The Wonder of the End

The often speaks of the end times. One in 27 verses in deals with the end times and 23 out of 27 books in the NT talks about it. In the , there are 1,845 references to , where 17 books give it prominence. For every in the Bible concerning Christ first coming, there are 8 which look forward to His second coming! You will be surprised to find out that the Second Coming is the most prophesied event in the entire Bible. What will happen at the end?

Time of Tribulation In :21-22 said “…there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. 22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” The described this of tribulation as a “time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then…” (12:1). It will be seven years pure tribulation. will go on a rampage with fury because his time will be short ( 13:5). Read the signs of the times The bible is very clear that no one knows the day or hour when Jesus is coming back. But we are told there are sign we should look for. Paul “Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of has come. 3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction” (:1-3). There are four signs we need to give attention. Sign of deception The first thing we find is that before the coming of the Lord, there will be a great falling away. He calls it “apostasy”. Jesus mentioned the same thing would take place when he warned us to “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I [Jesus] am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:4-5). This worldwide deception will lead to persecution of Christians. Even today, approximately four of five people persecuted for their religious beliefs are Christians. Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world and it's accelerating at a rapid rate. Today, 1 in 9 Christians suffer high persecution. In the top 50 persecuting countries 1,266 churches were attacked in 2018. Places like Vietnam, Myanmar, China and North Korea all saw increases in stricter state control of religious rights. Iraq they had fallen from 1.5 million Christians before 2003 to less than 120,000 today. What's is at the core of their fallen away? Delusion takes over the world to confirm what was in their hearts. What was in their hearts? II Thessalonians 2:10 says they didn't "LOVE THE TRUTH" It literally reads "did not welcome the truth". Who then will overcome? Those who love more than life. We will see the rise of the before the coming of the Lord. He is described as “the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of , with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.” (II Thessalonians 2:9-11). Those who follow and pledge alliance to will bear of the number 666”. In the bible, the number 6 is the number of man. The number 7 is the number for God. No matter how much the Antichrist tries, he falls short of the perfection and greatness of God. Those who wish to purchase food or supplies, will need to have the mark of the beast. The Antichrist will control the basic necessities of lie. Today, we have the technology to In May 2016, at the United Nations Headquarters in NY, the inaugural ID2020 Summit brought together over 400 people to discuss how to provide a unique digital identity to everyone on the planet, including the 1.5 billion people living without any form of recognized identification. The Antichrist will have a global monopoly on the through a cashless society. The apostle John first says “I looked, and there before me was a horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.” (Revelations 6:2). This is a description of the Antichrist. John depicts him having a “bow”, but with no arrows. This is symbolic of conquering via diplomacy. He will go about peacemaking but with a hidden intention of world domination. The Antichrist will rule for 42 months over the earth, though he will appear before ruling over the world. For three and a half years he “was given authority to continue [literally “make war”] for forty-two months” (Rev 13:5). In fact the Anti- Christ “was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation“ (Rev 13:7). The appearance of the Antichrist will resemble the speed of a leopard, the solid strength of a bear, devouring power of a lion. Revelations 13:2 says about the Antichrist, who is call “the beast”, " And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority." Same animals mentioned in the for the four greatest world empires. He will have the combined power of all four. The Antichrist will do from the and darkness to deceive people. We are told in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 that “the coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing." Satan is going to try to do every possible to copy Jesus. Jesus and his followers did and continue to do miracles according to the power of the . But Satan will “performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from , to the earth in full view of the people” in order to deceiving until bowing their allegiance to Satan, the Antichrist and the . Sign of disputes Jesus said “you will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:6-7). The early pains of the coming of the Lord will be an intensification of wars. It is disturbing to know that 50% of all research scientist is devoted today to arms development. We currently have about 4,000 pounds of explosive for every person living. John goes on to say “then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword” ( 6:3-4). The “large sword” is describing a large weapon which causes great damage. Today, we have weapons of destructions that can affect the entire world like never before.

