The Day of the Lord Week 3

"Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." And then verse number 12, "And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me to give every man according as his works shall be." And then verse number 20, it says, "He which testifyth these things say, surely I come quickly, amen, even so come, Lord Jesus." And and you know when when somebody says uh you know time is al always relative. I remember as a child my parent my mom saying you know this will happen sooner you think and and it seemed like to me forever like waiting for Christmas it was forever.

Even when it was just a couple days away it was still forever. uh time is relative and we have to remember that time is relative with God as well. Now you know Paul the apostle thought that Jesus would come in his lifetime. That's how quickly he thought he would come. And and of course that's been many many years ago now and he still hasn't come. And so we may sometimes think well why hasn't he come yet? And uh but God's timing is not our time. God is not limited by time. Look at second Peter chapter 3 and verse number eight. Second Peter chapter 3 and verse number eight. Second Peter 3:8 the Bible says but beloved be not ignorant this one thing that one day is with the Lord is a thousand years and a thousand years one day.

And then look at um look at verse 9 also. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, but uh is is long-suffering to to us. We're not willing that any should perish, but all should come to repentance. You know, God doesn't look at time like you and I do. And and so time is very relative. You know, I uh many know my birthday's tomorrow. I'll turn 70. And for me, time is could take a whole different perspective than it had when I was 17, you know. And uh and with God, he's not limited by time. And so quickly to him, a thousand years is a day. That's just a couple of days and he's coming again. And so we have to understand our time is not God's timing.

And and and but yet what Paul when Paul said he can come quickly or John said that here in Revelation and when Paul wrote he can come as a thief in the night. Uh he could he can come any day. There's no limitations on when he can come. And even though he's not come yet, that's no reason to say, well, what why why hasn't God come? It's his timing. Now he one of the reasons he is delaying that we do know is he's delaying to give men the opportunity to get saved. Um we just read that in 2 Peter chapter 3:9 he's longsuffering not willing that any should perish and all should come repentance. Verse number 15 and account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation even as a beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you.

Uh, you know, we we don't know why God's delayed, but we do. One of the reasons he's delaying is give people the opportunity to get saved. Uh, I'm sure there are other reasons why he's chosen to wait. Uh, I look at it and I think, you know, when I study esquetology, I think, man, it just seems like the way the world's going and how things are going in this world, why would God wait any longer? Why not come now? Uh why not just uh call it quits now? And and but God's got his plan. God's got his purpose. And we have to understand that as we as we look at this study and and and dealing with that and and so when we're studying esquetology Roman number two there is the first thing we have to understand is the phrase the day of the Lord.

The day of the Lord and we're talking about the day of the Lord. We are not talking about a specific day but a period of time. Uh turn over to first Thessalonians chapter 5. Um, you know, as an old guy, sometimes I'll say something like this. Well, back in my day. Now, do I mean there's a specific day I'm talking about? No, it's just back in that time period, you know, and and so, uh, when it talks about the day, it's not talking about a 24-hour period, but it's talking about the day of the Lord is a is a time period that involves certain things. And we'll look at that. Look at 1 Thessalonians 5:1.

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you. So the times, so a time period. And then look at second Peter chapter 3 and verse number eight. Second Peter chapter 3 and verse number eight again. But beloved, be not ignorance one thing that one day is with the Lord is a thousand years and a thousand years is a day. So it's a time period that begins with the rapture. If you look at your uh chart that you have and if you didn't get a copy of this, you want to make sure you get a copy pages one and two. And on one side there's a chart and the other sides there's a list of terms that you need to know.

And if you look at the chart, it begins with the rapture. That's the next thing on God's calendar. The next thing that's going the major thing is going to happen is all of us as believers are going to be raptured and taken up into the air to be with him. And so begins with the rapture and ends with the creation of the new heavens and the new earth. So, it's that whole time period. Uh, it's not doesn't end at the second coming of Christ. That that doesn't end. There'll be a thousand-y year millennium. And then when the new heavens and new earth are created, that's when the end of that day of the Lord is.

