1Thessalonians and the Return of Jesus Christ
By Kato Mivule
January 30, 2008
Looking through the letters of Paul the Apostle, when one does a
study on The Second Coming of Christ, one does not fail to see
the consistency with which Paul writes and categorically agrees
with the teachings of Jesus Christ concerning the Second Coming
in the Olivet Discourse – Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.
Today as we look at Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians and
study about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, one finds that
the letters are self explanatory and there is no contradiction
as to what Paul taught and what Jesus Christ taught on the same
subject.
Often it is Theologians who confuse the Church with their on
views and opinions which certainly are not scriptural but always
contradict the Teachings of Jesus Christ in order to sustain a
Theological view point of an organization or denomination.
The worst of these views has been the tradition and deception
that the Church will somehow be raptured secretly away from
before the Tribulation period starts and those left behind will
have to deal with the Antichrist and other evil forces… This
deception is from the pit of Hell as it blinds Christians from
what will shortly transpire on earth and makes them disobey the
command of The Lord that we must watch…
…and wait for His Son from Heaven – Jesus Christ
The early church clearly studied about the Second Coming of The
Lord Jesus Christ and it was part and parcel of their daily
belief system and theology. They looked forward and anticipated
the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. They obeyed The Lord by
watching as The Lord commanded the disciples.
We see clearly in these scriptures below how Paul speaks to the
Thessalonians about their Faith and how this faith was spoken of
abroad by other saints… How they turned away from idols and
served the living and true God…and waited for His son from
Heaven – Jesus Christ who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Clearly the early Church waited for the Second Coming of Jesus
Christ from Heaven… They did not expect Christ Jesus to return
three times or four times but the Second Time. So, the context
spoken of here in this verse with the rest of the letter of
1Thessolonians speaks about the Second Coming and all other
events that take place before Christ comes back, happen in
context with His second Coming.
Notice that Paul speaks about The Lord Jesus Christ who
delivered us from the wrath to come… Delivered us from the wrath
to come, being in past tense… We are not destined for wrath but
we do go through the great tribulation and this is consistent
with the teaching of Jesus Christ in Matthew 24…
1 Thessalonians 1:7-10
(7)
So that ye were examples to all that believe in Macedonia and
Achaia.
(8)
For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in
Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to
God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any
thing.
(9)
For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had
unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the
living and true God;
(10)
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the
dead, even Jesus, which
delivered us from the wrath to come.
In the Presence of Christ at His Second Coming…
Paul the apostle had no greater joy and reason for rejoicing but
to see the Thessalonica Saints in the presence of Jesus Christ
at His Coming. Clearly Paul wanted the saints to be prepared for
the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and not only prepared but to
appear in His Presence when Jesus Christ Comes.
Notice that the ‘coming’ of Christ Jesus in this verse is in
context with the Second Coming and not some other mystical
secret rapture… The Second Coming of Jesus Christ cannot be
separated from our Faith in Christ Jesus as some none vital or
trivial issue. Those who see the Second Coming of Christ as
trivial matter set themselves on a path of deception and
destruction.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
(19)
For what is our hope, or joy,
or crown of rejoicing? Are not
even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
(20)
For ye are our glory and joy.
Suffering and Tribulations – we are appointed for such…
As one studies the first chapters of 1Thessolonians, we see Paul
the apostle addressing the issue of suffering for Christ and
going through Tribulations… The topic of tribulation was not new
but Paul and other elders had discussed this matter the Saints
in Thessalonica before.
1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
(1)
Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to
be left at Athens alone;
(2)
And sent Timothy, our brother, and minister of God, and our
fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to
comfort you concerning your faith:
(3)
That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves
know that we are appointed thereunto.
(4)
For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we
should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
(5)
For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know
your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and
our labor be in vain.
Paul tells the saints how they should not be moved by these
afflictions and that the saints were appointed to such
sufferings…whew! What a contrast to what is being preached in
many Churches today… How dare you stand up in a “Christian”
congregation today and tell them that they have to endure
sufferings for Christ because they were appointed for such?
