The Bible tells us there are no signs for the coming rapture. However, there are signs for Jesus’ second coming. Is it possible we are seeing signs of Jesus’ second coming now, though the rapture and tribulation have not taken place yet? Similarly, don’t we see signs of Christmas all around us each year even before Thanksgiving takes place?
We are currently living in the church age. During this time, Christians are waiting for Jesus to meet us in the air and take us to heaven. See the order of events that will take place in the End Times:
church age – rapture – 7 year tribulation – Jesus’ 2nd Coming – millennial Kingdom on earth – eternity future
We are definitely experiencing the “birth pangs” of the imminent tribulation. These “birth pangs” are increasing in frequency and intensity. When we hear of wars and rumors of wars that affect Israel, pay attention. This could be prophecy unfolding.
See what Jesus has to say about the signs of the End of the Age and what will happen . . .
| The Destruction of the Temple Foretold 24 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down.” | Destruction of the Temple foretold - Jesus prophesies about the Jerusalem Temple being destroyed |
| Signs of the End of the Age 3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Take heed that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: 8 all this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs. | Signs of the End of the Age (beginning of the birth pangs) - deception everywhere - false messiahs (false Christs) - wars and rumors of wars - nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom - famines - earthquakes |
| Persecutions Foretold 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you to death; and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because wickedness is multiplied, most men’s love will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come. | Persecutions foretold - Christians persecuted, put to death, and hated by all nations - many will fall away, betray and hate each other - false prophets will arise and lead many astray - wickedness will multiply and human love will grow cold Hope during the tribulation - those who discern the true God and endure to the end will be saved - the gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world - then the end will come |
| The Desolating Sacrilege 15 “So when you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; 17 let him who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house; 18 and let him who is in the field not turn back to take his mantle. 19 And alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 Then if any one says to you, ‘Lo, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 Lo, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Lo, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; if they say, ‘Lo, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of man. 28 Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together. | The Desolating Sacrilege (midpoint of the 7 year tribulation) - statue of the Antichrist placed in the Temple – run and hide! - the “great” (horrible) tribulation begins - last 3 ½ years of the 7 year tribulation - God will shorten this time period for the sake of His elect (the Jews that will embrace the Gospel) otherwise no one would be saved. (The purpose of the tribulation is for the salvation of the nation Israel.) - false Christs and false prophets will arise, show great signs and wonders, and lead people astray – and, if possible, even the elect (believers). - Do not be deceived! - Christ will come swiftly, visibly and unexpectedly like lightening and with wrath for unbelieving Israel and the world, like eagles devouring their prey. |
| The Coming of the Son of Man 29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; 30 then will appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; 31 and he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. | Jesus Christ’s Second Coming to earth Immediately after the 7 year tribulation: - the sun will be darkened, the moon will not shine, and the stars will fall from heaven - the powers of the heavens will be shaken - the sign of Christ will appear in heaven * - all tribes of the earth will mourn as they see Christ coming to earth ** - Christ will come on clouds of heaven with power and great glory - with a loud trumpet call, He will send out His angels to gather His elect (believers) from everywhere on earth and in heaven. |
In these verses in Matthew, Jesus first foretells of the Jerusalem Temple being destroyed. From history, we know Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple were destroyed in 70 AD (approximately 40 years after Jesus was crucified). Prophecy Fulfilled! He then foretells the signs of the end times, persecutions, desolation sacrilege to occur in the Temple, the signs of His second coming, and finally His return to earth after the 7 year tribulation.
* Could the sign of Christ appearing in heaven be the glory of God – that supernatural light?
Psalm 40:5 (NKJV) The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
** Are all tribes just the Jews, or Gentiles also? Will all mourn – repentant sinners looking to Christ with joyful tears as well as unrepentant sinners who, in horror and despair, recognize Him as the Savior they rejected?
Hopefully, you will not find yourself on earth after Jesus has raptured (caught up) believers to heaven. If so, you will be left to endure the 7 year tribulation period. If during that time you come to believe in Jesus, stay faithful to Him and watch for His return. Do not be deceived!
At Jesus’ second coming, He will be victorious over the forces of evil and destroy Satan’s short-lived tyrannical kingdom on earth. He will accomplish this with the sword (word) of His mouth. Jesus will then set up His Kingdom on earth which will last for 1,000 peaceful years while Satan is bound. After the millennium period, believers will spend eternity with Jesus in the new heavens, new earth and New Jerusalem. Where will you be spending eternity?
A brief summary of the end times: What is going to happen according to end times prophecy?
For more understanding, visit End Times Timeline & Explanation.
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