Um, if you look at Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi chapter 4 and verse number five. Malachi chapter 4 and verse number five, the Bible says, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of that great and dreadful day of the Lord." And so whenever you see the phrase the day of the Lord in in almost every context, it's talking about anywhere in that time period. So it can refer to the whole time period as a whole or it can refer to one part of it like the tribulation or like the rapture or the second coming. it can be referring directly to that. So, it's anything within that time period.

And that's one of the things that makes esquetology challenging to study because of of of when you read it, you have to kind of step back in the context and see specifically what is he talking about. Look at Acts chapter 2 and verse number 20. Acts chapter 2 and verse number 20. Acts 2:20, the Bible says, "The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon into blood before the great and notable day of the Lord come." And uh then 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 and verse number two. 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 and verse number two. For yourselves know perfectly the day the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

And then we'll look at one more there and that's um 2 Peter 3:10. Second Peter 3:10. Okay. Still having trouble turning the pages of my new Bible here, so give me just a second. 2 Peter 3:10, the Bible says, "But at the day the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which in the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are there and shall be burned up." So when you see that phrase, you're talking about a time period. It's also called that day or the day or the great day. And that phrase occurs about 70 time 75 times in the Bible at least if not a little bit more than that.

So you when you see the phrase that's what it's talking about. The primary emphasis of these passages on the judgment of God in the end times. So mo most often refer to the day of the Lord he's referring to that tribulation period the seven years of tribulation on earth and all the judgments that will be poured out that you read about in Revelation. You read about back here in Zechariah and other places. it's it's referring to that primarily. Sometimes it will be more referring to the rapture or the second coming of Christ. Uh other things in that time period, but most often in the context again it's talking about in that day these terrible things are going to happen in that day.

You know, it's talking about the judgments of God. And so it it's talking about uh so the day of the Lord. And you can look up some of these verses later on for time sake. We're not going to look up every verse, but the day of the Lord encompasses number one, the tribulation. And the tribulation is that seven years of uh of a terrible time on earth. Now, the first three and a half years really won't be so bad. And then the last three and a half years where the really the destruction comes and the and the judgments come down at that time period. And so again, that's one of the primary things it talks about.

But it'll also talk about number two, the second coming of Christ. Let's go ahead and turn over to Matthew chapter 24. Matthew chapter 24. And again, there's a lot of verses in the Bible. The Bible talks more about the second coming of Christ and about this day, this time period than it did about the first coming. So, there's a lot of verses that we can look at. So, we're going to have to kind of pick and choose a little bit. But Matthew chapter 24 and verse number 29. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened. The moon shall be shall not give her light and the stars shall fall from heaven.

The powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then look at verse 30. And they then and then shall appear the sign of the son of man in heaven. And then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn. And they shall see the son of man coming the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And let's talk about the second coming. Remember the first time Jesus comes, it's the rapture. He comes in the air, never comes down to the earth itself, calls us up to be with him, then we go to heaven and the tribulation begins on earth. And then at the end of that seven years is when the second coming is, and that's referred to here in that day.

Uh it's also talking about the millennial age. So look at uh Revelation chapter 20. Revelation chap 20 and verses 6-10. Revelation chapter 20. Blessed, holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection. On such the second death hath no power. But there shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out and deceive the nations which are in four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, the number of whom is the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breath of the earth and compassed the camp of the saints about and the beloved city and the fire came down from God out of heaven devoured them.

And the devil the deceived was cast in the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet shall be tormented and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever. So again, you can see it's it's kind of encompassing that whole period, but it's and here it talks about the millennial also. And it talks and then also included is the great white throne judgment. Now remember there's two judgments. uh you have the bema seat of Christ and then the great white throne judgment of God. The bema or judgment seat of Christ is when Christians are judged not whether they go to heaven or hell but are judged according to their works whether they receive reward or loss of reward.

The great white throne judgment is when people are judged and cast into hell if their name's not found written in the lamb's book of life. And that's in Revelation chapter 20 and that's included in this whole time period. And then the new heaven and earth. Uh look at Revelation 21 and verse number one. And I saw a new heaven and new earth. For the first heaven and first earth were passed away and there was no more sea. And so again it's talking about that new heaven and new earth. Uh we'll have a thousand years where Jesus will reign on the earth. He'll rule and the world will be recreated so to speak and it'll be fixed up and all the destruction we've caused it'll be taken away.