Paul continues to emphasize to the Thessalonica saints that he
told them plainly before that they would suffer tribulation even
as it came to pass. The Western Church today distances itself
from the Tribulations and sufferings to come to the saints by
stating over and over again a deception from Satan, that they
will escape these sufferings and tribulations through a ‘secret
rapture’.
Brethren, lets not be deceived, we are going to have to endure
great suffering for Christ Jesus. We as Christians will have to
go through the Great Tribulation and yes, we shall be hated of
all nations and many will be killed because of their faith in
Christ Jesus.
Things are NOT going to get better but worse and worse and
certainly not rosy for the Saints… Those who tell you that you
will not suffer tribulation for Christ’s sake are liars, frauds,
and deceivers, flee from them because they are NOT telling the
Truth… The reason for Paul to write this letter to the saints in
Thessalonica was to encourage them in their faith as they faced
sufferings and persecutions for Jesus Christ’s sake…
The Saints in Thessalonica knew that they would have to endure
Tribulation… Paul the Apostle agrees with the Teachings of Jesus
Christ on the same matter even as John the Apostle concurs…
Matthew 24:9-13
(9)
Then
shall they
deliver you up
to be
afflicted, and
shall
kill you:
and ye
shall
be hated
of all
nations
for my name's sake.
(10)
And
then shall
many be
offended,
and
shall betray
one another,
and
shall hate
one another.
(11)
And
many false prophets
shall
rise, and
shall
deceive many.
(12)
And
because iniquity
shall
abound, the
love of
many
shall wax cold.
(13)
But he
that shall endure unto
the
end, the same
shall
be saved.
Matthew 24:21-22
(21)
For
then shall
be
great tribulation,
such as
was not
since
the beginning
of the
world
to this time,
no, nor
ever shall
be.
(22)
And
except those
days
should be
shortened,
there
should no
flesh
be saved:
but for
the elect's sake those
days
shall be
shortened.
Revelation 7:9-17
(9)
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man
could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and
tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed
with white robes, and palms in their hands;
(10)
And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which
sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
(11)
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and
about the elders and the four
beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped
God,
(12)
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving,
and honor, and power, and might, be
unto our God forever and ever. Amen.
(13)
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these
which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
(14)
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These
are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed
their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
(15)
Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day
and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall
dwell among them.
(16)
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither
shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
(17)
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed
them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and
God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
May the Lord establish you in Holiness until Jesus Christ
returns…
Paul prays for the saints in Thessalonica that they also abound
in love and that The Lord establish their hearts blameless in
holiness before God at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with
all His saints. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ was central
doctrine to the early Church that Paul even prays for the saints
accordingly.
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward
another, and toward all men,
even as we do toward you: To
the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness
before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ with all his saints.
How much more do we need such prayers today that The Lord
establishes our hearts unblamable in Holiness at the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints?
It is interesting to note that Paul now mentions the coming of
Jesus Christ with His saints…
Clearly speaking about the saints who have died in Christ Jesus
as these are the first to resurrect when Christ returns and then
we who are alive and remain are changed and caught up in the air
to meet The Lord as Paul explains later…
So, there are no inconsistencies in scripture concerning the
Second Coming of Jesus Christ but the confusion comes from
denominations and theologians who front their traditions and
opinions as if they are commands from The Lord…
The early saints took the second coming of Jesus Christ with all
seriousness that they sought The Lord to help them have
establish their hearts unblamable in Holiness until Christ Jesus
returns with all His saints…
Those Christians who think that the second coming of Christ
Jesus in trivial matter are only deluding themselves…not so with
the Thessalonica Saints, they took it seriously…
The Resurrection of the Saints – at the Second Coming of Jesus
Christ…
The saints in Thessalonica seemed to have faced a problem of
being too sorrowful for their fellow saints who had died. They
needed an encouragement that the saints would be resurrected.
Paul the apostle told them that there was a resurrection going
to take place for all saints who had died in The Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
(13)
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning
them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which
have no hope.
