Perfect Peace Baptist Church
"Thou wilt keep him in Perfect Peace
whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee."
Isaiah 26:3

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Second Coming of Christ

As Christians we believe the New Testament revelation of the Second Coming of Christ is meant to stimulate our preparation for it, not our speculation about it. This explains the relative simplicity with which the Nicene Creed, the most. universal confession of faith in all of Christendom, addresses Christ's return:

"He... will come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead, whose Kingdom shall have no end," The emphasis of historic Orthodoxy is that Jesus will come again, not when He will come again.

Paul writes,
"denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works" (Titus 2:12-14).

There are signs of Christ's coming, to be sure. Jesus prophesied many events that would take place in the world prior to His return (Matt. 24; Luke 21:7-36). But even here the teachings of Jesus in these gospels close with His exhortation to virtue, righteousness, and preparation for the Judgment. Christ and His apostles issue severe warnings, implicit and explicit, against second-guessing the time of His coming (Matt. 24:3 -- 8, 36, 43, 44, 50; Luke 21:7-9, 34; Acts 1:7; 1 Thess. 5:1-3; 2 Pet. 3:8 -- 10). But much of modern Christendom has succumbed to divisive speculation regarding Christ's return. We are divided into pre-millennial, post-millennial, and a-millennial camps. Breaking it down even further, there are pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, and post-tribulation adherents. Christians part ways and new denominations spring up around interpretations of events which have not yet even come to pass!

Throughout history, the Church has steadfastly insisted on the reality of the Second Coming of Christ as a settled belief, but granted liberty, on the question of when it will occur. In the last chapter of Revelation, Jesus speaks the words, "Behold, I come quickly" three different times (Rev, 22:7, 12, 20). His coming will occur on a day, and at an hour when it is least expected. The Apostle John, the author of Revelation, concludes his book with a warning:

"For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" (Rev. 22.18, 19).

To confess the return of Christ is to stand squarely within the scriptures, to add "when" to the promise of His coming is warned against in the Scriptures. As members of the Bride of Christ, let us focus instead on being ready, by reaching the lost souls that our Lord Jesus hath put in our path.

It seems like there has always been a number of folk who want to tell us just when Jesus is coming back. Some of those in recent history have been:

• 1. William Miller (Seventh Day Adventist Founder) who predicted Jesus' return for 1843. When his prediction failed then he said it was to be in 1844. Well, seemingly he again missed it.

• 2. Joseph Smith, (Founder of Mormonism), said Jesus was coming in l891.

• 3. Charles Taze Russell (Founder of "Jehovah Witnesses") predicted 1914, and then 1917. When Jesus did not appear, he then declared that Jesus came in spirit and only an elect few saw Him.

• 4. Willie Day Smith (Radio Preacher) of Irving, TX predicted April 1, 1980.

• 5. Prophet Ralph Cave, Sr., of the "God's Bible Class Church" of Addyston, Ohio, said God told him that God's wrath would begin on June 8, l980, and end in l999 at Christ's return.

• 6. Hal Linsey (Author of "The Late Great Planet Earth"), predicted May 14, 1981.

• 7. Bill Mauplin (Light House Truth Foundation of Tucson, AZ) predicted June 28, 1981, and then again on August 7, 1981.

• 8. Galen Bare (Springfield, MO Evangelist) predicted a "Planet Alignment", which would cause a catastrophic "wreck" among the planets. This was to occur at the end of 1982.

• 9. Thomas W. Staggs (Wichita, KS) said May 15, 1988 would be the end.

• 10. Edgar C. Whisenant declared Jesus' return in his book "88 Reasons Why The Rapture Will Occur On September 11, 12 or 13, l988".

• 11. The Korean based "Coming Days Church", stated that October 28, 1992 would be day of Jesus' return.

As a result of the above predictions many have been misled because they do not know that the Scriptures teach (Matthew 24:36) that no one knows when Jesus is coming again. The Bible warns us to beware of false teachers in the following passages: Matthew 7:15; II Timothy 4:3; II Peter 2:1. Besides these, there are many other warnings.

The word "Rapture" is not found in the Bible, but Webster's definition of it is, "the state of being carried away with joy, love, etc." In other words the teaching of the Rapture, that is, that God's people will be carried off to an eternal glory is in the Bible, even though the actual word is not in the Bible.

