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Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

Month: March 2018

Christ’s Resurrection Means the Best is Yet to Come

March 30, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #61 ~

“I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised again on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). If you’re a believer in Jesus Christ, then without question, this is the greatest news, that Christ died for your sins, and was raised again! Might this gospel message bring great joy, blessing and hope to your heart. Though you were dead in your sins and unable to save yourself, God intervened and forgave you, made you His child, and gave you eternal life. Hallelujah!

During this time of the year, we celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection. It’s essential that you know what Christ did for you, by His death and resurrection, justified you. Now you are now being sanctified and you will be glorified. A lot could be said about your past justification and present sanctification, but the primary purpose of this blog site is to help you understand the future, and particularly, that you will be glorified and live forever with Christ and all the saints.

One of the best Bible passages to explain this is 1 Corinthians 15. Starting with verse 23, we read about the order of the resurrection. “But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming.” Jesus Christ was the first person to be resurrected, to be raised from the dead and never to die again, to be glorified and immortal. That was about 2000 years ago. But when will we be resurrected? It is at Christ’s coming. It is not before Christ’s coming, but in fact, is the first event at His coming. When Christ returns in the clouds, all believers, all those living on earth, and all those who have already died, will be resurrected, will be glorified, will be physically saved and forever transformed. “Our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the humble state of our body into conformity with the body of His glory.” Philippians 3:20-21

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 describes this resurrection body with four words: imperishable, glorious, powerful and spiritual. Our brand new body will be imperishable and immortal, one that will never perish, wear out, morally decay or die again. It will be glorious – it will be amazing, beautiful and spectacular, perfect inside and out, infinitely better than your present body. It will be powerful, invincible, indestructible, incredibly strong, much stronger than Superman, Iron Man, Tron, Captain America, etc., and able to do all God wants you to do. It will be a spiritual body. Though it is physical in nature, it is also spiritual in nature, perfectly suited to worship God, to love and serve the saints, to have fellowship, and to wonderfully enjoy God and the pleasures of life. Psalm 16:11

1 Corinthians 15:50-53 gives us more information about believers being glorified. “We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.” This means that not all believers are going to physically die, but all believers will be changed, or glorified. Think about this, that all believers from all time will be glorified at the coming of Christ, those who have already died and are in heaven, and those who still remain on earth. This is what 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 is explaining, that “the dead in Christ (those who have already died) will rise first,” and then “we who are alive and remain (until the coming of the Lord) will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” This last verse is referring to the rapture, when Christians who are alive at the coming of Christ will be rapidly taken off this earth and then be glorified. This will happen “in a moment,” quickly, suddenly, instantly, and immediately after the sound of a trumpet and the sighting of Christ in the clouds.

In the world there’s lots of talk about victory, success, winning, and being first. But by far, your greatest success is your victory over death; and by death, I mean spiritual death and physical death. So what if you have problems, trials or sickness. So what if you get old and die. “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory, where is your sting?… Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Might you be super-excited! Might you be extremely happy in Christ, filled with His joy and peace, knowing that through Him, you are a winner, you are victorious, and you have a future and a hope!

What is the conclusion to this truth about the resurrection of Christ and our coming resurrection in Christ? How are we to live? “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your work in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). We are to love God, be filled with the Spirit, and do the work of Christ until we physically die and are taken to heaven, or until the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. “God will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:8

P.S.  There are a couple of articles that relate directly to this most important subject of the resurrection.  When you get time, I would encourage you to read them:  Heavenly Verses That Speak About Your Glorious Future!  Being in Heaven with Jesus, and the Believers, and in a New Glorified Body!

We Will See the Day of Christ Drawing Near

March 23, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #60 ~

Image result for forest with sunlight

If you are going to visit a friend or family member, you usually don’t surprise them – you let them know ahead of time that you’re coming to see them. God has done just that, for there are over 100 verses telling us about Christ’s return and the rapture of the church. But does God also give us a heads up, an advance notice or signs that Christ’s coming is getting closer and closer? Yes, He does. Now some Christians believe the rapture is imminent, that no signs or prophesied events need to occur before this important end-times’ event. They think the rapture could occur at any time, at any moment. But this is not true. Not only are there over 100  verses telling us Christ is coming back, but there are over 100 more verses describing what needs to happen before He comes back.

