Posts filed under ‘second coming’
Is Salvation a Sure Thing or Dependent Upon Us? Part 2
Paul could not possibly list everything that would try but fail to remove us from His presence, so he provides an overview for us. Simply because he does not include our “free will,” does not mean to imply that it is the exception to anything. It is actually included in Paul’s words – though not specifically stated – with the words “nor anything else in all creation.” Is free will part of God’s Creation? Of course it is and Paul could have simply said for these two verses “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord,” but chose to give some examples to elaborate on his meaning. In doing so, some people mistake Paul’s words thinking that what he specifically did not include, is the very thing that can remove us. Unfortunately, this line of thinking completely changes Paul’s intended meaning. Reading the entirety of Romans gives us the full picture.
Meaning of “Day of the Lord” Part 7
This “thief in the night” description references people who are not prepared. Like the person who runs an errand and they leave their home wide open. They return to find their home has been robbed. They were not expecting it and took no precautions. They did not even consider the fact that a thief might decide to rob their home. Never crossed their mind. This is the unsaved person who has no thought of God, much less of His impending return to the planet He owns. They go about their daily lives and when Jesus returns, they will be profoundly shocked because it is something they did not ever believe could or would happen. In fact, they likely joked about it often.
Meaning of “Day of the Lord” Part 6
The “day of the Lord” (DOTL) represents a time of judgment and that is very clear even from the few verses we have touched on in this series. What is not necessarily as clear is how long a period of time is represented by the DOTL and when it is supposed to occur. We’re going to look at a few more Scripture references to see if we can shed more light on the subject. Eventually, we want to cover all the Scripture that deals with anything to do with the DOTL.
Why Has Left Always Attacked and Attempted to Dismantle the Family?
Satan must gather all of his resources and put them in one basket so that when the day comes to prove that he will become like the Most High, he will not prevail. In fact, it will take one world from the returning Lord Jesus to vanquish him and there will be not one thing that Satan can do about it.
Satan is a defeated foe (from the cross), yet he continues to maneuver global society toward the day when he will have absolute control. He will use that to try to overcome God Almighty. This is the epitome of ego. Satan so loves himself that he takes everything he can in order to attempt to overcome the God who so loves us that He GAVE so that we might live.
Satan offers nothing but misery and an eternal death, separated from God forever. But that is really beside the point for Satan. His one goal, his mania, everything he is about and strives for is to become like the Most High so that he will be able to overcome God Himself.
Satan’s Attempt to Be Like the Most High God, Part 2
The problem of course is that, while some choose to believe that Paul’s reference to the “man of sin” is a metaphor that refers to the Christian and the fact that our body is now the temple of the Holy Spirit, this stretches the credulity of the text itself. They believe that the “man of sin” is an appellation for the spiritual man created by the Holy Spirit. They do not see Paul’s words as being literal, but merely figurative. Unfortunately, there is nothing in the text that supports this. Paul seems to be clearly pointing ahead to a time still in front of us when a man will walk onto the scene and will surrender himself to Satan. Satan will then give him his authority and enabling (supernaturally). This man will be known as the Antichrist, or “man of sin.” Paul’s use of the singular here is very important. He is speaking of ONE specific individual.
Meaning of “Day of the Lord,” Part 4
The first part of the above text promises that the “day of the LORD upon all nations is near.” Clearly, this is a reference to God’s final, work of judgment when He will pour out His wrath upon all nations and will finalize these judgments in the Sheep and the Goats judgment (Matthew 25:31-46), just prior to the start of the Millennial Reign of Jesus, physically on earth.
It is also noteworthy to learn that God says in Obadiah 1:17 that the house of Jacob will possess the Land (including Edom) and this points to the future. In fact, Obadiah 1:15-21 speaks clearly of the results of the coming “day of the Lord,” the judgments that will occur and the rewards that will be given. It is clearly futuristic because this portion of Scripture has not yet been fulfilled.
Hold Everything! A Gap Exists Between Zechariah 9:9-10
But think of Zechariah and everyone who came after the prophet and read his scroll. To them, they saw NO GAP OF TIME. They never saw that the Messiah would come the first time and then come back again, the second time. To those people, Messiah would come and immediately set things right. He would set up His rule and rein in power, dominion, peace, and humility, carrying salvation on His shoulders.
Meaning of “Day of the Lord” Part 2
It is important to understand first, that the “day of the Lord” (DOTL) often represents a span of time, not a singular day or one single event. We’ll look to Scripture in a moment to provide some examples. Note also that there are many different names for this period, depending upon the person called upon by the Lord to write a section of His Word. The phrase DOTL (or its equivalent) is used some 20 or so times in the Old Testament. Because of that, it is imperative to thoroughly research each usage to determine if/how they tie together.
Rapture Will Impact the World as Will the Deluding Influence that Follows It
We think we have it bad now in the world? This pales in comparison to what life will be like in the future after the Church is Raptured and the deluding influence is sent by God so that people willfully embrace what is false. The aftermath of both events (Rapture and the delusion sent by God) will be so devastating and so pervasive throughout global society that people will actually wish for death because they believe that at least the horrors of this life will be over (cf. Revelation 9:6). Those who think that way of course have no understanding of who God is and the fact that He is everywhere at once. To go from this life to the next without Jesus means to lose every opportunity to see the truth regarding salvation.
Folks, is there any other reason you can think of that should cause us to increase our efforts to evangelize the lost? I can’t think of one. It is time for you to reach out to friends, neighbors, and even family to share with them the only information that can provide them with the possibility of receiving salvation.
Rapture, Increasing Lawlessness, and the Tribulation, Part 1
Besides the constant push toward evil that currently exists in global society, certain events highlighted in the Bible will play their part in allowing and advocating a greater advance of evil than would have occurred had those events not happened at all. Certainly one large, unmistakable event is the Rapture. Yet, too many people tend to think of the Rapture as merely an event in which millions of authentic Christians “escape” from this planet. That is certainly part of it; one side of the coin. However, the other part of the coin – as the result of the Rapture occurring – is represented by the things that occur in society because the Rapture has taken place. This cannot be stressed enough.
StudyGrowKnow 