THE GATHERING TOGETHER

 

The last promise given to the first disciples was their Lord would return just as He left to restore the kingdom of Israel. Throughout their ministries with Jesus this question was the primary focus of their work and thoughts.

                        Acts 1:7-11

6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." NIV

 

One day Jesus would return to the earth just as He left. For nearly two thousand years, God’s children have told this promise to the world. Jesus would come again. As he left from the Mount of Olives so He would return to it one day. In Chapter 8 – The First Thousand Years we will see this coming of Jesus to the earth to set up this kingdom promised.

In the last days Scripture tells us some will tire and scoff at this promise of the Lord’s return and Israel’s ultimate supremacy. This apparent delay will be the basis for following “their own evil desires” in life styles and choices apart from God’s moral law.

                        2 Peter 3:3-4

3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, "Where is this `coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." NIV

God’s Word shares sometime before this coming to the earth Jesus is going to come and gather all God’s children together in the clouds. Of all the events of heaven perhaps the most discussed and contemplated in this age by God’s children is that of the second coming of Jesus Christ in the air. It dominates the thoughts of many believers today. More people are showing an [1]interest in prophesy than ever before in history. There is even an Internet web site boasting eight million visitors that calculates a “Rapture Index[2].”

Jesus will come. Inspired writers show Him as ready awaiting the instruction of the Father to come. Many a written word, spoken sermon, melodious song, measured verse and lyric of poetry has been inspired by this great promise to believers in this world. As those early believers looking up to the clouds in the sky we look intensely upwards as well longing for what Scripture calls …

The Gathering Together

 

God’s Word Promises All Believers Gathered Together with Christ

 

The Bible promises a gathering of every believer both living and dead, from Adam to the last person saved just before Jesus Coming.  Nowhere in Scripture is this event called “the rapture of the church” as is termed by popular Christianity. This modern traditional term is not however incorrect. In all of its completeness this gathering is well described as “rapture.” This event as defined by the term will be a joyous ecstatic time for all believers. I have dreamed of this day on several occasions and while ascending into heaven the excitement becomes so great I awaken with chill bumps and elation. Many a Christian on mere thought of this day has experienced tears of joy or shouted in elation. It will be truly “rapture.”

Technically referencing this promise to “the church” is also not the intent of Scripture. Popular Christianity using the term invented by the Authorized King James translators interprets “the church” as God’s family of all the redeemed. Thus the term “church” is frequently substituted for “believers” in popular writings and teachings calling this gathering “the rapture of the Church.” Another view held from the time of Christ and still embraced by many of God’s people is that a church is a subset of God’s family. The word Jesus used for “church” means an assembly or congregation. Water baptism is seen as a prerequisite for membership. By Biblical definition a church is a body or congregation of properly baptized believers assembling with authority to carry out the work of Christ in the Kingdom. Yet regardless of one’s belief, it is true that when all believers of all the ages are gathered together those of God’s family who are members of churches will be “removed” or “taken out.”

Just as today this “gathering to Him” was a popular topic in Paul’s day in the early churches. Early Christians talked about this teaching.

                        2 Thessalonians 2:1

1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, NIV

The idea of the word “gathered”[3] used by Paul and others in the early church was “assembling in one location a complete collection.” Not one believer ever to trust in Jesus Christ as Savior will be left out. A complete collection of all believers will be assembled in one location with Jesus. Believers now wait for this glorious assembly.

                        Hebrews 9:28

28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

This gathering is different from the second coming of Christ to the earth promised in prophecy at the end of the Great Tribulation. [See Appendix Figure 1 – foldout The Fulfillment of the Times] Much Prophecy such as Matthew 24 and other passages speak of the “coming of the Son of Man.” This coming will be to the earth at the Mount of Olives to fulfill the prophecy that Jesus will rule on the throne of David and restore the kingdom of Israel. Christ will come “a second time” to the earth and save Israel from the utter destruction by the Anti-Christ. This will end the Great Tribulation and begin Christ’s prophesied rule of righteousness for a thousand years.

