They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed." Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is done!" Revelation 16:15-17
Most would agree that an examination of the doctrine of the imminent return of Jesus Christ would normally fit well into a study on end-times prophecy. But few would suggest that this subject would hold a great deal of value in preparing for the days that are ahead.
A seeking brother in Jesus Christ has recently exchanged email with me about the scriptural validity of the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine. Made curious by my reference to this doctrine as a 'myth' he has gone about an earnest attempt at practicing the Berean style of Christianity (Acts 17:11). Because of this I have great admiration for him and although we are not eye to eye - yet, I consider him a brother in Christ.
His questions of late have been used by God to show me the urgency of dispelling myths that will lead people into deception. This article, like the ones before, is for your preparation. If after reading this you do not enter the desolation (tribulation) with open eyes and understanding then your blood will be on your own head. This is far from an exhaustive work but your hearts will tell you whether I speak the truth or not. Seek the LORD in fear and trembling and you will be saved from the valley of the shadow of death!
To the shock and dismay of many of my brethren, who hold to a last day resurrection, I say here and now that the imminent return of Jesus Christ is a Bible fact! "But Randy," you would say, "You teach from the Bible constantly that Jesus gave us signs ahead of time." You would go on to say that the doctrine of imminent return doesn't match the scriptures of Christ coming.
To these things I answer yes you are right! But that doesn't change the fact that the concept of imminent return is plastered all over the Bible, does it? Let's not be like so many others and throw aside scripture when it doesn't agree with us. Remember to twist your theology to fit scripture and do not twist scripture to fit your theology.
First let us examine the word 'imminent' for clarity and understanding. The dictionary (Thanks Webster) definition of 'imminent' reads as follows: ready to take place; esp: hanging threateningly over one's head.
Most of us know the
often quoted verse in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 that states:
"for you know very well that the day of the LORD will
come like a thief in the night." And almost always this
verse is used as justification in the belief that Jesus will come
at any minute and no prophecy or signs are required to be fulfilled
beforehand. The truth says something else. If we read the context
that follows we find a prophecy with signs: 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. Did you catch that? The sign is the earth's people
proclaiming 'peace and safety' and their destruction is prophesied.
Did we forget when this would happen? Verse 2 says on the day
of the LORD! The context doesn't lie. To continue the context
we read: But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this
day should surprise you like a thief. Catch that? The brothers,
that is the true believers in Christ, would not be surprised by
the coming of the LORD. First, we must be here, second, we know
it's coming and third, the surprise is on everyone else.
Why is the word 'thief' used in reference to Jesus Christ? The LORD answers this in Matthew 24:43: "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." The owner of the house is Satan, for the present. The house is this worldly kingdom and the thief who comes suddenly is the rightful heir to the throne, Jesus Christ!
Yes, the coming of Jesus Christ will be a sudden and horrifying time for the people of earth. They do not know the signs of the thief's advance. They keep company with people who take the teachings of men and twist the scriptures to conform, neither will have eyes to see the storm clouds that will come until suddenly the Son of Man appears in the clouds with power and great glory. What will happen on that day when the king is revealed? The nations of the earth will mourn and hide in shear terror, but those who know the signs and have watched, because they had the eyes of faithful obedience, will be rejoicing as their redemption (the resurrection) draws near!
A person who says the
imminent (thief in the night) return of Jesus Christ applies to
true believers who are faithfully watching and obeying has contradicted
scripture and the truth is not in them. Too strong for you? Read:
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his [Jesus]
commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not
do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But
if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in
him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live
in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6
Jesus commanded us to WATCH! Jesus gave us the signs with which
to WATCH! Jesus made himself nothing and the servant of all! He
said you are his friend if you obey his commands! Jesus said he
would raise us up on the last day! He said he is the resurrection
and the life!
Tell me something. If you believe that the imminent return of Jesus Christ applies to true believers then what do we watch for? If the signs do not apply then what do we watch for? If no prophecy needs to be fulfilled, then why do they exist and what do we watch for?
Jesus came once to bring to you the good news of salvation, which is the resurrection, and how to get there. He signed a covenant with all who would believe with his blood! To believe is not a matter of just saying a sinner's prayer and going to church and being nice and paying tithes. It is about laying down your life right now for him as he did for you! It is 100% complete submission and self denial! He is either your KING or he is not, there are no shades of gray here folks. Lay down your life for him now and live a life of love and in the hope of a resurrection of the dead where you will surely receive your reward! He will come one last time to redeem those who stood firm to the end.
If you want to believe the imminent return of Jesus Christ applies to you then for you it will surely be imminent - and too late! If you walk as Jesus did and obey his commands, regardless of the 'imminent' difficulties, and watch for his coming then you will truly rejoice on the last day of this age, because he will raise you up!
"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done." Revelation 22:12