A Morning Bible Study ── The RETURN of Our Lord JESUS CHRIST!

by Leonard V Johnson

Truly, this subject ── like no other ── brings joy to me! I feel so blessed and honored by the LORD God to be able to bring to you today this glorious, good news! No story around the world could be GREATER! THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST!

Yet, just before His murder, His death, and glorious resurrection unto life ── before His ascension to the upper heavenly realms more than 1,994 years ago, our Lord Jesus Christ announced, “’ I WILL COME AGAIN!’” – John 14:2-3. And only moments after His ascension, two divine messengers assured the apostles, “’ Men of Galilee, … This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’” – Acts 1:11.

This glorious announcement has indeed been made! But sadly, this clear and plain ANNOUNCEMENT is overlooked by the majority of professing Christians around the world ── who don’t believe our Lord Jesus or His messengers ── the glorious and powerful Second Coming! They continue regurgitating their doctrine of a “secret rapture” in which they will be swept away with Him to the third heaven!

For this installment of The Morning Bible Study, let’s examine God’s living truth about the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!

1) Until when does God’s living word tell us that our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ will remain in the third heaven before His powerful return to planet Earth?

This is pivotal and central in the greatest of Good News –

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven [speaking here of the third heaven, where GOD now resides] must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” – Acts 3:19-21.

Remember, the prophet Enoch - who was Adam’s great-great-great-great grandson (and Noah’s great grandfather) – prophesied of this coming kingdom long before the Book of Genesis was written – see Jude 1:14-15. Also, notice Isaiah 2:2-4.

Friends, this world as a whole doesn’t understand this awesome living truth that GOD is preparing for us. Let us thank Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ that They have blessed us with this great mystery!

Our Lord Jesus Christ is coming to establish the kingdom of God (the government of God) over the entire Earth! It was not established after the LORD God’s archangel Lucifer (now called Satan the Devil) was sent to the newly created planet to continue its beautification. Instead, because of his pride and lust for power, he ascended into the third heaven and tried to dethrone Jesus Christ and be like the Most High! – cf. Isaiah 14:12-15.

2) Will God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ intervene in world affairs before Their glorious and powerful Return?

Yes. They have intervened since the very beginning. Note Genesis 3:9-19. One of the LORD God’s latest interventions in world affairs is the miraculous physical salvation of President Donald Trump from the bullet of an assassin! Truly, as much as we dearly love the fact that our new President of the United States of America is Donald Trump, there will be grave unforeseen consequences because of his presidency very soon.

Will His Second Coming be globally expected?

No.

“’ And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth DISTRESS OF NATIONS, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26) men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27) Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.’” – Luke 21:25-27.

“’ For it will come AS A SNARE on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.’” – vs. 35.

Our Lord Jesus is saying there will be a great time of ‘great tribulation’ – and immediately after that, ‘the sign’ of Jesus Christ coming will appear in outer space. And I describe it this way - when the throne of God, when New Jerusalem, begins to return to this Earth, at some point, it will be a little small light in the night sky. And the next night it will be a little brighter – like the star Sirius. And then, it becomes more and more obvious – and people will look up and go, “What is that!?” Now, most of the people of the world will think it is – and they really will – an invading alien force. The United States of America – especially since mid-1947 – has been fascinated with space aliens and extraterrestrials. In fact, in the Book of Revelation, John wrote – “the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every [bond] man and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, [think of such places as the Cheyenne Mountain Complex], and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!’” – Revelation 6:15-16.

3) To what age in human civilization's history did our Lord Jesus compare His glorious and powerful return?

“’ But of that day and hour NO ONE KNOWS, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37) But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.’” – Matthew 24:36-37.

What the world calls “The Second Age.” Sadly, as it was ‘in the days of Noah’ the majority of our peoples will be completely confused concerning the truth of the end-times. Or, they will completely ignore the loving gospel message concerning the end-time. 

Surely, we have to presume that our Lord Jesus Christ now knows.

The Apostle Peter also wrote of this TIME OF THE END – 2nd Peter 3:1-4 – “Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2) that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3) knowing this FIRST: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4) and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since our fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation [or rather, in this 21st century phraseology, ‘from the beginning of the Big Bang!’].”

As our Lord Jesus Christ let us know, there would be several things to Watch and look out for. “ … ’ Take heed that no one deceives you [religiously and spiritually]. … you will hear of wars and rumors of wars [all throughout this present evil age]. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom [a reference to Daniel 11:40]. … famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.’” – Matthew 24:4, 6-7.