Sign of devastation said, “8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.” (Revelation 6:8). The pale horse is the last horse of the four horses in Revelations 6. We are told in this passage ¼ of the world population will die at the beginning of tribulation. This is a staggering number of people dying. In WWII 1 in 40 die as the result of the war. Later during the another 1/3 of the world’s population will die. There will also be pestilence. We know today rats carry around 35 diseases and have been the carriers of diseases with a combined death more than all of the wars put together. For example, in the fourteen century, one third of Europeans were killed by the bubonic plague, carried by fleas which were in rats. In the 4th century AD., Tiphus killed 200 million people. This passage is probably also describing , we can cause entire large city be killed in just a week. Today we are experiencing the direct effects of Global Warming. As temperatures rise and the metabolism of marine animals sped up, the warmer waters can not hold enough oxygen for them to survive. New research from the University of Washington and Stanford University combines models of ocean conditions and animal metabolism with published lab data and paleoceanographic records to show that the Permian mass in the oceans was caused by global warming that left animals unable to breathe. Over 96% of marine life was wiped out. Oceans lost 80% of ocean life. Then we are told “when the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” (Revelations 6:5-7). This worldwide famine will probably due to wars. When it says “two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, we can calculate that there will only be about 1/8 of normal food supply. Even in today’s age, around 24,000 people on earth starve to death every day. Imagine how many more will die of starvation during the tribulation period. We will also begin to witness unnatural disasters and catastrophes. Revelations 6:12-14 says “I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.” The earthquake which has caused the greatest amount of lives took place at Shensi, China on January 23, 1556. Over 830,000 people died. It was felt even 500 miles away. But during the great tribulation, there will be an even world earthquake. The heavens will “roll”. This seems to describe a nuclear event. Today, we nations of the world possess near 14,000 nuclear world heads. Islands will be covered with water. In one instance a “ball of fire” (meteorite) will fall from heaven causing 1/3 of all ships to be destroyed and fish life to die. The fish life is said to be destroyed by the end of the 7 years of the great tribulation. What will be the sequence of events at the End of Times? Seven Year Tribulation The earth and all who live in it will experience the worst seven years of devastation, destruction, dispute, darkness, deception and death we have ever witness in history. The last three and half years is known as the Great Tribulation (Daniel 9:27), because how terribly things will become on earth (Matthew 24:15, 21; Revelations 13:5). The seven year tribulation period is described from Revelations 6-18. Towards the end of the Great Tribulation the Antichrist and his followers will “gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har- Magedon.” (Revelations 16) and “the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the which burns with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh” (Revelations 19:19-21). The Battle of Armaggeddon (mount of Meggido) is located in the valley of Jezerel in Israel. Christ will win this battle. Second Coming Jesus is coming back. But how is Jesus coming back? Will we all get to see him or it will be seen by a few? What will take place at this coming? Jesus is personally coming for you. In Acts 1:11 we are told when Jesus ascended to the Father that the said “why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven". Twice in one verse Luke uses the word “same” to tell us something crucial about the Second Coming. The same Jesus who left will one day return. It is the same Jesus who walked in the earth will come back to the earth. He was taken into a "cloud" (not "clouds") and :27 tells us that Jesus will return “in a cloud with power and great .” Andrew Murry once said “There is such a danger of our being so occupied with the things that are to come more than with him who is to come”. Some people are more interested in heaven than the God of Heaven. Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus. He is the one coming back for you! Jesus will come visibly. I Thessalonians 5:16 points out "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first". The trumpet is for announcing and all will see him. The Acts 1:11 point out the same when “they also said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven". Jesus himself said in Matthew 24:27 "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the be." Lighting cannot be ignored. They call attention to itself by its very nature and splendor. Jesus came in a humble entrance to the world, but second coming she will have a spectacular entrance.