The most extensive list of signs and events taking place before the rapture is given in Matthew 24:3-30 (false christs, wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, apostasy, great tribulation… and the sign of Christ’s coming). It’s in Matthew 24:31 that we read about the rapture. In Matthew 24:35, Jesus confirms that these signs and events will occur before the rapture. “Truly I say to you, this generation (the generation being raptured) will not pass away until all these things take place.” “All these things” is referring to the signs and events Jesus just talked about in Matthew 24:3-30. There’s no question that Jesus wants that generation of believers alive in the end times to see and know that His return and the rapture of the church is getting closer.

1 Thessalonians 5:5 tells us, “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief.” Yes, it’s true that Jesus is coming as a thief in the night for the unbelievers, but not for the believers. This means Christians are not to be surprised or caught off guard by Christ’s return. In His Word, God is giving us advance notice about Christ’s return and the rapture of the church. Why does God do this? Because He wants us to be working hard for Him, to be preaching the gospel in the time leading up to His Son’s return (Luke 19:13, Matthew 24:14). Yes, we should always work hard for God, but He wants us to be highly motivated and diligent as we get closer to the end of the age. Why else does God want to alert us to the soon return of His Son? Because He wants our hearts to be overjoyed about seeing our loving Savior, to be excitedly expecting and looking for the return of our Lord and King. “You turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

Let me ask you a question: If Christ’s return is imminent, why would God give us all these signs and events that need to precede Christ’s coming? It doesn’t make sense for these end-time details to be in the New Testament if they are not relevant to the church. There are those who say all this information about upcoming signs and events is for unbelievers, or for the Jews, but that is not true. Matthew 24:15 says, “Let the reader understand”, and the “reader” is the Christian. God wants you and me, and other believers, to know what needs to occur before His Son appears in the skies above us. God has planned the return of Christ, promised the return of Christ, and predicted what will be taking place before the return of Christ. And He did this for us, for the Christians.

I know many will say, “Don’t you see that Christians are not here during Daniel’s 70th week, that this seven-year period is just for the Jews?” But that’s not true, that’s a false presupposition. Just because Daniel’s 70th week was originally written for Jews, doesn’t mean it’s not relevant for Christians. Revelation 12:11, 12:17, 13:7, 13:10 and 13:18 all have to do with Christians who are alive during the last half of Daniel’s 70th week. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-11 also tells us that Christians will be alive during this time. It talks about the rapture of the church occurring at the coming of Christ, which is after the coming of the Antichrist. Since the Antichrist is revealed at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:27), we know Christians are raptured sometime after the midpoint, after this 3½ year point in Daniel’s 70th week. Therefore, all raptured Christians will see, hear about, or experience these prophesied signs and events spoken of in Matthew 24 and other prophecy passages. Again we see that the rapture of the church is not imminent.

Hebrews 10:25 says, “… encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Christians will “see the day drawing near.” That is, we will know and discern by the events occurring in the world that the day, that is, the coming of Christ and the rapture of the church, is getting closer and closer. We don’t know the exact day or hour of the rapture, but we can know the season (Matthew 24:32-35). As we see and hear about these prophesied signs and events taking place, we will have a greater confidence that Christ’s return is near. Can you imagine how excited, how thrilled we will be, knowing that Jesus will be coming soon to take us to be with Him, and then take us home to heaven? “Behold, I am coming soon.” Revelation 22:20

P.S. As you know, I love charting out the prophetic future God has given us.  I recently added all my charts to this blog site so that you can look at them, study them and use them for your own ministry or church.  I really do believe these charts will greatly help you understand what the Bible says about the end times and the kingdom of God.  The charts are listed in two ways:  by number or by subject.