It'll be a perfect world for that thousand years. But it's not the new heaven and not the new earth. That doesn't happen until after the judgment seat of Christ. That's when the tears are wiped away. And that after the judgment seat and the great white throne judgment and all of that will happen first in a thousand years. Then then men rebel again, the final casting of the lake of fire. And then that's when we have the the new heaven and new earth. So keep that in mind because if you get all those confused, then you're you're not going to understand this. You got to get that map, that chart kind of in your mind and realize that it's a whole time period there.

Now, the day of Christ is related to but different from the day of the Lord. Um, look at Isaiah chapter 2, the book of Isaiah chapter 2, when we're talking about the day of the Lord, day of Christ. And then we'll also talk about the last days or latter times. We have to understand there's a little difference here with them. Sometimes they kind of intertwine and they cross over, but there is a difference. Isaiah chapter 2 and verse number 12. It says uh Isaiah 2:12, for the day of the Lord of host shall be upon everyone is proud and lofty upon everyone is lifted up and it shall be brought low. Now I want you to go over to Revelation chapter 19.

Revelation chapter 19 and verses 11- 21. Revelation chapter 19 beginning verse 11. And I saw heaven open. Behold a white horse and the and he that sat upon him was called faithful and true. And in righteousness he did judge and make war. His eyes were his flames of fire and as I said were many crowns and his name written that no man knew by himself. So let's talk about when Jesus comes back to conquer. This this is the second coming of Christ. and and and and so he he comes back to conquer in that whole passage there. And then look at 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and verse number two. 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and verse number two.

That ye be not soon shaken in mind or be troubled neither by spirit nor by word nor by letter from us as that day of Christ is at hand. And so the day of Christ is used in reference to the church and the rewards and blessings. When the Bible talks about the day of the Lord, it's usually talking to unsaved people. That day is coming when great judgment is going to come upon the world and you better be ready for this. You better trust Christ because you don't want to be here. It's talking to the unsaved person. It's talking to the world primarily. Now it also talks to us as Christians said that's why we need to tell people about Jesus and we need to go out and witness so that people don't go through that tribulation in that time.

Now when he talks about the day of Christ he's primarily talking to us as Christians and he say listen don't be discouraged don't be shaken in mind he says or be troubled neither by spirit nor by word nor by letter because Jesus is coming again. and and and so and primarily that it refers to the coming of Christ and his second coming, but there is some of the rapture that's also we we look forward to especially uh so it's talking about church and the rewards and blessings. Hey, Jesus is coming. You better be ready. Jesus is coming and you want him to say, "Well done now, good and faithful servant."

You don't want to be messing up when he comes again. And so it's kind of a a a warning and an encouragement. Hey, no matter how bad this world gets, Jesus is coming. So, so we can we can remember that. And and all of these passages kind of talk about that. Uh we're right near. So, turn to Philippians chapter 1 and verse number six. Philippians chapter 1 and verse number six. Philippians 1:6. The Bible says, "Being confident of this very thing, that he has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." So again, it's talking to us. It's saying, "Listen, God's not going to give up on you.

He's not done with you yet. No matter what you go through in this world, he's going to be faithful to you until that second coming, till that till Christ comes again." And verse number 10, it says that you may approve things that are excellent, that you may be sincere without offense till the day of Christ. And then chapter 2 and verse number 16. Chapter 2 and verse 16. Holding forth the word of the of life that I may rejoice in the day of Christ. I have not run in vain neither have labored in vain. So it's most often it's a positive thing. Hey Jesus is coming. Even so come Lord Jesus. But it also is a as a negative thing and reminding us he could come as a thief in the night and you better be ready.