Jesus will also come quickly. Paul said in I Thessalonians 5:2 "For you yourselves know full well that will come just like a thief in the night". he coming of Christ is imminent. By an imminent event we mean one which is certain to occur at some time, uncertain at what time. C.S. Lewis reminds us “Precisely because we cannot predict the moment, we must be ready at all moments”. Jesus will come suddenly and unexpectedly. Why will many people will not be ready? The bible says prior to the coming of the Lord, many people will do their own thing. Jesus pointed out in Matthew 24:37-39 “As it was in the days of , so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.” People will forget God and “because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). Many people will think Jesus is not coming back and there will be “scoffers, walking after their own lusts. And saying, where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (II Peter 3:2-3). The bible also People will not be ready. Jesus put it this way on Matthew 24:40-42 “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch”. There is a time set in the clock. William Gurnall reminds us that “Christ has told us he will come, but not when, that we might never put off our clothes, or put out the candle” Amazingly, we can hasten the coming of the Lord. The apostle Peter urged us in II Peter 3:2 "as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat." Jesus said “And this of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Jesus will not come back until is preached to every people group. Why? Because every people group will worship and praise God in heaven (Revelation 7:9). We are almost there! Over 170,000 copies of the bible given daily and 35,000 new give their lives to Jesus each day. According to Finishing the Task, there are 440 unengaged, unreached people groups with populations over 25,000, together numbering over 24 million that are still beyond the reach of the Gospel. These 440 are perhaps the neediest of the needy as they are unengaged, which means that no , no missionary, no mission agency…no one has yet taken responsibility to tell them about Jesus Christ. Jesus will come powerfully. In 2 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Paul says “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For 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. 17 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. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.” All those who died, but their was in Christ will rise first. Those who are alive at this coming will be “caught up” with those who died in Christ to meet and be with Jesus. This is called the first .

After the second coming there will be a celebration in heaven. Then "the Lord God omnipotent has begun to reign", pointing out that God ultimately rules. Because he rules, he will defeat all of his enemies. Now is the time for the bride of Christ, which is the church, to be united to be the groom - Jesus Christ. She will be dressed with "white linen". Linen in the first century was considered to be a very expensive material. It possessed two properties and traits. Brightness is the first property. It was a material which reflected light well causing brightness. This glow reminds us of glory. he brightness is the of the church. The second is cleanness. The white linen also reminds us of cleanness. These are the righteous acts of the (15:4), which reflect the glory of God through their good works. dressed the bride with his righteousness and display it through good works.

Jesus will come as the conqueror who conquers. Jesus will come as the total opposite of the antichrist. Jesus will come as the "Faithful" and "True", while the antichrist is a promise and breaker (Daniel 9:27) and deceptive false . Jesus is the "Word of God", the antichrist spoke the words of the Satan. Jesus wears the "crowns", because he wins all of the battles. We are told that he will have a new, but unknown name. Though his new name is not revealed, we do know that a name speaks of who he is. His name will probably speak of his greatness. We will learn more about Jesus when we get to heaven. This is something we can all look forward to. His garment are dipped in blood (v. 13). It is the blood of those who opposed him (14:20). He cannot be opposed (Is. 63:1-6). With his eyes of "flame of fire" he can detect those who he will judge. He will penetrate through the thoughts of man. He can see right through the heart.

Who are these troops marching with Jesus? These will be believers who were glorified, tribulation followers of Jesus (7:9, I Thessalonian 3:13, Jude 14-15), Old Testament believers (. 12:1-2) and holy angels (Matt. 25:31, II Thessalonians 1:10) who will march together with Jesus into victory. The army will come in purity and power, but Jesus will win this battle all by himself.

