Bible Doctrine 18: The Second Coming of Christ

BIBLE DOCTRINE 18      

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

God’s Word teaches:

That the Second Coming of Christ will be just as literal and visible as His going away, and He is coming to execute judgment upon the ungodly. He will also, then, set up His Kingdom and reign on this present earth for a thousand years - Zechariah 14:3,4; Matthew 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 13:24-37; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; 2:8; Jude 14,15.

The Scriptures abound with evidence that speaks of the certainty of Christ's Second Coming. Our Lord Jesus spoke of His return several times, once leading the disciples to enquire about the signs that would herald that certain event. A study of the scriptures indicates that certain prophecies concerning Christ and some future program of God are not yet fulfilled and would only be, after the second advent of Christ. However, all the signs preceding the Second Advent are being fulfilled daily. Going through the Olivet discourse of Matthew 24 and 25, the following signs of His coming are clear. Jesus Himself said, there would be deceptions (Matthew 24:4-5,11,24), false Christ(s) (Matthew 24:5,23-26), wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6-7), Famines (Matthew 24:7), pestilences, earthquakes, antisemitism (Matthew 24:9; Mark 13:9,13), offences (Matthew 24:10), betrayals, hatred, false prophets (Matthew 24:11), lawlessness and martyrdom. He said the impact of the second coming will be as universal as when "the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth unto the west ..." It would make all "the tribes of the earth to mourn". They would be deep in spiritual lethargy and indifference as was the case in the time of Noah's flood (Matthew 24:27, 30, 37).

The Holy Spirit, through the apostles, confirmed that Christ shall appear "the second time" (Hebrews 9:28) and would then reward His faithful servants with crowns of glory, praise and honor and His adversaries with fiery indignation (I Peter 5:4; 1:7; Hebrews 10:27). James the apostle also encouraged believers: "Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth near". The angel of God confirmed that, "this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11).

The prophecy in Isaiah 9:6 that the government (of the whole world) would be on His (Christ's) shoulders is yet to be fulfilled. Also, some prophecies in Isaiah 61 concerning our Lord Jesus Christ were only partially fulfilled at His first coming. Christ Himself confirmed in Luke 4:21 that "this day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears". The rest of the prophecies in that chapter would be fulfilled after His second advent.

The exactitude with which the old time prophecies concerning the first coming of Christ were fulfilled points to the infallibility of the Scriptures and to the certainty of those prophecies concerning His second advent. Prophecies on His virgin birth, details of His earthly life, His death, burial and resurrection were all literally fulfilled to the letter, and so would those relating to His second coming.

Apart from the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning Christ, other divine purposes which the second advent would fulfill include: (i) the comfort of the church (John 14:1-3; 16:20-22); (ii) the restoration of Israel to her sovereignty as prophesied in the scripture (Isaiah 32:18; 33:20-24); (iii) the judgment of the earth (Revelation 20:11-15; John 5:22); (iv) The renovation of the earth (Isaiah 67:17; 66:22; Revelation 21:1); (v) The restoration of all things as God wants it (Romans 8:20-23; Jeremiah 12:4,11).

The greatest event that will precede the Second Coming of Christ is the Rapture - the catching up of the saints to meet the Lord in the air and to be with him forever. The Rapture lies in the valley between the mountains of Christ's first and second coming. It is a part of the mystery of the church which in the Old Testament age "was not made known unto the sons of men" as it was revealed in the New Testament to "His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit".

The Rapture should, however, not be confused with the Second Coming. The two events are distinct and separated by seven years.  Specifically, the second coming refers to Christ's coming to the earth to live as He did in the first coming, to be seen by every eye. In the rapture, Christ would not come to the earth but stop in the air where the saints will meet him. It is not every eye that will see Christ at the rapture. When Christ meets the saints in the air, He will take them to heaven where they would remain, out of the period of the Great Tribulation (Revelation 19:18,19). It is during this seven-year period that the marriage supper of the Lamb and the judgment of saints for reward would take place in heaven (1 Corinthians 3:12-15;  2 Corinthians 5:10). In other words, the rapture is the time Christ comes for the saints, to take them to heaven. In the second coming, however, He will come to the earth to live and fulfill a definite part of God's time-table for the earth and man. Christ would come with the saints raptured seven years earlier. Whereas the rapture can take place any moment without warning; the second coming cannot happen until after both the rapture and the Great Tribulation.

