Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And 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. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
This passage of scripture points unmistakeably to the sacred truth of Christ's soon coming. God is not going to allow sin and all of its attendant evils and sorrows to continue forever. Jesus Christ is going to bring it all to an end, and according to the signs given in the scriptures, we are living on the very thresholds of that event. It then behooves every intelligent, thinking person to investigate the scriptures, to find out how we can be prepared to meet the Lord in peace. However, as we ponder the ramifications of this event, there are certain sacred truths we need to know as it pertains to the second coming of Christ. We are therefore going to let the word of God speak for itself and be its own interpreter so that the sacred truths may shine forth with brilliancy into our hearts.
(1) It is going to be a worldwide, cataclysmic, and public event that will be witnessed by all of the inhabitants of the earth at the same time. If anyone has to hear about Christ's coming on Fox news or on Cnn, then it is not Christ, for when Jesus comes the second time, no one will need to tell anyone, for everyone will see and hear it for themselves publicly. Let's read:
Revelation 1:7 Behold, 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.
Isaiah 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Most theologians apply the fulfillment of this prophecy to Jesus' first coming at His incarnation when He walked this earth as a man. Now while this application can be made, we will like to point out one very important point mentioned in the passage: "And all flesh shall see it together". When Jesus walked this earth, "All flesh" did not see it together at the same time, for Christ's first coming took place locally. That's why our passage in Revelation clarifies the issue by stating "Every eye shall see Him".
(2) The earth will be completely decimated at His second coming, with no chance of a second probation, for when He comes, all cases would have been already decided for Eternity.
Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
1st Thessalonians 4:16 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 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. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Psalms 50:3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. 5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. 6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself.
(3) When Christ comes, the work of salvation would have already been closed, therefore He is not going to institute any social or moral reforms by conversation or negotiation with any religious or political leaders of the earth. Nor will He walk the earth as a miracle worker, healing the diseases of the people. This point is of critical importance to all the inhabitants of earth, for a deadly counterfeit is to be revealed prior to Jesus' second coming. Let's read:
Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Those Christians who tend to hinge their faith on miracles are in very grave danger of being deceived by the miracle working power of demons that is soon to be revealed. While it is true that we serve a miracle-working God, yet we are cautioned by the same God to live by every word written in the scriptures, and not merely by miracles that are performed.
In view of these momentous scenes that are just before us, isn't reasonable that we make our calling and election sure now, while we have opportunity to do so? Christ is standing at our heart's door, waiting for an invitation in, so that our hearts may be made right with God before He puts in His appearing. We therefore end with a text and a promise encouraging us to do so, for the time is at hand. Let's read:
Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
We sincerely hope that everyone would seriously consider these three sacred truths, and through the grace and power of God, surrender our lives to Christ, so that the necessary changes and reforms may be accomplished before He comes. "Good night" and God bless!