The second coming of Jesus Christ. Second Coming of Christ: Messiah will be born on earth
Second Coming of Jesus Christ
Orthodoxy professes another important doctrinal truth - the dogma of the second coming of Jesus Christ. This truth was communicated by the angels and Apostles to more than two thousand followers of the Lord at the moment when He ascended into heaven, in full view of those present. The angels said to the witnesses of Christ's ascension: “Men of Galilee (residents of Galilee, an area in Palestine), why are you standing and looking at heaven? Jesus will also come to earth just as He ascended.” Since then, humanity has been awaiting a new, Second Coming of Jesus. It will be fundamentally different from the first one. Christ will come to earth not as an ordinary, earthly person, but in the radiance and light of the divine. He will come as the king of a spiritual state, the Kingdom of God.
By this time, the spiritual harvest will be over - people will have already made a choice between good and evil, God and the devil. Everyone will make a choice in their soul, determining their place in the heavenly hierarchy; conscience will give everyone a final verdict on the spiritual height of the individual’s life. Before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, another global event will take place - the Resurrection of the dead and the transfiguration of the living. The souls of dead people will be reunited with their bodies again, but this will be a different connection - from the dust, according to spiritual memory, the soul will restore its bodily appearance. This event will affect all the dead. The people who will live on Earth at this time will also change, their bodies will undergo the same transformations as the bodies of the dead. The myriads of those who have come to life and who are living will form two worlds, the Kingdom of God and hell.
These events are preceded by the last incidents in the earthly history of mankind. A creature will be born on earth, in every way the opposite of Jesus, who received the name Antichrist in theology. The birth of the Antichrist was predicted by John the Theologian, the author of the Apocalypse.
Since the interpretation of the text has many variations, it is possible that there are inaccuracies and some passages of revelation still baffle interpreters. The generally accepted meaning is:
It is known that the Antichrist will be born from a Jewish woman, a woman of easy virtue, from the ancient Jewish family of Dan. The father of the Antichrist will be unknown, and he himself will remain in the shadows of history until he is thirty years old, the age of Jesus Christ at the time of his public preaching. Just as in Jesus two natures were united, divine and human, similarly in the Antichrist two essences will be united - demonic and human. He will be an inhuman. Just as in Christ, God-manhood was preceded by a long chain of human births of the righteous and saints, so the Antichrist will be preceded by a chain of wicked ancestors. Antichrist will appear on social activities and will be known as a politician who will stop the bloody war and form a huge state, in which he will be proclaimed the supreme ruler. He will promise people peace and prosperity. All people will hear it at the same time, says the Holy Scripture, pointing to modern means communications. He will cancel cash, and each person's individual number will be applied to the forehead or right hand. With the help of this personal number, according to the Bible, it will be possible to make purchases.
All information about each person will be concentrated in one center and encoded in an individual number. At first, the Antichrist will demonstrate his love of humanity and peacemaking in order to attract attention to himself and gain popularity. He will be considered a benefactor of humanity and will be worshiped as a deity. Later, the Antichrist will reveal his true nature to people. The land will stop producing crops, food will be distributed strictly rationed. Everyone will be faced with a choice - to be a subject of the Antichrist, or to remain faithful to Christ. Everyone's choice will be completely free and independent. The majority of humanity will choose the Antichrist and will destroy the last Christians, of whom there will be very few left.
Christianity is the only religion that claims its own defeat. At the end of human history, the followers of this, now the most widespread religion, will remain few. The hatred of the entire society will be directed at them, they will hide in inaccessible places. The people who followed the Antichrist cannot be said to have heard nothing about Jesus and Christianity. By the time the Antichrist acts, the whole world will know about the God-man, the Bible will be translated into all the languages of the peoples of the Earth. Everyone will be able to read the Holy Scriptures, but not everyone will want to follow it.
The state, which will be headed by the Antichrist, will last, according to the Bible, three and a half years. The Antichrist will be perceived by the Jews as their long-awaited messiah. He will even be crowned in a newly built Hebrew temple. He will fulfill most of the Jews' expectations, but after some time, the Jews will understand that the real Messiah is Christ, whom their ancestors crucified. The Jews will reunite with the remaining Christians and resist the Antichrist.
Or maybe what has been said applies not only to the Jewish people, but to all people, and the Temple in Jerusalem is the Christian Church? Some researchers think so.
After the appearance of the antipode of Jesus, a general resurrection of the dead and the Second Coming of Christ will occur on Earth. Angels, prophets, saints and Christians, led by the God-Man, will meet the army of the Antichrist; during the battle, he will be killed, and the army will be scattered. This will be the last battle in history, the entire planet will be “transformed by fire” and then the earth will come new era humanity. People will see God, they will receive immortality, the love of God, they will have new bodies and names. Everything evil and sinful will be expelled to places devoid of light, where fallen angels and sinful, unrepentant people will remain in the torment of inaction. John the Theologian writes about this more fully and in detail in the Apocalypse, which is an unusual book of humanity that contains the future destinies of the world.
For a long time, a number of fantastic theories were built on the fact of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Since this event is preceded by the appearance of the Antichrist, the attention of medieval theologians gradually shifted to his figure. Based on one passage from the book of the prophet Daniel, Western theologians of the Catholic Church created the theory of the “Restrainer”. According to this theory, there is a force that is holding back the coming of the Antichrist into the world. According to Western theology, the "Holder" is the Roman Empire.
This theory migrated to Byzantium, which was considered an unshakable force that held back evil. At one time, Byzantium was the most powerful state of the Middle Ages and seemed unshakable and eternal. With the fall of Constantinople, New Rome, as the Greeks called this city, the idea of the “Holder” was transferred to Russia, where it received the name “Moscow - the third Rome.” It was a state theory Russian Empire, which was actively implemented until 1917. “The Restrainer,” according to the Orthodox tradition of biblical interpretation, is the Holy Spirit, whose power restrains the appearance of evil on earth as a living, integral personality. God's love and grace, being in the souls and bodies of people, prevents the penetration of evil into people. Until evil has become permanent in the world of people, while they are fighting it, the coming of the Antichrist is impossible.
There is also a lot of speculation about the time of the “end of the world”. Many “theologians” tried to calculate the year of the “end of the world” and numerous “discoveries” of the date of this event appeared in the yellow press. But, this is only speculation, not a cheaper show, since the date is not indicated in the Holy Scriptures, the goal is for people to live ready for spiritual trials and not await the doomed arrival of the fateful year. The signs of the last times were not given to people by chance; they are a powerful incentive to spiritual wakefulness. In general, earlier, ancient Christians lived in anticipation of the imminent coming of the Lord. They had before their eyes not the terrible signs of the approach of the Antichrist, but the desire to see Christ. The first Christians saw the light of the approach of Jesus Christ. This feeling gave a completely different perception of Christianity as a religion. People were preparing for a meeting that could take place on any ordinary day.
Gradually, the living expectation of Christ was replaced by the expectation of the fulfillment of the signs of the coming of the Antichrist. Slowly, there has been a shift in priorities in the minds of most Christians. Instead of meeting Christ, believers are now preparing for the approach of Antichrist. From this premonition, Christianity acquired other, unusual features. However, the Orthodox confession of faith retained the purity of the theology of the early Christians. This difference can be called one of the main ones - Orthodox Christians wait for the Light, and do not live in fear of Darkness.
At present, it is no coincidence that Orthodoxy stands out as a separate independent religion. And, if in earlier times the traditions of other Christian denominations were close to the Orthodox, now the gap between Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism is quite large, so much so that it allows us to call Orthodoxy a religion. It has an individuality that sets it apart from other branches of Christianity. Protestantism split into many currents and directions, and religious societies called themselves Christians were formed in it. They are distinguished by their varied interpretation of the Holy Scriptures, their rejection of the Church as a divine-human organism, the denial of the Sacraments and the optionality of ancient rites and traditions, not to mention the lack of apostolic succession of ordination. The Catholic Church is a religious movement whose goal is to worship the pope as the vicar of God on earth and the successor of the Apostle Peter, who has the power to change the action of God's Providence.
Protestantism and Catholicism develop in various directions. The first moves towards absolute freedom and independence in all forms of human relations, the second focuses the attention of believers on one figure, while the true Savior of mankind - Jesus Christ - is relegated to the background. Only Orthodoxy has preserved continuity, purity of doctrine and inviolability of the Sacraments. Having preserved many outdated rituals, Orthodoxy has managed to convey to modern humanity the faith of the apostolic times and the spiritual wealth of many generations of believers in Jesus. The Holy Spirit, sent by Christ and resting on the apostles, was transmitted in the Sacraments, and the right to forgive and resolve human sins has reached the present day in apostolic succession.