In His Second Coming, Christ will reign on the earth for one thousand years with the saints. Christened the Millennial Reign, Christ's rule would be characterized by unprecedented peace, prosperity and blessings on the earth (Isaiah 11:1-9). Satan, the author of heartache, strife and contention would be bound for the duration of Christ's Millennial Reign (Revelation 20:2,3).

Satan and his cohorts will mobilize forces to fight Christ and to frustrate His coming again to establish the Millennial Reign, just in the same way he used Herod in his attempt to kill Christ at His first coming. He was defeated and again he will be defeated. The battle against Christ and His host is called the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19:11-21; 20:1-4). There will be a great and terrible slaughter of the armies of the anti-Christ gathered from the nations of the earth through the efforts of the evil spirits sent out over the earth by Satan, the anti-Christ and the false prophet (Revelation 17:13,14). This Satan's last attempt to wrongfully take the Kingdom from Christ will fail.

The world and the church are called to prepare for this great event. The world is admonished to repent and come to Christ before the day of the Lord (John 3:1-8). The Church as a bride is called to be ready, holy, spotless, watchful, prayerful and busy preaching His word until He comes (Hebrews 12:14; 1 John 3:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:1,2; Ephesians 5:25-27). "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him" (Revelation 1:7).

Bible Doctrine 17: The Great Tribulation

BIBLE DOCTRINE 17

THE GREAT TRIBULATION

God’s Word teaches:

That the Great Tribulation will occur after the Rapture and will be a time of terrible suffering on earth, it is also referred to as the time of

“Jacob’s trouble”- Matthew 24:21, 22, 29; Revelation 9:16; Mark 13:19;

2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; Revelation 13. During this time, the Antichrist will take possession of this world for a reign of terror. He will not be a system or organization but a person - a supernatural, diabolical being, in the form of a man who will blaspheme and proclaim himself to be God (Daniel 8:23-25; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation 13:1-10). The Marriage Supper of the Lamb will take place above while the Tribulation continues on earth - Revelation 19:1-10.

    

     The Great Tribulation is described as the “... time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7) “... great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be" (Matthew 24:21). “... The day of the Lord” (Joel 1:15) “... A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness” (Joel 2: 2). “... a day of wasteness and desolation" (Zephaniah 1:14, 15). “... a time of trouble" (Daniel 12:1). The purpose of the great tribulation is to make Israel suffer so that they can be ready to cry to the Messiah (the Lord Jesus Christ whom they, at present, reject) to come back to them. It is also to judge the unbelieving men and women of all ages (Zechariah 12:10, 11; 13:1-9; 14:12-13).

     The Bible shows that the great tribulation will take off after the rapture of the church (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 4:1) and will last for seven years. It will end at the second Advent of Jesus Christ when He alights on Mount Olives (Zechariah 14:4; Matthew 25:31; Revelation 19:11,12; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Jude 14,15; Acts 1:11) and settles on earth (Jerusalem) for a thousand-year reign called the Millennial Reign (Revelation 20:4,5).  This means that it is post-rapture and per-millennium or, the 70th of Daniel’s 70 weeks (i.e. after the 69th week) Daniel 9:26, 27; Revelation 19:11-19, 21; Matthew 24:15-31; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8). It is post-rapture because God will not like His children to suffer the great tribulation, its judgments and destructions. He saved Noah (a preacher of righteousness) and his family before destroying the world with flood (Genesis 6:8-10; Genesis 7:1-13, 16-24; 8:15-22). He rescued Lot (who was vexed with the filthy conversation of Sodom) and his family before destroying it with fire (Genesis 19:10-29). So God will take away His children from the earth before the great tribulation begins. The great tribulation reaches its peak of destructions, judgments, terrors, frightening wars and desolation from the middle of the seven-year duration and ends with Christ’s Second Advent. This is when the anti-Christ breaks his seven-year peace covenant with Israel and attacks Jerusalem (Revelation 19:15-19, 21; Matthew 24:15-22; Daniel 12:1; Jeremiah 30:6-9).