These two distinct comings are described very similarly in Scripture and lead to much confusion in proper interpretation of future prophetic events. The coming to the earth is discussed in Chapter 8 – The First Thousand Years. They are perplexing because both involve:

 

·        A time only the Father knows               

·        Jesus leaving third heaven to the clouds of the earth (the first heaven)

·        Saints accompanying Jesus                   

·        Trumpets sounding

·        Angels gathering people           

·        Similar world conditions (few years separate them)

 

This Gathering Will Be in the Air Before the Coming to Earth

 

                        1 Thessalonians 4:17

17 After 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. NIV

The place or location of this glorious meeting will be in the clouds above the earth. Just as Jesus left and disappeared in the clouds He returns to the clouds with departed saints. Those saints still living will be caught up to the clouds to meet those who accompany Jesus. The view will be spectacular. Believers will see Jesus in His glory, the heavens opened above and the earth below.

      Other Scripture as well sheds light on details of this coming. For example consider Jesus explanation for His parable of the weeds.

Matthew 13: 39

39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. NIV   

As Jesus explained the parable of the weeds the harvesters are the angels. The angels under the command of Jesus and direction of Michael the archangel gather all believers as a complete collection. Not one believer will be left out.

 

The Gathering Follows a Series of Ordered Heavenly Events

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For 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. 17 After 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. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words. NIV

From this Scripture the following order can be derived. [See Appendix - Figure 2 The Present Heavens]

 

• Jesus will come down from heaven (16)

• There will be a loud command (16)

• The voice of Michael the archangel will be heard giving instructions (16)

• The trumpet call of God will sound (16)

• The dead in Christ now in paradise below God’s throne will rise first (14-16)

• Those alive in this world will be caught up together with them (17)

• Together all believers meet the Lord in the air (17)

• All believers will forever be with the Lord (17)

 

The Gathering Protects God’s Children

 

            What is the reason for this early gathering sometime before Christ comes to the earth to deliver Israel? Is it to keep God’s children from suffering in the world? Does it mean no one will be martyred? Is it to keep people from dieing? Listening to popular Christianity one might think God sends the angels to collect His children to prevent death, suffering or martyrdom in the seven years of tribulation to come.

            What makes those alive just before the Lord’s coming so special that they should not have to suffer, die or be killed for their faith? Peter[4] was crucified upside down, John boiled in oil, John the Baptist beheaded and Stephen stoned. Why did not God deliver them? Are we somehow better than those people of faith in the past? What about those other Christians who have suffered or died in war, by forces of nature or at the hands of evil apostate religion and government?

            The purpose of the gathering is not to preserve the comfortable life most Christians, but not all, experience here on earth. Looking at the seven-year tribulation it is probably not the suffering, death or martyrdom that tops God’s concerns when considering the well-being of His children. What is different in the tribulation that God does not want His children to experience? Why does not God in His Divine plan just wait to gather all believers at the end of the Tribulation Period when Christ returns to save Israel?

            The reason for this early gathering before Jesus coming to the earth is to protect every child of God from something much more devastating and perilous that occurs in the tribulation. The threat God is concerned about is what Daniel called “an abomination that causes desolation” and God’s wrath in response. This is an act of evil whereby the Anti-Christ goes to the temple and declares he is nothing less than the very the Son of God.

Daniel 9:27

27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one `seven.' In the middle of the `seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." NIV

 

Daniel 12:11-12

11 "From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. NIV

 

Matthew 24:15-16

15 "So when you see standing in the holy place `the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel-let the reader understand- 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. NIV

The abomination is “the lie” of the Anti-Christ. Daniel says this abomination causes desolation. The desolation is God’s response in wrath. Of note the desolation of God poured out on the Anti-Christ comes after the Anti-Christ commits the abomination. Once the Anti-Christ commits this heinous act in the temple- for 1290 days or 3 ½ years God will pour out judgment upon the earth.

The second coming in this early gathering delivers believers from “the hour of trial” and “a time of distress” that brings desolation upon the world. It guards from the trial of believing the lie of the Anti-Christ and God’s wrath upon the earth that admires the Anti-Christ. Jesus promised the church at Philadelphia He would keep them from this difficult time. 

Revelation 3:10-11

                        10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. NIV

The word “hour”[5] by Jesus in promise to the church at Philadelphia refers to a distinct event marking time. We use the word the same way by saying, “The hour has come…” The word pictures something significant. Jesus called this hour to be filled with a “trial” meaning the rest of the world will endure a testing or proving. Jesus promised to keep those who belong to Him from this terrible trial to come on the world.

Jesus comes to bring salvation for those who wait for Him. Living believers will be separated from those who live on the earth for protection. Daniel shares how at this time of distress God’s people as a multitude experiences resurrection from the dead.