The Holy Spirit, acting in the world after the ascension of Jesus Christ, is really present in the saints and righteous people of whom the Orthodox Church is not lacking. Orthodoxy has preserved and selected everything that is most valuable in human culture. The achievements of the ancient world became firmly established in the traditional external forms of Orthodox Christianity. Orthodoxy, having entered various cultural layers, changed them, transforming and comprehending in them moral and spiritual values, ideals and ideas about good and evil.
It developed a special type of human relationship with God, thanks to which humanity received the opportunity in the Sacraments to find peace and peace of mind when meeting the Existing One. The joyful anticipation of the reappearance of Jesus has become the goal of Orthodoxy. In the depths Orthodox Church The moral image of a believer has developed, the main value of which is love for God and people. It is love that gives birth to everything good and bright in people, gives them true happiness and the purpose of life. Orthodoxy has become the “salt of life” that protects the world from spiritual decay.
Standing out among Christian denominations, Orthodoxy differs even more from other world religions - Judaism, Islam and Buddhism. Orthodoxy is an optimistic and joyful religion, strict and harsh at the same time. It requires increased attention to the spiritual baggage of each believer and moral asceticism. Believers are recognized to become saints here on earth. But, unlike other religions, holiness is not achieved through personal efforts and individual achievements. In Orthodoxy, sin cannot be atone for or compensated for in any way, as in Catholicism; it is impossible to forget about it, as in Protestantism, where all sins committed are already forgiven in advance. Sin can only be forgiven by the God-man – Jesus Christ. This is not simple mechanical forgiveness, but the result of painstaking inner work of “smart doing.”
Orthodoxy does not consider human body as a “vessel of sin” - everything created by God is harmonious and beautiful. Man is the totality of the spiritual and material, the crown of creation. In the teachings of the Church there is no chaotic attitude towards the union of a man and a woman; it is recognized as sacred and secured by the Sacrament. Only the unnatural and abnormal in human nature are condemned. The birth of children is holy and wonderful, it is the birth of new members of the Church. Human life is the greatest gift of God, which must be preserved and protected, treated as the best. According to the teachings of the Church, a person’s existence should be joyful and happy, he should see the good and beautiful in the world. However, we must fight the evil operating in the world. Orthodoxy does not propose the destruction of the carriers of evil, but the internal rebirth of each individual. Every person, without exception, is called by Christ here and now.
Christianity has overcome the Eastern perception of God as an all-powerful despot, a powerful monarch, before whose face one must tremble. Orthodoxy has developed a doctrine of man as a free, self-determining individual who cannot be subject to violence. Orthodoxy adopted the ancient Greek democratic principle of government - the Assembly or Council. At the Ecumenical Councils, the Orthodox Church developed dogmatic doctrine, defining the boundaries of human knowledge of the Divine. Conciliarity is the basis for the governance of the Church, and the Orthodox patriarchs are still first among equals. The Orthodox Church has created the current attitude towards a woman, equal in all respects to a man, diametrically opposed to the position of the powerless woman of the East.
Orthodoxy formed the Eastern European civilization, which included the states of the Balkan Peninsula and Russia. This territory has developed a special material and spiritual culture, expressed in choral singing, icon painting, unique architecture, a special type of social relations and statehood. As a system of religious views, Orthodoxy is a fairly harmonious and integral doctrine. Orthodox theology comprehensively covers worldview and ethical issues of a general and specific nature. The basic provisions of the Orthodox faith sufficiently fully respond to the moral and philosophical needs of the human mind. Orthodoxy gave birth to a whole direction of the art of words - spiritual literature. For a long time, this cultural layer was the only source of education for our ancestors.
The adoption of Orthodoxy in Rus' produced a cultural revolution that brought the Russian people closer to other Christian countries. The creation of a universal common Slavic language gave rise to a rapprochement of Slavic peoples. In general, Orthodoxy in the history of Rus' was a state-forming force; it is enough to recall the Time of Troubles, the period of the Golden Horde yoke and the process of gathering lands around the Moscow Principality. The transfer of the capital to Moscow and the move of the metropolitan there was one of the reasons for the rise of the city. The religious and political idea of “Moscow – the Third Rome” became the state ideology of the most powerful state – the Russian Empire.
Orthodoxy has created a uniquely beautiful culture of worship, which includes all the richness of church hymnography and eorthology. Every action of the clergy is sacred and deeply symbolic. A special type of theology developed - in movements and symbolic actions. Orthodoxy captured in the divine service the circumstances and meaning of Jesus' life, the fact of crucifixion and resurrection from the dead. The Church's worship centers on faith in the second coming of the Lord. Special types and types of church services were developed, intended for both laity and monastics. A special religious direction was created in the Church - monasticism, associated with spiritual achievement and personal asceticism. Monasteries became spiritual lamps of unshakable faith and moral purity. There they received reading and writing skills, spiritual instructions and prayers. The main goal of Orthodox monks was to pray for their people, for home country, believers and equally about everyone who requires help and support.
The thousand-year stay of the Orthodox Church on Russian soil has developed a number of customs, traditions and rituals among the people, softened morals, and destroyed pagan stereotypes and ideas. The people began to value the ideals of justice, kindness and selflessness. Russian folklore was filled with images and heroes that were Christian in spirit. The culture of holding religious holidays has become an important part of Orthodox traditional rituals. Orthodoxy has created a unique time cycle, regulated by the Julian calendar, which includes a special place for each day. For a long time, the population of Russia used the old calendar, creating their own way of life.
Traditions, rituals, customs were a means of preserving the Holy Tradition among the people. The Russian people, brought up in Orthodox values, created their own culture, which carries within itself Christian moral ideals. Russian culture entered the European tradition. Russian writers, composers and artists are especially highly appreciated by the world community. They introduced into European civilization the high ideals of sacrificial love and beauty characteristic of Orthodoxy. The works of Gogol, Dostoevsky, Nabokov, Tolstoy have been translated into all European and most world languages.
Orthodoxy is not only a religion, or a collection of mandatory moral rules and rituals, it is a lifestyle, a special sense of one’s personality in the Universe. It is the hope of eternal life with Christ. In relation to world religions, Orthodoxy offers its own way of comprehending God and achieving unity with Him. Orthodoxy is a religion that has no national, age, cultural or other restrictions. It is quite versatile and flexible. Having many cultural inclusions, Orthodoxy retains its own appearance.
Orthodoxy includes a sense of the living presence of Jesus Christ. The charm of the Theanthropic personality is felt when reading the Gospel, a book in which the words spoken by the Lord are preserved in prayer, as a means of communication with the Son of Man during worship. The Divine Liturgy reenacts the Last Supper, a global event, the memories of which were bequeathed to people by Jesus Himself. In the heart of every person seeking God, there arises a feeling of sincere and devoted love for Christ and a desire to always be with Him. The Sacrament of Communion connects a believer with the object of his faith, hope and love. This sacred act gives those waiting to meet God a joyful feeling of the presence of the breath of the Divine in their body, soul and mind.
Thus, the goal of religion is achieved - the union of God and man. Orthodoxy offers people proven means of spiritual union, which was once destroyed by the ancestors of the human race. A new union between God and people arises in the form of the mystical Body of Christ - the Church. Understanding the structure of society as single organism arose in the ancient world, however, the true development of this idea was realized by the Apostle Paul, who depicts the harmonious unity and integrity of the body of the Church. One of the Doctors of the Church, Saint Ignatius the God-Bearer, formulated the doctrine of the Christian Church. In this teaching lies the solution to the deep doctrinal truth about the organization of the religious community of people who believe in Christ. In the Sacrament of the Eucharist, a person enters into deep moral unity with Jesus and becomes one flesh with Him. Based on this, the entire Christian community is a synthesis of a coherent unity.
In the Orthodox understanding, the Liturgy is a work of community. In ancient times, people brought bread and wine to the temple. And these offerings were perceived as a symbol of unity, just as bread is created from many grains, and wine is created from many berries. So, from many people, individuals, a new substance is created - the mystical Body of Christ. In their gifts, people brought themselves to the temple, so that everyone would be drawn into the mystical unity when the bread and wine became the flesh and blood of Christ. This union with Christ creates the union of people with each other.