     The great tribulation is described as being full of woes, judgments, famines, bloody wars, explosions, plagues (incurable epidemics which become pandemic), terror,  anguish and earthquakes. It will be a time men will be calling unto the mountain to fall upon them; burning rocks falling from heaven upon the earth and scorching it, seas will be polluted, cattle and vegetation will be destroyed and millions will be dying from catastrophes, “as if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him ...  leaned his hand on the wall, and serpent bit him”.  Beasts and men will be in trouble even mighty men will weep. “Neither their gold and silver (riches) will be able to deliver them”. Whole cities and nations will be under great distress, perplexity, as  the seas  and waves  roaring, hypertension and confusion as the powers of the heavens will be shaken by God (Amos 5:18,19; Isaiah 2:19; 24:1-3,6,19; Mark 13:24; Joel 1:15; Luke 21:25,26; Matthew 24:11-26; Revelation 19:1-3,11-19,21). The great tribulation opens with the rapture of the church (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 14:1) then the rise of the Anti-Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8).  He wins nations; some by war while others concede authority to him (Daniel 7:8, 24-25; Revelation 17:8-14). The False Prophet popularizes him, making men to worship even his image. No one buys or sells without the mark or number (666) of the beast. While these are going on, saints receive rewards in heaven (Revelation 2:17, 25-28; 3:12). There will be great apostasy, more of false religions and increase in the power of the devil who will be driven down to the earth (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; Revelation 12:10-12; 13:2, 12-18). God’s planned judgments will fall on men in a divine sequence, producing supernatural phenomena and demonic creatures unknown to man. These will come as Christ opens seven seals of a scroll on which they occur, then the blowing of seven trumpets each, a harbinger of more woes. 144,000 Jews will be sealed and raptured as well as countless tribulation saints from all over the world (Revelation 7:1-17). Saints in tribulation will be martyred (Revelation 6:9-11; 14:13; 20:4-6). A mighty Angel appears with rainbow on his head, a little book opened and swears that “there should be time no longer”, (Revelation 10:1-11). After this, the high point of catastrophes called “the great tribulation” begins for the remaining 3½ years (Revelation 11:1-19; Daniel 12:1,5-7;   Jeremiah 30:6,7). Jerusalem falls to the Anti-Christ and Israel is defeated (Matthew 24:15-22; Daniel 11:40-45). Israel runs for refuge in old Edom (Revelation 12:6,13-17; Isaiah 16:1-5). There will be more woes on earth through the pouring out on it of the content of seven vials (Revelation 15:1-6; 16:21; 18:1-24). God’s two witnesses appear, are killed and later resurrect (Revelation 11:7-12). The marriage supper of the Lamb takes place (Revelation 19:1-10) and saints prepare to return to the earth with Christ (Jude 14, 15; Revelation 19:11).

     The scope will cover Israel, the Middle East and the whole earth. The powers at work will be (a) the Anti-Christ called the Beast, the King of the north, the Syrian, the Assyrian, the king of Babylon, the extortioner, the man of sin, the little horn, the Prince that shall come, a king of fierce countenance and understanding dark saying, the spoiler, the son of perdition and that wicked one empowered personally by Satan  (2 Thessalonian 2:1-10; Daniel 7:8,24; 8:9,23; 9:26,27,36-45; Revelation 13:1-18; 14:9-11; Isaiah 10:31; 30:31; Micah 5:3-15; Isaiah 14:4; 16:4; Daniel 7:11). (b) The false Prophet (Revelation 13:1-19; 14:9-11; 15:2-4; 16:2-12; 19:20; Daniel 9:27; 11:35, 45; 12:7; Matthew 24:15). (c) God’s powerful judgments (Joel 1:15; 2:11; Amos 5:18; Revelation 4-19:1-21). (d) The devil (Revelation 12:7-17; 20:1-2; 2 Thessalonian 2:9)

     While terrors are unleashed on the earth, saints will be (a) receiving rewards:  crowns, mansions, new names, white stones, etc., at the judgment seat of Christ (Bema) (I Corinthians 3:11-15; Luke 14:14; I Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10-12; Matthew 16:27; John 14:1,2; 1Thessalonians 2:19; James 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 2:17,25-28; 3:12,21; 22:12-16). The believers' time of judgment and reward only means the evaluation of believers’ works for which they may receive rewards or loss of reward. All raptured believers will be eternally saved. (b) Rejoicing and feasting at the marriage supper in heaven (Revelation 19:6-9)  (c) Worshiping God with the angels (Revelation 7:9-17; 14:1-5; 4:5,7) and (d) preparing for the second Advent with Christ upon white horses (Jude 14,15; Revelation 19:11-14; Matthew 25:31).

