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Christ's Kingdom and the End Times

Category: Christ’s Coming (Page 8 of 10)

Blog posts about Christ’s coming.

What Needs to Happen Before Christ’s Return?

June 1, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #70 ~

Many “things” need to take place before Christ returns to rapture the church. Matthew 24:33-34 says, “When you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” Last week I described six of them: 1) Birth pains (wars, earthquakes, famines, economic distress) will be occurring all over the earth. 2) A one-world leader will be the desire of people from all over this planet. 3) The United States will fall from her #1 position, and then sooner or later, the Antichrist will begin ruling the world. 4) The technology needed by the Antichrist to control the world will be developed, and accepted by the masses. 5) The Jews will be hated by all the nations. 6) Lawlessness will increase significantly all over the world. But many more things need to happen before the coming of Christ:

7) Preaching the Gospel: There’s been considerable progress in reaching the world with the gospel, particularly in the past 200 years. But missiologists say there are many unreached people groups, many tribes and tongues that have not yet heard the gospel. I personally believe we have a ways to go in getting the gospel to all the nations. As for us, the end of this age is now in sight, and Christ is commanding us to be witnesses “to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8),  and to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15

8) Aligning the Nations: For the past 100 years, we have seen God sovereignly realigning the nations, redesigning the global map, so it’s in line with His plan for the end-times. I admit, this is a complex geography lesson that’s difficult for most Christians, including myself, to completely understand. But from Daniel 2:36-44, Daniel 7:1-8, 15-18, and Daniel 8, we know Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece and the Roman empire will be kingdoms on earth before Christ’s return. From Ezekiel 38, we read about Magog, Tubal, Meshech and Gomer, allied with Persia, Ethiopia and Put, all against Israel. Then Daniel 7:7-8, 23-27 tells us about Antichrist’s 10-nation empire being established. We also know there’s little or no mention of the United States, Britain, Russia and China, as major players in the end-times. Now I can’t predict when all this rearranging and realigning of nations will be completed, but as I look at what’s going on in the world, I am convinced that a lot more needs to happen before Christ’s return.

9) Wars: Along with the unspecified wars that are part of the birth pains, the prophesied wars of Psalm 46, Ezekiel 38 and Daniel 11:36-45 also need to occur before Christ’s return. From Daniel 7:7-8, we understand that the Antichrist will be conquering nations and consolidating his kingdom. And as you know, wars and nation-building don’t happen overnight. But you and I will be hearing about these wars in the coming years, knowing they are leading to the return of the King. “He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth… cease striving and know that I am God… I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:8-10

These nine conditions are general, indefinite and nonspecific. Nevertheless, they are given by God so you can know what’s going to happen, and when they are taking place, you will be encouraged, for you know Christ’s coming is getting closer. God really wants you to “see the day drawing nearer” (Hebrews 10:25), and to know that you will soon see your Savior.

More prophesied events still need to happen that are specific, distinct and definitive in nature, and will occur at a point in time or in a narrow time frame:
10. A peace treaty will be signed between the Jews and other nations. Daniel 9:27
11. The temple will be rebuilt, and the Jews will offer sacrifices. 2 Thessalonians 2:4-5
12. The Antichrist will be revealed, desecrating the temple in Jerusalem. Matthew 24:15
13. Two witnesses will be preaching the gospel to the Jews. Revelation 11:3-11
14. The mark of the beast will be given to an unbelieving world. Revelation 13:14-17
15. Great persecution will be directed against Jews and Christians. Matthew 24:9, 21
16. Warning signs will appear in the heavens at the end of this age. Revelation 6:12-17.
All these things will be occurring in the not-too-distant future, during Daniel’s 70th week.

We live in the stage called the “beginning of birth pains.” For many Christians, life isn’t very difficult at this time, but these early labor pains will turn into hard labor pains. When we see all these events taking place, we will have increasing hope, for we know Christ’s coming is just around the corner. This hope will help us get through the pain of great tribulation. Can you imagine actually being alive during the 70th week? Yes, it will be hard, but we’ll also be hopeful, for we know it will only be a few short years before we see our Savior coming in the clouds to take us to be with Him. Luke 21:27

Can God super-accelerate these end-time events so that, in a matter of 5 to 6 years, He could send His Son to earth to rapture us, and take us to heaven? Of course He can. But when I look at these 16 different things all needing to happen, I can’t help but think that we are still years away from the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. Whether it’s 10, 20, 30 years, or more, I don’t know, and no one knows, but God Himself. For now, let’s love our Lord, lay down our life and live for Him, and be looking for His return. “In a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay.” Hebrews 10:37

When is Christ Coming Back?

May 25, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #69 ~

I don’t know. You don’t know. “But of that day or hour no one knows… nor the Son, but the Father alone” (Matthew 24:36). Whereas God does not tell us the specific time of His Son’s return, He does say we can know the general time. “When you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door” (Matthew 24:34). In past posts, I have listed out “these things”, the signs, events and conditions that need to take place before Christ’s return. But in this post, I want to explain why I believe it will be many years before all “these things” come to pass, and then the church is raptured.