(14)
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them
also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
(15)
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which
are alive and remain unto the
coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
(16)
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and
the dead in Christ shall rise first:
(17)
Then we which are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to
meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
(18)
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Paul the apostle explains when the resurrection of the Saints
would happen. It would take place at the coming of Jesus Christ.
When the Lord Jesus Christ descends from heaven, with the shout,
with the voice of an archangel, and with the trump of God, then
the dead in Christ will rise first and we who are alive will be
caught up in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air.
Paul agrees with all the teachings of Jesus Christ concerning
this matter…that there will be a resurrection of the Just and
the resurrection of the unjust. However, the resurrection of the
just – saints happens at the coming of Jesus Christ which is the
second coming.
So, the issue of the resurrection of the saints is very
important as it does NOT take place until ALL who are called as
saints to die for Christ are dead – when their full number has
come. That means that the resurrection of the saints cannot
happen until the last martyr is killed right down into the book
of Revelation…
Remember Jesus Christ taught that there will ONLY be two
resurrections and NOT three or for or even five… The word of God
agrees and never contradicts itself… Therefore Paul the apostle,
John the apostle all agree with the doctrine of Jesus Christ on
this very crucial matter…
John 5:25-29
(25)
Verily,
verily, I
say
unto you,
The
hour is
coming,
and now
is,
when the
dead
shall hear
the
voice of
the Son
of God:
and
they that hear shall
live.
(26)
For as
the
Father hath
life in
himself;
so hath
he
given to
the Son
to have
life in
himself;
(27)
And
hath given
him
authority to
execute
judgment also,
because
he is
the Son
of man.
(28)
Marvel
not at
this:
for the
hour is
coming,
in the
which
all that
are in
the
graves shall
hear
his voice,
(29)
And
shall come forth;
they that have done
good,
unto the
resurrection
of
life; and
they that have done
evil,
unto the
resurrection
of
damnation.
Acts 24:14-15
(14)
But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call
heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things
which are written in the law and in the prophets:
(15)
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that
there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and
unjust.
Revelation 6:9-11
(9)
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the
souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the
testimony which they held:
(10)
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy
and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that
dwell on the earth?
(11)
And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was
said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season,
until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should
be killed as they were, should
be fulfilled.
Revelation 20:4-6
(4)
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was
given unto them: and I
saw the souls of them that were
beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and
which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither
had received his mark upon
their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned
with Christ a thousand years.
(5)
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand
years were finished. This is
the first resurrection.
(6)
Blessed and holy is he that
hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death
hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ,
and shall reign with him a thousand years.
There will ONLY be TWO Resurrections and not three or five. The
Two Resurrections are the Resurrection of the Just and the
Resurrection of the Unjust. The Resurrection of the Just takes
place when Jesus Christ returns – at the Second Coming of Jesus
Christ. The Resurrection of the Just is the First Resurrection.
The Resurrection of the unjust is the Second Resurrection.
Secondly the resurrection of the Just cannot take place until
all the saints that are to be killed during the great
tribulation are killed as stated in the scripture above. The
Souls of the saints who had been martyred cried out to The Lord
for justice to be executed on their behalf. However, they were
given white robes and told to rest until the full number of
those to be executed or killed was complete.
We also see that in Revelation 20:4-5 that there we have the
First Resurrection – the Resurrection of the Just. We see the
saints who had been beheaded fore Christ’s sake seated on the
Thrones and judgment given unto them. Brethren, this is the
first resurrection of the just in Christ Jesus. It takes place
when Jesus Christ returns.