The unity of the body of the Church is also determined in relation to the Holy Spirit living in the Church. He acts as a source of unity. The Church is not only one body, but also one Spirit, which is not only like-mindedness, but also the Spirit of God, permeating the whole body, just as the spirit of life in a person permeates his entire being. It is by the Spirit of God that various spiritual gifts are given to all members of the Body of Christ, and He makes it possible for man new life. He unites all Christians into one body, pouring love into their hearts.
The Orthodox consciousness called the Church Catholic. The famous theologian of the Russian Orthodox Church I.A. Bulgakov says “The Incarnation of the Lord is the perception of all Adam, and Christ’s humanity is the inner humanity of every person. All people belong to the humanity of Christ, and if this humanity is the Church, as the Body of Christ, then in this sense all humanity belongs to the Church.” A person united with Christ is no longer what he was, he is not a lonely person, his life becomes part of higher life. The Church is perceived by an Orthodox person as something that lives within him. The Church is a body where each individual person is a cell. A person lives by the Church, and she lives in him. By this teaching about the Church as the body of Jesus Christ, Orthodoxy calls all people to itself, since all living, past and future generations have been redeemed by the suffering and death of the Lord, and through His resurrection they have received a place in the future wonderful life, the prototype of which is the life of righteous people. The main connecting force given to man by God is love. “And therefore, as you have love for each other, everyone will know that you are My disciples,” said Jesus Christ.
Second coming
The Bible predicts the birth of a Messianic figure who will change the world and bring complete truth.
The Bible predicts the birth messianic personality which will change the world. Messiah at the Second Coming born in the East. Jesus will personally give him rescue mission peace. However, at first, he will be rejected and will endure persecution from this generation.
The Bible Promises New and Complete Truth
As the Bible itself says in 1 Corinthians (13:8-12) we do not now have the complete truth: «
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; Now we see as if through dim glass, fortune-telling, then face to face; Now I know in part, and then I will know, even as I am known... When that which is perfect comes, then that which is in part will cease...” (1 Cor 13:8-12)
The problem throughout history is that when we are caught up in a part, we cannot let it go and accept the whole.
Second Coming of Christ, Jesus Christ, signs of the coming of Christ, Last Judgment
New revelations about the return of Christ
Many Christians receive direct revelation and guidance about the coming of Christ. However, they contradict the traditional understanding of the return from heaven. In accordance with them, immediately after the appearance of the “Red Dragon” (communism), a sinless child will be born in the east. He will grow up to bring salvation to the world and lead people of all races, cultures and religions to build the kingdom of God on earth.
Second Coming of Christ, Jesus Christ, signs of the coming of Christ, Last Judgment
Second Coming of Elijah
If we look at the second coming of Elijah, it becomes clear how God works and how Christ will return. Since the second coming of Elijah was supposed to represent the return of Elijah who had passed on to heaven, people expected and believed that Elijah would undoubtedly come from heaven. But Jesus states very clearly that John the Baptist, who was born on earth, is Elijah (Matthew 11:14,17:13). The fact that Elijah's second coming was accomplished through John the Baptist does not mean that Elijah himself was born in the body of John the Baptist. Elijah is in the spirit world and helps John, who had the same mission on earth as Elijah. (Luke 1:17) Therefore, although the mission is the same, the person who fulfills it is different.
Second Coming of Christ, Jesus Christ, signs of the coming of Christ, Last Judgment
Jesus' own words about Second Coming
From the words of Jesus in the Bible we can understand that Second coming, Christ will most likely be born on earth. As predicted in Revelation 12:5,
“And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun... and she cried out in pain and the pangs of birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon (Red Communism)… And she gave birth to a male child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and His throne.” (Revelation of John the Evangelist 12:5)
Second Coming of Christ, Jesus Christ, signs of the coming of Christ, Last Judgment
He'll have a new name«
There is no child who can have such a direct relationship with God unless he was born sinless - like the Messiah. In other words, when the Lord of the Second Coming comes, he will look different and even have a “different name.” As it says in Revelation (19:12), “ He had a name written, which no one knew... His name was: “The Word of God.”
Does the Bible really predict this? Could Jesus really give his mission to someone else? In John 14:16, Jesus says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, that he may abide with you forever.” Jesus even explains why another must come.
“I still have much to tell you; but now you cannot contain it. When He comes, the Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:12)
Here Jesus is talking about the Complete Truth that will be given by the Lord of the Second Coming. The Bible is accurate, the Lord of the Second Coming will be born as a child on earth with a different name. Jesus will give him his mission and he will reveal the full truth to the world, the truth that Jesus could not reveal because people were not ready for it 2000 years ago.
Second Coming of Christ, Jesus Christ, signs of the coming of Christ, Last Judgment
Jesus will pass on his Messianic mission to another
.
“Whoever overcomes and keeps My works to the end, to him will I give authority over the Gentiles, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; like vessels of earth they will be broken, just as I also received power from my Father.” (Revelation 2:26-28)
Just as Jesus was anointed to have the authority to be the Messiah to rule “over the Gentiles”; those. was Christ the Messiah (which means in translation “Anointed to reign”), in the same way he is going to “anoint” the Lord of the Second Coming for the same Mission. “Just as I have received authority from My Father,” Jesus promises the prophet.
This reveals to us that another man, sinless like Jesus, will appear on earth. Jesus himself will give him his Mission ( “just as I received authority from the Father Mine"). The mission that he will have to carry out is the mission of the Messiah (“to him I will give power over the Gentiles, and he will rule them with a rod of iron”). This means to be “God’s anointed,” “King of Kings,” Christ, Messiah.
But someone might ask, why then did Jesus say that he is the only Son of God and no one else will bring us salvation? Doesn't this conflict with the biblical prophecy that he would come with a “new name” (“He had a written name, which no one knew”). No, there is no contradiction here. 2000 years ago this was true; at that time Jesus was the only Son of God and there was no other name through which salvation could come. The Bible is not only accurate about the Second Coming of Christ. Reach the level God's Son It won't be possible for just one person. In reality, the reason why God sends the Messiah is to restore all people as God's Children—Sons and Daughters of God. Second Coming of Christ, Jesus Christ, signs of the coming of Christ, Last Judgment
The Lord of the Second Coming will rule through the "Word«
In both quotations, Rev. 2:26-28 (that Jesus would convey the same mission he received from the Father) and Rev. 12:5 (the birth of a child who was “caught up to God and His throne”), the Bible is very clear about the same thing man (“to him I will give authority over the Gentiles, and he will rule them with a rod of iron”). This phrase, often found in the Bible, refers to the Messianic figure, the person who will bring the kingdom of God's justice through the "Word", the "Truth". Therefore, we cannot expect that he will send us any special signs or miracles. The greatest miracle that Christ will bring is the Truth to live by. The greatest miracle that he must accomplish is to transform the world towards goodness through his word. For this reason, in many places the Bible speaks of a sharp sword from his mouth, by whom he will judge.
The Bible predicts Christian failure to accept the Messiah. Jesus himself warns us about this. “And when He comes, will He find faith on earth?” He also warns that the Lord will come as a “thief in the night.”
Jesus called young Moon
Reverend Moon was 15 years old when Jesus appeared before him, repeatedly urging the Korean boy to accept His mission and lead the implementation of God's will on earth.
If we don't know why Jesus called Sun Myung Moon to fulfill the role of the Second Coming of the Lord, we must ask Jesus himself.
The Bible warns that God does not work in the way we expect. But we always think that we know better than God. It is difficult for us to be humble and sincerely ask Jesus himself what he thinks. It is difficult to remain patient and persistent in our prayers and sincere seeking until He answers. But if we sincerely pray with an open heart, God will find a way to guide us so that we can understand the truth. And that's what happened to me.
Personal Testimony from God
One day God took me to the spiritual world and I heard the angels and saints telling me, “This is the Messiah, and all your life we have been preparing you just for this, so you can accept and follow him.” They showed me the life of Rev. Moon and his victories over the past 70 years. I spiritually saw how he brought the end of communism (Red Dragon) as prophesied in the Bible. When I brought myself back to earth, my legs were shaking.
I couldn't tell anyone about the Messiah. Who would understand? There were people sitting next to me, but they wouldn't believe it if I told them. And then I understood the words, “I tell you: on that night there will be two on one bed: one will be taken, and the other will be left... two will be on the field: one will be taken, and the other will be left.”
Admiration is in our hearts, not in the material air. God's ideal must also be established in our hearts, not in the air and evaporated water on the clouds.