Birth pains: Matthew 24:5-8 tells us there will be false Christs, famines, earthquakes and wars occurring before Christ’s coming, and these are “the beginning of birth pains.” In referring to these birth pains, Luke 21:9 says, “the end does not follow immediately.” We are now “hearing” about these things happening in “various places” around the world, but they are only the beginning, for these signs will increase in intensity and frequency, and “then they will deliver you (Christians) to tribulation” (Matthew 24:9). It’s now 2018, and we need to know there’s still a ways to go before Christ’s return and the rapture.

Globalism: The trend in this world in the last 100 years has been towards regionalism and globalism, illustrated by different organizations, like the UN, NATO, EU, WTO and the IMF. This is all leading to that time when the people of this world will once again try to build a “tower of Babel” (Genesis 11). But now, there’s a strong current of nationalism, for many countries want to be more independent of others. For example, you see this in the United States, Great Britain and China. I believe this global landscape needs to change a whole lot more before countries subject their sovereignty to the Antichrist, before Revelation 13:4 comes true – “the whole earth was amazed and followed after the Beast.”

United States: The United States has to decline in power before the Antichrist and his kingdom can rule this world, and the way things look now, this could take some time. Without question, the United States is still the strongest nation in the world, and it doesn’t look like anyone will soon supplant her from her superior position. Barring a stock market collapse, a massive earthquake, a huge cyber or nuclear EMP attack, any of which could cause the U.S. to quickly collapse, I believe this country’s #1 position is secure for a while. It is Daniel 8:9-14, 9:26-27, 11:36-45 that explains why the Antichrist is from across the Atlantic, and not from the United States.

Increasing Sin: The moral condition of this world has declined rapidly in the past 50-60 years, but it needs to go downhill a lot more before the rapture of the church. In the time leading up to Christ’s coming, there will be rampant lawlessness, a corrupt culture, a sin-dominated society and the Antichrist, a “man of lawlessness,” ruling the world. There will be a clear polarization between believers and unbelievers, between a holy church and a wicked world, but we’re not there yet. Matthew 24:12, 2 Thessalonians 2:3

Global Anti-Semitism. Zechariah 12:3, in speaking about the Jews in the end times, says “all the nations of the earth will be gathered against her.” At this time, most countries in the world are strongly opposed to the Jews, demonstrated by their anti-Semitic votes in the United Nations. But the United States and other countries aligned with her, are still supporting the Jews. Before Christ can come back, this country and others will have to join with the rest of the world in their utter hate for the Jews. We are not there yet – it’s going to take more time before “Jerusalem (is) a heavy stone for all the peoples.” Zechariah 12:3

The Image and Mark of the Beast. The Antichrist will need to have the technology, a sophisticated global system in place to be able to spiritually, militarily, and economically rule the world, to be able to communicate with everyone in the world, demand people to worship his image, and force people to take his mark. In this information age, with computers, the internet, smart phones, and many means of surveillance, it’s obvious that we are getting closer to that time when the Antichrist will be able to control the world. But I believe we are still years away before one man (Antichrist) will be able to implement his one-world order, when people in the world will want him to rule, and accept his means to rule over them. Revelation 13:14-17

Put all these together, birth pains, growing globalism, decline of the U.S., increasing sin and anti-Semitism, technology for one-world rule. Add in the need for more wars, further realignment of nations, global gospel preaching, a peace treaty, a temple in Jerusalem, and great persecution, and you can see how it could take many years before the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. I plan to share much more on this next week.

We are now at that stage, “the beginning of birth pains,” and as Luke 21:9 says, “the end does not follow immediately.” A lot more must happen before Christ comes back. In the years ahead, “those who have insight” (Daniel 11:33) will see prophecy being fulfilled, and therefore “see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25), and they are to instruct and strengthen other Christians. Always remember and be encouraged by Jesus’ last words in the Bible, “Behold, I am coming soon.” Revelation 22:20

P.S. I want to encourage you to read (or read again) this post, Does Anybody Know What Time It Is? It relates directly to this post, and really helps you understand more about the timing of Christ’s return.

Reflections on the Timing of Christ’s Return

May 18, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #68 ~

I think a lot about the timing of Christ’s return. Why shouldn’t I, and why shouldn’t you? Look at what the Bible tells us. Mark 13:23 says, “But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance,” meaning that God has told you and I specific things that will take place before His Son’s return, and wants us to be anticipating them. Matthew 24:34 instructs us, “This generation will not pass away until all these things take place,” meaning that a very large number of people living in the end-times will be observing all these events predicting Christ’s coming. Hebrews 10:25 says we are to be “…encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near,” meaning that Christians alive in the years leading up to Christ’s coming, will be able to see, to sense and discern, that the day of Christ and the rapture are getting closer, and are to tell others.

1 Thessalonians 5:4 says, “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief,” meaning that Christians on this earth are not to be caught off guard and surprised by Christ’s coming and the rapture, but they are to be expecting it and looking forward to it. Romans 13:11 warned the first century believers, “Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed,” meaning that salvation, that is, glorification, was near, was not far off back then, and how much more so is it today, 2000 years later?