For we know that when He comes, the dead in Christ rise first,
and we who are alive and remain, are changed, then caught up in
the clouds to meet The Lord in the air… There is not so much
difficulty in understanding this passage and allowing the Bible
to interpret itself… All major inconsistencies that Theologians
and Bible Prophecy students build over this matter are because
they don’t allow the Bible to interpret itself but instead allow
interpretations of Man to take full course…
So, we discover something very important and that is that the
Resurrection of the Saints or the resurrection of Just happens
at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Resurrection of the
Saints cannot happen at any other moment because the Dead in
Christ rise first according to Paul’s Teachings and therefore
the Rapture and Resurrection all happen at one event and that is
the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Looking at the Scriptures and consistency with the teachings of
Jesus Christ, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ does NOT happen
until After the Tribulation of those days – referring here to
the Great Tribulation which Jesus spoke about happening after
the Abomination of Desolation takes place.
Then that clearly places the Rapture or the ‘Caught Up’ after
the Tribulation of those days when the full number of saints to
be killed is complete and so that they are part of the
Resurrection of the Just…
Matthew 24:29-31
(29)
Immediately
after
the tribulation
of
those days
shall
the sun
be
darkened, and
the
moon shall
not
give her
light,
and the
stars
shall fall
from
heaven, and
the
powers of
the
heavens shall
be
shaken:
(30)
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
in the
clouds
of heaven
with
power and
great
glory.
(31)
And he
shall
send his
angels
with a
great
sound of
a
trumpet, and
they
shall gather together
his
elect from
the
four winds,
from
one end of
heaven
to the
other.
Mark 13:24-27
(24)
But in
those
days, after
that
tribulation, the
sun
shall be
darkened,
and the
moon
shall not
give
her light,
(25)
And the
stars
of heaven
shall
fall, and
the
powers that
are in
heaven
shall be
shaken.
(26)
And
then shall
they
see the
Son of
man
coming in
the
clouds with
great
power and
glory.
(27)
And
then shall
he send
his
angels, and
shall
gather together his
elect
from the
four
winds, from
the
uttermost part of
the
earth to
the
uttermost part of
heaven.
Luke 21:25-28
(25)
And
there shall
be
signs in
the
sun, and
in the
moon,
and in
the
stars; and
upon
the earth
distress
of
nations, with
perplexity;
the sea
and the
waves
roaring;
(26)
Men's
hearts failing them for
fear,
and for
looking after
those things which are coming on
the
earth: for
the
powers of
heaven
shall be
shaken.
(27)
And
then shall
they
see the
Son of
man
coming in
a cloud
with
power and
great
glory.
(28)
And
when these things
begin
to come to pass,
then
look up, and
lift up
your heads;
for
your redemption
draweth nigh.
We see from the above scriptures that Jesus Christ describes His
Second Coming by stating when it will happen – the period of
time, He also states what how it happens…
-
When: Immediately after the Tribulation of those days…
-
What Takes Place?
-
Cosmic Events take place – Sun and Moon are darkened,
stars fall…
-
Son of Man – Jesus Christ appears in the clouds with
great glory…
-
All Tribes of the earth will see Him and mourn…
-
At the sound of a Trumpet He will send His angels…
-
Jesus Christ sends His angels to gather His Elect, the
Saints, the Believers…
-
They gather them from the uttermost parts of the Earth
to the utter most part of Heaven… figurative of both
Saints alive and those Dead in Christ…
So, the sequence of events described by Jesus Christ lines up
very well with that described by Paul the apostle…
Paul speaks about the Trump of God being sounded just as Jesus
Christ spoke of the Trump of God being sounded in Matthew
24:29-31… This is the last trump spoken about by Paul in 1
Corinthians 15:51-52…
1 Corinthians 15:51-52
(51)
Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we
shall all be changed,
(52)
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for
the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Now, we have to look for were the last trump is in the Bible…we
see that we have the Last Trumpet sounded (and mentioned) in the
book of Revelation 10 and Revelation 11…
Revelation 10:7
(7)
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall
begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he
hath declared to his servants the prophets.
Revelation 11:15-18
(15)
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in
heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become
the
kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall
reign forever and ever.
(16)
And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their
seats, fell upon their faces, and worshiped God,
(17)
Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and
wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great
power, and hast reigned.
(18)
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time
of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest
give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints,
and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest
destroy them which destroy the earth.
