How close are we to the end and the second coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?
Can we discern the signs of the times and know that the time is at hand?
The Bible tells us that, “But of that day and [that] hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” Mark 13:32
So, will there be signs to show us before this takes place?
A great tempest swept across the face of the planet as storm, earthquake and volcano raged and smote the earth, nature was in upheaval. Mingled with this the lust of war as nations armies strove against each other. The world was in great turmoil. Whole mountain ranges were rent and casted to the ground leaving vast caverns where they stood. The dreadfulness of the scene too horrible to describe. Bodies cast as dung upon the ground with no one to bury them. No place was safe, nowhere to hide.
Is this how the world will play out before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ! Unfortunately, yes! God had sent His avenging angels to do His strange work. The world had filled the cup of His wroth to the brim and now the earth must be cleansed of sin.
We are given guidance through God’s word, “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4
Can anything be learned from the Bible relative to the period of the second advent? This is a question unsettled in many minds. This is an interesting inquiry and from the nature of the subject, is worthy of closer investigation. So how did Christ himself treat the subject? When the disciples inquired, “What shall be the sign of thy coming and the end of the world?” he did not reprove them for prying into that which was purposely hidden from all men. No, he answered them in the most definite manner. He states that there would be signs of that event, and adds, “When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the door.” The simple fact that the Lord mentions signs of his second advent is the best proof possible that his people were not to remain ignorant of the relative nearness of the event. Add to this evidence his declaration that when these signs should be seen, his people should know that it was near, even at the door, and the case becomes an exceedingly strong one.
Infidel geologists claim that the world is very much older than the Bible record makes it. They reject the Bible record, because of those things which are to them evidences from the earth itself. Therefore, they believe the world has existed tens of thousands of years. And many who profess to believe the Bible records are at a loss to account for the evidence which are found in the earth, with the view that creation week was only seven literal days, and that the world is now only about six thousand years old.
I believe it’s important here to understand these time periods.
“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” 2 Peter 3:8
“For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.” Psalms 90:4
It is not difficult to draw a parallel between the six days of creation to the six thousand years.
The theme of the great controversy between Christ and His angels on the one side and Satan and his angels on the other, was seen as one continuous and closely linked chain of events spanning six thousand years. History and archaeological evidence confirm that the earth is only six thousand years old.
The great plan of redemption results in fully bringing back the world into God’s favor. All that was lost by sin is to be restored. Not only man but the earth also is redeemed, to be the eternal abode of the obedient. For six thousand years Satan has struggled to maintain possession of the earth. Now God’s original purpose in its creation is to be accomplished.
When then, according to the bible, will the six thousand years elapse, since the fall of man?
Christ, in the wilderness of temptation where He was led by the Holy Spirit immediately after His baptism, stood in Adam’s place to bear the test that Adam failed to endure. Here Christ overcame, in the sinner’s behalf. For four thousand years ever since the declaration was made to Adam that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head, Satan has been warring against the government of God, and through him sin has manifested its evil in mankind.
The Saviour’s coming was foretold in Eden. When Adam and Eve first heard the promise, they looked for its speedy fulfillment. They joyfully welcomed their first-born son, hoping that he might be the Deliverer, but the fulfillment of the promise tarried. Those who first received it died without the sight. From the days of Enoch, the promise was repeated through patriarchs and prophets, keeping alive the hope of His appearing, and yet He came not. The prophecy of Daniel revealed the time of His advent, but not all rightly interpreted the message. Century after century passed away; the voices of the prophets ceased. The hand of the oppressor was heavy upon Israel, and many were ready to exclaim, “The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth.” Ezekiel 12:22.
Now we come to a remarkably interesting point in the study, that there just might be a glimmer of hope pointing to just when Christ will return.
So, if we look at a timeline from the fall of Adam until the baptism of Jesus and His wilderness experience which was in AD27 we see it’s a period of four thousand years. To prove this date, see the time prophecies in the book of Daniel [chapters 8 & 9]. So that four thousand years to 27AD.
Now we add two thousand years from 27AD to where we are today, that would make it the end period:
the year 2027
Interesting, don’t you think? Not my words but that what we have seen from the bible.
Now remember, under no circumstances can we date set, we are warned against this. What we have discovered here has been found through the word of God which His son has counselled us to search so that we should be looking for the signs.
So, could this really be the year of Christ Jesus’ second coming. If it is, hallelujah.
The year that Jesus will return to this sin ravaged earth to claim His faithful few, as the bible has described.
