When will Christ return?
This is a question which is on the mind of many believers in this present day.
1 Thes. 1:10, says, And to wait for His Son from Heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 Thes. 5:9, says, For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain Salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.
I will admit that I am not the most well studied prophecy theologian in the World. Far from it.
Because this is the case, I am going to put some simple facts forward which are not that complex because I am just not that studied on the subject. However, I believe that as you read the simplicity of what I am going to say, you will easily see some evidences of what is coming and even now at the door.
I have always thought that the Book of Revelation was a book of the wrath of God. And it surly is, but also so much more. For this small commentary though let us look at what Revelation has to say about the wrath of God, and also what may lead up to that wrath.
I have heard it taught, and indeed it may be true, that the Church will be caught up before the revealing of the Antichrist.
Let us look at Rev. 6:2, And I saw, and behold a white horse; and he who sat on him had a bow (notice it doesn’t say he had arrows); and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
This very well may be the Antichrist, but most will not recognize him as such, because I believe his conquering in the beginning will be of a peaceful nature (no arrows). (note: The European Union is at present looking for a permanent leader [it has been stated that they have actually said, “if we can find a man whom the people will look up to and readily follow; we do not care if he is from God or from the devil,” or words to that effect].
Also, I feel I must mention, for the reader who is not abreast of the situation concerning the European Union; they are planning to expand their union over many nations, even as I am writing this commentary. I’ve even heard they would like to have the United States join.
Notice, thus far there is really nothing which we can call the wrath of God in this peaceful conquering.
The Second Seal reveals in Rev. 6:4, And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him who sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
A Red Horse? Were not the Russian Army called the Red Army for many years, and no doubt still are. I have also heard that the Russians have an abundance of horses.
The Russians also seem to be getting the bug to conquer. Consider Georgia.
I would say the Country of Russia does indeed have a great sword, with their many Nuclear weapons, which actually may be used at some point in time.
Still, I do not believe this would necessarily constitute the wrath of God.
The Third Seal brings forth the Black Horse and Rev. 6:6, says, And I heard a voice in the midst of the four Beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see you hurt not the oil and the wine.
This seems to proclaim a lack of food. Great expense for the food which may be purchased.
Still, there have been many times in the world when people had a scarcity of food. And Christians should be trusting in the Lord for Food and Raiment. If anything at all in this world, I believe the Lord is desirous for his Children to have food and raiment.
This may not really be the wrath of God. As a matter of fact, verse 10 of chapter 6 in Rev. seems to indicate that after the first five seals, God has still not poured out His wrath upon the Earth. Listen to what this verse says, “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, Holy and True, do you not judge and avenge our blood on them who dwell on the earth.” This really does not sound like a moment in time when the Lord has already poured out His wrath.
However, with the opening of the Sixth Seal, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of Heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casts her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
And the Heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of heir places.
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
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.
I believe and cannot see how anyone could not believe, that at this point, the Church must have already been caught up into Heaven. The Church is simply not called unto the receiving of the wrath of God.
It is difficult for me to understand how any Bible reading Christian could possible believe otherwise, especially considering what is said in 1 Thes.1:10 &5:9.