I went back to my room crying, praying, "Heavenly Father, I know You're telling me this, but I can't accept it." I wanted a Messiah in the clouds. I don't like God's way. But the Bible showed me why I was wrong. From Revelation (17:15) it is clear that the “water” symbolizes the multitude of sinners, while the “clouds” are the purified, separated from Satan believers prepared to receive the Second Coming. Yes, Jesus said that he would come again on the clouds, but we read in Philippians that these words refer to the “cloud of those who bring good news,” those who have a pure and sincere heart capable of understanding and receiving the Lord of the Second Coming.
The second coming of Jesus Christ is one of the fundamental teachings of the Bible. In the Old Testament, God's prophets prophesied about the coming of the Messiah. The first four books of the New Testament speak of the Messiah or Christ coming to Earth as the Savior. These books tell us that He lived as a man (Jesus of Nazareth), died on the cross, rose from the dead, and returned to heaven. But New Testament also clearly states that Jesus will come again! “He will appear the second time, not to cleanse sin, but to those who wait for Him for salvation” (Heb. 9:28).
Why do we believe that Jesus will come again? Bible -it is the word of God (2 Tim. 3:16,17). God cannot lie (Heb. 6:18). Therefore, when the word of God says that Jesus will come again, we accept this fact in the same way we accept the facts that He died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day (1 Cor. 15:3,4) . These days we often hear people talk about the second coming of Jesus, but much of what people say is not based on the Bible and is misleading to others. So what does the New Testament teach about the second coming of Jesus?
Can we really be sure of the second coming of Jesus?
Jesus Himself said to His apostles: “And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, that where I am you also may be” (John 14:3). Immediately after Jesus' ascension into heaven, two of God's messengers said to the apostles: "Men of Galilee, why do you stand and look at heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him going into heaven" (Acts. 1:11). The Apostle Peter describes the second coming of Jesus as “the day of the Lord,” and says that that day will come like a thief in the night (2 Pet. 3:10). Two New Testament books that emphasize the second coming of Jesus -these are 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. In these letters, the Holy Spirit declares again and again that Jesus will come again (1 Thess. 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23; 2 Thess. 1:7; 2:2 ,3). If we believe the Bible, we cannot doubt that Jesus will come again!
When will Jesus come again?
When Jesus spoke about the time of His second coming, He said: “But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but only My Father... Watch therefore, for you do not know at what hour your Lord will come. ... Therefore you also be ready, for at an hour you do not think, the Son of Man will come" (Matthew 24:36,42,44). The New Testament clearly teaches that the day of the Lord will come “like a thief in the night” (1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10). Thus, His coming will be sudden and unexpected. We must accept the fact that “The hidden things belong to the Lord” (Deut. 29:29). The time of Jesus' second coming isone of the hidden things that belong to God. So we do not know when Jesus will come again, for God has not revealed it to us. Despite this, there are many instances throughout history of people trying to predict when Jesus will come again. Each of the predictions was false and those who made these predictions showed themselves to be false prophets! The Bible does not emphasize the time of Jesus' second coming, but rather that we must be ready before that day comes!
How will Jesus come?
The second coming of Christ, of course, will not be a secret, for it is written: “Behold, he is coming with clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him” (Rev. 1:7). His second coming will not be quiet, for the Holy The Spirit says, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God” (1 Thess. 4:16). Notice this verse shows that Jesus will come in person and body. This reminds us of the words, spoken to the apostles by God's messengers: "This Jesus... will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11).Please note that nowhere in the Bible does it say that Jesus will return to walk and live on planet Earth. Rather, it is said that when He comes, the faithful will be caught up in the clouds to be with the Lord Jesus (1 Thess. 4:16,17).
What will happen when Jesus comes again?
When Jesus comes again, He will not die on the cross to save us from our sins. This was the purpose of His first coming to earth (Luke 19:10). It is important that we also understand that when Jesus comes again, He will not establish His Kingdom and rule on planet Earth for a thousand years. Kingdom of Jesus -spiritual, not physical! Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). The kingdom of Jesus has already existed for over 1,900 years, having been established in the first century, just ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven. The Christians in Colosse were already in the kingdom of Jesus in the first century (Col. 1:13). Thus, the purpose of Jesus' second coming is not to establish His Kingdom.
When the Lord comes again, He will raise all the dead. “For the time is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who have done good will come forth to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil willto the resurrection of judgment" (John 5:28,29). But when will the dead be raised? Jesus Himself said that the resurrection of the dead would take place "at the last day," in other words, the day He comes again (John 6:39 ,40,44).
When Jesus comes again, He will judge all nations. God has appointed a day on which He will judge all people in righteousness through Jesus (Acts 17:31). On that great day, “all nations must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that everyone may receive what he has done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). Therefore, we will be judged by Him who created us (John 1:1-3) and died to save us (1 Tim. 1:15). When will this trial take place? “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. And all nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:31, 32). The New Testament also clearly teaches that when Jesus comes again, the earth and the atmosphere around it will be burned with fire (2 Pet. 3:10,12).
Why is the second coming of Jesus important to each of us?
On the day that Jesus comes again, for the first and last time, all the people who have lived on Earth will gather in one place and for one purpose. This will be the day of judgment! After judgment, each of us will receive our eternal destiny, either eternal life in heaven or eternal punishment in Gehenna (Matthew 25:46). Are you ready for the second coming of Jesus? A wise man -one who prepares for the coming of Jesus by submitting to His will so that his sins may be washed away by the Blood of the Son of God! May God help each of us to have the courage to follow Jesus while we still have the opportunity.
Many Christians believe and wait for the second coming of Christ. Let's try to figure out when the date of the coming of the savior will come, what the Bible and such clairvoyants as the prophet Daniel, Vanga, Edgar Cayce say about this.
Bible about the second coming
The Gospel says that before the end of the world the Son of Man will appear on Earth and there will be judgment on the living and the dead. The Bible says that this will happen suddenly and no one can know the date of the apocalypse except God himself.
However, I would like to dwell on the fact that Jesus Christ is, first of all, the Son of God, because this is how he spoke about himself in the first person according to holy scripture. He always spoke about himself as the Son of Man in the 3rd person. Few people think about the interpretation of these words. Therefore, it is possible that before the end of the world a completely different person will appear who will administer a fair trial.
Prophet Daniel
This great biblical prophet had the ability to predict the future through his own and others' dreams. Even before the birth of Jesus Christ, he spoke about the date of his second coming. Through simple mathematical calculations, the researchers were able to establish it. This will be around 2038. Daniel wrote that the savior will descend from heaven and after doomsday those who did not accept the mark of the beast will reign with him on earth for another 1000 years.
Edgar Cayce
There are 2 versions of prophecies on this issue from Edgar Cayce. The first one, the most common on the Internet, does not inspire confidence because it looks too implausible. People who have read the works of the clairvoyant Casey claim that this is just an invention of journalists.
1st version of the prophecy. At the end of 2013, somewhere in Central America, a 9-year-old child will appear, in whom the church recognizes Jesus Christ. He will be able to perform miracles and heal the sick. The boy will save the world. In a year or two, aliens will arrive and will present humanity with a choice - to stop wars and live in peace, or to be destroyed by them.
2nd option(more plausible). The Messiah will not be born again. He will appear in the same form in which he ascended into heaven, at the age of 33. This will happen at the end of XX - beginning of XXI century, immediately after the Atlantean library is found, which is hidden under the Egyptian Sphinx.
Vanga about the second coming of Christ
The Bulgarian clairvoyant did not mention any specific date for Christ's return to earth. She often said that this time would come soon and there would not be long to wait. Many true believers will sense his coming in advance. According to her, Jesus must come down from heaven in a white robe.
This prophecy is very similar to the 2nd version of Edgar Cayce, which says that the savior will not be reborn again, but will appear in the same image in which he ascended 2000 years ago.
« I am going to prepare a place for you, and when I go and
I will prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you
to Myself, so that you too may be where I am» ().
The plan for saving man from sin was provided by God even before the creation of the world (Eph. 1:4-7).
All the promises of God, the worship of God, the service in the temple are based on the expectation of the Savior - the First Coming of Christ, predicted by God immediately after the fall of Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:15), and through the prophets. “All things that were written through the prophets concerning the Son of Man were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.”(Luke 18:31).
In the same way, throughout Scripture, His Second Coming is predicted, which is closely connected with the First. " Just as every person is destined to die once and then face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to atone for the sins of many people. And He will come a second time, but not to take sin upon Himself, but to save those who are waiting for Him"(Heb.9:27,28, MBO). The First Coming serves as a guarantee of the Second.