          The great tribulation ends when Jerusalem is ravished by the Anti-Christ with two thirds of it captured at the end of the seventh year, and the children of Israel will repent in great mourning and tears, calling for the Messiah, Jesus Christ to come back to the earth and establish the millennial reign all over humanity (Zechariah 14:4-8; Micah 1:3,4; Zechariah 14:1-3; 13:1; 12:4-14; Zephaniah 3:8; Joel 3:13-16). All Israel will be saved (Romans 11:25-27; Hebrews 8:8-12; 10:17; Zechariah 12:10; 13:1; Isaiah 66:7,8). Jesus then descends, destroys the anti-Christ, the false prophet and casts them into the lake of fire together with his armies at the battle of Armageddon (valley of Megiddo), then an angel, binds the devil and casts him into the bottomless pit for 1000 years (Revelation 19:20; Ezekiel 38:3,9; Revelation 20:1-3; Zechariah 14; Revelation 1-20; Revelation 19:11-21; Isaiah 34; Jude 14,15). Jesus Christ then builds a millennial temple at Jerusalem from where He rules the whole world.

Official release of the book; Tears of the Lamb.

You can grab your copy from www.morebooks.de
Be blessed.

My book is available now, Title; Tears of the Lamb.

  TEARS OF THE LAMB BY N.C CHRISTOPHER

In recent past, Christians are known to be a different set of people with an impeccable lifestyle like the early church in the New Testament. But growing number of people do not see Christians that way, rather they see Christians as people of poor nature with the language of the poor; they call Prayer. This book will give you the insight about the deviations from the true Christian life and what has become of us that we should lose what we ought to be in this world.

My concern is not to make up Christianity by writing epistles because there are no more epistles to write but to point out the way which we live now is not aligned to the doctrines in the scripture which was given to us. The savior of the world; ‘Jesus’ has done all things well and God gave us not only Jesus but gave us all things through Him. The present inhabitants of this world have the largest number of lost souls ever in the history of mankind, the church is now a business, the gospel is diluted to suit the hearer and the dissimulation we exhibit make us look like sheep without a Shepherd, not only that, we put tears on the eyes of the Lamb of God because we have cast the precepts of God, His ordinances, and commandments into the garbage can.

I do not see the congregation of the early church but I believe they are the church of Jesus Christ that did everything Jesus did when He was in the flesh, they live like their Master Jesus and passed these attributes to us but we cannot cope. This is because we have tried Christianity, found it hard, difficult and finally rejected it. The tears that role down the cheek of Jesus; our savior is as a result of our weakly attitude towards His teaching, the lost sight of His majesty, the lost sight of His glory, the lost sight of the judgment seat of Christ and lastly the weak evangelism of this era.  All roads will lead all men to the judgment seat of Christ. The content is God inspired to warn all those who are called by His name about the deviation and the possible consequence that will follow. As you read the message, hear it as a good sermon and see the immediacy and the necessity of returning to the old path of righteousness, holiness and worship to the King of Kings.

The bible quotations are from the King James Version (KJV) and some paraphrases have emphasis added by the author. 

 The book is a available now @ www.morebooks.de 

Bible Doctrine 16; The Resurrection of the Dead

BIBLE DOCTRINE 16      

THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD

God’s Word teaches:

That the Resurrection of the dead is taught in the Bible as clearly as the immortality of the soul. Every individual who has ever lived will be resurrected, some to honor and glory and others to everlasting shame and contempt - Job 19:25-27; Psalm 71:20; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28,29; I Corinthians 15:12-57; I Thessalonians 4:13-16; Hebrews 6:1,2; Philippians 3:8-11; Revelation 20:4,6,12,13.

     The resurrection of the dead is a cardinal and an important doctrine of the Bible. As a fact, all who die in this world will undergo physical resurrection before the Great White Throne Judgment. This doctrine shows that there will be a resurrection of the body, joined with the soul to meet the LORD either in peace and joy, or meet Him (as a Judge) in condemnation, eternal punishment and torment of hell fire.

     Jesus, the Prophet come from God, declared in John 5:25, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” The fact of the resurrection of the just and unjust rings through the teaching of Jesus Christ (John 6:40; 11:25; Matthew 16:21; 22:23-32). Job spoke of his eyes and flesh seeing God after worms have destroyed his body (Job 19:25-27). Isaiah spoke of the earth casting out the dead (Isaiah 26:14, 19). Daniel spoke of the awakening of many that sleep in the dust, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt (Daniel 12:2). In like manner spoke David (Psalms 16:10; 17:15),  Old Testament saints (Hebrews 11:35), New Testament saints (Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-18; Luke 24:1-49;  John 20: 19-21) including Paul (Acts 17:18,32), Peter (I Peter 1:3; 3:21), even Herod the wicked King and the generality of the people of his day believed in the resurrection of the dead (Mark 6:14-16).