Luke 2:38 is describing godly first century believers when it speaks of “all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Aren’t they to be examples to us of how we are to be looking for Christ’s coming? Yes, yes they are. 1 Chronicles 12:32 speaks of the “men of Issachar who understood the times, and knew what Israel should do.” Their example is also instructive, for as we realize God’s prophetic word is coming true, then we should be telling others how they are to live in light of Christ’s return.

These verses fire up my heart, for God has ordained and planned that you and I would be alive at this time in history, in the end-times, and it won’t be long now before the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. It is very, very near, for God is working with the Jews, prophesied events are coming true, we can see the day of Christ getting closer; and we are not to be surprised. Let me make some other observations about the timing of Christ’s coming.

1. The rapture is not imminent, meaning it cannot happen at any moment, at any time, for many God-predicted signs still need to happen before it takes place, and we’re taken up.
2. No one but God knows the exact time of Christ’s return, but we can know the general time. As we see these predicted events fulfilled, our hearts will be instructed and greatly stirred, for then we will realize that Christ’s coming is getting closer, and that we will soon see Him face to face.
3. God is working every day, divinely ordaining, powerfully orchestrating, and wisely overseeing people’s lives, bringing about all these events that need to occur, leading to that specific and climactic time when He sends Jesus Christ back to earth.
4. Many prophecy passages speak of these events, Matthew 24 being the best, for it tells us 20 different things that will take place before the rapture. Here are some of them: wars, earthquakes, famines, great tribulation, persecution, increasing sin, preaching the gospel to the world, betrayal, the Antichrist revealed, cosmic signs, etc.
5. Since the Jews are back in their land, then we know we live in the end-times, and therefore Christ’s coming is very, very soon. You may have recently heard that Jerusalem became the official capital of Israel. This may be a key event leading to the treaty between the Antichrist and the Jews (Daniel 9:27), another indication that Christ’s return is at hand.
6. Christ is coming soon, and that’s because He says so: “Behold, I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:7). But the fact that this age has been going on for thousands of years, and the fact that we now live in the end-times of this age means He is coming very, very soon. An NFL football game lasts for 60 minutes, but we know it’s about over when the two-minute warning sounds. That we live in the end-times is our two-minute warning.
7. I also believe Christ’s coming is still many years away, even though we know it’s very, very soon. The reason I say many years, is because I think it’s going to take some time for the events mentioned in point 4 to come to pass. I will explain this in more detail next week.

Let me close by giving you a personal perspective. In the early ‘70’s, about 45 years ago, I and many other Christians were convinced that Christ would come back in our lifetimes. But after studying the subject of prophecy for the past 25 years, and knowing all that still needs to be fulfilled, I just don’t believe I will be here on earth at Christ’s coming and the rapture. (I am 65). I sure wish I were here, but I can’t see it. Regardless of our age, let’s remember these words, “For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay” (Hebrews 10:37). “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20

P.S. I added a drop down menu for Archives, the purpose being to enable you to locate past posts by subject. Check this out, for it will greatly help you in your study of particular prophecy subjects.

 

An Overview of Your Christian Life

May 11, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #67 ~

No photo description available.No photo description available.Image may contain: 1 personImage may contain: 1 personIt’s so easy to get bogged down in the details of life. There are places to go and people to see. There are things, both big and small, and important too, that demand your attention, that you need to tend to. There are issues relating to jobs, children, parents, houses, yards, finances, health, church, etc. And yes, you need to be faithful in all these things, for this is what God instructs you to do. But God also wants you to keep in mind the big picture, to have perspective, to see the end from the beginning, to know where you are and where you are going. In the past two posts, we have looked at God’s overall plan for this age, the next age and the age after that. Today, I want to look at some verses that give you an overview of God’s plan for your life.

Psalm 23:6 – “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Your life is made up of two main parts. There’s your time on earth, when you’re walking with the Lord, and are personally experiencing His amazing goodness and love. After this life, you will live forever with the Lord, experiencing much, much more of His goodness and love, and His incredible glory.

Romans 8:30 – “And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.” Four words summarize your salvation. First, we go back to eternity past and see that God predestined you to be saved. Second, there’s the time when you were called, when God worked in your heart, leading up to your salvation. Third, you were justified, you were born again and saved, becoming a child of God. Fourth and finally, you will be glorified, perfected in every way, referring to that time in the future when your salvation will be fully completed.

1 Corinthians 1:30 – “By His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness, sanctification and redemption.” With three important words, this one verse describes your Christian life. Righteousness refers to when you were born again and made righteous in God’s eyes. Sanctification describes your present life on earth, as you grow in holiness and live for the Lord. Redemption speaks of the future, that time when Christ returns, and those living on earth will be redeemed, delivered from their old body and glorified, and taken up to be with the Lord Jesus.

Philippians 1:6 – “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” God gives two key words describing your salvation, “began” and “perfect”. God “began” a good work in you, meaning there was a specific moment in the past when He saved you, starting His gracious and eternal work in you. In the future, on the day of Christ Jesus, at the time of the rapture, your life will be “perfect”, for your salvation will have been completed, for you will be glorified.