Let's look at some predictions about the Second Coming of Christ.
1. What do we know from the Word of God (the Bible)
about the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus
The Lord talks about His coming Himself.
1. He tells His disciples that He will prepare a place for them and will come again and take them to Himself to be where He is (John 14:1-3).
2. To the students’ question: “ Tell us when will it be? and what is the sign of Your coming and the end of the age?"(Matthew 24:3), the Lord Jesus told them the signs of His coming and the events that would happen before and during His coming (see Matt.24). Here are some of them:
“For as lightning comes from the east and is visible even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
“And suddenly, after the tribulation of those days, the sun will darken, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven; and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn and see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” (24:27,29-31).
« About that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but only My Father alone.” (24:36).
« But as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also at the coming of the Son of Man: for as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
And they did not think until the flood came and destroyed everyone - so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man." (24:37-39).
3. At the Easter Supper before His execution “ Jesus took the bread and blessed it, broke it and, giving it to the disciples, said: Take, eat: this is My Body.
And taking the cup and giving thanks, he gave it to them and said: drink from it, all of you;
For this is My Blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I tell you that from now on I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink new wine with you in the kingdom of My Father.”(Matthew 26:26-29).
We read about this from the Apostle Paul. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
« For I received from the Lord Himself what I also conveyed to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night on which he was betrayed took bread and, having given thanks, broke it and said: “Take, eat, this is My Body, broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” He also took the cup after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this whenever you drink in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes.».
The Lord Jesus tells us how we should remember Him until the time He comes again to earth; and says that he will drink new wine ( grape juice) with His disciples in the Kingdom of His Father.
He will come and take to heaven all those who believe in Him as their Savior.
4. On the night of His arrest, He prayed for His disciples and for all those who believed in Him according to their word. (John 17:15-24).
“Father! whom You have given Me, I want them to be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory, which You have given Me, because You loved Me before the foundation of the world."(17:24).
5. The resurrected Jesus, before His ascension into heaven, says: “ All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me: therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age"(Matthew 28:18-20).
What were the disciples to teach all nations? What to talk about? About salvation, about the forgiveness of sins, so that as many people as possible receive the gift of God - eternal life (Rom. 6:23), and about the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus.
6. As the disciples gazed into the sky as Jesus ascended, “ Suddenly two men in white clothes appeared to them and said: “Men of Galilee! Why are you standing and looking at the sky? This Jesus, who has ascended from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him ascending into heaven."(Acts 1:10,11).
7. The disciples of Christ rejoiced at the promise of His return. Despite the difficulties that befell them, faith in this promise has always been the source of their strength and courage.
In the First Catholic Epistle, John instructs believers in Christ: “ Therefore, children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have boldness and not be ashamed before Him at His coming."(1 John 2:28).
The Apostle Peter, when asked about the delay in the fulfillment of the promise of the coming of the Lord Jesus, answers: “ The Lord is not slack in fulfilling his promise, as some consider slackness; but is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance"(2 Peter 3:9).
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the believers in Thessalonica, speaks of the meeting with the Lord and the resurrection of the dead on the day of His coming:
« Because the Lord Himself, with a proclamation, with the voice of the Archangel and the trumpet of God, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are left alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord"(1 Thess. 4:16,17).
8. The last book of the Bible, “The Revelation of St. John the Theologian,” is dedicated to the Lord Jesus and His Second Coming.
In the first chapter we read:
« John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and was and is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne.” (1:4).
« Behold, He comes with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the families of the earth will mourn before Him. Hey, amen"(1:7).
« I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (1:8).
And in last chapter we read:
« Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his deeds."(22:12). And ends with the words: “ He who testifies to this says: Hey, I am coming quickly! Amen. Hey, come, Lord Jesus!"(22:20).
And in between, everything that will happen in the last time before the coming of the Lord Jesus, during His coming and after His Second Coming is described.
So, we have enough indisputable evidence of the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. What will the coming of the Lord Jesus be like?
We stand on the threshold of the Second Coming of Christ. The Lord Himself told His disciples how it would happen (Matthew 24).
First of all, He warned that before His coming “ False Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." Jesus said: " If anyone tells you: “Here is Christ,” or “there,” do not believe it. If they say to you, “Look, He is in the desert,” do not groom it; “Behold, He is in the secret chambers,” do not believe it. For just as lightning comes from the east and is visible even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man"(Matthew 24:23-27).
The detailed description in the Bible of how Christ will return allows us to distinguish the true coming from the false one.
The return of Christ will be literal and personal. As the disciples watched Jesus ascend on a cloud, two angels said to them: “ This Jesus, who has ascended from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him ascending into heaven."(Acts 1:11). That is, the same Lord who just left them will return to earth: a person consisting of flesh and blood.
The return will be visible and audible. John wrote: " Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him."(Rev.1:7). And Christ said about those who do not expect His coming: “ and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn and see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”(Matthew 24:30).
The coming will be loud: « The Lord Himself, with the announcement, with the voice of the Archangel and the trumpet of God, will descend from heaven"(1 Thess. 4:16). " And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet, and they will gather His elect" ( Mat.24:31).
The coming will be great. At the Second Coming of Christ, people will see Him as the King of Heaven. Christ will appear in all His glory and " in the glory of His Father with His Angels"(Matthew 16:27). The Apostle John describes the glory of Christ's return in the most solemn words. In his description, Christ sits on a white horse and leads the countless heavenly army behind Him. " On His robe and on His thigh is written the name: King of kings and Lord of lords."(Rev. 19:11-16). This name indicates the sovereignty of God.
The coming will be unexpected. The Lord Jesus warns His disciples: “ Watch therefore, for you do not know at what hour your Lord will come. But you know that if the owner of the house knew what watch(at what time) If a thief came, he would have stayed awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you too be ready, for at an hour you do not think, the Son of Man will come."(Matthew 24:42-44).
And for those who do not expect the return of Christ, His coming will be sudden. " The Day of the Lord will come like a thief(thief ) at night, for when they say: “peace and safety,” then destruction will suddenly befall them, just as the pain of childbirth befalls one who is pregnant, and they will not escape"(1 Thess. 5:2,3).
Christ emphasizes the same idea when he compares His coming with the unexpected destruction of the world by the waters of the flood. " For just as in the days before the flood they ate and drank, married and were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and thought not until the flood came and destroyed them all, so will the coming of the Son of Man be."(Matthew 24:38,39). Although Noah preached about the flood for many years, most people were taken by surprise.
Catastrophic event. The comparison with the flood suggests that Christ's establishment of His Kingdom of glory will be accompanied by destructive events. It will be established at the Second Coming, when Christ will separate the righteous from the wicked. The Second Coming will be an earth-shaking event.
The Lord Jesus tells the disciples about this event:
« When the Son of Man comes in His glory and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory, and all nations will be gathered before Him; and will separate one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right hand, and the goats on His left.
Then the King will say to those on His right side: “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Then he will tell those who left side: “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels"(Matthew 25:31-34,41).
The second coming of the Lord Jesus is the end of the earthly age, but it is also the Day of Salvation.
3. When will the Second Coming of Christ occur?
The Lord Jesus told His disciples: “ No one knows the day or hour when this will happen, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son - only the Father knows"(Matthew 24:36).*
We do not know the time when Christ will come the second time. But the Bible reveals to us the events that will occur before the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus to earth.
The main condition for the coming of Christ . To the students’ question: “ Tell us when will it be? And what will be the sign by which we will know about Your return and the end of this world?”(Matthew 24:4).* The Lord Jesus called main feature of his coming: " And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come"(Matthew 24:14). In modern translation it sounds like this: “ The good news of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a testimony to all nations, and only then will the end come».*
Today, Christianity has significantly increased opportunities to spread the Gospel. Powerful radio stations broadcast the Gospel to almost every country earthly world, which allows us to fulfill the main task of Christianity - to convey the Gospel to everyone. The end will come not when the whole world is converted, but when “ this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world"as a testimony to all nations!
The Bible reveals to us what, besides the preaching of the Gospel, must happen before Jesus comes.
Court of Inquiry . Christ " He will appear a second time not for the cleansing of sin, but for those who wait for Him for salvation."(Heb.9:28). We already know that we are now living in a time of investigative judgment on God's people (see the story “What the Lord Jesus is Doing Now”). At the end of the investigative judgment, when the lives of every believer have been studied, from the first generations of humanity to those living on earth, the Lord will come to earth.
