Let’s just jump right off of the diving board and into the deep end. All of my life I’ve heard that Jesus could come back at any moment, so we need to be ready. Not to disrespect any Godly pastors that teach this, but there is a lot of confusion about the subject. Something totally different is taught in the Word of God.
Jesus is not coming back to this earth today or tomorrow, because He said in His Word that when He comes back... Zechariah 14:4
And His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives
Zechariah 14:4
(at the time of Armageddon). Matthew 24:27 says,
For as the lightning coming out of the east and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together
Matthew 24:27
(this is referring to a passage in Revelation 19:17-18 and Ezekiel 39:17-20, about the birds feasting at the Battle of Armageddon).
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be dark and the moon shall not give her light and the stars shall fall from heaven and the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory
Matthew 24:29-30
This means that there has to be a seven year covenant signed with Israel. Daniel 9:27 says,
And He (which is the Antichrist… note that the Antichrist, Satan and the False Prophet are all separate entities… but Satan does take over the body and mind of the Antichrist in the middle of the seven year covenant that will be signed with Israel) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (this “week” is actually meaning seven years, not literal days) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate
Daniel 9:27
The “abomination of desolation” is referring to a world leader who will stand in the Jewish rebuilt temple claiming to be God. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4,
…and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Jesus refers to this in Matthew 24:15,
When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet stand in the holy place…
Matthew 24:15
(the holy place is referring to the Jewish, rebuilt, third temple which will sit on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem). They already have the plans to rebuild it, and even the tools for the animal sacrifices to begin again. Then, in Matthew 24:21…
For then shall great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time nor ever shall be
Matthew 24:21
The Antichrist, False Prophet and Satan will be ruling on earth, which means that Israel had to be a nation again as was prophesied in Ezekiel 36:22…
Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for my holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went
Ezekiel 36:22
Continuing in verse 24…
For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and I will bring you into your own land
Ezekiel 36:24
This is a prophecy being fulfilled. It started on May 14, 1948, when Israel became a nation after 2000 years in exile. There is a prophecy in Hosea 6:2, which states,
After two days will He revive us; in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight
Hosea 6:2
2 Peter 3:8 says,
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day
2 Peter 3:8
Now, looking back, we know that Israel was cast off their land for about 2000 years, and now God has brought them back into their land. We are now at the beginning of the third day (three thousand years), as was prophesied in Hosea. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us,
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
2 Timothy 3:16
As much as I would love for Jesus to come back today, it’s just not going to happen. Now, in saying that, it does not give us permission to sin whenever we want. For we do not know when our last breath will be… we could die before the end of the day, or as we sleep tonight. Then, we would be in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and have to give an account for what we have done on this earth.
From this, we can discern that Jesus will not return until the Battle of Armageddon. Remember, this is not referring to the Rapture. We will get to that exciting subject soon. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and God bless.