Colossians 3:3-4 – “You have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with Him in glory.” Again, we get God’s perspective, for we see His overall plan for your life. The phrase, “you have died”, refers to being justified, for you were crucified with Christ, and saved from your old life. “Your life is hidden with Christ”, talks of your present sanctification, for it’s not about you, but about Christ living in and through you. Then “Christ… is revealed,” speaking of Christ’s return and the rapture of the church, that time when all believers will be glorified. Finally, we see that we will “be revealed with Him in glory,” meaning that we will visibly reign with Jesus Christ during His glorious millennial kingdom.

What can we conclude from these verses?
1. They focus on the big picture, the totality of your salvation, your justification, sanctification, glorification, and your reign with Jesus Christ on earth. Revelation 1:4-6
2. They don’t speak about physical death because that’s no longer a problem, for now you have life, eternal life. Regardless of what happens during your time on earth, it is guaranteed that you will be glorified and forever be with Christ in glory. Romans 8:28-30
3. A great number of believers won’t physically die before the rapture. For these people, God’s plans for their lives (justification, sanctification and glorification) are converging and coinciding with God’s plans for the end-times, the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. Revelation 6-7
4. Those who die before the rapture will go straight to heaven. But they won’t be there long, for this age is soon coming to an end, and then, with all the believers still on earth, they will be glorified. Shortly after that, the kingdom age will begin on earth. Psalm 47
5. Your salvation is an incredible and wonderful work of God. You can be most assured that God will fully finish His work in you, and that soon you will be with Jesus, glorified, in heaven, and with all the other believers. Philippians 3:20-21
6. Having this big picture perspective of your life gives you hope, encouraging you, and helping you to persevere to the end of your life, or the end of this age. “Fix your hope completely on the grace to be given to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:3-13

P.S. “Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12). As Christians, we need to live for the Lord in light of the great future our Father has given us. This article talks about our amazing and glorious future:  Being in Heaven with Jesus, and the Believers, and in a New Glorified Body.

The Big Picture: The Present Age and the Ages to Come

May 4, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #66 ~

There’s no doubt that God wants us to see the big picture, to know His overall purpose when it comes to the future of the world, to the end-times and the rapture, and to the next age, and the age after that. In the past three years, God has been opening up my eyes to many passages that give us this perspective, this mountaintop view of what God has in store for the Jews, the church, and for our own personal lives. It’s imperative that we see what God is now doing in the world, and realize that we are an important part of His perfect plans. The passage that best gives this big picture perspective is 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, for in these few verses God speaks about this age, and the two ages to come.

It was about 2000 years ago, during this present age, that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, becoming the first person to ever receive a new, glorified body. But when will believers be made alive, when will our salvation be complete, when will we be glorified? Verses 22-23 tell us, “As in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in His own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming.” This clearly says it’s at Christ’s 2nd coming, at the time of the rapture, that all believers from all time, will be resurrected. And the fact that the Jews are back in their land means we now live in the end-times, in the very last part of this age, and so it won’t be long before Christ’s return, and our salvation will be complete and we will be glorified.

Then what? Verses 24-28 tell us about the next two ages. First, there’s the kingdom age, when Christ will be King and reign for 1000 years (Revelation 20:6). This will be a most magnificent age, for Christ will be ruling with a rod of iron, abolishing all other rule and authority. “The Lord Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth… that Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations” (Psalm 47:2, 67:2). During this good age, all those glorified at Christ’s coming, along with a great multitude of Jewish believers, will be reigning with Him. Christ will perfectly rule over an imperfect and repopulated world. All people on earth will submit to Him, or else there will be just and immediate consequences. “Every knee will bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10-11

As you know, we now live in an evil age, on an earth controlled by the devil, in a world filled with wickedness and corruption. That’s why I truly long for the next age, this extra-long period of time when Christ is powerfully leading and wonderfully blessing, when many are getting saved, when there’s quick and perfect justice, and when there’s finally world peace. But there will still be death. Verses 25-26 say, “He (Christ) must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” Revelation 20:7-10 describes the last battle against Satan and sinners on earth, one that takes place at the very end of this 1000-year kingdom age. “Fire came down from heaven and devoured them.” Finally, both the devil and death will be totally and forever defeated. “The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire… death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:13-14). Can you imagine being with all the other angels and saints, as we are joyfully shouting and celebrating the resounding and glorious victory of Jesus Christ over death and the devil? Hallelujah!!!

“Then comes the end” of this 1000 years, “when He (Christ) hands over the kingdom to God the Father.” The transition, from this kingdom age to the next age, is beautifully described in 1 Corinthians 15:24, 27-28. Picture this divine and loving scene between the Father and Son, “when all things are subjected to Christ, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, that God may be all in all.”

