The return of the Lord

Only the Father knows.

Mark 13.32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.    33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

There are many, who, studying the prophesies, and, looking at the signs of the times, are concluding that the time is at hand.

If you have eyes to see, then percieve this;

Luke 21.8 And he said, Take heed that you be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draws near: go you not therefore after them. 

Many are still following those who have taught them that the Lord is coming soon; and those many who taught them that the Lord was coming in times that have already past: and yet they are still teaching; and people are still following them: despite the warning of the Lord, in Luke 21.8 "go ye not therefore after them."

I prayfully and respectfully ask that you read patiently and consider this study.

 

An indication of when He will return.

2Thessalonians 2.1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,    2 That you 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.    3 Let 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;    4 Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Revelation 13.1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.    2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.    3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.    4 And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?    5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.    6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.    7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.    8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.    9 If any man have an ear, let him hear. 

   

The day of Christ, that lasts a thousand years,  is a seventh day Sabbath; the seventh millinnium since God rested on the seventh day after creation of the heavens and the earth; and it begins after the falling away, (which is certaily occuring now in many churches throughout the world.)  (see study on 'Apostasy'); and after the  beast has been given power over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations, and all those whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb are worshipping the beast, and he sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God; and after he has made war with the saints,and has overcome them. 

A day of one thousand years, a day of gross dakness, in which the earth is burned and few men left. 

The Lord has spoken of the earth and its inhabitants in that time.

Isaiah 24:1 Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.   

Isaiah 24:3 The land shall be utterly empied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word.    4 The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, and the haughty people of the earth do languish.     5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.    6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are  burned, and few men left.

A prophesy given through Amos concerning the day of the Lord.

Amos 5:18 Woe to you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end is it to you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light.    19 As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him: or he went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.    20 Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it.

 

The return of the Lord is threefold.  

The Lord is at hand; He is here now: the Holy Spirit of God.

Jn.14.26a But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,

Gal.4.6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba, Father.

Acts 2.1 And when the day of pentacost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.    2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.    3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.    4 And they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

After the Lord Jesus had ascended into heaven; the Father sent His Holy Spirit.

Deut.6.4 ; Mk.12.29b Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

The Father is the Lord, the Son is the Lord, and the Holy Spirit is the Lord.

The Lord is with us always.

Hebrews 13.5 Let your conversation (Gk: an as tro phe: behaviour) be without covetness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

The Holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ is ever-present with us, and , if we are baptized into Him, He is in us; it is His resurrected life that is now in us.

Romans 6:3 Know ye not, as so many of us as were bapitzed into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?    4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.    5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:     6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Galatians 2:20a I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:

Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

The Lord is here now;: the Holy Spirit of God; and His life is in those that are baptized into Jesus Christ.

Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

The kingdom of Heaven is at hand. The Holy Spirit of God is here; all around us, and in us; a Holy, Spiritual realm; the secret or hidden place of the most High, of Psalm 91.

Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:    21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

The Lord has not yet come to rule, but will appear, at the end of this world, to the resurrection, and judgement; and will then reign in His Kingdom in the new heavens and the new earth, not for a thousand years, but forever and ever, at His second appearance at the seventh trumpet, the last trump (1Cor.15:52; 1Thess.4:16,17).

Rev.11:15 And 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 forever and ever.    16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God.    17 Saying, 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.    18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldst give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and Thou shouldst destroy them which destroy the earth.

Revelation 11:15-18 speaks of the time when the Lord God Almighty shall reign; after the time of the dead, the resurrection and judgement; at the time of the seventh trumpet; the last trumpet; after the present heavens have passed away with a great noise, and this present earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up; (2 Peter3:10-14). He shall reign in the new heavens and the new earth 

 

Here is a mystery.

Mt.12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Lu.11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Lu.17:20 And when hHe was demanded of the pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:    21 Neither shall they say, Lo, here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Rom.14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

 

All things are in Him. 