Daniel 12:1-2

1 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people-everyone whose name is found written in the book-will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. NIV

The unsaved will not receive this blessed shelter. Those without Christ as Savior will be “astonished” meaning to have admiration and wonder when they see the beast (Anti-Christ). No believer will see the great power of the Anti-Christ and have to endure the trial of deciding over his abominable “lie” claiming to be the Son of God with great signs and wonders. Scripture shares once he reveals himself “all” the world will follow him except God’s elect of Israel who reject him.

Revelation 17:8

8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come. NIV

 

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12

11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. NIV

 

            After the Holy Spirit is removed to allow the revealing of the Anti-Christ, all upon the earth will be given by God to believe “the lie.” There will be no multitude saved after the gathering to Jesus as depicted by popular Christian fiction today. There will be no Holy Spirit to convict. Scripture is clear for anyone to be saved God must draw and give understanding through the Holy Spirit. Great evil is released and allowed by God. Nowhere in Scripture is a great revival described where many “that no man could number” will come to Christ after the rapture and before the Lord’s coming to the earth. Scripture shares the world gets worse as evil escalates under the dominion and rule of the Anti-Christ.

 

The Gathering Follows a Series of Ordered Earthly Events

 

The interpretations of the earthly events surrounding the Lord’s second coming are numerous.  As one attempts to correctly interpret these prophecies there are many forks with multiple choices. Each choice leads to a different construct. The student of eschatology quickly realizes opinions abound. As we consider the earthly events it is easy to get bogged down and forget the real purpose of this book – the consideration of heaven.

The idea of good Biblical hermeneutics and sound exegesis is to construct a view that harmonizes with all Scripture involved.  While temped to not address this section it would be neglect on my part to not at least give an opinion of the times surrounding this wonderful “gathering together” since we are told it should not surprise us as we look at world events. Let us start with the premise of Paul’s inspired opinion.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

Paul told the Thessalonian believers to not become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter they might think would come from him saying the day of the Lord has already come. Paul and Daniel give specifics about what must take place before the day of the Lord. 

 

• The rebellion occurs (3)           

• The man of lawlessness is revealed (3,6,8)

• A time of distress begins such as never has been (Daniel 12:1-2)

• The Holy Spirit removed to allow this revealing (6-7)

• All unbelievers condemned to powerful delusion (11-12)

 

Now we come to the big question asked by nearly every believer. When will this gathering occur in relation to earthly events? This question is under great debate in Christian circles today. The Christian literature exhaustively claims many theories. The point is they are just theories. Only the Father really knows the day or the hour. This implies no one is going to be able to take Scripture and figure the exact time as in date setting. However we are told we should be able to know the times and season lest that day take us unawares. Believers really should not be surprised because of the world events of the time.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. NIV

What world events will enlighten us to know the Lord’s coming is so near we will not be surprised? Paul said that day would come after a rebellion and this man of lawlessness is revealed. Daniel said at the time the world enters “a time of distress” and “abomination that caused desolation.” Jesus spoke of protecting from the “hour of trial.”

The events described will be perilous times to a degree the world has never seen. While many debate the exact point of the gathering in relation to these awful times God has special assurance for His children in Christ. He is going to shield them in the personal care of His Son. No saint will “suffer wrath” which is to be distinguished from worldly tribulation and martyrdom. Children of the Lamb will be gathered to Christ and not have to look upon the Anti-Christ when He is revealed or endure God’s subsequent wrath upon the world. 

While we cannot pick the exact day or hour we have been given descriptions of world events that will occur prior to this gathering we are promised. What will happen before the Lord’s return in the gathering to the clouds? The answer to this question is not an easy one for there exists much interpretive bias among scholars. Popular Christianity desires a comfortable rapture at the beginning of the tribulation whereas others choose various points of time somewhere in the midst of the seven years of tribulation.

For example in the New International Version of the Bible Paul says first there will be a “rebellion” prior to the Lord’s return. This word is thought by some scholars[6] to have in it the idea of a divorce or separation from God. It is related to the word used to describe a legal divorce decree. The King James Version translated it “falling away.” In Jesus description this is not defection away from the concept of God and religion, but a defection or divorce from the truth about God and a true understanding of God’s love.

Other scholars[7] however wish to look at the root word and its uses in the Greek and translate this word with its secondary meaning as a “departure” or “disappearance.” By this Paul would be saying this gathering together has to happen first before the revealing that is to follow. Those of this opinion are bias toward a pre-tribulation rapture.