Jesus will have numerous victories. He will utterly destroy the marching armies led by the mighty kings of the earth (Revelation 19:17-19, 21). This is the battle known as the war of is the same battle which was described in Revelation 14:14-20 and 16:13-16. The armies Jesus' foe will be defeated so greatly, that the vultures will have a feast (Matthew 24:28). It is dinner time for scavengers. There are other times in the bible where scavenger birds have appear eating corpses (Is. 18:6, Jeremiah 7:33, Ez. 39:17-20), but in the battle or Armageddon the slaughter will reach a new level of destruction. There will be enough bodies dead to cover over two hundred miles (Revelation 14:20) and seven months to bury them (Ez. 39:12). This battle is over even before it begins. The Psalmist declares that "“Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. ‘Let us break their chains,’ they say, ‘and throw off their fetters.’ The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath. . . .” (Psalm 2:1-5). Jesus overpowers the armies of the antichrist with his mere presence. The countenance, crown, clothing depicts Jesus as the Almighty warrior who cannot be defeated. He will come visibly, valiantly, and victoriously.

The second victory at the Second coming the antichrist and the false prophet will be thrown to the lake of fire. This is the final and ultimate . It is the place where Satan and his fallen angels will spend eternity (Matt. 25:41, Rev. 20:15). What will hell be like? It is a challenge for human beings to comprehend and grasp the horror of hell. There is no way to overstate the horror and terror of the lake of fire. It is a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. Weeping describes sadness, while gnashing of teeth. But how can you have both anger and sadness? People will experience both anger and sadness through utter frustration. It will also be a place of pain. There the unsaved will experience "worms" that shall not die (:48); "unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:12; Mark 9:43); "eternal fire" (:41); "the hell of fire" (Matthew 18:9); "eternal punishment" (Matthew 25:46); and "anguish in the flame" (Luke 16:24). The lake of fire will never produce a single pleasure, but only regret. Regret because the unsaved will become keener thoughts and feelings. There the unsaved will remember every opportunity they had to become saved and be used of God. People will have a complete intense consciousness of eternity. Everything you enjoy on earth will be missing in hell. People will know they got to a place they will never get out. No purpose. No plans. No meaning. No chance to fulfill any desire. Utter regret. It will be a place of no rest. Revelation 14:11 is good snap shot of the torment people will experience in this horrific place: "The smoke of their torment goes up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day or night." There the unsaved will find no peace of mind and will eternally feel exhausted beyond any moment of relief. Imagine, no rest, no sleep, and no possibility of ever find even a moment of rest. It is a place where a person has no value. A person is a complete nobody in hell. It is a place of isolation. Each unsaved will be alone forever in a stone dead desolate place. The stench will be unbearable, smelling like sulfer and brimstone. Cut off forever from everyone will be the reality of the unsaved in hell. Those going to hell will be literally "thrown" (Revelation 20:15) in. They will be thrown because the unsaved will dread going to hell once they understand the horror of hell. Hell is pay day for the unsaved.

Is Jesus coming before or at the end of the seven year tribulation? Paul's said "the dead in Christ will rise first" (:16) is seen as having its fulfillment after the end of the tribulation (Revelation chapters 6–19) after Satan has been bound (Revelation 20:1-3), and before the millennial reign, when they came to life, and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead do not come to life until the thousand years are ended. This is the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6). Another passage which indicates a post-tribulation is in 2 Peter 3:10-13, where the idea of "The Day of the Lord" coming as a "thief in the night" comes from. The wicked and the spiritually unprepared people that are still alive before the return of Christ will be caught by surprise. Therefore, only God's elect will fully have a clear understanding of the timing of the second coming, and therefore Christ's coming will not catch the believers by surprise, but only those who are spiritually ignorant regarding the truth. Revelation 20:4-6 says that saints who were killed during the mark of the beast period – the Great Tribulation – would be part of the “first” resurrection. This first resurrection, which is part of the coming of the Lord, will not take place until the end of the seven year tribulation. Matthew 24:29-31 also clearly says that the rapture happens after the Great Tribulation. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4 says that the Antichrist will be revealed before the rapture. The revealing of the Antichrist does not happen until at least until the middle of the Tribulation.