Eph.4.9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also decended first into the lower parts of the earth?    10 He that decended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Col.1.19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Those of us who are baptized into Him have the life of Christ in us, the hope of glory; and so have the kingdom of God within us, because all things are in Him, and He is in us. Hallelujah!

 

His next coming.

The next coming of the Lord, will be as the Lord of Hosts; King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Word of God, Faithful and true, with His army; to fight against the beast and his army; and the kings of the earth and their armies.

This will be a Spiritual coming. 

Revelation 19.11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness does he judge and make war.    12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew but he himself.    13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.    14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.    15 And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: hHe shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.    16 And he has on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.   17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God.    18 That you may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.    19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.  20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him,with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that had worshiped him image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.    21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowles were filled with their flesh.

This war, with the beast and his armies, must be after the beast has made war with the saints, and has overcome them, and is the end of the rule of the beast; and it is also a war with the kings of the earth and their armies, at Armageddon, and is  near the beginning of the thousand year day of the Lord.

In this war, The Word of God, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords; the Lord of Hosts, and his armies, fight against, and overcome, the beast and his army, in the heavenlies; and against the kings of the earth and their armies, (Armageddon), from the heavenlies.  

Isaiah 31.4b so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.    5 As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.

This coming of the Lord of hosts (as a thief), near the beginning of the thousand years , is spiritual, and with a spiritual army.

(He comes, as a thief in the night, no eye shall see Him, because it is a Spiritual comming. When He comes at His second appearance, every eye shall see Him.)   

Joel 2.1 Blow you the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord comes, for it is nigh at hand;     2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there has not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.    3 A fire devours before them; and behind them a flame burns: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yes, and nothing shall escape them.    4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen so shall they run.   5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of the mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.    6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.    7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:    8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk everyone in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.    9 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.    10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:    11 And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executes his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it ?

Joel 2.30 And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.     31 the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.     32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord has said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.

Joel 3.1 For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,    2 I will also gather all nations and bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

Joel 3.9 Proclaim you this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:    10 Beat your plowshears into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.    11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all you heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: there cause Your mighty ones to come down, O Lord.     12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; For there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.    13 Put you in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.   14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.    15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.    16 The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. (Who are therefore, at this time, still here).

The day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision; but still not here.

Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

The day of the Lord starts, as with all of God's days, with darkness.

Amos 5.18 Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end is it to you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light.    19 As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpant bit him.    20 Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?

 

At the end of this war, the beast and the false prophet will be cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Revelation 19.19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war with him that sat upon the horse, and against his army.     20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

The time of the rule of the beast and the mark of the beast is before this war. 

 

This war is near the beginning of the thousand years: 

The thousand years, the day of the Lord, is the seventh millenium, since the Lord God rested on the seventh day, after creation. This thousand years is a sabbath, the day of the Lord, in which the earth rests.

Isaiah 24.4 The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.    5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.    6 Therefore has the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate; therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

Amos 5.18 Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end is it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light.     19 As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpant bit him.    20 Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it.

 At the beginning of the thousand year day of the Lord, Satan is bound and cast into the bottomless pit, till after the thousand years are ended. 

Rev.20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.    2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.   3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

 

At the beginning of the thousand year day of the Lord, is the first resurrection.

Revelation 20.4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgement was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded (Gk:pel ek id'zo: to cut off,[being different from a pok eph al id' zo: to decapitate]) for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped 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.  5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.    6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

This resurrection is a resurrection of the souls of those Elect, blessed and holy, who were martyred for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God, and those which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands.     Also those Elect, blessed and holy, who are true overcomers; who had truely cut themselves off from the world; who had denied self; who had forsaken everything that they had for Jesus' sake; who had died to their life in the world; who had truely abided in the Vine, and rested in the Lord; dwelt in the secret place of the most high; walked in the Light; and had worshiped God in spirit and in truth,  in righteousness unto holiness.

Revelation 3.21 To him that overcomes 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.

Some of these souls were seen by John, at the opening of the fifth seal, under the altar in heaven. They were told that they would be there until all who were to be killed as they were should be fulfilled.    