So, it's kind of referring to both the rapture and the second coming for us as Christians. We're looking forward to the rapture because we're not going to go through the tribulation and we'll talk about that. And so, that's what we're primarily that's the next thing we're looking for, but we also know he's going to come back and conquer this world. And and looking at that, these other verses all refer to that same idea. Uh the day of the Lord is used in reference primarily to judgments. Let's look at 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 and verses 1-4. 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you.

For yourselves know perfectly that they the Lord so cometh asleep in the night. For when they shall say, peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, not in darkness, that that day should overcome take you as a thief. So when we talk about the day of the Lord for us as Christians, you say, "Listen, you're not going to go through that." Now, the world can get a lot worse than it is before Jesus comes again, the rapture. But after the rapture, that seven years, especially the last three and a half years, we do not want to be here for that at all.

As bad as things are now, it's going to be a whole lot worse. And so when when the Lord talks about the day of the Lord to us as Christians, most often he's saying to the world, "Hey, this is coming. you better get saved. But for us as Christians, it's an encouragement. We're not going through that. But Jesus is going to come again. And when he comes again, you better be ready. And that's the day of Christ. Okay? And then number three is the last or latter days or times. Look at 2 Timothy chapter 3 and verse number one. Second Timothy chapter 3 and verse number one. this know also that the last days perilous times shall come.

Um, and then 1 Timothy 4:1, I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who judged the quick and the dead at his appearing his kingdom. And then, uh, second Peter, I'm I'm reading Second Timothy. Let me get to 1 Timothy 4:1 on that. Uh, second 1 Timothy chapter 4 and verse number one. Now the spirit speaking expressly that in latter times shall some depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Then look at second Peter 3:1. Second Peter 3:1 this second epistle beloved I now write unto you in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance. Uh he's he's pointing out to us this is what you're going to be dealing with.

So when we refer to the last days, we are right now as the church, as believers, we're in the last times. So that's what's going to happen between now and the rapture. We're in the last days, the last times before that day. And uh so it's referring to the we are presently in the church age or the age of grace. That's what we call this time period we're in. Remember for those of you been here we studied dispensationalism is that over time God has dealt with saved man differently. Now man has always been saved by what? By faith through grace. The old testament believer was saved by believing in the promise of the savior the messiah to come.

The new testament believer is saved by looking back to the savior or the messiah who came. But both have faith in the promise of god of a savior. So man's always from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation, man's always been saved by faith. But here's the difference is that um man has had different responsibilities. Adam and Eve had to take care of the garden. Now I try to take care of my yard, but God never commanded me to take care of the garden like Adam and Eve. The the nation of Israel, they had to keep the laws. They weren't saved by keeping the law and the sacrifices, but that's what they were supposed to do.

So different ages they had different responsibilities and our we're in the church age and our job is to go out and preach the gospel to every creature. Our job is to worship the Lord. And so we're in that age right now and this is the the next age is the kingdom age and that's when Christ rules. So in the church age, the last times is what's now between us and the rapture. In those last days, things are going to get worse. You're going to hear of wars and rumors of wars and all kinds of things. He's telling us that's what's going to happen in the last days. Okay? Look at uh 1 Timothy 3:15. 1 Timothy chapter 3 and verse number 15.

But if I tar long that thou may know how thou oughtest behave thyself in the house house of God. Let's see. Is that right? What I'm reading here? Um that's the right verse, but it's not the verse I wanted. Maybe I wanted second Timothy to look. Let me look there real quick and see. I got the wrong reference down. Um, no it's not. I'll try to get that right reference. But we're in the Well, no. First Timothy 3 is what I want. We're the house of God. The church, the pillar in the ground, the truth. The church is God's plan for today. This is the church. And then look at um look at Ephesians chapter 3:2.

Ephesians chapter 3:2. I was getting ahead of myself here. Ephesians 3:2, the Bible says one more page. If you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given to me, you you word. So, we're living in the church age. We're living in the dispensation of grace. And and when this time period comes in, that's the last days or the latter days. So this a distinction should be made between the last days for the church which ends at the rapture and the last days of Israel which ends at the second coming. So when the bible talks about the last days in especially in the old testament it would talk about it would talk to Israel in those last days.