That brings us to the next age, the final era, the eternal kingdom age. Revelation 21:1 says, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.” Our relationship with God in our new home is described in verse 3, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people and God Himself will be among them.” In verse 5, God joyfully tells us, “Behold, I am making all things new.” My soul is humbled and touched as I think of the great love God has for us, that we will be with Him and one another, forever and ever. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

I am so thankful God has chosen me to live for Him during the last years of this age. I am greatly motivated by the fact that now is my time to serve my Savior. “We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” There’s only a few years left, and our life on earth will be over and we will wonderfully and quickly leave this earth. Remember our hope, that God “raised us up with Christ, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:5-10). Do you see it? There’s this age, and two more ages to come, the millennial kingdom and then the eternal kingdom.

P.S. – Here is a message that I gave this past Sunday to our church, which I know many found very helpful:  Encouraging the Discouraged.

P.P.S. As you know, there are many charts on this blog site, and these are specifically designed to help you see the big picture. One article in particular, Charting the Future with Prophecy Charts, has been written to help you see the importance of these charts, and how they will help you more clearly see the big picture perspective God wants you to have.

The Immediate and Incredible Results of the Rapture!

April 20, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #64 ~

Just think, there will be an enormous number of people living in the end times who won’t ever get married, won’t ever have children, won’t ever live to the age of 40, won’t ever get old, won’t ever retire, or won’t ever physically die. That’s because Jesus Christ will return to this world and bring this present age to an end, suddenly interrupting and stopping the plans and “normal” activities of billions of people living on this earth.

The first thing to take place at Christ’s return is the rapture of the church. At that time, all Christians will be physically and forcefully removed from the earth, and be immediately taken to be with Christ. The rapture of the church will be one of the most climactic and dramatic events ever, a major turning point in the history of our world. For those of us on earth at Christ’s coming, it will be the most life-altering, body-changing, soul-exciting and God-glorifying event we will ever experience. Why can we say that?

The word rapture, from the Greek “harpazo”, refers to what physically happens to Christians living on earth at the return of Christ, but so much more will be taking place:
– When Christ returns you will get immediate relief from the great tribulation and persecution you are going through. 2 Thessalonians 1:4-7
– When Christ returns you will be rescued from God’s punishing wrath, the devastating and deserved judgment of God to be poured out upon unbelievers. 1 Thessalonians 1:10
– When Christ returns you will finally rest from your work, from the blood, sweat and tears of living, laboring and lovingly sacrificing your life for the Lord. Revelation 14:13
– When Christ returns, your soul will be redeemed, quickly and safely delivered from this wicked world, and from your corrupt and sin prone body. Ephesians 1:14
– When Christ returns, you will perfectly and forever be glorified, for you will receive a brand new, powerful, immortal and spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
– When Christ returns, all believers from all time will be gathered together to Himself. How glorious this will be, for you will be joined with a great multitude of believers, and be shouting, celebrating and worshiping the Lord. Matthew 24:31
– When Christ returns, you will be joyfully reunited with loved ones and friends who have already died and gone on to heaven before you. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
– When Christ returns, you will be greatly rejoicing, pouring out praises to God for your salvation, for His gracious, infinite and eternal love for you. Revelation 7:9-10
– When Christ returns, you will be richly rewarded for your earthly service for God, for you will be given an imperishable and undefiled inheritance that you will have and enjoy forever and ever. 2 Timothy 4:8
– When Christ returns, you will be with Him! Can you imagine actually seeing and being with Jesus, your Lord, Savior and best Friend? How wonderful and exhilarating to finally see Him, “and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17, John 14:1-3

Raptured, relieved, rescued, resting, redeemed, glorified, gathered, reunited, rejoicing, rewarded, and with Jesus!! This is God’s promise and guarantee to you, what’s definitely going to happen when Christ returns. This is what God wants you to get excited about, to be looking forward to, and to be telling others. But the rapture, and all that goes with it, is just the very beginning. Right after the rapture, there’s the righteous wrath of God on earth, the salvation of some Jews, and Christ’s return to planet earth. Then begins the next age, a good age, a glorious 1000-year kingdom age when Christ will be personally ruling over the world, and you and I, with all the other glorified believers, will have the great honor and privilege of reigning with Him. Psalm 47; Revelation 5:10, 20:4

We now live in an evil age, a time when “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). But the evil one is like a dog on a leash, for he is reined in by God, the One who is sovereign over the devil and the entire world. Now in these last years of the end times, God is on the move, and every single day He is working with every single person, strategically and faithfully carrying out His eternal plan to bring His Son back to this earth. Don’t be sleeping or sinning. Be awake and alert, loving and trusting God, serving Him, making disciples, and waiting for your Savior. I hope you realize that Jesus is really looking forward to seeing you. Are you looking forward to seeing Him? The truth is that you will soon see Jesus – either you will physically die and see Him in heaven, or you will be alive on earth when He returns, and see Him triumphantly coming in the clouds.

“The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Job 19:25-27

P.S. For a more in depth look at the rapture I encourage you to read this article: 50 Truths God Wants You to Know About the Rapture.

P.P.S. You may have heard about someone predicting that Christ is coming back on April 23, 2018.  That is not true!!!  Please check out a previous post which clearly explains why this, and any date-setting teaching  on the rapture, is false.

What is the Main Message of Matthew 24?