     The form to be associated with the resurrected body of the just is exemplified by the glorified body that Jesus, the first fruit, had after His resurrection (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:11-20,24-31; I John 3:2). All resurrected bodies will be immortal (Daniel 12:2; Mark 9:42-48). The resurrected bodies of saints will possess different degrees of glory. “There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead” (I Corinthians 15:39-54).

     In the intervening period between death (when the body and soul are separated) and the resurrection, one may ask: Where is the soul? The soul of a saint of God goes immediately to meet God in heaven. The repentant malefactor on the cross received forgiveness and assurance of Jesus: “Today shall thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:39-43). Righteous Lazarus died and was “carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom” where he was comforted (Luke 16:19-31). Stephen at death said, “I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” ready to receive him (Acts 7:54-60). Paul was “willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:1-8). Many other references of the Scripture confirm that the soul of the saint rejoices in God’s presence at death (Philippians 1:21-23; Ecclesiastes 12:1, 7). On the other hand, when a sinner dies, his soul goes immediately to hell. In hell fire, he is conscious; he can see, feel and hear (Luke 16:19-31).

      The timing for the resurrection to life of the just and resurrection to judgment of the unjust is well spelt out in the scriptures in accordance with the ordained program of God.

     The resurrection of the saints of God also variously described in scriptures as resurrection of life (John 5:28, 29), resurrection of the just (Luke 14:13, 14), a better resurrection (Hebrews 11:35) and the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6), has four phases:  

     (i)  The resurrection of Christ, the first fruit (I Corinthians 15:3, 4, 12, 20, 23).

     (ii) The resurrection of the Church-age saints at the rapture (I Thessalonians 4:13-16).

     (iii)    The resurrection of the tribulation period saints (Revelation 20:3-5).

     (iv) The resurrection of Old Testament saints at the second advent of Christ to the earth (Daniel 12:2; Isaiah 26:19).

     All the saints of God that ever died would resurrect in the first resurrection. Not a soul will be left behind. What joy! What triumph!!  “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6).

     The second resurrection is still part of God’s program but deals with the unsaved dead. There is a difference in time of one thousand years between the first and second resurrection (Revelation 20:5-15). The second resurrection is also described as the resurrection to damnation (John 5:29). There will be everlasting punishment and torment in the lake of fire for all who partake in the second resurrection who have missed the first resurrection and whose names are not found in the Book of Life (Daniel 12:2; Revelation 20:11-15).

     As in the early church when Hymenaeus and Philetus erred concerning the truth by teaching that the resurrection was past already, thereby making a shipwreck of their faith and that of all those who followed their false doctrine, there are many false teachers today who “know not the scriptures nor the power of God” and overthrow the faith of many (2 Timothy 2:17,18; Matthew 22:23-32). Today many false teachings on the resurrection of the dead abound having the same devastating effects on all who believe them. Among such doctrines are (a) Annihilation and (b) Purgatory.

     The doubt, unbelief and scoffing of sinners will not prevent the complete resurrection program of God for both the saved and the unsaved, the same way it did not alter the resurrection from the dead of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ (Acts 23:8; 2 Timothy 2:15-18; I Corinthians 15:12-23; Romans 3:3,4). The resurrection of Christ and the future resurrection of the saints form the foundation of our Christian faith (I Corinthians 15:16-20). “For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised; and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. BUT NOW IS CHRIST RISEN FROM THE DEAD!”

          To partake in the first resurrection, the resurrection of the saved, there must of necessity first be a spiritual resurrection in the present life, whereby the spirit is quickened from death in trespasses and sins, and the whole being renewed in the glorious likeness of God to a life of righteousness and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord (Ephesians 2:1,2,4-6; 1Thessalonians  4:14,16; 2 Corinthians 5:17-19; Hebrews 12:14).

Bible Doctrine 15; The Rapture

BIBLE DOCTRINE 15      

THE RAPTURE

God’s Word teaches:

That the Rapture (commonly referred to as the first phase or stage of the SECOND COMING OF CHRIST) is the catching away from the earth, of all living saints and all who died in the Lord. The Rapture will take place before the Great Tribulation and can happen any time from now. “In a twinkling of an eye” without a moment’s warning, “the trumpet shall sound” “and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” - John 14:1-3; Luke 21:34-36; I Corinthians 15:51-58; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:4-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:5-7; Philippians 3:11,20,21; I John 3:1-3.

     The rapture is the greatest event of all ages that the Church is waiting for.  It is the catching away of all true believers in Christ to meet the Lord in the air (I Thessalonians 4:16).  Christ, at the end of His first advent, was in like manner taken up in the air to go and prepare a place for His own.  The parting promise from God was that Jesus will return in like manner to receive His ‘Bride’ to be with Him forever (Acts 1:9-11; John 14:1-3).