Look what is happening in the world currently. Are we starting to see the beginnings of Matthew 24? Aren’t we seeing actions by tyrannical governments and unelected bureaucrats that are bringing in restrictions that are oppressing mankind? Haven’t we now lost the freedom we once enjoyed just a few years ago. Isn’t what is happening appearing to be paralleling actions being experienced in Germany at the time when the Nazi regime came to power? Yes! And do not expect it to get better, as the bible tells us that it is only going to get worse. [Matt 24:6-14, Luke 21:9-18]
So,
2027 – but!
Let us revisit that previous statement with a few words added.
The great plan of redemption results in fully bringing back the world into God’s favor. All that was lost by sin is restored. Not only man but the earth is redeemed, to be the eternal abode of the obedient. For six thousand years Satan has struggled to maintain possession of the earth. Now God’s original purpose in its creation is to be accomplished. “The saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.” Daniel 7:18
What is the context of these words!
These words actually speak about the period after the seven thousand years (six thousand years of sin and one thousand years of rest, in heaven). [Rev 20:4-6, Isa 65:17, 66:22]. It tells us that the earth is redeemed and restored, and the saints will possess the kingdom. The kingdom here is referring to the earthly kingdom after it is purified from sin and that does not happen until the lake of fire devours sin and sinners alike which all takes place in the time after the seven thousand years.
However, we now have a very curious verse in Romans. “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” Romans 9:28
We are told here that that reign of sin would be cut short in righteousness. We saw that sin would reign on earth for six thousand years and we are now told that that reign would be cut short in righteousness.
How is this so?
“And cast him [Satan] into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” Revelation 20:3
“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,” Revelation 20:7
And,
“The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” Rev 20:5.
We are now looking at the time after the thousand years the saints were in heaven, and I am now going to give an insight as to what takes place as given by a lady who wrote it over 100 years ago from a vision.
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:2
We now have New Jerusalem that has come down from heaven, a mighty structure, which settles upon the plain that Jesus’ feet had made in the exact spot as old Jerusalem was located. He is accompanied by all the redeemed and the holy angels.
“Then Jesus and all the retinue of holy angels, and all the redeemed saints, left the city. The angels surrounded their Commander and escorted Him on His way, and the train of redeemed saints followed. Then, in terrible, fearful majesty, Jesus called forth the wicked dead; and they came up with the same feeble, sickly bodies that went into the grave. What a spectacle! What a scene! At the first resurrection all came forth in immortal bloom; but at the second the marks of the curse are visible on all.”
Jesus calls forth the wicked dead from the grave.
“The kings and noblemen of the earth, the mean and low, the learned and unlearned, come forth together. All behold the Son of man; and those very men who despised and mocked Him, who put the crown of thorns upon His sacred brow, and smote Him with the reed, behold Him in all His kingly majesty.”
It didn’t matter who they were, what prominent position they held, they now all come forth as they were when they first died.
“Those who spat upon Him in the hour of His trial now turn from His piercing gaze and from the glory of His countenance. Those who drove the nails through His hands and feet now look upon the marks of His crucifixion. Those who thrust the spear into His side behold the marks of their cruelty on His body. And they know that He is the very one whom they crucified and derided in His expiring agony. And then there arises one long protracted wail of agony, as they flee to hide from the presence of the King of kings and Lord of lords.”
They all know whom it was that called them forth and such realisation forced an agonising cry from their lips.
“Then Jesus and the holy angels, accompanied by all the saints, again go to the city, and the bitter lamentations and wailings of the doomed wicked fill the air. Then Satan again commenced his work. He passed around among his subjects, and made the weak and feeble strong, and told them that he and his angels were powerful. He pointed to the countless millions who had been raised. There were mighty warriors and kings who were well skilled in battle and who had conquered kingdoms. There were mighty giants and valiant men who had never lost a battle. There was the proud, ambitious Napoleon, whose approach had caused kingdoms to tremble.”
Satan again goes about his cunning work, arousing the might warriors and kings to battle array.
“There stood men of lofty stature and dignified bearing, who had fallen in battle while thirsting to conquer. As they come forth from their graves, they resume the current of their thoughts where it ceased in death. They possess the same desire to conquer which ruled when they fell. Satan consults with his angels, and then with those kings, conquerors and mighty men. Then he looks over the vast army, and tells them that the company in the city is small and feeble, and that they can go up and take it, and cast out its inhabitants, and possess its riches and glory themselves.”
Satan lied then and he is lies now. Stirring up the emotions of all to form a vast army to take the Holy City.
“Satan succeeds in deceiving them, and all immediately begin to prepare themselves for battle. There are many skilful men in that vast army, and they construct all kinds of implements of war. Then with Satan at their head, the multitude move on. Kings and warriors follow close after Satan, and the multitude follow after in companies. Each company has its leader, and order is observed as they march over the broken surface of the earth to the Holy City.”