Israel's last days are right before the second coming. But you and I as the church as believers our last days on this earth is before the rapture. And so you want to just get distinction between those two. Um, and I give you a bunch of scriptures there you can look up again. Uh, scriptures relating to the last days of the church deal with the church and God's people. So look at 1 Timothy chapter 4. Let's turn over there. So when God again says to us, hey, the last days, the last time's coming, he's reminding us that you've got only so long to live. Now, see, Paul again, he thought Jesus would come in his lifetime.

And you and I should live in a way that we think Jesus is going to come again today. He could come right now. And and God reminds us, hey, listen, he can come as a thief in the night. And you need to be ready. You need to be living your life in such a way that when he comes, you're not going to be embarrassed. There's certain things I don't want to be doing when I'm when the rapture happens. I don't want to be doing it. And it's to look at Jesus' eyes. And and so, I got to be remember, I've got to be ready. And that's what the reminder is. Look at 1 Timothy chapter 4 and verses 1-3. Now spirit speaketh expressly that latter time some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, speaking lies and hypocrisies, having their conscience seared with the hot iron, forbidding to marry and commanding abstain from meats which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

So he's saying, listen, as the as Jesus comes closer, more and more people are going to turn away from the truth. And do we not see that in the world today? More and more people are turned away. Even Christians are turned away from the truth. And that's going to happen in the last days. And um look at second Timothy chapter 3:es 1-5. This also know that in the last days perilous time shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, plowed, blasphemers, disobedience of parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce bakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers, those who are good, traitors, head.

I mean, this sounds like the headlines. Sounds like watching the news. This is what our world's today. And and and it goes on in chapter 4:es 3 and 4. For the time will come where they not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lust shall they heap themselves teachers having itches ears as they turn away from the ears from the truth and shall turn to fables. You know, they're going to turn away from that truth and turn away from the truth of God's word. So, it's the last times is warning us. And and then scriptures relating to the last days of Israel deal with political world conditions. It it's going to talk more about the wars that are going to go on.

is going to talk more about uh all of the the famine and all the terrible things are going to happen. That's what you're hearing. And that's going to be the tribulation period, the last days before the second coming of Christ. Um I'm going to go through these fairly quick again. I hope that you'll do what our theme verse for the church is. Acts 17:11. These were more noble and that they received the word all mind script scriptures daily whether those things are so. And I hope you'll go back and maybe look up some of these verses for yourself as well. But in the last days, what we're going to see more and more of is number one, a denial of God.

There is no God. And boy, again, do we not see that today? I mean, when I was growing up, at least God was part of the vocabulary, you know. And I remember uh what's that famous atheist name? Her name was um my mind's blank now. Meline What was it? What is it? Say it again louder. Yes. And she she was really got on the news about how she was an atheist and all the rest of it. By the way, she supposedly got saved at the end of her life. Uh but uh you know, but you know that was big news. Today is not big news to deny God. It's the norm. You're going to see more and more people denying even the existence of God.

And more than denying the existence of God is denies the Christ. Well, we believe in God, but we don't believe in Jesus. And the denial of Christ, um, don't want to acknowledge him. And then number three is the denial of Christ's return. Oh, that's not going to happen. And uh, you know, and and then number four is the denial of faith. You know, that people just don't believe in faith anymore. and you only science is true and and all the rest of it. uh denial of sound doctrine more and more people are not going to want to teach you know you don't have to teach the Bible and uh and the denial of the separated life where you know you don't have to live differently and more and more Christians are living like the world and then a denial of Christian liberty um the freedom that we have in Christ you know they're putting all these laws on besides that and then a denial of morals good morals Boy, we see that today.

We just have lost it in our world today. And the denial of authority. All these things are going to happen in the last days. And we're seeing that happen. And so that makes it even more like it's going to be soon. That should be wake us up. But you go back and study history. There's been many times in history you've seen the same thing. I mean, you can go back in history and see a lot of time periods where there was denial of all these things as well during those time periods. So, those alone aren't saying he's got to come, but they are definite. Uh they're definitely going to happen in the last days.