     The rapture is not the same as the Second Coming of Christ.  At the Rapture, Christ will appear in the air.  He will not be visible to the inhabitants of the earth.  His mission then will be to resurrect all dead saints, who, along with the living believers, will put on immortality and shall be caught up to be with the Lord.  This event will take place in the twinkling of an ‘eye’ before the great and terrible day of the Lord, when the wrath of God will be poured down from His cup of indignation without mixture - an event fitly called the Great Tribulation (I Corinthians 15:52). The Second Advent will not take place until after the great tribulation.  The time of the Rapture is unknown, even by the angels (Matthew 24:36; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5).  The Rapture will be heralded by the voice of the archangel and the blowing of trumpets signaling the end of the Church age (I Thessalonians 4:13-15).

     The Rapture was a mystery, unknown to the Old Testament saints and prophets.  God had underlined this great event in two different ways in the Scripture to assure us of its certainty.  First, it was illustrated in Enoch and Elijah, the two living saints who did not taste death but were translated in a moment of time and caught up in the air (Genesis 5:24, 2 Kings 2:11,12).

     Second, it was illustrated in Christ in the New Testament. He died, was buried and resurrected. While He talked with His disciples on Mount Olivet, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight (Acts 1:9-11).

     The rapture which was a mystery to the Old Testament prophets marks the end of the Church Age, also referred to as the time of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24).  This truth was veiled to the saints of old.  However, known unto God are all His works from the foundation of the earth.  In His mercy, He interrupted His program for Israel with the interpolation of Church Age.  Christ the Messiah came for His people but they rejected Him (John 1:11), and God turned to the Gentiles to take a people for Himself.  The rapture will mark the end of this special period of grace.  Does this mean that God has forsaken His people Israel forever?  Far from it, God will resume His program with Israel immediately after the rapture, thus ushering in the beginning of the Seventieth week in Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27).

    Any moment from now, the trumpet shall sound and He that shall come will come and will not tarry.  It is very certain that Christ is coming back again.  He assured the Church of the certainty of His coming (John 14:1-3).  Angels proclaimed it; apostles and saints throughout the ages preached it.  All the signs of His coming are daily being fulfilled.

        Christ, answering a pertinent question asked by His disciples on “...What shall be the sign of thy coming...” (Matthew 24:3), gave in details what would be happening on earth shortly before His coming (Matthew 24:5-12, 30-39).  He highlighted the following as what to expect:

     (i)   Many false Christ’s will arise to deceive many unsuspecting believers.

     (ii)  There will be wars and rumors of war.

     (iii) There will be international wars.

     (iv) Famine(s) (global economic recession)

     (v)  Pestilences

     (vi) Earthquakes in divers’ places

     (vii)  There will be persecution of Christ’s followers and some cases of martyrdom.

     (viii) The emergence of many false prophets.

     (ix) Backsliding from the faith on the increase

     (x)    More people given to pleasure and merry-making than those seeking the Lord.

     The scripture also predicts the conditions, characterized by a system of denials that will be prevalent within the visible Church, shortly before Christ’s return.  There will be a denial of God (2 Timothy 3:1-5), a denial of Christ (I John 2:18; 4:3), a denial of Christ’s return (2 Peter 3:3, 4), a denial of the faith of Christian living (Jude 18) and a denial of authority.  All these signs are being fulfilled before our very eyes.

     To qualify to partake in the rapture, one must be born again, live a transparent holy life, walk daily in the light, do service for God, watch daily, pray always with all prayer, and maintain these experiences at the time of the Rapture or at the time of death as the case may be (John 3:3; Hebrews 12:14; John 4:35-38; 9:1-4; I Thessalonians 4:16, 17).

     All the signs preceding the Second Advent of Christ are all fulfilled a clear indication that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is very close and the time of the Rapture is much closer.  Sinning Church members will not be able to go at the rapture, though saved before and baptized in water. Careless and compromising preachers will miss the rapture; it does not matter what Christian work they may have done in the past.  All such people together with backsliders and sinners outside the Church will be left behind to face the Great Tribulation.

          Knowing that these things shall be, that the rapture will occur unannounced, and it is very imminent, what manner of persons ought believers to be?  Sinners are to make haste to repent and embrace Christ, as their Savior.  The Saints of God are to watch and pray lest that day comes upon them unprepared (Matthew 24:42-44).