The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Teaching is False

March 16, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #59 ~

Through the years, I have talked to many people who believe Christians are raptured at the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week, before great tribulation – but they are in error. Not only is their thinking wrong, but they don’t see how believing this error will have a harmful effect on their own life, family and church. But why don’t people see that the Pre-tribulation rapture idea is wrong? Why don’t people understand the truth? It’s because they have not properly studied and understood Bible passages that speak about great tribulation and the rapture of the church. It may also be that they have been deceived and affected by false teaching on these subjects. “See to it that no one misleads you.” Matthew 24:4. “Let no one in any way deceive you.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3

In particular, they don’t understand what Daniel 9:24-27, Matthew 24:3-36, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10, and Revelation 6-17 say about Daniel’s 70th week, this most important seven-year time frame. Clearly they don’t know what end-time events take place during this period, where they fit, and when they will occur. 1 Chronicles 12:32
– They mistakenly believe tribulation and/or great tribulation lasts a full seven years, the entirety of Daniel’s 70th week. They don’t know what it means when the Bible says this tribulation time is cut short for the sake of the elect. Matthew 24:21-22
– They wrongly think the rapture takes place at the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week. But the Bible says it takes place at the coming of Christ, which occurs after the Antichrist is revealed, after the midpoint of this week, and therefore sometime during the last 3½ years of this seven-year period. No one but God knows the day or hour of Christ’s return. Matthew 24:15-36, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-9

They are in error when they think tribulation and great tribulation, spoken of in Matthew 24, are God’s wrath. The truth is that Christians will experience tribulation and great tribulation, but they won’t go through God’s wrath. Matthew 24:9, 21-22, 29; Revelation 7:14
– They wrongly state that the rapture is imminent, that it can happen at any moment. They don’t realize that many prophesied events need to occur before Christ’s return and the rapture of the church. Matthew 24:4-14, 25, 32-35. (I plan to address this next week.)
– They wrongly believe the “birth pains” described in Matthew 24:4-8 are part of the “Day of the Lord” wrath. They incorrectly think Christians will be raptured before these birth pain events – famines, wars, earthquakes and plagues. But these events only occur in “various places” around the world, and are to awaken and alert both believers and unbelievers about Christ’s coming and the “Day of the Lord” wrath. Revelation 6:1-17

They fail to understand the overall chronology, the order of end-time events repeatedly stated in prophecy passages. For example, they fail to see the flow of events in Matthew 24, that there are beginning birth pains (4-8), then great tribulation affecting Jews and Christians (9, 21), signs in the heavens (29), followed by the rapture at Christ’s coming (31), and finally, the Day of the Lord, God’s wrath upon the earth (Acts 2:19-20). Mark 13:14-27 tells us there’s tribulation, rapture and wrath. 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10 tells us there’s tribulation, rapture and wrath. And Revelation 6-9 tells us there’s tribulation, rapture and wrath. This is what the Bible says, and this is the way it will be.

There are other reasons why people, particularly in the United States, don’t believe we will go through great tribulation. This country has been greatly blessed, and in general, people are happy and satisfied with the way things are. Many people are worldly, complacent, and taking it easy (Amos 6:1-6, Luke 12:19, 1 John 2:15-17), and sadly, some Christians are like this. They don’t want to even think that life could get hard and there could be great tribulation. Many Christians can’t fathom that they, and their families and friends, could go through tough times. They don’t believe there will be great tribulation because they don’t want to believe it! Acts 14:22, Romans 8:35, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Revelation 7:14

It’s also true that many Christians in this country don’t know what it means to really suffer for the Lord. The U.S. has been a relatively peaceful country, blessed with freedom of speech and religion, and for the most part, freedom from persecution. The very thought of going through great tribulation is far from the minds of most people. Yet, when Jesus taught on prophecy, He almost always spoke on suffering. (Matthew 24:9, Mark 13:9-13, Luke 21:12-19, Revelation 6:9-11). The night before Jesus suffered and died, He instructed His disciples, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). Jesus goes on to say, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Finally, Paul encourages us, “Fix your hope completely on the grace to be given to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13

P.S. In times of tribulation or great tribulation, it is important to set your heart and affections on Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior and King.  I encourage you to read this article that speaks about this: Thinking of Jesus Christ.

Christians Will Go Through Great Tribulation

March 9, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #58 ~

My journey as a Christian takes me back to the early 1970’s, a time when there was a lot of talk about the rapture. It was being taught that the church would not go through great tribulation, for that was God’s wrath, and was reserved for the unbelievers. Fast forward to the early 1990’s and, for the first time, I began to really study end-times’ prophecy. I soon learned from God’s word that great tribulation is not God’s wrath.

