ’s Ekklesia will be given power to teach and do exploits during the time of the beast. We do not need to fear! We need to be disciplined and devout disciples, seeking the will of our Great God Alimighty, the Father, and His beloved Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
The Lord knows how to deliver His righteous children.
7And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: – 2 Peter 2:7-9 KJV
God has always been, is and will continue to be in complete control!!