April 6, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #62 ~

THE COMING OF CHRIST! Matthew 24 is about Christ’s 2nd coming and events leading up to it. The disciples had privately asked Jesus, “What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (verse 3). Jesus went on to give them a detailed answer. He wanted them to know what would be taking place before His return, but more importantly, He wants those of us living in these end-times’ days to know what to be looking for.

Jesus first spoke about birth pains affecting both believers and unbelievers (verses 4-8). These birth pains are false Christs, wars, rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes now occurring in various places all over this planet. At this time, in 2018, our world is in the beginning birth pain stage, which means it’s “not yet the end” of the age. Therefore, Christ’s coming and the rapture of the church is not imminent. Revelation 6:1-8

Then Jesus spoke about events relating to and affecting Christians living in the end times (verses 9-14). All over the world, Christians will be experiencing great tribulation; so-called Christians will be turning away from the true faith (apostasy), and then betray believers; many false prophets will lead people astray; widespread lawlessness will bring sorrow to our souls; by God’s grace, many Christians will endure to the end of the age and be physically saved, that is, raptured into heaven; the gospel will be preached to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus describes what will be affecting the Jews in Israel during this time, this 2nd half of Daniel’s 70th week (verses 15-28, Daniel 9:27). He tells us about the “abomination of desolation”, which is when the Antichrist “takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4). There’s great tribulation directed by the Antichrist against the Jews, and then against the Christians around the world. Revelation 12:17 also speaks about this: “the dragon (devil) 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.” These will be very difficult and distressing days, for many people will die – “wherever the corpse is…”

Then there’s some very good news (verses 29-31), for this tribulation affecting both Jews and Christians will be cut short. “The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.” These heavenly signs will mark the end to this tribulation and this evil age. At the perfect time, Jesus our Savior, will suddenly and wonderfully appear in the skies above us. “As the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be… the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.” Christ will gather together all God’s children to Himself, those who have already died, and are now in heaven, and those still living on earth. “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 the other.” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

Then Jesus tells us about the timing of His coming (verses 32-36). He says “when you see all these things” talked about in this chapter, then you will know that His return, the rapture and our redemption, is near. That is, we are to know the general time of His coming. But we will not know the specific time, for Jesus goes on to say, “Of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Hebrews 10:25 – “Encouraging one another… as you see the day drawing near.”

Jesus also wants us to know about the unbelievers (Verses 37-41). This is so sad, and sobering, for the unsaved living on earth in these days will be oblivious to what will be taking place. “The coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah… they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage.” They will be mocking Christians, saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? (2 Peter 3:4)”. They will be ignorant of the fact that “the Judge is standing right at the door (James 5:9),” that God’s devastating wrath will soon be poured out upon the earth. But when the skies go dark, they will know “the great day of their wrath has come… (Revelation 6:12-17)”. At the coming of Christ, “one will be taken (Christians), and one will be left (non-Christians).”

Jesus has some final words for Christians (verses 42-51). “Be on the alert… you also must be ready… who then is the faithful and sensible slave?” His instruction to us is crystal clear – be working and waiting for Christ. “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

I am so thankful that Jesus, our Lord, Teacher and Friend, has told us ahead of time about His coming. “Behold, I have told you in advance (Matthew 24:25).” There’s no doubt that we need to read this most important prophecy chapter, Matthew 24, so we can know what to expect before Christ’s coming and the rapture of the church. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” Matthew 24:35

P.S.  An article that will be helpful to read that goes along with this post is: Matthew 24 – The Most Important Prophecy Chapter in the Bible.

The Rapture Occurs at the Coming of Christ

February 23, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #56 ~

The next greatest event in this world is soon to take place. It’s the rapture of the church, when Jesus Christ suddenly and rapidly takes the believers living on earth and brings them to Himself, and to heaven. But when is the rapture? As I’ve said, God doesn’t tell us the exact time, but He does tell us the general time (Matthew 24:32-36). To really understand God’s timing, you need to see that the rapture occurs at the coming of Christ. Now some Christians believe it happens before His coming, but that’s just not true. Here are four prophecy passages making it very clear that the rapture occurs at Christ’s coming:

1) 1 Thessalonians 4:15 says, “We who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord.” The phrase “We who are alive and remain” speaks of the Christians alive on earth at the end of this age, and it says they will remain “until the coming of the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17 contains the same exact phrase, “we who are alive and remain,” that we saw in verse 15, but goes on to say that those who remain “will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” Putting verses 15 and 17 together, we see that those who remain until the coming of the Lord (15) will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (17), and are those who are raptured. It is at Christ’s coming that the church is raptured and is, in fact, the first event to occur at His coming.

2) 2 Thessalonian 2:1 says, “With regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him…” The subject is the coming of Christ and believers being gathered to Him at that time. “Being gathered to Him” is referring to the rapture of the church. What else would it be? This further establishes and confirms what we saw in 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17, that the rapture takes place at the coming of Christ.