Both of these interpretations could be correct. However the choice of making Paul’s first statement as either a “disappearance” or a “departure” from truth by itself does not identify the timing of this gathering in relation to any point before or in the tribulation period.

The earthly timing of the gathering really hinges upon what Paul meant by “revealed.[8]” Paul says this gathering will occur after the (rebellion  - - departure - -disappearance) and  “the man of sin be revealed.”  This word is the same word from which we get our word “Revelation.” The Book of Revelation is the revealing or unveiling of Jesus Christ. In the same way Paul says this gathering will not come until the Anti-Christ is unveiled for whom he really is to the world.

The matter of what constitutes an “unveiling” is again a matter of debate according to one’s desire. The pre-tribulation group claims this refers to the entire seven years of the work of the Anti-Christ. Others feel it refers to more specific events of the Anti-Christ in the tribulation. It is indeed a difficult interpretative decision.

It is the opinion of this author the revealing probably does not refer to the Anti-Christ beginning his work for Paul said in verse 7, “7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work.”  If we let Scripture speak for itself Paul defines in the passages following the best definition of the revealing of the Anti-Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:4

4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

What would it mean if the revealing really speaks of the Anti-Christ unveiling himself to the world in the claim of “the lie” of being God? The devil is the great imitator. He will in the temple proclaim himself to be God. Immediately when the Anti-Christ reveals himself as a lie to be God, Jesus gathers all believers without a single one ever knowing the Anti-Christ has spoken the lie. Daniel tells us this revealing of the lie called the “abomination that causes desolation” takes place in the middle of the seven years of tribulation.

Daniel 9:27

27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one `seven.' In the middle of the `seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."  NIV

This event begins what is called the “great tribulation.” God divides Daniel’s seventieth week of years into two sections. The first half is called the tribulation. It contains only the usual milieu of world turmoil escalating in such a manner the Anti-Christ gains power politically, economically, socially and religiously. The second half is called “the great tribulation.”  It contains God’s wrath upon the abomination that causes desolation. If the gathering to Him takes place after this revealing lie “in the middle of the seven,” all believers would then be gathered from the very beginning moments of the last 3 1/2 year period of the Great Tribulation. [See Appendix - Figure 1 foldout The Fulfillment of the Times]

After the Apostle John sees the sealed people of Israel whom God will protect from the wrath of the Anti-Christ in the great tribulation, he is shown an exceptional gathering together. It is entirely possible this great multitude that no one could number represents the complete collection of all redeemed of the ages “ruptured” to protect them from the Anti-Christ and to bring them to Jesus loving care. 

Revelation 7:9-17

9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." 11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" 13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes-who are they, and where did they come from?" 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." NIV

This group is most likely a gathering of all the believers of all the ages. There is no segregation of believers in heaven. Every believer upon passing from this fleshly life has the promise of being with Jesus forever. Therefore if all believers are forever with Jesus then all believers are always together.  This group is a multitude that no one could count.

Popular Christianity would like to believe these saints represent those saved in the tribulation of the first 3 ½ years before the Anti-Christ commits the “abomination that causes desolation.” There are several problems with this interpretation.

 

• The passage does not say when they are saved. It only reveals when they “come out” in terms of world events. They “come out of the Great Tribulation”- the last 3 ½ years. The emphasis here is not on when they were saved or even when or how they died. We do not know if they were dead or alive when all were gathered.  John is shown only the time in relation to world events they are gathered together to receive the promises of heaven because “they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

• After the Holy Spirit is removed to allow the revealing of the Anti-Christ, all upon the earth will be given by God to believe “the lie.” There will be no multitude saved after the gathering to Jesus. With the Holy Spirit gone there will be no drawing of conviction. Scripture is clear for anyone to be saved God must draw and give understanding through the Holy Spirit.

• Great evil is released and allowed by God. Nowhere in Scripture is a great revival described where many “that no man could number” will come to Christ after the rapture and before the Lord’s coming to the earth. Scripture shares the world gets worse as evil escalates under the dominion and rule of the Anti-Christ.

•  After the gathering together there is no believer to share the gospel, and no church with the keys to the kingdom. What about Israel?  Israel is “sealed by the Holy Spirit” – not saved! The Holy Spirit guarantees protection as a remnant of at least 12,000 from each tribe will survive this terrible holocaust. Israel will recognize Jesus as Messiah at His coming to the earth and thereby will evangelize the world for one thousand years. See Chapter 8 – The First Thousand Years.

