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The issue of readiness found in these verses is beyond controversy. The initial events leading up to the appearing of the son of Man will come as a surprise to nominal Christians! Notice this verse: “But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6) These verses reveal that there is no need to be surprised about the fulfillment of prophetic events if we are awake, alert and prepared. Centuries ago the prophet Amos wrote, Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.”(Amos 3:7) It seems clear that if correctly understand the apocalyptic prophecies contained in Daniel and Revelation, there is no need to be surprised. Although we do not know the day or hour of Christ’s return, we can know the timing of events in relation to God’s prophetic clock.  We should always be living as if God’s Word is about to be fulfilled.

An Overwhelming Surprise

The overwhelming surprise that Jesus continues to warn us is not the Second Coming, but the initiation of the sequence of events leading up to His physical appearing. How does the surprise occur? Jesus offers this parallel: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. for in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left…” (Matthew 24:37-39) In other words, before the flood, life went on as usual. People were not fasting or praying for understanding. Instead, they were eating and drinking, planning weddings, and living as if the end of the world was only a fragment of someone’s imagination. (See 2 Peter 3:5-7.) The antediluvians were warned of immediate disaster. For almost 120 years the work and message of faithful Noah irritated the antediluvians. (Genesis 6:3; Hebrews 11:7; 2 Peter 2:5) However, they were busy with life’s activities; going about their daily routines with little concern. The antediluvians were warned that the end was coming, but none believed.

So, what did Jesus mean when He said:”… and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.” In their wildest imagination, the antediluvians did not conceive the enormity or the process of what lay ahead. In the busy and active lifestyles that existed before the flood, the antediluvians did not intimately concern themselves with Noah’s message or his “crazy” activities. I am a sure Noah’s peers considered him a “kook.” Then one day, without further notice or announcement, Noah and his family went inside the ark. When the animals came in an orderly fashion to enter the ark, few, if any, spectators were present. Noah’s folly had been there for more than a hundred years - it was “a common sight.” The Lord Himself closed the great door while the rest of the world was totally unaware of the significance of what had just happened. (Genesis 7:16) Everyone outside the ark was doomed and they did not know it! Everyone inside the ark was “sealed” in and they knew it. The townsfolk did not notice that the work outside the great boat had stopped. The noisy hillside and become quiet. Excess building materials and other construction items were lying around the perimeter of the big boat, just as they had been for years. Things looked pretty much the same. No doubt, intoxicated revelers went out to jeer or mock Noah at times, but no one was disturbed or worried that last night on Earth. Jesus said, “They were eating and drinking” and planning for another day. What they did not know was that there were no more tomorrows.

Suddenly, a streak of light streamed down from the sky followed by calamitous heaves in the Earth and ocean. These were followed in quick succession by sonic booms and catastrophic crashes. The grumble of a great earthquake could be heard from deep within the Earth. The ground began to rise in places, buildings began to fall and the air was suddenly filled with hot moist vapor. I believe the sky was literally falling! A steady sequence of horrific explosions was heard as fiery meteors and asteroids impacted planet Earth and the fountains of the deep were broken apart. Although the impacts were some distance away from Noah, the sounds of doom were everywhere. Every eye was wide open. Every pulse was racing. Suddenly, as if on cue, everyone remembered Noah! “So this is how it will happens,” they thought as they grabbed as many precious items as they could carry and fled their shaking houses.

Sheets of lightening illumined the ark, undisturbed and motionless. The boat stood as a monument for truth. The tall, smooth sides of the ark prevented anyone from climbing aboard. The size and weight of the ark’s only door was more that men could move. I can imagine the sound of frantic pleading – Noah! Noah! Noah!!! Let us in! Please, let us in. Please!!!” Within minutes of the meteoric impacts, torrents of water converged on the hillside where a crowd had gathered. I surmise that a great tsunami came rushing in from the ocean and pushed inland, followed by rivers of water pouring from the sky. The foolish antediluvians were swept to their deaths within minutes. They knew nothing about the course of events because they had refused to listen.

Jesus makes it quite clear: “As it was in the days before the flood, so shall it also be at the coming of the Son of Man.” Noah and his family did not escape the flood, but they did escape destruction because of their faith. (Hebrews 11:7) Likewise, the saints will not escape the Great Tribulation, but they do have the assurance of salvation. They know that Jesus has promised to be with them until the very end. After comparing Noah’s day with the Second Coming, Jesus brings His remarks into sharp focus. Two people will be working side-by-side; one will be saved; the other left behind. Jesus was not alluding to a pre-trib rapture. He was speaking about the qualifying experience of faith. Faith in God is not something that can be developed within 30 minutes of terror. Faith in God is something that develops through testing and trials. As Jesus reflected about the time of His return, He saw many parallels between Noah’s day and ours. The Great Tribulation will strike the world with violence unseen since the days of Noah. Again, there will be powerful earthquakes, meteoric showers of burning hail and two asteroid impacts. (The first four trumpets consist of great physical harm to this planet.) And yes, there will be enormous terror and death. Of course, the destruction caused by the seven trumpet events will not be total, as in Noah’s day, or no one could live. Although 50% of the Earth’s population will survive these horrific manifestations of God’s wrath, the time period of the seven trumpets will be filled with gloom, darkness and despair.

Little Has Changed

Little has changed. As in Noah’s day, most of the world still refuses to listen. Even devout, religious people refuse to hear. They have created sweet prophetic concepts, counting themselves worthy of escaping the Great Tribulation that will soon occur. Many people are deceived and an overwhelming disappointment is approaching. Who is to blame for all this misinformation? Everyone – everyone who owns a Bible. God has mercifully put a translation of His Word in almost every language of the world, making sure that everyone who wants to know the truth may have the opportunity. If people were sincerely searching for truth, having open discussions and studies about the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation Christians would be much better prepared for what is coming.

Like a Thief

The apostle Peter sums up the approaching Tribulation saying, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare…That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.” (1 Peter 3:9-12) For most of Earth’s inhabitants, the Great Tribulation will begin without knowledge or warning – just like a thief! The Great Tribulation will be 1,335 days in length. (Daniel 12:11,12) Even if the entire human race were told, few would believe. How sad! But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should not surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6) This you can count on! When the seven trumpets begin, people who have made a habit of studying God’s Word and daily listening to His Spirit will be ready. People who “played church” will be left…left wondering what went wrong.

Summary

If we harmonize all that the Bible has to say about the Second Coming, a comprehensive picture begins to form. It will be a most awe-filled day. John wrote, Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.” (Revelation 1:7) The prophet Joel saw the great day of the Lord, Before them [the warriors of the Lord] the earth shakes, the sky trembles, the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The Lord thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty are those who obey his command. The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?” (Joel 2:10,11, insertion mine.) Given the preponderance of evidence throughout Scripture, we have to conclude there is one gathering of the saints – at the Second Coming.

Quiz:

1.      Is there a difference between the rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus?

2.      Is the righteous living at the end of time going to precede the righteous dead to heaven?

3.      When does the judgment occur?

4.      Are the seven churches that Jesus spoke about in His day, the only seven to get to the Kingdom of God?

5.      What is a testing doctrine that some churches come up with? Does it have anything to do with salvation?

6.      Do you see a parallel from the days of the antediluvians and how they acted towards truth and our day today?

7.      Are you ready to challenge other Bible readers about the difference of the rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus? Explain!

Notes:

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