Revelation 6.9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held;    10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, do You not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?    11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

(Some of the great tribulation, the second woe, is the wrath of the beast upon the saints.) 

Daniel 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 

Dan.12:7b and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

Rev.13:7a And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them:

 

This first resurrection then, is after the beast has killed these saints.

It is after the time that all who are to be cut off for the word of God, and for the testimony that they hold; all who will not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands, is fulfilled.    

These souls rule and reign with Christ during the thousand years, from heaven.

The two witnesses who witness for 1260 days during the 42 month reign of the beast, and are killed, are in the first resurrection. (see study on 'the two Witnesses').

Rev.11:7 And when they (the two witnesses) shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth  out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

Rev.11:11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.    12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Hallelujah!

The souls of the martyrs of Jesus Christ, after their physical death, go alive to heaven, as attested to by John, who saw them under the altar, at the opening of the fifth seal (Rev.6:9-11).       Hallelujah!

 

Revelation 20.5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

The harvest of the wheat and the tares, the resurrection of the dead and the judgement is after the end of the thousand years; at the end of the age; at the end of the world; at the second appearance of the Lord; when every eye shall see Him.

 

After the end of the thousand years, Satan is loosed, and there is war on earth.

Revelation 20.7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,    8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.    9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever.

[The camp (Gk: par em bol ay'; an encampment or barracks or a battle array) of the Saints, suggest that the Saints, at that time, gather together around the beloved city.]

After the end of the thousand years, the nations in the four quarters of the earth, the people of Gog and Magog, the number of whom is as the sand of the sea, come up on the breadth of the earth, to compass the camp of the saints and the beloved city.

After the end of the thousand years, the four quarters of the earth are occupied by the people of Gog and Magog, who will follow Satan, the number of whom is as the sand of the sea; and they come up on the breadth of the earth and compass the saints, who are camped around Jerusalem. 

When Jesus is ruling upon the earth, there will be no war; there will be no nations of people being deceived by Satan and comming against the saints and Jerusalem; there will be no fire coming down from God out of heaven devouring people.

Therefore this war, after the end of the thousand years, (when the thousand years are expired [Rev.20.7a]), must take place before the so called "second coming".

The "second coming" is, in reality, the second appearing of the Lord; when every eye shall see Him.

Revelation 1.7 Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, they also which pierced hHim: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

The spiritual coming of the Lord, as the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords; the Word of God; the Lord of Hosts; is, as a thief in the night, and is not the so called "second coming"; the second appearance, that many expect imminently.

 1Peter1.7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

1John2.28 And now, little children, abide in him (see study on 'Resting in the Lord'); that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

1John3.2 Beloved, now we are the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Heb.9.28 So 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.

 

What is the manner of the second appearance?

Acts 1.9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.    10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;    11 Which also said, You men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven ? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.

Mark 13.24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,    25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.    26 And then shall they see the son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.   27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. 

Rev.1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also that pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Matthew 13.37 He answered and said unto them, hHe that sows the good seed is the Son of man;    38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the childeren of the wicked one;    39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.   40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of the world.    41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;    42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.    43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who has ears to hear, let him hear.      

This is the time of the resurrection of the dead: the time of judgement: the time of the end of the earth and of the heavens: not a thousand years before the end.    

Revelation 20.11 And I saw a great white throne, and hHim that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.    12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.    13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.    14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.    15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

After this, God will dwell, in the New Jerusalem, established in the top of the mountains of the new earth, with His people. Not a thousand years before the end of this present earth; but in the new earth, and the Lord will reign forever and ever. Hallelujah!

Revelation 21.1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.    2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.    3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.    4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.    5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Is.65.17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. (see study on 'new heavens and earth').

Micah 4:1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.    2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

The children of God, from this present earth, shall dwell forever, in the house of the Lord.

Psalm 23:6b and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Hallelujah!

To God be the Glory! Hallelujah!

 

How will the Lord come at the end of the age: at the end of the world ?  