All right. Number four is the rapture. And the rapture is a translation of all believers from this world to new bodies as they're caught up in the air to meet the Lord. Go over to 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. This is what's next on the calendar, the rapture. And and that's when all Christians are going to be taken out of this world. And and it'll happen in the twinkle of an eye in a moment. Uh but we're going to be transformed. We'll be standing here. Next moment we won't be here. It'll be that quick. You you'll see there's a really famous painting of the rapture and you see people, you know, you can see them going up in the air.

You won't see that. It's it's immediate. edges are gone. And and and that's the next thing on God's calendar for you and I. The rapture can happen at any time. Uh look at First Thessalonians chapter 4. Look at verses 16 and 17. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet them the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord. So, what's going to happen is all the dead will be raised first because they got six foot longer to go because they're buried six foot deep.

Uh, and the rest of us are going to follow. And so, it's all going to happen at the same time. Now, we'll talk about this more later, but what about people that were cremated? Well, God puts him back. He made us from the dust to begin with. He can put us back from the dust. Even if we're scattered across all the I I don't know if he just needs one DNA molecule to put us together. If he's going to gather all the dust of who I am off the ocean where they cast my ashes. I don't know. But I do know this that the dead in Christ will rise first. People ask me, well, is it okay to get cremated? I I don't see anything personally in the Bible that says it's wrong to do that.

Uh there was some rituals in the Old Testament where they did, you know, like you see on sometimes where they put them on a thing and burn them and all. It's part of the ritual. That's I think that's wrong. But I don't have a problem with cremation versus burial. Once I'm dead, they can do anything they want with my body because to be absent from the body's present with the Lord. Now, one of the questions we have is, well, how can I be present with the Lord, but my body's not resurrected till the rapt rapture? And and we'll talk about that again later on, too. I believe that basically we have kind of a temporary body while we're with the Lord in heaven.

And then when the rapture comes, that's why the dead have to rise first because they have to meet together. and be united with their body and then be raised up and the rest of us will be raised up at that time. And at that moment of the rapture, we'll also be transformed into our new bodies. And so all that's going to happen right at that moment of the rapture. So the rapture, the word rapture again is not found in the Bible. It's a word that we have made a theological term to describe what we call the rapture. Uh it it means snatching away. And it should not be confused with the revelation which is the second coming.

So again on your chart you see the rapture we go up. Jesus comes in the air. The trump sounds the shout come on up and we all go up in the air. And then we go back up to heaven and a lot of things will happen in heaven we'll talk about. And meanwhile the seven years of tribulation on the earth and then at the end of that seven years you and I come back with Jesus as his mighty army. Now, we're not doing any of the fighting. He's going to do all the fighting for us, but we come back and get to get the glory with him. And then that's when the second coming of Christ happens. So, they're two different things.

And you got to keep them separate in your mind. So, look at Titus chapter 2 and verse number 13. Titus chapter 2 and verse 13. looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our savior Jesus Christ. And we'll talk about a little more later. We believe in the pre-tribulation rapture. We believe that's what's next. I'm looking for Jesus to come and take me home to heaven. That's the next thing happening for the rapture should be an encouragement. Now, for a lot of Christians, we're not looking for Jesus to come. A lot of Christians just don't live their lives like Jesus could come today, you know, and so we don't live like that.

We don't act like it. I remember when my kids were little, we'd go somewhere and say, "When we get back, the house better be clean." And then they would live their rest next three hours like we weren't coming back. And we walk in the doors like it was a surprise to them. We didn't tell them when we were coming back. When we said, "When we get back, you better be ready." And it was like they walked in, you're home. You know, it was a shock. And they had done nothing. And that's the way a lot of Christians live. Then there's other Christians that live like don't come yet. And there's both a negative and a positive to that.

Um I want the Lord to come again. But I remember back when I was in Bible college, I kind of thought, Lord, can you wait until I get out of college and get to go into pastor for a little bit? Can you can you wait until I get married? you know, uh, you know, so I don't think that by itself is necessarily wrong. Now, when we get to heaven, all this is not going to matter to us anymore, but right now that's kind of important. And you you want you want to have, you know, maybe you want to get married, have children, whatever before the Lord comes again. But we have to live our lives saying, you know what, God comes, that's great.

