Recently, I attended my highschool reunion within the town I grew up in. This was the thirtieth anniversary of my graduation from highschool, and I’m truthfully amazed at how quickly the a long time have flown by. I do know everyone seems to say things like that, however the brevity of life and the pace at which it takes place is kind of surprising.
During my highschool years, I spent numerous time eager about the long run. Future plans, ideas, and goals incessantly occupied my mind. In general, I are inclined to be a long-term thinker so I might often envision what I believed my adult life can be like. In some ways, the life I envisioned is kind of much like the actual life I’m living, but there are a couple of areas which are definitely different from what I expected.
When I read Scripture, particularly prophetic passages, I feel so much in regards to the future as well. I ponder what the Lord has in store for the few transient a long time I’ll be on this planet. I ponder if I shall be a part of the generation that gets to witness the achievement of among the long-standing guarantees God has made in His word. I particularly wonder in regards to the promised return of Jesus and all of the events that we’re told will surround His glorious appearing.
What Will Happen When Jesus Returns?
Jesus speaks with clarity and detail about a few of this stuff in Mark 13. He shared prophetic information that may have near-term achievement and knowledge that may be fulfilled much later. As we contemplate His return and the events He tells us will foreshadow it, it’s each fascinating and inspiring to see the guarantees of God carried out over time.
“But whenever you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought to not be (let the reader understand), then let those that are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who’s on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, and let the one who’s in the sphere not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for ladies who’re pregnant and for individuals who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that it could not occur in winter.” – Mark 13:14-18
In this passage, Jesus reveals information that’s meant to tip off future readers of impending calamity. He tells those that would sooner or later read His words that a day was coming once they would see the “abomination of desolation” standing where he ought to not be. This was a reference to the temple being sacrilegiously desecrated.
The temple had experienced desecration previously, but a desecration was coming that may be greater in severity. This desecration was also prophesied by the prophet Daniel about 600 years earlier.
And he shall make a robust covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” – Daniel 9:27
In 168 BC, Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed a pig to Zeus on the temple altar. In AD 70, the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem and desecrated the temple as well. Some might argue that this prophecy was completely fulfilled due to that event, but I feel Jesus was speaking in such a way that indicates this prophecy has an ultimate achievement that’s yet to return.
It’s true that Jerusalem experienced a time of severe calamity when the Romans besieged the town. In that conflict, greater than 1,000,000 Jews were executed, crucified, or starved to death by the Romans, however the Bible speaks of a time of tribulation that can come upon this planet that’s more severe in nature than even that, and a pacesetter called the Antichrist who will violently insist upon being worshipped by the nations.
“Let nobody deceive you in any way. For that day won’t come, unless the insurrection comes first, and the person of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, in order that he takes his seat within the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” – 2 Thes. 2:3-4
What Will Happen As the Time Draws Near for Jesus to Return?
Jesus warned the readers of His words to flee Jerusalem once they see this happening, and to accomplish that quickly, not even bothering to take their most simple possessions with them since the suffering that’s to return shall be severe.
“For in those days there shall be such tribulation as has not been from the start of the creation that God created until now, and never shall be. And if the Lord had not cut short the times, no human being can be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he selected, he shortened the times.” – Mark 13:19-20
Jesus speaks of a day to return when the earth will experience a time of tribulation that’s more severe than it has ever experienced because the starting of creation. The book of Revelation shares a lot of the main points regarding the wars, plagues, and persecutions that can happen during that era.
There are several views regarding this time of tribulation, however the view that has at all times made probably the most sense to me and seems to lend itself to probably the most plain reading of Scripture teaches that the tribulation will happen over the course of seven years. It shall be a time of God’s judgment on this unbelieving world, and a time of wrath shown toward Israel in connection to their historical idolatry and rejection of the Messiah. (see Daniel 9 and Revelation 13)
I feel the church shall be “raptured” or carried away to heaven prior to this seven-year period of judgment happening. I feel this shall be the case for several reasons. First of all, the church will not be mentioned within the book of Revelation once the book begins speaking of the wrath that’s to return. Secondly, Scripture tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 that believers will not be destined for wrath. Third, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 describes additional details of this rapturous event.