• The popular Christian view of pre-tribulation rapture is one of conjecture and supposition. By the way, this believer hopes it is truth and will not refuse to attend a gathering if the angels come at the beginning of the tribulation. That would be great! The purist of proper Scripture interpretation recognizes the theory of rapture at the beginning is deduced from logical interpretational bias of the desired premise. We would feel right at home with our Lord anytime and do not want to suffer at all if it can be helped. Support then must come from deduction and reasoning of certain things mentioned or not mentioned as one builds on the desired premise of pre-tribulation rapture – not direct teaching of Scripture.  Still since no direct Scripture teaches it cannot happen at the Tribulation’s beginning one can only hope!

 

The rapture debate always reminds me of the comment a man made after hearing all the arguments over Jesus return with respect to the millennium. One was A-millennium believing there would not be one – Jesus would return and it would all be over.  Another believed in a Pre-millennium – Jesus would return before it. A last was Post-millennium - Jesus would come at the end. The brother after hearing all of this decided he believed in Pan-millennialism. “What was Pan-millennialism?” they all asked. “It will all pan out in the end.” He said. 

 

The Sign of Jesus Coming to Earth-The Beginning of Birth Pains

 

Jesus described world conditions before He would come to the earth to set up His kingdom at the end of the tribulation. He shared that watching for the coming to set up His Kingdom is like waiting for a baby. Sometime before the delivery one must endure the pains of contractions. Jesus says the world will experience painful events much like a woman experiences labor of childbirth. In labor each contraction comes and is followed by a period of welcome peace. Regular contractions signal the onset of committed labor and impending delivery. At first the contractions are irregular and mild. As the time of delivery nears they grow more frequent and intense until the pain is so great almost nothing can suppress the desire to push for delivery. Apart from heroic intervention nothing can stop a baby’s impending birth.

Matthew 24:1-8

1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" 4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, `I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. NIV

 

1 Thessalonians 5:3

3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. NIV

The birth delivery in Matthew 24 figuratively foretells the signs before Jesus Coming to the earth to set up His kingdom. His disciples question dealt with two distinct world events – the coming to fulfill the promised kingdom to David and the end of the age. Therefore the teachings to follow should not be confused with world events surrounding the gathering in the air. However because of the close proximity of the gathering of all believers in the air and the Lord’s coming to the earth similar world conditions may exist. Depending on how long the labor is which Jesus speaks; there is the possibility of seeing some of the early pains. The birth pains of labor with intermittent periods of peace come before this coming. Jesus descriptions speak of world events that bring periods of pain and stress. [See Appendix – Figure 1 foldout The Fulfillment of the Times]

            We might ask ourselves what are the signs of labor for the ensuing birth? What catastrophic end time events foretold in Scripture will be like contractions? Jesus describes them in Matthew 24.

 

·        Religious Deception of Many

Matthew 24:4-5

4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, `I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. NIV

The deception of false apostate religion will increase deceiving many. The doctrine of “pluralism” like fertilizer nourishes the growth of false religion. A plethora of religion exists today. Note the cults, mysticism, denominations and psychics now commonplace. The number of religions as well as subdivisions of each is astounding.

Evil of religion will greatly increase before the Lord returns. This increase of evil has been allowed of God as part of His redemptive plan. It is not that God wants evil to increase but He allows it as part of His loving plan to bring back the creation to Himself.

Consider the parable of the weeds, mustard seed, tares and fig tree spoken by Jesus in Matthew 13 and 24. The parable of the weeds[9] shows that God for His purpose allows evil and good to coexist until the appropriate time to harvest His true believers lest some souls not have the opportunity to be saved. The world will not improve religiously before the Lord comes. It will be filled with evil religious deception. The great religious awakening before the Lord comes is not revival from God to truth but intolerance by apostate religion of those who speak the truth of the Word of God.

The parable of the mustard seed[10] represents the growth of all apostate religion in the world with many branches where the birds rest. The birds have always represented evil in the Scriptures showing the great diversity of false religion. Like a tree with each division there are more branches. God is not the author of this great confusion but the evil one.

The parable of the yeast[11] represents the corruption of the entire world with sin and evil. Again yeast always represents sin. Sin has permeated the entire kingdom and saturates the known world with apostasy just before the Lord comes.

Jesus as well told Israel the parable of the fig tree. This is an important parable presented in Jesus discourse on the signs of His Coming to the earth.