Thus, when the Lord returns, for His bride, He'll be bringing the souls of the dead Saints with Him, and He'll be coming for the living Saints. Then, the great transforming of mortal bodies into immortal will take place (See I Corinthians 15:51-53; Philippians 3:20,21). “ For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

As we study the Word of God, may we realize that when Jesus comes again, He will come as a thief in the night, or unexpected (II Peter 3:10). Also that there will not be a secret rapture of His Saints but a universal recognizing Him as Lord of Lords. May the Lord help us to be careful of the many theories that man promotes as though the Bible teaches it in very plain language.

Now, the important question that each of us must answer is - ARE WE READY TO MEET JESUS WHEN HE COMES? are we as individuals ready to meet our Maker.

Plainly, don’t get short changed. Let’s be ready to meet our Maker. The Bible teaches that to avoid hell and gain heaven - one must:

• 1. Believe In Jesus As Savior (Acts 16:31)

• 2. Repent Of Sins (Acts 17:30) Rom. 10:9,10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Parable of the ten virgins, is not just an admonition to be prepared; it is also a type of redemption. Ex. 22:16,17; Deu. 22:29 Dawry of virgins, or bride price of 50 shekels of silver. The date for the consummation of the marriage was set, usually a year later— The bridegroom would return on the wedding night
Jesus first miracle was at the wedding feast at cana; one week.

Revelation 19 Marriage and return of Christ

1. All people of the world will see the Shekinah Glory Light Matthew 24:30, Isaiah 60:1

2. The Lord is returning with His Saints who come from heaven. It is written, Rev 19:14-AND THE ARMIES WHICH WERE IN HEAVEN FOLLOWED HIM UPON WHITE HORSES, CLOTHED IN FINE LINEN, WHITE AND CLEAN. Zech 14:5-AND THE LORD MY GOD SHALL COME, AND ALL THE SAINTS WITH THEE. Jude 14-AND ENOCH ALSO, THE SEVENTH FROM ADAM, PROPHESIED OF THESE, SAYING, BEHOLD, THE LORD COMETH WITH TEN THOUSANDS OF HIS SAINTS. Jesus coming with the saints was prophesied even before the flood. 1 Thes 3:13-AT THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WITH ALL HIS SAINTS. Col 3:4-WHEN CHRIST, WHO IS OUR LIFE, SHALL APPEAR, THEN SHALL YE ALSO APPEAR WITH HIM IN GLORY.

3. The Messiah will fight the battle alone. Isaiah 63:1-6

4. Remaining Jews in Jerusalem will flee to meet remaining Jews in Bozrah. Zechariah 14:3-4

5. There will be Earthquake in Jerusalem Zechariah 14:4-5

6. Anti-christ will be first casualty of this battle. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 Habakkuk 3:13

7. Anti-christ's spirit is thrown in Hell Isaiah 14:3-11

8. Anti-christ (counterfeit-son) and False Prophet (counterfeit-Holy Spirit) cast alive in the Lake of Fire Revelation 19:20

9. Satan's will be confined to the Abyss for 1000 years Revelation 20:1-3

10. Anti-christ's Army continue to fight Zechariah 12:10-13:1

11. Blood will reach up to the horses neck for 200 miles Revelation 14:19-20

12. Victory Ascent upon the Mount of Olives Zechariah 14:3-4

13. The Mount of Olives with split east to west in two part.

Gentiles will be judged (The Sheep and Goats)

1. Judgments of the Gentile nations in the Valley of Jehosephat Joel 3:1-3

2. This judgment takes place in the valley south east of the Temple mount in Jerusalem.

3. Separation of Sheep Gentiles from the Goat Gentiles Matthew 25:31-46 The Sheep Gentile will help Yeshua's brethren, the Jewish people, during the Tribulation. Matthew 13:39-41 says at His coming He will send angels to gather the wicked and Matthew 24:31 also says when He comes He will with the sound of a great trumpet send forth His angels to gather His elect (Christians) from all parts of the world.

4. Separation of the Wheat and Tares (True and False Believer's in the Church) Matthew 13:24-30

5. Parable of the Dragnet Matthew 13:47-50

6. Resurrection of Tribulation Saints Revelation 20:4-6

7. They will turn Military Equipment to Farming Equipment (Beat swords into plowshares)

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