Matthew 13’s parable of the wheat and the tares (verses 24-30 and 36-43) points out the harvest of the wicked and good as one simultaneous event, not two events separated by seven years. It is also clear in verse 30, which says, “Gather ye together first the tares (the wicked)” that the wheat is not harvested before the tares.

The bible teaches that the coming of the Lord will be as a thief. We are told to be alert in Matthew 24:42-43, I Thessalonians 5:2, and II Peter 3:10. But the same warning is given in :15. It’s the final end, last hour warning: “Behold, I come as a thief.” This is said in the context of the Battle of Armageddon. The big question is why would God be giving a warning if he came already seven years before? He wouldn’t, because he had not come yet.

1,000 Year Reign of Christ Believers will rule with Christ on earth, after the second coming of Christ, 1,000 years. What will happen in the 1,000 year reign of Christ? It will be a time of peace. 2:4 describes it this way, "He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." Imagine a time and place on earth where there will be no more war or violence. Even the animals will live in harmony with one another (Isa. 11:6-9). It will be a time of health. Isaiah 65:20 tells us that those who survive the war of Armageddon and enter into the millennium in an non glorified state will live for a long time. Those who live to 100 years old will be considered just a youth. Keep in mind that the millennium is not eternity, for it is yet to come. It will be a time of prosperity. Isaiah 51:3 tells us, “For the LORD shall comfort : He will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody”. Even the desert will look like Eden. It will be a time when men and women will enjoy working again (Is. 65:21-23). People will not drag themselves to work, but will enthusiastically go work for the Lord. It will also be a time when those who are saved will be resurrected and will reign with Christ (20:5). It will also be a time when Israel will be restored to their promised land (Gen. 15:18), Gentiles will worship God (Zech. 14:16), and joy will be upon the people of the land (Is. 12:3-4). John saw "thrones" and those who will sit on them (Revelation 20:4). Who will get to sit on the thrones? The overcomers in Christ will rule with him (Rev. 2:26, 3:21, Matt. 19:28, I Cor. 6:2; 2 Tim. 2:12).

At the second coming of Christ, Satan is cast from heaven, cast from earth and now cast into the abyss for 1,000 years. The abyss is always portrayed as a place of spiritual incarceration (Matt. 25:41), torment (Luke 8:31) and in the company of the most wicked and spirits (I Pet. 3:19-20). He will be chain up, incarcerated and disempowered until the end of the 1,000 reign of Christ. Satan's power to deceive and seduce will be shut down for a season. With Satan now bound, the 1,000 reign of Christ with believers now begins. But the millennium period will reveal man can be provided a perfect environment and still be deceived. Man can submit outwardly, but reject the kingdom of God inwardly. But who are those who will be deceived? They are the children of those who survived the great tribulation, both Jewish (Revelation 12:6, Is. 60:21, Romans 11:26) and Gentile (Revelation 7:9-17). Just like Eden, a perfect environment alone cannot keep people from sinning. Satan will deceive enough people to lead a word wide revolt against God (Revelation 20:8-10). They will surround the holy city, but God will come to their rescue and execute swift retaliation. The devil will be then thrown to the lake of fire, joining the antichrist and the false prophet.

The second resurrection

In Revelation 20:4-15, we are told that there will be two at the end of times. We are told the same thing in Acts 25:14 that “there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust”. The first resurrection will take place before the beginning of the 1,000 years reign of Christ. Who will resurrect in the first resurrection? These are those who were saved by the blood of the lamb. This first resurrection will be unto eternal life, while the second resurrection will be into eternal damnation forever. Those in the first resurrection will never have to fear going through the second resurrection (Revelation 20:6, Luke 14:14, Acts 24:15, John 5:29, Heb. 11:35). The second resurrection is for those who did not follow Jesus. They will appear before the great white throne of judgment. It will be great because they will be standing before the infinite great God who knows every motive and intention. It is great because no one will have an excuse to defend themselves before the righteous judge. This throne is said to be "white". White speaks of purity and righteousness. People will have to measure themselves, not by the standards of righteousness they set for themselves, but by the righteousness of God. Everything stops at the . Before God's throne, there will be no place to hide or shield the works of unrighteousness (Revelation 20:11). Like with in the garden, there will be no "figs" to hide the shame and guilt of unrighteousness.