The investigative court will determine the fate of each person: “ The non-believer is already condemned because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God"(John 3:18); and the lives of believers, everyone who has ever turned to God, are carefully examined. And if a person repented of his sins and therefore received forgiveness, his name remains written in the Book of Life.
Anyone who claims to be a follower of God, but lives in disobedience and is not clothed with the righteousness of Christ, will be blotted out of the Book of Life (see Ex. 32:33).
This judgment, confirming the decision regarding the salvation or death of everyone, must take place before the Second Coming, because at the Second Coming Christ will return for a different purpose - “ give to everyone according to his deeds"(Rev. 22:12).
The signs of the coming of Christ will be fulfilled . Christ foretold the evidence in nature that would occur before His coming. " There will be great earthquakes in places, and famines and pestilences, and terrible phenomena, and great signs from heaven. And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on earth there will be despondency of the nations and bewilderment, and the sea will roar and be troubled. People will die of fear and anticipation of the disasters coming to the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken"(Luke 21:11,25,26).
The Lord Jesus gave details: “ The sun will darken, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with much power and glory.”(Mark 13:24-26).
In fulfillment of this prophecy, on November 1, 1755, the Lisbon earthquake occurred, “the largest earthquake ever known. The consequences of this earthquake were observed in Europe, Africa and America, over an area of about 10 million square kilometers. The epicenter of the earthquake was the city of Lisbon (the capital of Portugal), where in a few minutes public and residential buildings were leveled. During this earthquake, tens of thousands of people died” (Lit. 2, p. 435).
Twenty-five years later, the next sign mentioned in the prophecy occurred - an eclipse of the sun and moon. On May 19, 1780, an unusual darkness covered northeastern part continent North America. The darkness set in between 10 and 11 a.m., when clouds moved in from the southwest, and continued until the middle of the next night. At 9 o'clock that evening the moon rose, but darkness hid it until midnight. When the moon became visible, it was the color of blood.
John prophesied about the unusual events of this day. After the earthquake, he wrote, “ the sun became dark as sackcloth, and the moon became like blood; and the stars of heaven fell to the earth"(Rev. 6:12,13).
Christ and John both also spoke about the fall of the stars, which would indicate the imminent coming of Christ (Rev. 6:13; Matt. 24:29). This prophecy was fulfilled on November 13, 1833, when a strong meteor shower began. A witness to this event could see an average of 60 thousand falling meteorites per hour. This meteor shower was observed from Canada to Mexico, from the mid-Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
Get out of Babylon or you will perish . Before the coming of Christ, there will be a call to God's people to come out of "Babylon."
There are many Christian churches, the understanding of truth and worship of God are different. Some churches believe that there is an immortal soul that immediately after the death of a person goes to heaven or hell. They do not believe in the resurrection of the dead and the Second Coming of Christ. Many churches do not observe God's unchangeable law - the Decalogue, believing that the Lord Jesus nailed it to the cross. Christ really nailed the law to the cross, only not a moral one, but a ceremonial one. The entire service in the temple before the coming of Jesus Christ was devoted to waiting for the Savior, Who was symbolized by the sacrificial lamb. But when Christ, “the Lamb slain from all eternity” (Rev. 13:8), was crucified on the cross, the sacrifice ceased, and there was no longer any need for the service that was carried out in the temple until the coming of the Savior, and therefore for the law that described the rules for this service.
The moral law has not changed, just as God has not changed. Jesus said: " Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets; I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle will pass from the law, until all is fulfilled.”(Matt. 5:17,18).
As we see, in the ministry of Christian churches there has been a confusion of truth with lies. The image of confusion in the Bible is Babylon.
When in ancient times people, who multiplied after the flood, decided to make a name for themselves before scattering across the earth and began to build a city and a tower with a height reaching to heaven, God confused their language so that they would not understand each other’s speech. " Therefore the name was given to it: Babylon; for there the Lord confused the language of all the earth, and from there the Lord scattered them throughout all the earth"(Gen.11:9). From that time on, Babylon became a symbol of all confusion.
In all Christian churches There are believers who sincerely love God and worship Him. The Lord wants to save them for eternal life and therefore before His coming the call will sound: “ Babylon, the great harlot, is fallen, fallen, and has become a habitation of demons and a haven for every unclean spirit... come out of her, My people, so that you do not share in her sins and do not suffer her plagues"(Rev.18:2,4). False teachings are the reason why God sends punishment on this city and calls His people to come out of it. Babylon is a church where truth and lies are mixed. Christ speaks about the true worshipers of God in these churches that have apostatized from God: “ I have other sheep which are not of this fold, and these I must bring: and they will hear My voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”(John 10:16).
Man of sin . Before Christ comes, there will be a falling away from God: “ Let no one deceive you in any way: for that day will not come, until a falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above everything that is called God or that is worshiped, so that in the temple of God he sits as God, betraying yourself for God"(2 Thess. 2:3,4).
Apostasy is a church where God's truth is mixed with Satan's lies. This is spiritual Babylon. The man of sin is the Antichrist, who will appear and impersonate Christ, performing signs and wonders by the power of Satan in order to destroy people, lead them away from God and turn them to himself.
The Lord Jesus warns: “ Beware that no one deceives you." “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”(Matt.24:4,24).
During the period of earthly history from the ascension of Christ to His Second Coming, more judgments of God will occur - these are seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls or the seven last plagues.
Seven Seals . “And I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a book written within and without, sealed with seven seals.” " And no one could, neither in heaven, nor on earth, nor under the earth, open this book, nor look at it.”(Rev.5:1,3).
In the time of John, books were written on scrolls - pieces of papyrus or parchment that reached a length of up to 30 m. The scroll was rolled up and sealed with clay or wax. The seals were applied along its entire length, so that when each of them was removed, another part of the contents of the scroll was revealed. The scroll that John sees contains Full description of God's entire plan for the world, and only Christ can open this scroll (Rev. 5:5). Only the Lamb - Jesus Christ - is worthy to unseal the scroll - the events of world history. Everything is subject to Christ, and only He has the power to set events in motion last days peace.
The first five judgments were partial, occurring in separate places on the earth. When the sixth seal is opened, the effect of judgment becomes worldwide.
« And when He opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became dark as sackcloth, and the moon became like blood; and the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree, shaken by a strong wind, drops its unripe figs. And the sky disappeared, curled up like a scroll; and every mountain and island was removed from their places.
And the kings of the earth and the nobles, and the rich, and the captains and the mighty, and every slave and every free man, hid themselves in caves and in the gorges of the mountains. And they say to the mountains and stones: Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb; For the great day of His wrath has come, and who can stand?”(Rev. 6:12-17).
We know that some of these judgments have already occurred: an earthquake, an eclipse of the sun, a moon red as blood, the fall of heavenly stars to the earth. This means that we are living during the sixth seal.
During the sixth seal, the sealing of God's people will take place. Four angels hold back the four winds of God's judgment until the faithful receive the mark of belonging to Him (Rev. 7:1-3). Then God will open the final seal. When the seventh seal is opened (Rev. 8:1,2), the judgments of the seven trumpets are opened.
Seven trumpets. The judgments of the trumpets, like the judgments of the seals, are carried out only over part of the earth (Rev. 8: 7-13; 9: 1-21). The fact that the judgments of the seals and trumpets only harm some part of the earth and people means that God is still holding back His judgment. People still have time to leave their sins and turn to God. This shows not only the anger that sins cause in God, but also His merciful love, thanks to which He still gives people the opportunity to turn to Him before the final judgment. The final universal judgment has not yet arrived.
« And the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices were heard in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.”(Rev. 11:15).
The seventh trumpet sounds, announcing the coming of the King. The final judgment is approaching in all its might. Just before the coming of Christ, God will pour out the seven last plagues, which are also called the seven bowls of the wrath of God. The Lord Jesus will come during the seventh plague.
“And I saw another sign in heaven, great and wonderful—seven angels having the seven last plagues, with which the wrath of God ended.”(Rev. 15:1).
The judgments of the bowls are God's final and general judgments upon the earth. These are universal courts, they will put an end to the current world.
Seven last plagues . There are still some things that must happen before Christ comes. The sequence of events is indicated in Rev. 14:9,10.
“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice: Whoever worships the beast and his image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,
He will drink the wine of the wrath of God, the whole wine prepared in the cup of His wrath, and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone before the holy angels and before the Lamb.”
Before Jesus comes, people all over the world will be forced to receive the mark of the beast. They will be forced to worship the beast. According to Rev. 13:16,17:
« And he will make it happen that everyone - small and great, rich and poor, free and slave - will receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and that no one will be able to buy or sell except the one who has it. style" An economic boycott will be extended to them. They will be threatened with death (Rev. 13:15).
