BY DONALD R. WELBORN

The Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Air
and to the Earth

Recent reaction to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, in New York show a startling interest in prophectic truth. Bible sales have increased but Bible bookstores indicate that books of prophectic character have increased much more. This seems to pinpoint a definite interest in things that relate to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I will attempt to outline what I see concerning the coming of our Lord in the air and later, his return to the earth.

The discourse that the Lord gave to his disciples recorded in Matt. chapters 24 and 25 two days before the feast of the Passover is very significant to this subject. It prompted them (the disciples) to ask three questions that came to their minds after the Lord stunningly told them of the destruction of the temple. Those questions were......

1. When shall These Things Be? (The destruction of the temple)
   
2. What shall be the sign of thy coming? (His return to the Earth)
   
3. What shall be the sign of the end of the world? (Age)

Jesus did not answer the first of the three but Matthew records his answers to the last two in chapters 24 and 25. I shall make no attempt to rewrite those chapters but would like to highlight some things that have been misunderstood by many. The coming of the Lord in Matt. chapters 24 and 25 does not have to do with his coming in the air to catch away his redeemed people (this is also known as the rapture) when only the redeemed will see him.

It is His appearing, His coming back to earth, that "every eye shall see Him" ( Rev. 1:7 ) At that time His feet shall stand upon the Mount of Olives (near Jerusalem) and He shall be King over all the Earth. (Zechariah 14:1-11) He will judge the nations (people) as Judge/King (Matt. 25:31-46) and separate the sheep from the goats. Sheep being his people/saints who received him (see John 1:12) and goats being those who rejected him. The sheep will inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world (Matt. 25:34). The goats who are cursed, will depart into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Before the Lord returns to earth to rule and reign a 1000 years (Revelation 20:4-6), He will come in the air to catch away his people, the dead and living who are "in Christ" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) to ever be with Himself.

The tribulation period appears to be seven years or the 70th week of Daniel 9: 24-27. Our Lord is sacrificed after the 69th week (Daniel 9: 26). The interlude between the "cutting off" of the Messiah (our Lord Jesus' death) and the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel has now been almost 2000 years.

That 70th week is the tribulation period and during that time the "prince that shall come" (the antichrist, man of sin, son of perdition, 1 John 2:18, ll Thess.2:3) shall make or confirm a covenant with many (likely the leaders in Israel) for 1 week (7 years). He will change after 3 1/2 years and his true character will be manifest and his fury will be against the Jews (Daniel 9:27) The abomination of desolation spoken about by the Lord in Matt. 24:15 was a confirmation of Daniel's prophecy and will likely mark the beginning of the change displayed by the antichrist from deception to his true character.

It is during this time, the last half of the tribulation period, that the advance of the kings of the east will come towards the west (Revelation 16:12). This is the battle of Armageddon, and is to take place during the time referred to in Rev. 16:14-16, as the great day of God almighty. The unholy trinity (the dragon who is the devil, the beast who is the antichrist and likely a gentile, and the false prophet who is likely a Jew who is the antichrist's front man) will be at work in wickedness against God and his people.

It appears that the second beast of Rev. 13 will have power to promote worship of the first beast for 3 1/2 years. However the advance of the kings of the east will likely be towards the close of the 3 1/2 years and will prove to be a challenge to the super power of the west. He, the antichrist, will head up the revived Roman empire referred to in Daniel chapters 2 and 7 but will fall as will all the other leaders who head up the nations that will be gathered together at Armagedden. In both Daniel 2 and 7 the saints of the most high will take the kingdom because our Lord will return and stop the madness of the warring nations.

It shoud be mentioned that the invasion from the north against Israel found in Ezekiel 38 and 39 will probaly take place at the outset of the 70th week. The intruders will be stopped by the Lord, not Israel. I do not believe this to be associated with Armageddon.
Now some may be wondering "is the invasion that took place on 9-11-01 linked with the tribulation period"? My answer is no. I do not see the assembly which is His body (His redeemed ones, see Eph.1:22-23 & Col. 1:18) on earth at the time of the tribulation but believe we will be caught up (the rapture) to meet the Lord and Redeemer just before the beginning of Daniel's 70th week.

At any time our Lord could come in the air for us - but NO ONE knows that time. it is imcumbent upon us to be ready for that event. If it is our blessed hope, it should have a purifying effect on each of us (see 1 John 3:2-3).
If these matters that I have presented have stirred your heart and mind to the extent that you, through the convicting work of the Holy Spirt (John 16:7-11) realize that you are lost......there is hope! We learn from God's Holy word that our dear Lord died for our sins and rose again from the dead (1 Cor. 15:3-4) and that God is giving ETERNAL life to all who repent and believe on the Son of God.

Please look into the Bible, God's holy word, and read the verses that are quoted or cited. Here are a few: John 1:11-12, 3:16-18, 36, Romans 3:23, 6:23, & 10:9-13, Eph,2:8-10, Acts 16:31, 1 John 5:9-13.
It is our earnest desire that lost sinners will be saved and redeemed ones will be stirred up (all of us) to confess and forsake every sin (John 1:9) so that our lives will be in good order and pleasing to God, so that we will "not be ashamed before Him at his coming." (1 John 2:28)

DRW