 Luke 17.20 And when He was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom should come, He answered them and said, The kingdom of God comes not with observation:     21 Neither shall they say, Lo, here! or lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.    22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when you shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and you shall not see it.    23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.    24 For as the lightning, that lights out of the one part under heaven, shines unto another part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.   25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.    26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the son of man.   27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.    28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;    29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.    30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.    31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.    32 Remember Lot's wife.    33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.    34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left      36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. [These six verses indicate "the rapture", the translation; when those that are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord will be caught up together with them in the clouds,  to meet the Lord in the air.]    37 And they answered and said unto him, Where Lord ? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

People will be living their everyday lives, until the moment the Lord appears suddenly like a flash of lightning; at the end of the age, or world (whether it is the end of the age or the end of the world; it will certainly be the end of this world).  

The end of the world.  

2Peter 3.10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works therin shall be burned up.   Seeing then that all these things shall be disolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation (behaviour) and godliness,        12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be disolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?    13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.    14 wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Revelation 22.20b Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus.

 

The Rapture.

1 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 (the last trumpet; the  seventh trumpet): 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.

 

1Thess.4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.    14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.    15 For 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 (Gk.phar a o'; preceed, go before) them which are asleep.    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.

This is not speaking of those martyed, and those holy overcomers which are in the first resurrection, but of the resurrection of the dead; these verses speak of those righteous which sleep in Jesus, the dead in Christ, who tarry until He comes, who do not live again until the thousand years are ended, and of those chosen that are alive at that time; at the second appearance of the Lord, when He comes in the clouds, when every eye shall see Him, at the harvest, at the end of the world; at the last trumpet; at the time of the resurrection of the dead, and the end of these heavens and earth, and the judgement, and of the new heavens and the new earth.

This is attested to in 1 Thess.4:13-18.

1 Thess.4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.          14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.    15 For 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 (Gk: phthan' o; preceed or go before) them which are asleep.    16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump (the seventh trumpet; the last trumpet) 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.

Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him, because they are resurrected at His appearance, and will be caught up to meet the Lord in the clouds, together with those which are alive and remain, in "the Rapture" or translation of the living, to meet the Lord in the air, and from thence be brought with Him.

Rev.1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also that pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.   

There will be those, in every family of the earth, who will not be saved.

 

 Matthew 16.27 For 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.

The Lord Jesus does not come and rule on the earth for one thousand years, and then rain fire down from heaven, and destroy Gog and Magog; and then destroy the heavens and the earth. After He appears, He will reign forever and ever. 

After His second appearence, after the resurrection of the dead, after the great white throne judgement, in the new heavens and in the new earth, He will rule forever and ever.   Hallelujah ! Glory to God!

 

 

Is the Lord going to come and reign upon the earth for one thousand years; after which He will destroy the heavens and the earth with fire? then create a new heaven and a new earth in which He will reign forever? or, when He comes will He destroy the heavens and the earth, sit upon the great white throne of judgement after the resurrection of the dead; and then create new heavens and earth, and reign forever.

2 Peter 3: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men.    8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.    9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.    10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.    11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,    12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?    13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.    14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Amos 5:18 Woe to you that desire the day of the Lord: to what end is it to you? the day of the Lord is darkness and not light.    19 As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.    20 Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it.

Isaiah 24:1 Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad  the inhabitants thereof.    2 And it shall be as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him. [ Luke 17: 26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be in the days of the Son of man.    27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.    28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;    29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.    30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.]

Isaiah 24: 3 The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word.    4 The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.    5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.    6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

 

Will the Lord come and reign upon the earth for one thousand years; and then loose Satan to cause war; then rain down fire from heaven upon them? Or, will Christ reign from heaven, with those souls in the first resurrection, during the one thousand years; and then after the end of the one thousand years, appear and destroy the heavens and the earth with fire, the third woe (Rev.11:14), create new heaven and a new earth, and reign forever?

 

Whosoever has ears to hear, hear this.

 

  Fear God. 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, and the beginning of wisdom.

Love God,

to love God is to obey His commandments.

Love thy neighbour,

Love one another.

Be chosen for salvation.

Live Forever.