Bible Doctrine 14; Marriage

BIBLE DOCTRINE 14

MARRIAGE

God’s Word teaches:

That Marriage is binding for life. Monogamy is the uniform teaching of the Bible. Polygamy is contrary to God’s perfect will and institution. Also, under the New Testament dispensation, no one has a right to divorce and remarry while the first companion lives. When a person becomes converted, necessary restitution, on this line, must be done without delay if he has married wrongly. Genesis 2:24; Deuteronomy 7:1-4; Job 23:11-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Proverbs 31:10-31; Malachi 2:14,15; Romans 7:2,3; Ephesians 5:31-33; Matthew 5;31,32; 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18; John 4:15-19; Genesis 20:3-7.

     Marriage is a holy union, a living symbol, a precious relationship that needs tender self-sacrificing care. It is God’s idea and not a derivative of any culture. It is a gift from God to man and it has three basic aspects: (i) The man leaves his parents, and in a public act, pledges himself to his wife; (ii) The man and woman are joined together by taking responsibility for each other’s welfare and by loving the partner above all others; (iii) The two become one flesh in the intimacy and commitment to the wonderful union which is reserved for marriage. By so doing, marriage provides the needed fellowship, comfort, companionship and partnership.  It is one of God’s methods to keep men and women free from fornication and immorality. With very few exceptions, most men and women are to marry. These few exceptions are to receive God’s guidance and are not to be the product of infantile decisions, misguided imitations, faithless consecration or frivolous religious compassion (Genesis 2:18-20, 22-24; Matthew 19:4,5; Ephesians 5:31; I Corinthians 7:1,2,25-29,32).

     Marriage is part of God’s plan to raise the Christian family. But the believers is not to go searching for a wife or husband, neither are they to resort to the abominable method of ‘sampling’ or ‘picking and choosing’. And the Lord God, said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18). God seems to be saying, “I am not going to allow the man to choose for himself”. “And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made He a woman and brought her unto him” (Genesis 2:22). God did not bring a girl, an immature female or a teenager, but He brought a woman - (intelligible, sensible and mature) unto the man. He brought a perfect fit - two of a kind! God still leads His children to His will in marriage today. He does this through (i) His Word (Psalm 119:105,130; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17), (ii) the inner voice of the Holy Spirit, prompting, directing, influencing or checking (John 10:4, 5, 27; Romans 8:14; Proverbs 20:27; I Samuel 9:15-21; 16:12, 13; Joel 2:28,29; Acts 9:10-15). However, any revelation that is received must be diligently compared with the Scripture. If any revelation, visions or dreams contradict the Scripture in anyway, such revelations, visions or dreams are to be rejected as false (Isaiah 8:19, 20; Jeremiah 23:21-32; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Revelation 22:18, 19). Once the will of God is known, believers are to seek and obtain their parents’ consent before going on with any further plans (Genesis 24:15-29; 34:3-12; Exodus 22:16; Deuteronomy 7:3; I Samuel 18:20, 21; I Corinthians 7:36-38).

     It is ungodly for any believer to elope with a woman or man no matter the divergent and unyielding stance of their parents (Genesis 31:20-51). People in such a situation must pray and trust in the Lord who gave the revelation of His will, to finish the work, for “with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27;  Psalm 37:4; Philippians 4:6; Proverbs 21:1). Thereafter, payment of bride price or dowry shall be executed in line with the Scripture. It is an ungodly practice to borrow money or go into debt to impress the woman’s parents or invitees. It is also considered sinful for two people to live together without meeting the requisite obligations to their parents (Exodus 22:17; I Samuel 18:25-27; Hosea 3:2,3; 1 Corinthians 14:40; Romans 13:7,8). The parents’ consent will lead, naturally, to a period of courtship to be determined by the church leadership but preferably not longer than nine months. This affords the intending couple the opportunity to understand each another and plan for the future together. It is a time to be spent together not in secrecy but in the home of a Christian family where movement of people is not restricted.  It is during courtship that the intending couple will discuss their expectations of each other (on finances, size of family anticipated, extended family, etc). Purity must be maintained before, during and after the courtship (I Thessalonians 4:3-7; 5:22). Visitations and exchange of gifts at this stage are not acceptable, before the wedding. The Christian wedding is preceded by ‘filing in of notice’ at the Marriage Registry. This is to enable the public inform the Magistrate should there be any objection to the proposed marriage. The church wedding will take place after the Pastor had received a certificate from the magistrate.