Truly, religious deception, wars, violence, and an increase in lawlessness. Droughts, famine, and great earthquakes in various places around the world, along with other natural catastrophes, disease epidemics, and the rise and aggression of a radical Islamic power! The rise of a powerful United States of Europe, a final civic and military leader who seeks global supremacy! A great and influential false Catholic religious leader – an end-time pope.

Did the people of Noah’s day really expect great and untold devastation to come to them?

No. Notice Matthew 24:38-39.

“’ For as in the days BEFORE THE FLOOD, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39) and did not know until the Flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.’”

Again, will the majority of our peoples on earth be expecting the LORD God’s intervention in these cataclysmic global catastrophes, and be expecting the powerful Return of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Again, no.

“But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, DID NOT REPENT of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, …” – Revelation 9:20.

“’ Therefore you also must be ready [speaking to those who truly follow and obey our Lord Jesus Christ], for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’” – Matthew 24:44.

Even a great many that truly worship, follow, and obey our Lord Jesus will not be expecting His Return at the hour He does!

4) Would only our brethren of the 1st century be unable to know the day and hour ── or does it apply to all people throughout this present evil age?

“’ Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’ 41) Then Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?’ 41) And the Lord said, ‘Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? 43) BLESSED is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.’” – Luke 12:40-43.

Notice that our Master’s warning is especially for the generation that will see all these things come to fruition. Those alive ‘when He comes’!

While this parable does indeed include providing physical food in due season, it is also speaking concerning spiritual food in due season. The ‘faithful and wise steward’ will not be focused mainly upon themselves but doing the work that our Lord Jesus Christ has assigned them to be doing. Cf. John 21:15-17.

5) Even though we cannot know the exact day and hour of our Master’s Return, are we able to know the season of His Return?

Yes.

“’ Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33) So you also, when you see ALL THESE THINGS, know that it is near ──at the doors! 34) Assuredly, I say to you, THIS GENERATION [the generation that sees all these things come to pass] will by no means pass away till all these things take place.’” – Matthew 24:32-34.

What “signs” did our Lord Jesus say we would see before His glorious and powerful Return?

Notice Matthew 24:4-7.

6) What major “sign” did our Lord Jesus say we would see to indicate that the end of this present evil age has come?

“’ THEREFORE when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place’ (whoever reads, let him understand), …” – Matthew 24:15; see also Mark 13:14.

I’m willing to accept the possibility that this is Jesus Christ suggesting the prophecy of Daniel 11. The king of the North vs. the king of the South. The Catholic European combine and the Islamic confederation – whatever they will call themselves in the future. I think this is an indication of the growing tension between these two groups of people. In all of this, it’s a step-by-step progress – over here something happens, over there something happens. And as you read and study God’s living word, you sort of get the feeling that it grows in intensity! The ‘abomination of desolation’ ── (a two-fold prophecy; notice Daniel 11) a soon-coming ‘man of sin’ setting himself up in Jerusalem (‘standing in the holy place’) ‘showing himself that he is God’ – cf. 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-4. This is the major “sign” to watch for!

Yet, even BEFORE this ── the (possibly) twelve end-time witnesses come on the scene WARNING for 3 ½ years. As our Lord Jesus speaks of ──

“’ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.’” – Matthew 24:14.

They will be given power from God Almighty and Jesus Christ to begin prophesying – testifying - to kings, to world rulers, to the subjugated elect of God, to a great religious leader and political leader – standing before the god of the earth (Satan the devil) – WARNING for 3 ½ years! Having the power from GOD to heal, to ‘shut up the atmosphere from rain, to turn waters to blood, and to strike the earth will all plagues as often as they desire’ (see: Revelation 8:7-12). And this ‘gospel’ is the announcement of the coming Kingdom of God! The Kingdom of God is the GOVERNMENT OF GOD! And, as these end-time prophets, under the direct inspiration of God’s Spirit, are proclaiming this soon-coming WORLDWIDE GOVERNMENT, ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet,’ will be set up ‘standing in the holy place’ – talking about Jerusalem. And this will come about when European forces invade the Middle East to put down Islamic resistance – to crush it militarily. ’For then …’ – when you see this great military force enter Jerusalem from the North – Europe – and take over Jerusalem, and a great holy man claims that he is now God – that is the ‘abomination that makes desolate’ – Jesus says, ’there will be great tribulation, …’ – many, many horrible globe- girdling problems! “…’ such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.’ ’And unless those days were shortened, …’” – except this end-time trauma be shortened, “…‘no flesh would be saved; …’” – and as some translations say, ‘saved alive; but for the elect’s sake …’ – a certain group of people who are very near and dear the hearts of God the Father and Jesus Christ – referring to the physical people of the House of Israel. Once named Jacob.