Matthew 24:32-35

32 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. NIV 

The fig tree represents man’s attempt to approach God apart from faith in Jesus Christ. In the garden in Eden Adam and Eve made clothes of fig leaves in an attempt to physically cover the sin within them. God rejected this covering providing the skins of innocent animals as a picture of His provision. As Jesus entered Jerusalem to debate false religion he saw a fig tree[12] that was not bearing fruit because it was out of season. He cursed the tree and proceeded to show the religious leaders the error of their approach to God. They could not cover their sin with works of religion. Leaving the city the disciples saw the tree withered away showing the results of religious attempts to reach God the Father. The fig tree pictures man’s attempts to cover sin by good works before God the Father. In the parable of the fig tree Jesus was sharing to the Israelites they could know His coming to the earth is near when they see the climax of evil in covering sin by the good works of man. Man will be declared as good and the doctrine of sin will be condemned. As we see the world legally forbid the condemnation of man’s sin and only allow supportive tolerance of all man’s desires we will know Jesus coming is soon. These leaves are even now sprouting.

Already examples of the doctrine of Babylon are increasing. Man’s good fills our airways since the tragedy of the World Trade Twin Towers in America. The call of apostate religion and world leaders is for tolerance, diversity, pluralism and religious unity in the name of world peace. Remember the positive spin on this evil government is “Peace and safety.” Eventually under the banner of hate legislation no differing distinct religious convictions will be allowed public in the name of the Christ. Anyone who disagrees with a moral or religious view will invite the loss of “peace.”

It is this logic that will lead to the martyrs of the first 3½ years of tribulation described by the opening of the fifth seal. One must ask, “Why would the world who claims tolerance in a message of peace and safety be so intolerant of those who would hold to the teachings of God’s Word?” One reason is the experience of the world from the first four seals of the early Tribulation. At the fourth seals opening one forth of the world dies from war, disease and famine as the climax of world turmoil and carnage. It is likely the motivation behind such a war will be religious. Popular Christianity will call this war Armageddon. If no rapture occurs prior to this World War of the fourth seal one can easily see why the “scoffers” of the last days ask, “Where is the promise of his coming?” Christianity will be discredited and proclamation of God’s Word outlawed under penalty of death. In the terrible aftermath the negative messages on the world’s moral and religious “sin” using the Word of God will be blamed.

Revelation 6:9-11

9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed. NIV

The message of this evil religious world will be “peace and safety.” This should sound familiar to those listening to the messages of governments today. To accomplish this goal the religious world will unite itself as one in a pluralistic society that is intolerant to those who would question any moral or religious matter with “the word of God.” Man’s governments will no longer have a “higher law.” God’s Word will no longer be absolute in moral and spiritual truth. Many will follow this new religious order and be deceived according to Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:3

3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. NIV

·        Wars and rumors of wars

Matthew 24:6

6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. NIV

 

War is the norm before Jesus comes. As I write around the globe there are as many as thirty concurrent conflicts. Now with the War of Terrorism by America and supporting nations conflicts will escalate even greater than ever before. This increase of the world strife growing worse should not alarm us.

Again read Revelation and note the similarity of Jesus words to the opening of the second seal describing events early in the tribulation.

Revelation 6:3-4

3 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" 4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword. NIV

·        Nation against Nation, Kingdom against Kingdom, Famine, Earthquakes

Matthew 24:7-8

7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. NIV

The term translated, as “nation” is the Greek word “ethnos.” In other words, ethnic groups shall rise against ethnic group. There is great disharmony, even violence, between ethnic groups today. This ethnic unrest is nothing new. In recent modern times history records the awful genocide that took place during WWII by Adolph Hitler. Recent history reveals in the Slavic countries “ethnic cleansing” is still practiced. Racism will always be a problem in America. The modern term “hate crime” has been born from these ethnic struggles.

The attack of the World Trade Centers also fulfills the ethnic group against ethnic group. Could this be a contraction of the birth pains? President Bush called all kingdoms of the world to align with America or be considered against America.

In reality Israel will be the rock upon which the nations of the world will dash themselves. Kingdom will be officially against Kingdom. Such conflicts of these groups will be contractions that as time passes become more intense and closer together. 