The Beast is the Roman Catholic Church, which established the worship of God on Sunday (the seal or mark of the beast), and destroyed a great many of Christ's followers from 538 to 1798.
Before Jesus comes, the whole world will have to be tested to worship the Creator on the true Sabbath.
After the mark of the beast is spread, there will be two categories of people - those who receive the mark of the beast and those who receive the seal from God; those who are unfaithful and those who are faithful. Each person will have to take a firm stand.
After this, the wrath of God will be poured out - the seven last plagues. Their result will be the destruction of evil and the end of our world.
It is impossible for man to fully describe God's love, kindness, patience, forgiveness and mercy. But how often do people abuse God's mercy? Indeed, there is a limit to God’s patience. It is absolutely necessary to understand this. Even in ancient times, the Lord could not help but resist the lawlessness in Egypt and punished the people with destructive plagues.
God is ready to intervene today in the destinies of humanity and put an end to world evil. According to the book of Revelation, seven terrible plagues will strike the earth and its inhabitants (see chapter 16). Through them, God seems to say: “Stop! Look! Listen! There are seven terrible disasters or plagues ahead of you.” The Lord will extend a helping hand to those who heed His warnings.
1. “The first angel went and poured out his cup on the ground: and there were cruel and disgusting purulent wounds on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image"(16:2).
Receiving the mark of the beast was meant to provide physical and economic security. In the first plague, God shows that there can be no physical security outside of Him. God demonstrates that all human promises fall short.
2. " The second angel poured out his cup into the sea: and the blood became like that of a dead man, and every living thing died in the sea."(16:3).
The oceans will become a cesspool of death, and these are the arteries for the transport of oil and gas and much more. Trade and industry will be completely disrupted. The second plague clearly demonstrates that no economic security outside of Christ. Paul said: " By it we live and move and have our being."(Acts 17:28). How will God’s people feed themselves at this time? To the one who walks in righteousness there is a promise: “ Bread will be given to him; his water will not run out"(Isa.33:16). See also Psalm 90, especially written for the time of trial and plagues.
3. " The third angel poured out his cup into the rivers and springs of water, and it became blood.
And I heard the Angel of the waters, who said: You are righteous, O Lord, who art and were, and holy, because you have judged thus;
Because they shed the blood of saints and prophets, You gave them blood to drink: they are worthy of it.
And I heard another from the altar saying: Yea, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Thy judgments"(16:4-7).
4. " The fourth Angel poured out his cup on the sun: and it was given to him to burn people with fire. And the intense heat burned the people; and they blasphemed the name of God, who has power over these plagues, and did not understand to give Him glory"(16:8,9).
The Prophet describes the condition of the people at that terrible time: “ The earth mourns, for the grain is destroyed... All the trees in the field are withered... the herds of oxen walk sadly, for there is no pasture for them... because the streams of water have dried up and fire has destroyed the pastures of the desert.”(Joel 1:10-12,17-20).
The service was forcefully moved to the day of the sun (Resurrection). And God shows that departure from His truth, departure from His true day of worship to the day established by man, brings with it disaster.
5. " The fifth angel poured out his cup on the throne of the beast: and his kingdom became dark, and they bit their tongues because of their suffering, and they blasphemed the God of Heaven because of their suffering and their plagues; and did not repent of their deeds"(16:10,11).
“The Bible says that darkness was poured out on the throne of the beast. People turned to the beast - papal power - for light. But now, in the very place where they turned for light, they see only darkness. They realized more clearly than ever that they were looking in the wrong direction. They chose to accept the traditions of men rather than the word of God” (Lit. 1, p. 326).
6. " The sixth angel poured out his cup into great river Euphrates: and the water therein dried up, so that the way for kings would be ready from the rising of the sun. And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. These are demonic spirits performing signs; they go out to the kings of the earth throughout the universe to gather them for battle on that great day of God Almighty.
Behold, I come like a thief: blessed is he who watches and keeps his clothes, lest he walk naked, and lest they see his shame.
And he gathered them to a place called in Hebrew Armageddon." (16:12-16).
By the sixth plague there is no longer any doubt that the Lord Jesus will come. For which king is the way being prepared from the rising of the sun?
The Lord Jesus said: " For just as lightning comes from the east and is visible even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven; and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn and see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”(Matthew 24:27,30).
« King from sunrise“This is the Lord Jesus.
« Behold, I'm walking like a thief"(16:15), that is, suddenly, unexpectedly.
And they went out demonic spirits...to the kings of the earth throughout the universe, to gather them for battle" All of God's enemies united to destroy His people - people who did not accept the mark of the beast. They remained faithful to God and await His return in fear and joy.
This upcoming battle between the forces of evil and the forces of righteousness is called "Armageddon". It is connected with Satan's attempt to uproot the people of God, to completely destroy them.
The word "Armageddon" is formed from two Hebrew words - "Har" and "Megiddo". Har means mountain in Hebrew. The Hebrew word "Megiddo" means "slaughter."
Once a battle under this name has already taken place. The Canaanite kings united in battle against Israel, but God brought additional reserves: “They fought from heaven, the stars fought from their paths against Sisera” (Judges 5:20). “And at the waters of Megiddon the enemies of God’s people were completely destroyed. Thus, Armageddon or “Har Megiddo” means “mountain of slaughter” (Lit. 1, p. 333).
All states of the world will be involved in this latter, great battle at the return of Christ. In this final conflict, the entire sinful world will be on one of two sides - God's side or the devil's side. The Bible calls this the battle of the great day of God Almighty (Rev. 16:14).
In our planet's darkest hour, God will show His power and deliver His people. Christ will come a second time during the pouring out of the seventh plague.
7. " The seventh angel poured out his cup into the air; and from the temple of heaven a loud voice was heard from the throne, saying: It is finished!
And there were lightnings, thunders and voices, and there was a great earthquake, such as had not happened since there were people on earth. Such an earthquake! So great! And every island fled, and the mountains were gone; and hail, the size of a talent, fell from the sky on the people; and the people blasphemed God because of the plagues from the hail, because the plague from it was very grievous.” (16:17,18,20,21).
“At the last moment of time, when it seems as if God’s people will be completely destroyed, the last phase of the battle begins. Christ, the King from the east, returns with His army from heaven, the wicked are utterly destroyed, and the artillery of heaven thunders. This is Armageddon - the mountain of slaughter” (Lit. 1, p. 333). “Huge stone hailstones, each “the size of a talent,” are carrying out their work of destruction” (Lit. 3, p. 637).
“Despite the chaos around them, God’s people are encouraged when they see “ sign of the Son of Man"(Matthew 24:30). Every eye sees the Lord of life descending on the clouds of heaven. This time He comes not as a Man of Sorrows, but as a Conqueror to take His own. Instead of a crown of thorns, He wears a crown of glory, and “ His name is written on his robe and on his thigh: “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”(Rev. 19:12,16)” (Lit. 2, p. 428).
When Christ and His armies appear in power and great glory, the followers of the devil will flee in panic to the mountains and stones, praying to hide them from the face of Christ (Rev. 6:14-17).
When will the plagues begin to pour out? " And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished."(Rev. 15:8). The expression “no one could enter the temple” indicates that the judgment of God, which is now going on in heaven, will be completed, and everyone’s life will be examined. After this, the seven plagues will be poured out.
What words indicate the end of judgment? " Let the unrighteous one still do injustice, let the unclean one still become filthy; Let the righteous still do righteousness, and let the holy one still purify himself. Behold, I am coming quickly and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his deeds."(Rev. 22:11,12).
After the end of the heavenly judgment, Christ will announce what each person's final choice is. From now on, the time of grace will end forever. There will be no other opportunity.
How long will the plagues continue to pour out? It is likely that the plagues will be poured out for one year (Rev. 18:8 and Ezek. 4:6).
Punishment, judgment, pouring out plagues - all this is completely uncharacteristic of the Lord. God says: " I don't want the sinner to die"(Ezek.33:11). But on the other hand, He cannot reconcile with sin, leaving it without punishment.
What does God promise to the righteous during the pouring out of the last plagues? After the end of the investigative judgment, before the pouring out of the seven plagues, the people of God will be sealed, that is, they will receive a sign of protection and salvation - the seal of God.
No one can enter the Kingdom of God if he does not have this sign of God-consciousness on the eve of the coming of Christ. The heart of God grieves that so many people, in their spiritual negligence, are unworthy of the seal of God’s recognition.