We see that when the Seventh Trumpet is sounded, the mystery of
God is finished as declared to the prophets in the Bible… We see
that when the Seventh Trumpet – Last Trumpet – Last Trump is
sounded, the following happens…
-
The kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord
and His Christ…
-
He reigns for ever and ever…
-
The Lamb takes his power and reigns…
-
His wrath comes upon the nations that were angry at Him…
-
The time for the dead to be judged…
-
Time to give rewards to His servants the prophets and the
saints…
-
Time to destroy those who destroyed the earth…
All these events above take place at the Second Coming of The
Lord Jesus Christ. We see that they are very consistent with
what Paul taught in 1Thessalonians… We see that they are
consistent with Revelations 20:4-5 – the Martyred saints seating
on thrones and judgment being given to them, and the first
resurrection…
The Last Trumpet – The Seventh Trumpet announces…
-
The reigns of Messiah over the Earth – for the kingdoms of
the world have become the kingdom of our Lord and Christ…
-
The wrath of Messiah on all nations that are enemies to
Messiah…
-
The Resurrection of the just – they receive judgment and
seat on thrones – The First Resurrection…
-
The rewarding of the prophets and the saints…
-
Time to destroy the destroyers of the earth – Antichrist and
False Prophet are cast into the Lake of Fire…Satan is bound
for 1000 years…
We see that the Last Trump spoken by Paul in 1Corithians
15:51-52 and 1Thessalonians 4:16 are one and the same as the
Last Trumpet in Revelations 11:15-18…
Therefore there CANNOT be a Pre Tribulation Rapture as that
would greatly defy the consistency and self supplementation of
scripture. It would defy the principle of the Bible interpreting
itself… It would cause the Bible to be a book full of
contradictions yet it is not. What some confused pre tribulation
theologians have done is made the Bible look like it self
contradicts…
Time Table of Events when Jesus Christ Returns…
-
The Cosmic Events…Sun and Moon darkened…
-
Jesus Christ Descends from Heaven…
-
Jesus Christ Descends at the Sound of the Trump of God – The
Last Trump…
-
Jesus Christ appears in all His glory…
-
All tribes see Him and mourn…
-
The Dead in Christ rise first…
-
Then we who are alive and remain are caught up in the Clouds
to meet Him in the air…
-
Forever we shall be with Jesus Christ…Amen…
We are NOT in Darkness for that Day to catch us unaware…
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
(1)
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that
I write unto you.
(2)
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh
as a thief in the night.
(3)
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.
(4)
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should
overtake you as a thief.
(5)
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day:
we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
(6)
Therefore let us not sleep, as do
others; but let us watch and be sober.
(7)
For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken
are drunken in the night.
(8)
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the
breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of
salvation.
(9)
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation
by our Lord Jesus Christ,
(10)
Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live
together with him.
(11)
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another,
even as also ye do.
From the above scripture we see that Paul the Apostle exhorting
the saints at Thessalonica to be sober and watch. He tells them
that they are NOT in darkness that the Day of The Lord should
overtake us as a thief in the night. Those who will get caught
by surprise are those who walk in darkness and are not sober or
watching.
The warnings that Paul gives to the Saints in Thessalonica do
apply to us today that we watch and be sober. We are to watch
for the signs of the times as Jesus Christ pointed out to us In
Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21… Now Paul was not in anyway
contradicting what Jesus Christ taught that no man knows the day
or the hour and that the Lord would come as a thief in the
night…
Some theologians and Bible Prophecy students take the statement
that Christ would come as a thief in the night to support their
erroneous theology of a secret rapture. Paul makes it clear that
Christ Jesus would return as a thief in the night to those who
are in darkness but if we watch and are sober, then the day of
The Lord should not take us by surprise as a thief in the night.