You know, that's that's a bless, you know, it's it's something we should look forward to. And for some Christians, it should be something we're kind of worried about. Don't don't come yet, Lord, because I'm not I'm not I'd be embarrassed. And we ought to be. And so, look at um 2 Timothy 4:1. 2 Timothy 4:1. I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who judge the quick and the dead, his appearing, and his kingdom. So, he said, listen, he's going to judge you when he comes again. We're going to we're going to have the judgment seat of Christ. And so we better be ready for that. And then 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and verse number one.

2 Thessalonians 2:1. Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by gathering together unto him. Hey, listen. This is why we should be doing all this. You know what would be great? If Jesus came again when I was in church, wouldn't it be great? We just all churches. Now, it won't be empty. I'm sorry to say because there'll be some people that are not saved even in church. But that'd be great. It'd be great if the Lord would come again when I witness somebody. Here, let me tell you about Jesus. Oh, hi Jesus. That'd be great. You know, I I want, you know, I don't want to come again when I'm watching something on TV I shouldn't be watching or looking on the internet, something I should be looking at.

You know, that we got to we got to realize he's coming again. And one of the reasons we gather together is we're looking forward to that. Pastor Anger, who I interned and worked under for five years, um, here in Hawaii, he used to say all the time, you know, Hawaii's the last place on the date line after us. It's a new day. And he said, maybe somebody will get saved in one of the churches in Hawaii and God will say, "Okay, that's the last person to get saved. Go get your go get your bride. Go on, get them. Get them all." and and maybe our Sunday night service will be the last service in all of eternity on earth for the church and Jesus will come again.

So we we ought to live our lives knowing that he's going to come for us to take us away. And then um just real briefly we'll look at page five there. We have two charts for you. The rapture and the revelation. Rapture when Jesus comes takes us to heaven. Revelation is when he's reveals himself to the whole world in the second coming and conquers and and with as a conquering hero. So the rapture happens before the tribulation whereas the revelation happens after the tribulation. The rapture is a blessing. It's not supposed to be a curse. Hey, this is great. Even so come Lord Jesus. The revelation is a judgment on his enemies.

He warns the world, I'm coming again, and when I come, I'm not coming as the savior. I'm coming as the conqueror. You know, when you read the description of Jesus coming again, it's not a not a pretty thing. Christ comes for his saints in the rapture. He comes with his saints in the second coming. We're going to be taken up and then we're going to come back with him after that seven years in heaven. For the rapture, he meets us in the air. We're going to go up to him. For the revelation, he descends to the earth. He comes all the way down. Rapture is at the beginning of the tribulation. The revelation is the beginning of the millennium.

And then the rapture is is imminent. And the revelation is preceded by signs. So in other words, that last one, nothing has to happen before the rapture. People talk about, well, this has to happen and that has to happen and this, you know, nothing have to happen. You know, when when after World War II when when they started the nation of Israel, every Bible scholar was saying, "Oh, that's just proof Jesus is coming again." And and you know, that can happen after the rapture. There's nothing that has to happen before the rapture. He's come as a thief in the night. Now there are certain things he said when you see these things happening you know we're getting closer and a lot of things that

are happening in the world now that we for example now that we can see what computers can do it starts to make you think oh the mark of the beast is going to be pretty easy that's not going to be hard when I was growing up again we had no computers and stuff like that and so how was this mark of the beast we thought it was going to be some kind of a stamp on your forehead that you had to have you know and now you can have the mark you could have it implanted in you and never even see it. Nowadays, they've got things that can be read. You can put in the palm of your hand. You can read read by a scanner.

Now, did that have to happen before Jesus come? No. But they are, you know, it is showing us we're getting closer. And so, it's imminent and we have to live like it happening today. Second coming at least seven plus years from now. The rapture is going to happen first, then seven more years. So, it's not imminent. is going to be preceded by a lot of signs there. Okay. And then the so the rapture is next biblical prophecy is imminent. We'll talk about that and go on with the rest of this uh next