GOODNEWS LETTER
Number 356 January 26. 2011
THE RETURN OF JESUS, THE CHRIST
"Immediately after the tribulation...the powers of heaven shall be shaken, and then the sign of the Son of man will appear in the sky," Matthew 24:29a, 30a.
His return is our hope. For centuries, men have cherished this hope, with some expecting the return of Jesus to be in their lifetime. Today, it's no different. The lastest prediction of the Return of Jesus is May 21st of this year. That's another calculation of Mr. Camping of radio fame. This radio station owner-prophet has given dates before, in earlier times. He was wrong then. The prediction was that Jesus would return in the 80's; which, did not happen according to his book, "Eighty Eight reasons Jesus will return in 1988." I think that was the title.
However, don't get me wrong. Even if Mr. Camping wasn't right on, I'm ready, nevertheless! But, Scripture tells me differently from the date set in May. Further, close ties with our state govenment tell me of automobiles, using loud speakers, are driving around the captial announcing the date of May 21st as the day that Christ will take the faithful home. And, it's interesting.
It's interesting because Jesus said nobody would listen. "...because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold" (Mt. 24:12). People are used to hearing everything, even about the coming of Jesus. Most pay no attention to preaching, church activity or even, with an amplified messsage while driving around the state capital of California.
If we stay with the 24th Chapter of Matthew's gospel, we get a lot information about the Savior's return. Jesus said, "See to it that no one misleads you;" (24:4). False prophets will mislead many and there shall be wars and rumors of wars. The world isn't getting better. It's getting worse. And, the world situation will go on in the way it has until the antichrist comes on the scene with his false peace plan.
Of course, "Postmillennialism" avows that the world will get better. Postmillennialism is a view that Jesus returns after the 1000 years; as recorded in Revelation 20:4. But, after almost 2000 years of gospel preaching, things continue as they always have and, getting worse.
But, we are Premillennialists. Scripture, we believe, says Jesus will return after certain earthly occurrances. In fact, the Apostle Paul told us that the world will not get better. In his 2nd letter of Thessalonians, regarding "...the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together with Him," Paul wrote: "Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come (that day) unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction," 2nd Thessalonians 2:3.
Before Paul, the words of Jesus ring true for us today. "If therefore they say to you, 'Behold, He is in the wilderness...in the inner rooms,' do not believe them" (Mt 24:26).Jesus went on to state in Matthew 24 that perilous times will come prior to His return. Before the return, He told of great tribulation: "such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall be." Sure doesn't sound like Jesus taught the Postmillennialist view of the world getting better and becoming good enough for Jesus to receive it. My, my! What an opposing view from Scripture.
Thus, again in Matthew 24, here's what Jesus said about His return. "But immediately after the tribulation...the sun will be darkened...the moon will not give its light...the stars will fall from the sky...the powers of the heavens will be shaken. AND THEN THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN WILL APPEAR IN THE SKY...AND HE WILL SEND FORTH HIS ANGELS WITH A GREAT TRUMPET AND THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT FROM THE FOUR WINDS, FROM ONE END OF THE SKY TO THE OTHER," Matthew 24:29, 31.
Finally, whether a man with just good intentions, such as Camping or, you hear God's word from a church pulpit, Jesus is coming again. When? After the antichrist signs the treaty with Israel, breaking it after 31/2 years and, initiating the tribulation period. Just look up to the above chapter of Matthew 24 for a hope that is true. Then, look to Jesus by serving Him in His church body. The latter portion of Matthew 24 instructs us to be ready, on the alert, at all times. Only, don't look to set days; such as, the 21st of May for the return of Jesus, the Christ.