Last week, I shared a number of verses illustrating how Christians go through tribulation. Paul summed it up by saying, “Through many tribulations you will enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). This word tribulation, from the Greek “thlipsis,” is also translated as distress, affliction, trouble or pressure. Therefore, we could say that great tribulation is great distress, great affliction, great trouble or great pressure. It’s not Biblical or logical to say a Christian goes through tribulation, but won’t go through great tribulation. Yes, a Christian is exempt from God’s wrath, but not from tribulation or great tribulation.

What does Matthew 24 say about this? Verse 9 says, “They will deliver you to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.” This is clearly referring to Christians being persecuted and martyred for their faith. Now the adjective “great” is not used in this verse to describe tribulation, but we have to admit that being hated and killed by all nations, is great tribulation. Therefore, we can conclude that the tribulation spoken of in verse 9, is actually great tribulation.

We read on and see that the focus of Matthew 24:9-14 is the Christian. Then we see that Matthew 24:15-26 is a parenthetical to verses 9-14, describing what is happening to the Jews during this time. First, there’s verse 15, speaking of the abomination of desolation, a desecration of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem, occurring at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week, and instigated by the Antichrist (Daniel 9:27, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-5). Then the Jews are instructed to head for the hills (verses 16-20), for that murdering Antichrist and his forces are going after them. The Antichrist’s pursuit and persecution of the Jews, and of the Christians, as we will soon see, is what Jesus calls great tribulation in verse 21.

We discover Revelation 12:16-17 saying the same thing, “The dragon (working with the Antichrist) was enraged with the woman (Jews), and went off to make war with the rest of her children (Christians) who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” This passage describes this devilish Antichrist chasing after the Jews, and making war with the Christians. Isn’t this what Matthew 24 said? Great tribulation starts out against Jews in Jerusalem, and then expands, being experienced by Christians all over the world. Great tribulation talked about in verses 15-21, leads to, and is directly related to great tribulation that is affecting the Christians, spoken of in verse 9.

Matthew 24:22 says this great tribulation is cut short for the sake of the elect. That is, only the elect are experiencing great tribulation. And who are the elect? They are the saved, and those who will be saved. The context of Matthew 24 makes it clear that great tribulation is what both Christians and Jews will experience. It’s critical to see this, that great tribulation is not the Day of the Lord wrath being poured out upon unbelievers. These are two separate events occurring at two different times. If Jesus meant great tribulation (Greek “thlipsis”) to be God’s wrath, then why didn’t He use the word wrath (Greek “orge” and “thumos”)? Because great tribulation isn’t God’s wrath, that’s why.

Where’s the rapture in Matthew 24? First we see it in verse 13, for those enduring to the end are believers who will be saved, that is, raptured. Then we see it in verse 31, for it says all believers, those on earth, and those already in heaven, will be gathered to Christ. Do you see that the rapture is spoken of in verses 13 and 31? Do you also see that the rapture occurs after great tribulation, spoken of in verses 9 and 21? This is exactly what Matthew 24:29-31 says, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened… the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky… and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to another.” Do you see what God says, that first there’s great tribulation and then the rapture? You can’t miss it, Christians will go through great tribulation, then be raptured into heaven, and rescued from wrath.

All believers go through tribulation, and some will even go through great tribulation in that time just before Christ’s return. Don’t be surprised, dismayed or worried, but consider it a high honor and privilege to serve the Lord and suffer for Him, “for you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example to follow in His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21, Mark 13:9-13, Luke 21:12-19, John 15:18-25

P.S. When we talk about the future and tough times that will be coming, we have to have hope. It is not an option – it is what God knows will strengthen and encourage you. A comprehensive article that I have written about hope will be of great benefit to you.

Christians Go Through Tribulation

March 2, 2018 /

By Steven J.  Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #57 ~

I know you may not want to hear this, but it’s the truth, all Christians go through tribulation. Some health-and-wealth false teachers may try to deny it, but you can’t deny what God has repeatedly told us in His word. And you can’t deny that a countless number of Christians have experienced tribulation throughout church history. How about your own life? Haven’t you gone through tribulation? Of course you have.