We do not know how long it takes for Satan to form weapons and forge his army, but it would have taken some time.
“Jesus closes the gates of the city, and this vast army surround it, and place themselves in battle array, expecting a fierce conflict. Jesus, all the angelic host and all the saints, with the glittering crowns upon their heads, ascend to the top of the wall of the city. Jesus speaks with majesty, saying, “Behold, ye sinners, the reward of the just! And behold, My redeemed, the reward of the wicked!””
Jesus speaks but a few words. He had given all of mankind an opportunity to come to him, but most rejected Him. Now they stand outside the walls of this magnificent city, New Jerusalem, staring at the saints within.
“The vast multitude behold the glorious company on the walls of the city. And as they witness the splendour of their glittering crowns, see their faces radiant with glory, reflecting the image of Jesus, and then behold the unsurpassed glory and majesty of the King of kings and Lord of lords, their courage fails. A sense of the treasure and glory which they have lost rushes upon them, and they realize that the wages of sin is death. They see the holy, happy company whom they have despised, clothed with glory, honour, immortality, and eternal life, while they are outside the city with every mean and abominable thing.”
There is one final act that must play out. Revelation tells us that all whose names were not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. All who stand outside the walls of the Holy City will now perish, never to be redeemed.
“The final act is as the wicked approach the city, Jesus calls fire to come down from heaven which devours sin and sinner alike. The earth is cleansed and renewed.”
This is the final part of the reign of sin.
Note again what we have just read takes place after the thousand years. We read earlier that sin would rage for six thousand years but God would cut this short for the elects’ sake. [Matt 24:22]. We know that God is very precise in all that He does, so, the period beginning when the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven and the wicked are called from the grave until sin is finally destroyed in the lake of fire, is an unknown period.
What is meant by the term, “cut this short for the elects’ sake”? Let us look at that because it has a bearing on the year 2027. To cut something short simply means to reduce in size. So therefore, we are being told that the time identified as six thousand years must then be ‘cut short’ by an equal period that is identified from the time that Jesus calls forth the wicked until they are finally destroyed in the lake of fire.
Let us look at that period. Again, we go back to the vision.
“There stood men of lofty stature and dignified bearing, who had fallen in battle while thirsting to conquer. As they come forth from their graves, they resume the current of their thoughts where it ceased in death. They possess the same desire to conquer which ruled when they fell. Satan consults with his angels, and then with those kings and conquerors and mighty men. Then he looks over the vast army, and tells them that the company in the city is small and feeble, and that they can go up and take it, and cast out its inhabitants, and possess its riches and glory themselves.
“Satan succeeds in deceiving them, and all immediately begin to prepare themselves for battle. There are many skilful men in that vast army, and they construct all kinds of implements of war. Then with Satan at their head, the multitude move on. Kings and warriors follow close after Satan, and the multitude follow after in companies. Each company has its leader, and order is observed as they march over the broken surface of the earth to the Holy City. …
Here we see that there must be a period need to prepare and ‘construct all kinds of implements of war’ and then to organise and then march upon the Holy City. During this period sin is still rife upon the earth. Remember we were told that sin would last for six thousand years, and we know that God is very precise in all that He does and speaks of. So, six thousand years is six thousand years. So, if sin is still present during this period after the thousand years, then that time period must be ‘cut off’ from the six thousand year period that leads up to 2027.
So finally, we see that if it takes a year for this to happen then one year must be ‘cut off’ from the six thousand years bringing the end date from 2027 to 2026.
We already know that we don’t have a definitive time period for this therefore, it must make us acutely aware that Jesus’ soon coming is literally ‘at the door.’
Let us recap Matthew 24 and the implications to these final years.
Firstly, we are told, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” On this point, don’t believe a word written here until you do your own research. That is especially important, because there will come many saying they come in the name of Christ, but they will be wolves in sheep clothing. Their only aim is to spread deception, so be very wary.
Secondly, we are told that there will be many signs that will be pointing to Christs’ soon return, “ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: nations shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” So again, look for the signs, and there may well be many.
Finally, Daniel 11:45 and 12:1 speaks of the final prophecy before probation closes for all mankind. After this comes the plagues.
As spoken by Jesus, “All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.”
Brothers and sisters now is the time to put your trust in Jesus and not man. Not your family, not you minister but in God though His Holy Word. Trust only Jesus Christ the Son of the living God. He that has the power to save is coming, be ready.
God Bless
restitutiontruth 