At the second resurrection books will be open. What are the books? In these books are recorded every work of unrighteousness an unsaved person has ever done. God the Father will judge the severity of judgment the unsaved deserve based on their works. Jesus said, "Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely" (Luke 20:45-47). People will also be judge based on how much knowledge of the truth they had (Matt. 11:20-24). Some people get confused with this judgment with the judgment seat of Christ. In the judgment seat of Christ, believers are not judged to evaluate whether they will have eternal life or not, but their works will be judged to determine the rewards they will receive in heaven (I Corinthians 3:11-14). At the first resurrection, Christians will be judge by Christ’s works. This is the reason their is secured and eternal. At the second resurrection, the unsaved will be judged by their own works. This is why none will gain eternal life. At the judgment seat of Christ, Christians will be rewarded for their works, at the Great White Throne judgement the works of the unsaved will damn them to utter darkness forever.

What shall we live in light of the fact Jesus is coming soon?

Get Together

In Hebrews 10:25, we are told “ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching”. We are to continue meeting on Sundays for church services and in small groups during the week. Why? He says because we need to exhort and encourage each other. As the Day approaches, so will the testing and persecution of Christians. You can’t live all by yourself. II Thessalonians 5:11 says "Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing". Take time to strengthened so you can build others. Stick together with those who are serving Christ. The closer the coming of the Lord, the more we will need each other. I want to encourage you to attend church services every Sunday. When you come together during a worship service, we are strengthened in the Word and fellowship. Also, connect through joining a small group. The Christians in the early church met in small groups (:46). In small groups you will experience freedom. If you are not in a small group, I want to encourage you to join one Pray Together Jesus reminds us in Matthew 26:41 “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Jesus said this during his most difficult hour on earth. Prayer helps you to continue depend on Jesus against all test and tribulations on earth. The time to pray is before all hell breaks loose in your life.

Work Together The last command of Jesus should become your first priority. Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” We must gather the harvest of souls for Jesus. We don’t want to show up to heaven empty handed, but show ourselves to be faithful and fruitful (Matthew 25:18-20). As you go through life and connect with people, reach out to them with the love of God and invite them to church. Share the good news of salvation with them. You may be the only one who they will ever hear message of grace and of the soon coming King Jesus! When Jesus comes back, he is expecting to find us working faithfully and being fruitful for him. In Matthew 25:26-7, Jesus tells what he will reply to the unfaithful “You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.” Are you involved in a ministry at church? Are you part of the Dream Team? Can you be counted upon week after week to fulfill your calling? Be Alert We are warned to be on the alert. In Matthew 24:42-44, Jesus said “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 43 But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.44 For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” A thief never announce he is coming to rob a house. It is called the element of surprise. We must be ready, because Jesus will come unexpectedly. Don’t slack off. Live as if Jesus was coming today! Focus on the Throne The central focus of the is the throne of God. In Revelation 4:1-3, John the apostle said “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. 3 And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.” The word “throne” appears 45 times in the entire book of Revelation, and only 15 in the entire . There is a transcendent glory surrounding God, which reminds us of God’s faithful covenant. Just like the rainbow in the days of Noah was a sign of comfort, the rainbow encircling God is a sign of comfort to persecuted Christians. No matter how tough it will get before the coming of the Lord, do be assured God is supreme and king over it all. Nothing ever catches God by surprise. Trust in his sovereignty and providence. Trust him he will get you through even through the tribulation period. God is faithful to the faithful!