How is tribulation defined? It’s from the Greek word “thlipsis.” Vines Dictionary defines the verb form as “to suffer affliction, to be troubled, has reference to sufferings due to the pressure of circumstances, or the antagonism of persons.” Austin Precept says, “thlipsis pictures one being crushed by intense pressure, difficult circumstances, suffering or trouble pressing upon them from without. Thus persecution, affliction, distress, opposition or tribulations all press hard on one’s soul. Thlipsis does not refer to mild discomfort, but to great difficulty… most often used of outward difficulties…”  

What does God’s word say? The underlined words in the following verses are translated from the Greek word “thlipsis.” John 16:33 – “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation,…” Acts 11:19 – “… those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen…” Romans 5:3 – “… we exult in our tribulations.” Romans 8:35 – “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword?” 2 Corinthians 1:4 – “Blessed be God… who comforts us in all our affliction.” Ephesians 3:13 – “I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations…” Revelation 1:9 – “… your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and persecutions which are in Jesus…” Here are even more verses speaking about “thlipsis”: Matthew 24:9, 21; Mark 13:19; Acts 7:9-10; Romans 12:12; 1 Corinthians 7:28; Colossians 1:24; 1 Thessalonians 3:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:4, 6; Revelation 2:10, 7:14.

These verses make it very clear that believers experience “thilipsis”, this tribulation, persecution, affliction, this trouble, distress and pressure. Every Christian goes through tribulation, though some go through it more than others. The point I am making is that you shouldn’t be surprised by “thlipsis”, for it is a normal Christian experience. Paul said, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22). But why does God want you to go through it? Because it’s a means by which He works in your life, uses you for His purposes, and then blesses you forever. “For momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.” 2 Corinthians 4:17

What about great tribulation? Will some Christians go through this in the future? Yes. But many Christians say they won’t, that they will be raptured before great tribulation, particularly what is spoken of in Matthew 24:21-22. Let me explain why that’s not true.
1. There are many, many verses about Christians going through tribulation, and that includes great tribulation. You just can’t say great tribulation isn’t a part of tribulation. Your own experience tells you that sometimes life is hard, and sometimes life is extremely hard.
2. The English language tells us that great tribulation is tribulation, only greater. By definition, the only difference between great tribulation and tribulation is that great tribulation is greater, more intense, more severe than tribulation. You can’t say a Christian goes through tribulation, but does not or will not, go through great tribulation.
3. The Bible never says Christians are excused from great tribulation. We are exempt from God’s wrath, but not from tribulation or great tribulation. 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9
4. Many Christians say the great tribulation, spoken of in Matthew 24:21, is part of God’s wrath. But how can you have all these verses on tribulation referring to believers, and then get to Matthew 24:21 and redefine it as God’s wrath? You can’t do that. Great tribulation affecting believers, is separate and different from God’s wrath affecting unbelievers. For example, Revelation 6:9-11 is speaking about great tribulation and Revelation 8, 9, 16 is speaking about God’s wrath.
5. Matthew 24:9 says, “They will deliver you to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.” In this verse, who’s being killed and hated? It’s the Christians. This verse says future believers will be going through tribulation, and you could even say this is great tribulation because of its deadly severity and global scope.
6. The Bible tells us that great tribulation, initiated by the Antichrist, starts at the midpoint of the 70th week, and sometime after that, is when Christians are raptured. (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15-31). Therefore, Christians will go through great tribulation.

This subject is heavy on my heart, for I fear many Christians are ill-informed, mistaken, or in error, regarding the truth that believers will go through great tribulation before the return of Christ. I am warning you, great tribulation is coming, and so be ready, be serving, and be willing to suffer (Revelation 2:10). But remember 2 Thessalonians 1:7, that God will “give relief to you who are afflicted … when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven” – this relief from tribulation happening when Jesus Christ is revealed, and you are raptured and taken to be with Him.

P.S. I encourage you to read the article, A Biblical Perspective on the Trials of Life, for it will most definitely help you as you go through tribulation, understanding what God is doing in your life, being strengthened by His Spirit, and being encouraged by His grace.

P.P.S. The Charts tab was changed to be a drop down so that you can find the charts by number or by subject. This will make it much easier for you to find and look at all the charts on one particular prophecy subject.

© Steven J. Hogan and ChristsKingdom.org, 2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Steven J. Hogan and ChristsKingdom.org with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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