7) Will our Lord Jesus’ triumphant and powerful Return from low earth orbit be accompanied with a shout, with the booming voice of an archangel, and with trumpet blasts?

Yes!

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven [the atmosphere; recall, in God’s living word, there are three separate heavens. The atmosphere, starry space, and God’s dwelling place] with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet [the SEVENTH TRUMPET] of God. …” – 1st Thessalonians 4:16.

Our Lord Jesus Christ’s Coming will not be any “secret rapture” event at all. For the WHOLE WORLD will hear Him and see Him!

“Behold, He is coming with clouds [the atmosphere], and EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM, even they who pierced Him [meaning, even the seventh and final resurrected “Holy” Roman Empire]. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” – Revelation 1:7.

“’ For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. … 30) Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven [speaking of starry space], and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven [the atmosphere] with power and great glory.’” – Matthew 24:27, 30.

8) Will our Lord Jesus Christ Return to the same Mount of Olives that faces Jerusalem on the east from which He ascended?

Again, yes!

“Then the LORD will go forth And fight against those nations [See: Revelation 16:16; the Battle of Armageddon], As He fights in the day of battle. 4) And IN THAT DAY His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. …” – Zechariah 14:3, 4.

And when He returns to the Mount of Olives, He will not be alone! Notice who is coming with Him ──

“ … ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15) to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh [and blasphemous] things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’” – Jude 14, 15.

“Now I saw a new heaven [a new atmosphere] and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. … 2) Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven [low earth orbit] from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3) And I heard a loud voice from heaven [the atmosphere] saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God [here, the word God is ho Theos, meaning God the Father when it appears without qualification or the Son, as in monogenēs Theos] is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God [ho Theos] Himself will be with them and be their God.” – Revelation 21:1, 2-3.

Notice also ── “ … for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” – Revelation 21:22.

We could point to twenty or twenty-four verses that say it implicitly or suggest it. God the Father is coming back with our Lord Jesus Christ!

“’ For the Son of Man will come in [or with] the glory of His Father with His angels, and then he will reward each according to his works.’” – Matthew 16:27.

9) Do the saints return from the third heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ, or just from “low earth orbit” down to the “new heaven” (the atmosphere) of the Earth?

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, … 15) For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep [meaning, those who are dead in Christ]. 16) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven [low earth orbit down to the atmosphere] with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ WILL RISE first. 17) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them IN THE CLOUDS to meet the Lord IN THE AIR. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18) Therefore comfort one another with these words.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 15-18.

Who gathers the saints from all around the world to be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air?

“’ And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven [the atmosphere] to the other.’” – Matthew 24:31.

ADDITIONAL MORNING BIBLE STUDIES IN THIS SERIES:

'Overcoming' Is Important ── God’s living word – the Holy Bible – speaks a great deal about overcoming. Let us understand just what it is and why it is so IMPORTANT. 

What do you mean... Born Again? ── Born again. A profound truth that even today still completely mystifies many people.

Are You Preparing For God's Kingdom? ── On our short Welcome video, we announce that the kingdom of God is coming soon – are YOU prepared!?

God's Definition Of A True Christian ── YOU'LL notice in our writings that we use the phrase “true Christian” quite a lot. Just what is a true Christian!? Many people certainly have their own definition of what a true Christian is, but let’s learn God’s definition.

God's Coming Kingdom ── Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ascended to the upper heavenly realms some 1,992 years ago! He came to Earth to announce the glorious, Good News of His soon-coming kingdom!

What the Feast of Tabernacles Pictures ── The LORD our God’s seven annual festivals picture the steps in which He is bringing about His Master Plan for the redemption of all mankind.

Are You Handling God's Test ── Do you realize that every one of us is being tested by Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ!? How are you handling God’s test?

Is God's Spirit Within You? ── Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ tells us that we will know a true Christian by their fruits ... Is God’s Spirit within you? Are you a Spirit-begotten child of our living God – and how can you tell!?