It is estimated two-thirds of the world’s population does not have enough to eat. This will grow worse as war brings devastation of world resources. AIDS is running out of control in Africa. The foot-and-mouth outbreak of 2000 was devastating to the food supply in Europe. Now the papers are filled with warnings of Anthrax, small pox, plaque, Ebola virus, radiation and other biological weapons of mass destruction as terrorism elevates to the world’s highest enemy. Regularly we read of earthquakes bringing enormous devastation to many parts of the world. Nevertheless, Jesus said, “These are the beginning of birth pains.”

The seals of the first part of the tribulation again share similar world events of famine and war whereby over a fourth of the earth are killed by war and its resulting famine and plagues.

 

Revelation 6:5-8

5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!"

7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" 8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. NIV

 

Most of World Unaware of the Labor Pains Prior to the Gathering

 

I have delivered babies of women at full term who swore they did not know they were pregnant. Almost every other woman in the world I relate these stories say they just cannot believe it. Jesus says the world throughout every contraction of horrible world events will for the most part never know the Lord is soon coming to set up His kingdom. 

Matthew 24:36-39

36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

Jesus shares before His return the world is socially and economically purposefully ignoring the tribulation all around them.

  Luke 17:26-31

26 "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 "It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 "It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. NIV

 

After the World Trade Center bombing the world learned if too much time is spent focused on tragedy and fear the economy falls. President Bush had to challenge our nation to proceed with business as usual ignoring the danger and tragedy. If we do not ignore and spend money the world market collapses. This economic lesson learned will spirit the world to ignore painful contractions of world events that steadily worsen and become more intense. 

 

The Gathering a Sign to Lost Israel

 

Sorrowfully most of Israel to this day rejects Jesus as the fulfillment of the promise of Messiah. Since Jesus is coming only for believers Israel will be left behind with the rest of the unsaved world. In Matthew Chapter 24 Jesus has a message for those Jews who have been left behind.

Matthew 24:40-44

40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. NIV

Jesus tells lost Israel about significant events they should watch for to know the coming of His kingdom to the earth is near. Along with the blindness of the world to the significance of world events is the gathering. Israel is told here, one of the events that should tell them their Messiah is about to come, is the disappearance of selected people. In the gathering of all believers it will seem as if a thief has come and people are stolen.

Most of Israel is lost at the time of the gathering rejecting Jesus Christ as the One and only true Savior from sin.  Had Israel been saved at the revealing of the Anti-Christ they would have been delivered in the gathering together of all believers to Jesus. Regretfully Jesus message to Israel is they will see what all believers of the world will never see by promise of God, “the abomination that causes desolation” spoken by Daniel the prophet.

Matthew 24:15-16

1 5 "So when you see standing in the holy place `the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel-let the reader understand- 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. NIV

Jesus tells Israel to run and hide in the mountains. Do not delay for any reason, just run for your lives. There is no Scripture that tells us like the popular Christian fiction novels[13] written today that Israel will be saved in the tribulation and evangelize the world with the gospel of Christ in that same tribulation period. Israel will be saved at the coming of Jesus to the earth and thereby evangelize the world for a thousand years as the dominant kingdom on earth. See Chapter 8 – The First Thousand Years. Had Israel been saved at some point in the first part of the tribulation before the revealing of the Anti-Christ believers having to decide over the validity of His claims would violate the promise of Revelation 17:8.

 

 8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come. NIV

 

Israel is about the go through great persecution greater than the Holocaust of Nazi Germany. The Anti-Christ in the middle of the tribulation will claim to be their Messiah. Jesus through out Matthew 24 tells of the signs of His Coming before the earth revealing the great suffering of Israel due to their continual rejection of Himself. In this discourse Jesus covers the events that will affect Israel teaching highlights from before the tribulation into the millennium kingdom.

 

The Gathering the Time of Transformation to the Glorified Body

 

 1 John 3:2

2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. NIV

 

1 Corinthians 15:52

52 in 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. NIV

 

More on the glorified body will be discussed in Chapter 7 – With What Body Do They Come?

 

The Gathering a Time of Reward for Faithful Servants

Revelation 22:7,12

7 "Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book." 12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. NIV

 

Rewards are promised to those believers who love God by keeping His commandments. Many teachings of Jesus share the reward for faithfulness. Scripture speaks of different crowns, degrees of brightness and varied positions of responsibility. These will be given when all believers are “together” as the Hebrew writer shares.

 

Hebrews 6:9-10

9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case-things that accompany salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. NIV

 

1 Corinthians 4:5

5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. NIV

 

Hebrews 11:39-40

39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. NIV