« And I saw another angel rising from the east of the sun and having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea, saying: Do not harm the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, until we have set a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God"(Rev.7:2,3).
God promises the righteous during the pouring out of the last plagues: “No evil will befall you, and no plague will come near your dwelling. For He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.”(Ps.90:10,11).
No plague can harm the righteous.
4. Day of the Second Coming of Christ
“And they will be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “Mine in the day that I will make them; and I will have mercy on them, as a man has mercy on his son who serves him. And then again you will see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not serve Him."(Mal.3:17,18).
This day is called: the Last Day, the Day of the Lord, the Day of God's Wrath. The prophets describe this day as very terrible.
In the Old Testament it is written: “ Our God is coming, and not in silence: before him is a consuming fire, and around him is a great storm. He calls on heaven and earth from above to judge His people.”(Ps.49:3,4).
« And the Lord will give His voice before His army, for His army is very numerous and the doer of His word is mighty; For the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can withstand it?(Joel 2:11).
« Neither their silver nor their gold can save them on the day of the wrath of the Lord, and the fire of His jealousy will consume this whole earth, for He will bring destruction, and sudden destruction, upon all the inhabitants of the earth." (Zeph.1:18).
« Behold, the day of the Lord comes, fierce, with wrath and burning rage, to make the earth desolate and destroy its sinners from it."(Isa.13:9).
« Oh, what a day! For the day of the Lord is at hand; it will come as a desolation from the Almighty.”(Joel 1:15).
Warning the violators of God's law about destruction, God says: “ Do I want the death of the wicked? The Lord God speaks. Is it not that he should turn from his ways and live?” “For I do not want the death of the dying, says the Lord God; but turn and live!”(Ezek.18:23,32). “Turn to Me and you will be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other"(Isa.45:22).
But the day of judgment is also the day of salvation, about which the Lord Jesus dreams and waits. On this day what he dedicated His First Coming and His entire endless life will happen.
“Christ will come to save the righteous and destroy the wicked; He is coming to take into His eternal kingdom those who love Him and to destroy those who have despised His mercy, rejected His truth, and refused to accept the terms of salvation He has offered them. The contagious disease of sin must be forever eradicated from the Universe” (Lit. 1, p. 340).
The Lord Jesus will come to earth during the seventh plague.
Please note: during the pouring out of plagues, those who do not believe in the existence of God and His power are no longer there. Every time people blaspheme God, it means they know from whom suffering comes and who can protect them. But they do not turn to God, they do not want to recognize His power, their hearts have become hardened.
The enemies of God unite them against God's people, and they are ready, under the leadership of Satan, to destroy God's people. The Lord waits a long time, despite the suffering of His people. And only when people have clearly decided on their choice and united against God’s people, He says: “It is finished!” And what can stop the opponents of God and His people? A sudden earthquake, the likes of which has never happened before, and hail the size of a “talent”! Its weight as a monetary unit is 26 kg of silver, but there is another measure - 254 kg (Lit. 1, p. 334).
When the earth opens up before a person, does he think: how to destroy another, or how to save himself?
Then a bright light appears in the sky and approaches the earth. This radiance comes from the Lord Christ and from a huge number of His shining angels. He is coming to take His people from a land destroyed by plagues and earthquakes.
The coming of the Redeemer ends the long-suffering history of God's people. This is the solemn hour of deliverance. With the deepest reverence and awe they exclaim: “ Here He is, our God! We trusted in Him, and He saved us! This is the Lord; we trusted in Him; Let us rejoice and be glad for His salvation!”(Isa.25:9).
“As Jesus approaches the earth, He calls His departed saints to come out of their graves and commands the angels “to gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”(Matthew 24:31). In all parts of the world, the righteous dead hear His voice and rise from their graves. What a solemn moment!” (Lit.2, p.428).
They are resurrected in incorruptible and immortal bodies, and the living, who were awaiting the coming of the Lord, “suddenly, in the twinkling of an eye” change, their bodies also become incorruptible and immortal (1 Cor. 15:51-54).
Glorified and clothed with immortality, they, together with the resurrected saints, ascend to meet their Lord to remain with Him forever (1 Thess. 4:16,17). So, at the great meeting at the hour of the Second Coming all believers will appear: the resurrected saints of all ages and the saints who remained alive at the return of Christ.
The Lord Jesus promised: “I am the resurrection and the life; He who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live; and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.”(John 11:25,26).
« Do not be surprised at this: for the time is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who have done good will come out to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of condemnation"(John 5:28,29).
The Lord Jesus says that there will be two resurrections: the resurrection of life and the resurrection of condemnation.
The first resurrection will occur at the Second Coming of Christ, when He comes to take from the earth all the justified who have ever lived. “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection; the second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and Christ, and will reign with Him a thousand years.”(Rev. 20:6).
And after a thousand years they, together with the Lord Jesus, will return to a renewed earth (Rev. 21).
The second coming of Christ will decide the fate of all people: both those who accepted the salvation He gave and those who turned away from Him.
Those who accept Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers will experience great joy on the great day of His coming. They will enjoy eternal fellowship with their Lord and Savior, and their happiness will never end.
At His coming, great despair comes over those who have refused to acknowledge Jesus as their Savior and Lord and have rejected the claim of His law in their lives.
« And the kings of the earth, and the nobles, and the rich, and the captains of thousands, and the mighty, and every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and gorges of the mountains, and said to the mountains and stones: Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath Lamb; For the great day of His wrath has come, and who can stand?”(Rev. 6:15-17).
Can the Lamb be angry? People who “do not know God and do not obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus” will perish “from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power” (2 Thess. 1:8,9). Their unchanged, mortal bodies will not withstand God's presence.
Remember? Moses asked the Lord to show him His glory (Ex. 33:18). The Lord answered: “You cannot see My face; for man cannot see Me and live” (Ex. 33:20).
The Lord God regrets the disaster (John 4:20).
All who do not accept God's gift of eternal life (Rom. 6:23; 1 John 5:11,12) will perish.
“And those who are slain by the Lord in that day will be from the end of the earth to the end of the earth; they will not be mourned, nor will they be taken away or buried; they will be like dung on the face of the earth"(Jer.25:33).
The Lord Jesus will take His people to the city of God, as He promised: “... I will come again and take you to Myself, so that where I am you also may be"(John 14:3).
Living sinners perished, but the dead were not resurrected. They will be resurrected on the second Sunday, which will take place a thousand years from now.
The earth is depopulated. This is the end of life on earth.
The state of the earth resembles that earth when it " was formless and empty and darkness was over the abyss"(Gen.1:2).
Great is the wrath of the Lamb against Satan and his accomplices, who lead man into sin in order to destroy him. The Beast and the False Prophet the living were thrown into the lake of fire, burning with brimstone" ( Rev.19:20), and Satan will remain on the desolate, destroyed, dark earth for a thousand years (Rev.20:1,2).
The Day of the Lord is more than the end of the world. This is the beginning of the establishment of God's reign that will last forever.
The Lord Jesus will fulfill His promise: to resurrect all who believe in Him and take all who love Him to where He is!
Just think of the joy that awaits all who believe in God and love the Lord Jesus, living and dead.
On the day of resurrection they will meet with their loved ones, loved ones, and friends. Their incorruptible, immortal bodies will be without traces of illness, injury or any defects; the Angels will bring resurrected children to their mothers. And they will live forever in the presence of the Heavenly Father and the Lamb, who so love their children that they hear their unexpressed desires and fulfill them.
“And it shall come to pass, before they call, that I will answer; They will still speak, and I will already hear.”(Isa.65:24).
The main thing is not our desires and their fulfillment. The main thing is God’s love: “ For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”(John 3:16).
“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not with Him also freely give us all things?”(Rom.8:32).
Have you ever dreamed of someone loving you so much? You can dare to dream, because your dreams will come true.
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love Him.”(1 Cor. 2:9).
Try to understand and love God as much as He loves you, and you will become the happiest being in the Universe.
The story uses excerpts from the books:
- M.A. Finley. Great prophecies of the Bible. Publishing house "Source of Life", 1992.
- In the beginning there was a word: Per. from English – Zaoksky: “Source of Life”, 2002.
- E.White. The Great Controversy. Publishing house "Source of Life", pp. original.
- MBO is the Bible for our lives. New Testament. International Bible Society, 1999.
()* - verses are quoted from the Bible in a modern Russian translation. Moscow. Russian Bible Society, 2011.
Loading...