3) 1 John 2:28 tells us, “abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” A few verses later, 1 John 3:2, referring back to 1 John 2:28, says, “When He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He is.” When we put these verses together, we learn that we will see Christ at His appearing and His coming, and then we will be like Him, that is, be glorified. Since we are glorified at the rapture (1 Corinthians 15:21-23, 51-52), then we must conclude that the church is raptured at the appearing and coming of Jesus Christ.

4) Matthew 24 focuses on Christ’s coming, and is mentioned in verses 3, 27, 37, and 39. This great prophecy chapter says the rapture takes place at the coming of Christ. Let me explain. The coming of Christ is described in verse 27, “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Verse 30 further describes His coming, “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.” Then verse 31 actually describes the rapture, “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.” There’s no question, no disputing the fact, that the gathering of the believers, which includes the rapture, must take place at the coming of Christ.

We have answered the “when” question by saying that the rapture occurs at the coming of Christ. But where, in the sequence of events described in Matthew 24, does the rapture take place? As I said, Matthew 24 speaks about the rapture of the church in verse 31. This means the rapture is after great tribulation (verses 9, 21), after the apostasy (verse 10), after the gospel is preached to all the nations (verse 14), after the Antichrist desolates the temple (verse 15), and after the signs in the skies (verse 29). Since the Antichrist is revealed at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:27), we know the rapture takes place sometime after the midpoint of the 70th week.

2 Thessalonians 2:8-9 also gives us insight as to the chronology of end-time events. “That lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay by the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming.” This clearly states that the coming of Christ is after the revealing and coming of the Antichrist. Therefore, the rapture of the church, which occurs at Christ’s coming, takes place after the Antichrist is revealed, sometime during the last half of Daniel’s 70th week.

Why I am going into all this detail about the timing of the rapture? Because God repeatedly tells us about it in His Word, and therefore, it must be very important to know. The truth is, Christians will be alive on earth during the rule of the Antichrist, and during great tribulation. God doesn’t want there to be any confusion, questions, doubts or errors about this. He doesn’t want you to be surprised by His Son’s coming, but to be working hard for Him, and ready and waiting to see Him. “May the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit, soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

P.S.  If you have not yet read the article I wrote which goes along with this post, I encourage you to do so: Matthew 24: The Most Important Prophecy Chapter in the Bible.

The Timing of the Rapture

February 16, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #55 ~

When is the rapture going to take place? I don’t know. In fact, no man knows. No one but God knows the exact time of the rapture, when His Son will return to earth to gather all the believers to Himself, and then take them home to heaven. But we can know the timing of the rapture, and particularly where it occurs in relationship to the 70 Weeks of Daniel, a 7-year prophecy packed timetable. Knowing what God says about the 70th week is the key to discerning the timing of the rapture. “Give me understanding…” Psalm 119:169

Let me remind you that we live in the end times, that time period leading up to the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. Right now, we are in the “beginning of birth pains” stage, but sometime in the near future Daniel’s 70th week is going to start. It is Daniel 9:24-27 that states some of the main events, some definitive markers in this divine time frame. The first event taking place is the signing or confirming of a peace treaty between Israel and other countries. Then 3½ years later, at the midpoint of this 70th week, the Antichrist is revealed. Finally, at the very end of these 7 momentous years, a great remnant of Jews will be saved. Now don’t forget the key years, 0, 3½ and 7, and the main event associated with each year. “Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people… to make an end of sin… to bring in everlasting righteousness.” Daniel 9:24

Again, we can’t know the exact time of the rapture, but we can know the general time, where the rapture is at in relationship to the three events I just mentioned. And so when is the rapture? It’s after the midpoint, the 3½ year mark of Daniel’s 70th week, and before the end of this week, the 7 year mark. That’s it – the rapture of the church occurs at an unknown time to us, sometime during the 2nd half of Daniel’s 70th week.

Let me explain. First, we know that the Antichrist is revealed at the midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week, at which time he desecrates the temple in Jerusalem (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15). Then he unleashes this great tribulation which is directed at both Jews and Christians (Matthew 24:9, 21). But after a little while, this tribulation is cut short by God (verse 22), marked by these great signs in the skies (verse 29). Immediately after that, Christ comes in the clouds to rapture the Christians (verse 31).

Let me say it again. After the Antichrist is revealed at the midpoint of the 70th week, he begins great tribulation, but it is cut short (meaning it doesn’t last the entire 3½ years), and then the church is raptured. Since the salvation of the Jews takes place at the very end of Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:24), then we know the rapture happens sometime during the last 3½ years. Matthew 24:9-31 lays out the order of events in the 2nd half of Daniel’s 70th week, and therefore, the timing of the rapture. First, there’s the revealing of the Antichrist (verse 15), then great tribulation (verse 21), then signs in the heavens (verse 29), and then the rapture (verse 31). “He (Jesus) 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.”

