There are a number of indisputable facts that God has made very clear in His word regarding the second coming of Jesus.
- The purpose: to take His children home.
John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
- The harvest is a metaphor for the end of the world, and Christ's coming. This can be seen throughout the scriptures, both old and new testaments. We are all familiar with the references in scripture to the 'latter rain' etc. All harvest oriented. There is a parable of this genre in Matthew 13. Dealing precisely with this subject. Jesus clearly informs us the order of events at the harvest.
Matt. 13:24 ¶ Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Now the question must be asked:
what took place first? Jesus commands the angels in verse 30 to do what? ...
.gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them....now look at verse 40,( remembering my friends the protestant hermeneutic,
the bible interprets itself) and we read:
as therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this world.
The above verse renders completely redundant the belief that Christians are taken away before the wicked. (And also the false and heaven insulting doctrine of eternal damnation). Oh, and also utterly betrays the false and misleading books, articles, films, that have the vast majority of modern Christianity held captive to gross error and darkness that those who are left behind are the wicked. NOT SO! It is the redeemed that are left behind after the wicked are all destroyed. Which leads to another question. If the wicked are all destroyed, and the righteous are all in heaven, who on earth is there to populate this desolated [planet during the millenium???
I could answer that, but it is another subject vast in its ramifications for the modern church. Perhaps another thread.
Another point to consider: where is Jesus now? Is He not in the heavenly sanctuary serving as our Mediator, and as Intercessor. As Mediator He is still available for all those who desire repentance and eternal life. So long as Jesus remains in His role as High Priest, redemption and atonement is possible. But the time is coming when Jesus leaves the temple, and returns to earth. No longer Priest, He comes as King. The 7 last plagues, described in Rev 16,17, and 18, incorporating the judgement of those who receive the mark, and the judgement of the false prophet, the dragon, and the *****, are directed from the temple. The angels come out from that temple, having received their instructions from Jesus. It is not until the 6th plague that we read in Revelation 16:15, Behold I come as a thief....The 7th plague utterly destroys all that remains, the only survivors being the redeemed, just as Israel survived the plagues of Egypt. It is after Jesus leaves the temple, that it is declared;
Revelation 22:11
He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
The decisions as to who is saved, and who is lost, have been made prior to the second coming. The rewards spoken of here are for every man, both good and evil, according to their works.
By the way. Regarding the coming as a thief. Paul and Peter both clarify this when they tell us that it isn't so much the Lord Himself that comes as a thief, but the actual day of His coming. 1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10 Remember in Noah's day the people were carrying on their usual business, having no cares, nor any mind to the coming crisis. Same with those in Sodom and Gomorrah. When judgement came, it came as a surprise,
despite the many warnings from both Noah, and Lot. It is in the sense of timing that the surprise is affected. Matt. 24:43,44. The day of the Lord comes unexpectantly, but only to the wicked. Noah knew the flood was coming. Lot knew that destruction was imminent. Therefore the faithful servant knows! Maybe not the hour, but he knows it is close. (Matt. 24:45-51)
But ye brethren, are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief!!!! 1 Thess. 5:4.
Heed the signs, and listen to the warnings. The second coming
has not yet happened. But it is close.