Christ Jesus will return as a thief in the night to those who
refuse to watch, to the sons of darkness, and to those who are
drunk with the cares and riches of this world…those who refuse
to watch… The scriptures below are self explanatory and the
context is very clear that Christ Jesus returns as a thief in
the night to those who are not watching and drunk with the cares
and love of this world and those who are NOT watching as Jesus
Christ commanded us to do…
Jesus Christ commands us to watch for all the signs that point
to His Second coming…
Matthew 24:33-35
(33)
So
likewise ye,
when ye
shall
see all
these things,
know
that it
is
near, even
at the
doors.
(34)
Verily
I say
unto
you, This
generation
shall
not pass,
till
all these things
be
fulfilled.
(35)
Heaven
and earth
shall
pass away, but
my
words shall
not
pass away.
Don’t be caught unaware as in Noah’s days…
The context here is again watching otherwise The Lord will come
as a thief in the night to those who refuse to watch and are
caught up with the normal life routines and get caught up
unawares.
This is also a strong warning to every one that we be ready to
meet The Lord as we might be called anytime to eternity without
warning. Many people are busy with their life schedules and
chasing after the things of this world but never stop to think
about if their souls are called to eternity – when they die.
Like one minister said…death is imminent for both Christians and
none Christians, therefore we are to watch and pray that we be
worthy to stand before the Son of Man – Jesus Christ and escape
all these things… Today the world is busy as in Noah’s days with
prosperity and cares of this life yet judgment comes upon them
unawares…
Even though the people saw Noah build and finish the ark and
enter it, they still refused to watch and thought it was trivial
matter until it was too late… Today despite the signs that Jesus
Christ gave us concerning His Second Coming being fulfilled,
many Christians still refuse to watch thinking that it as a
trivial and laughable matter – they scoff at The Lord’s commands
just like Noah’s generation did…
Matthew 24:36-44
(36)
But of
that
day and
hour
knoweth no
man,
no, not
the
angels of
heaven,
but my
Father
only.
(37)
But as
the
days of
Noah
were, so
shall
also the
coming
of the
Son of
man be.
(38)
For as
in the
days
that were
before
the flood
they
were eating
and
drinking, marrying
and
giving in marriage, until
the day
that
Noah entered
into
the ark,
(39)
And
knew not
until
the flood
came,
and took them all away;
so
shall also
the
coming of
the Son
of man
be.
(40)
Then
shall two
be in
the
field; the
one
shall be
taken,
and the
other
left.
(41)
Two
women shall
be
grinding at
the
mill; the
one
shall be
taken,
and the
other
left.
(42)
Watch
therefore: for
ye know
not
what hour
your
Lord doth
come.
(43)
But
know this,
that if
the
goodman of the house had
known
in what
watch
the thief
would
come, he
would
have watched,
and
would not
have
suffered his
house
to be
broken up.
(44)
Therefore
be ye
also
ready: for
in such
an hour
as ye
think
not the
Son of
man
cometh.
Right food in due season when you watch…
The Context of this scripture is that we Must Watch otherwise
The Lord Jesus Christ will come at an hour in which we are
unaware and not looking for His return… The foolish servant
failed to give food in due season…
He failed to teach the Right Doctrine to the saints cause He was
NOT watching and therefore The Coming of The Lord to Him was
like that of a thief in the night…the foolish servant was not
sober but drunken with the drunkards – enjoying life with people
of the world – sounds reminiscent of the prosperity movement…
Matthew 24:45-51
(45)
Who
then is
a
faithful and
wise
servant, whom
his
lord hath
made ruler
over
his household,
to give
them
meat in
due season?
(46)
Blessed
is
that servant,
whom
his lord
when he
cometh
shall find
so
doing.
(47)
Verily
I say
unto
you, That
he
shall make him ruler
over
all his
goods.
(48)
But and
if that
evil
servant shall
say in
his
heart, My
lord
delayeth his
coming;
(49)
And
shall begin
to
smite his
fellow servants,
and to
eat and
drink
with the
drunken;
(50)
The
lord of
that
servant shall
come in
a day
when he
looketh
not for
him,
and in
an hour
that he
is not
aware
of,
(51)
And
shall cut him asunder,
and
appoint him
his
portion with
the
hypocrites: | |