What about God’s wrath? It’s after the rapture. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 says, “Jesus… rescues us from the wrath to come.” The rapture, believers being taken off this earth, is the means by which we are rescued from God’s wrath. The rapture of the church then is after the tribulation of the Antichrist but before the wrath of God. It is after the persecution of the church but before the punishment of the unbelievers. Therefore, the rapture of the church is post-tribulation and pre-wrath. Thanks be to God that, for a little while, we can suffer great tribulation for Him – but Hallelujah, for then we will be delivered from His great wrath on earth and from His eternal wrath in hell. “Momentary, light tribulation is producing for us an eternal weight of glory.” 2 Corinthians 4:17

God clearly tells us the timing of the rapture in Matthew 24, but also in Mark 13, Luke 21, 2 Thessalonians 1-2, and Revelation 6-7. He repeatedly tells us that the rapture takes place sometime in the last 3½ years of Daniel’s 70th week, and that’s because He wants us to know where it fits, because it’s important to know this, and because He will be wanting us to see that it’s getting closer and closer. “… but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day (rapture) drawing nearer.” Hebrews 10:25

God greatly loves us, and wants us to greatly love Him. He wants us to be excitedly serving Him in these days, to be willing to suffer for Him, and to be enduring to the end of the age. In Matthew 24:9, 13, Jesus tells us, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation and will kill you… but the one who endures to the end will be saved (raptured).” Jesus encourages us, “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

P.S. One of the most important things for your life is knowing the love of God. I strongly encourage you to read the article that I just finished, “Keep Yourself in the Love of God.”  I would also suggest reading my article on the “The Rapture of the Church.” It gives you much greater detail about the rapture.

Super Events Are Coming Soon!

February 2, 2018 /

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #53 ~ 

You know what’s happening this Sunday, right? The Super Bowl will be taking place, the biggest sports event of the year, the most watched show on TV, and with all those expensive ads. Where am I going with this prophecy post? Simply this, that the next, the best, the biggest, the greatest, most dramatic, earth-shaking, life-changing event in this world, is the return of the King, the appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! It’s infinitely more important than the Super Bowl! “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:27

For some people, life is sports – there’s the Super Bowl, March Madness, the Masters, the Stanley Cup, the NBA finals, the World Cup, the World Series, and so on. For other people, life is food, music, movies, clothes, work, school, politics, children, relationships, or something else. I’m not saying these can’t or shouldn’t be a part of your life. What I’m saying is that, whether you are a Christian or not, you need to know that true life is Christ. Real love, joy, peace, hope, purpose, meaning, and relationships, can only be realized through Jesus Christ. Everything, in and of itself, apart from Him, is empty. Not only that, but everything connected to the world and the flesh is coming to a sudden and shocking end. That’s because Jesus Christ, the Lord, Judge and King, is returning to earth, and He will be completely in charge and will change everything.

We’re talking about the Son of God returning to rescue the church, judge the earth, and rule the world. We’re talking about the rapture, the wrath and the reign. These supercharged, supernatural, super-exciting, super-relevant events will soon be taking place. Sad to say, the majority of people don’t know much, if anything, about these things. I am concerned that they live in their own little world, with no clue as to what will be occurring on this earth. But might you know what God clearly tells us in the Bible, in His word, and realize what is happening in the world around us, that we are living on a sin-sick planet, and that this age, as we know it, is coming to an end.

What’s now taking place in this world and leading up to Christ’s return is not understood by most people. They are working at their jobs, going to school, going out to eat, going to movies, going to parties, buying things, playing games, watching TV, etc.; and they are oblivious to the fact that the Bible is coming true right before their eyes. They need to know what, and who, is coming! The truth is that Jesus Christ is coming back to earth, and this is a major subject in the Bible, for God has told us in great detail about the end-times and the return of His Son to earth.

After the end of this age, there will be the greatest transfer of power ever seen on this planet – from that evil devil to Christ the King. The Lord of lords and the King of kings is coming back, not to visit, but to stay, and to take over the world. “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15). Jesus Christ will begin a brand new age, radically and wonderfully changing the way things are done. Finally, there will be true justice and world peace, and everyone will give glory to God. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men.” Luke 2:14

This is very good news, for this earth, as you know, is a mess. There are many sinful people living in this devil-controlled world, and therefore, all kinds of problems. And only Jesus Christ can solve these problems and make things right. Only He has the authority, the power and the wisdom to do this, and He will. You wait and see. But don’t just wait and see. If you have not yet gotten right with God, then you need to know why Christ came to this earth the first time. Do you realize He lived a perfect life and then suffered and died, being punished for peoples’ sins so they wouldn’t have to be punished forever in hell? Christ died on the cross and then rose from the dead to save the souls of sinners. “Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18).

Don’t wait until it’s too late. You don’t want to be surprised and be left behind. Repent of your sins and believe Jesus died for you, so you can be forgiven of your sins and get right with God, so you can live for God on this earth, and then have a glorious future in heaven. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

If you do know Christ, then live for Christ. Love Him and not the world. Serve Him and not yourself. Look forward to His return and the rapture of the church. And tell others why Christ came the first time and that He’s coming a second time, and it won’t be long from now. “Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” Hebrews 9:27-28

P.S. Here is a helpful and instructive article I’ve just written about how God wants us to live in these days: What Does God Want Me to Do in the End Times?

P.P.S. If you have not yet had a chance to read my article on the rapture, I would encourage you to do so: 50 Truths God Wants You to Know About the Rapture.

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