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who’re alive, who’re left, shall be caught up along with them within the clouds to fulfill the Lord within the air, and so we’ll at all times be with the Lord.” – 1 Thes. 4:16-17
I also imagine that Scripture teaches that in the course of the seven-year tribulation period, people will come to know Jesus and experience the blessing of His gift of salvation. Jesus even says that for the sake of the elect, those days shall be divinely cut short.
In His mercy, Jesus also warned us of additional things to pay attention to while we wait for His return. Jesus cautioned us to not fall prey to the deceptiveness of false messiahs.
“And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he’s!’ don’t imagine it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to guide astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I even have told you all things beforehand.” – Mark 13:21-23
Every generation struggles with false messiahs and false prophets. We’re combating them at present as well, and there are a lot of individuals who mistakenly imagine what they teach.
How Can We Be Alert to False Teaching?
How can we be on guard against false teaching? Let me offer a couple of suggestions.
First, make certain your faith in Jesus is real. If you already know the actual Messiah, you’ll be higher equipped to identify imposters.
Second, grow to be highly acquainted with the teaching of God’s word. Read it for yourself and don’t let yourself grow to be overly depending on the teaching or interpretations of others. Don’t just take heed to people talk in regards to the word of God, confirm whether their teaching is accurate by searching the Scriptures directly.
Third, understand that false prophets preach a typical message. They teach a theology that encourages you to seek out your deepest sense of satisfaction through satisfying your sinful appetites. Their messages ring of greed and sensuality. They excel at telling people what they wish to hear as a substitute of what they should hear. Jesus warned us of their power to influence people so we would not fall prey to their schemes.
“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon won’t give its light, and the celebrities shall be falling from heaven, and the powers within the heavens shall be shaken. And then they may see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he’ll send out the angels and gather his elect from the 4 winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.” – Mark 13:24-27
The excellent news is that although that season of wrath is something this world goes to experience, it isn’t going to proceed perpetually. Just as those days are decreed to start, also they are decreed to finish. There shall be signs within the sky preceding its completion, but eventually Jesus will return with great power and glory. At His first appearing, He took the shape of a servant and was born a humble child. When He returns, His everlasting power shall be on full display and His lordship shall be undeniable.
So while we wait for the achievement of those prophesies, how should we occupy our time? What should we be doing?
What Is the Primary Reason We Were Created?
The primary reason we were created was to present God glory. We glorify Him by trusting within the Son of God, Jesus Christ to rescue and redeem us. We glorify Him by testifying to others of the miraculous work Jesus has done in our lives. We glorify Him by utilizing our gifts, talents, and resources to serve others and construct them up. We also glorify Him by demonstrating the fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) in our day by day interactions.
If you’re united to Christ by faith, the long run mustn’t be a scary thing for you. Everything Jesus spoke of on this passage will sooner or later come to pass, but those that know Him have their names written in His book of life and can enjoy perfect peace in His presence for all eternity.
“The one who conquers shall be clothed thus in white garments, and I won’t ever blot his name out of the book of life. I’ll confess his name before my Father and before his angels.” – Revelation 3:5
Originally published on Bible Study Headquarters. © John Stange, 2024. Used with permission.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/BartekSzewczyk
John Stange is the Lead Pastor at Core Creek Community Church and a professor at Cairn University where he leads the Digital Media and Communication program. He also leads an internet community called Platform Launchers where he helps people construct message-based online platforms.
John has authored over 30 books and presently hosts several podcasts on the LifeAudio podcast network. His shows have been downloaded tens of millions of times by listeners throughout the world.
You can learn more about John’s ministry, books, and podcasts at BibleStudyHeadquarters.com.