     The church will not join a couple in marriage where (i) one of them had been previously married and is separated from his or her partner (Matthew 19:4-6; John 4:18); (ii) the lady has not obtained the consent of her parents; (iii) the lady is already pregnant (iv) the couple is in unequal yoke - one of them is not born again (Deuteronomy 7:3; 2 Corinthians 6:14).

     Therefore, no believer will marry an unbeliever or a divorced person. Moreover, God’s word forbids the believer marrying “any that is a near of kin”, that is “a relative” (Leviticus 18:6). Marrying relatives was prohibited by God for physical, social, and moral reasons. Children born to near relatives may experience serious health problems. When improper sexual relations begin, family life is destroyed. “For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled ...” (Leviticus 18:27).

     From the parables and actual marriages in the Scripture, weddings were moments of rejoicing and feasting (Jeremiah 33:11; John 2:1-11; 3:29; Isaiah 62:5) and special garments were provided for the bridegroom, bride, and guests at the wedding (Matthew 22:12; Revelation 19:7,8). Yet, Christian practice must be guided by the uniform teaching of Christian living in the New Testament (I Corinthians 7:29-31; 6:12; 8:9, 13; Romans 14:15; I John 2:6; 3:2-4). The believers therefore must shun every form of worldliness and worldly imitations in dressing and in the manner of entertaining guests. Simplicity and modesty must characterize the wedding in order that God’s name may be glorified.

     The first step in creating a new union with one’s spouse is the dissolving of the old one: a severance of relationship with one’s parents  (Genesis 2:23,24; Ephesians 5:30,31). He is to 'leave father and mother', which means departing, loosing oneself, finding freedom from them. Many who have violated this scriptural principle have discovered to their chagrin a hurt to their marital joy. Marriage is “until death do us part”, and God did not make any provisions for divorce or re-marriage.

     In marriage, lack of spiritual, emotional, and intellectual intimacy usually precedes a breakdown of physical intimacy. When couples fail to expose their secret thoughts to one another, they shut off the line of communication to one another. The great secret of conjugal happiness is mutual love, kindness, tenderness and loveliness of character in the home. The wife should respect and obey the husband and the husband should love and care for the wife (Ephesians 5:22-31). “Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands as unto the Lord ...” Submission is not the obliteration or nullification of the woman’s personality. It is neither subjugation nor an imposed obedience. Submission is a voluntary subordination. It is obedience motivated by love (Philippians 2:5-8). “Likewise, ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands ...” (I Peter 3:1-6). Such a life speaks loudly and clearly, and is often the most effective way to influence a family member. Christian wives should develop inner beauty rather than being overly concerned about their appearance. When the wife lives the Christian faith quietly and consistently in the home, her family would see Christ in her.

     “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it ... So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife, loveth himself” (Ephesians 5:25, 28). Christ is the model of love. The husband can never love his wife too much; yet, that love is inconsequential when compared to his love for the Lord. The husband’s love makes him to be considerate, understanding and is able to bear with his wife.

     The husband is also the head of the family. This headship has the idea of authority, an authority after the analogy of Christ’s headship. In that sense, the husband is the spiritual head of the family and his wife goes along with his leadership. A wise and Christ-honoring husband will not take advantage of his role, and a wise and Christ-honoring wife will not try to undermine her husband’s leadership.

     “Nevertheless,  let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband” (Ephesians 5:33). 

Bible Doctrine 13; Personal Evangelism

BIBLE DOCTRINE 13      

PERSONAL EVANGELISM

God’s Word teaches:

That Personal Evangelism is a God-given and God-ordained ministry for every believer. Jesus commanded and God requires every believer to be a compassionate and fruitful soul winner, bringing others to Christ - Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-49; John 17:18; Acts 1:8; 1-4; Psalm 126:5,6; Proverbs 11:30; Daniel 12:3; Ezekiel 3:17-21.

     Personal Evangelism is a God-given and God-ordained ministry for every believer. The Greek word “evangel-lion” (gospel) actually means Good News. It is good news from a loving God to a lost world that, through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, there is salvation (John 3:16, 17). Personal evangelism is the person-to-person sharing of this good news of salvation with the aim of soul-winning - leading the sinner to repent and turn wholly to God through Jesus Christ, the Savior (John 1:40-42; Acts 8:26-37). Jesus commanded and God requires every believer to be a compassionate and fruitful soul-winner (Matthew 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). Although mass evangelism is good and necessary, it will never take the place of personal evangelism. Illustrating the efficacy and superiority of personal evangelism, one godly man said, “If you had one hundred empty bottles before you, and threw a pail of water over them, some would get a little in them, but most would fall outside. If you wish to fill the bottles, the best way is to take each bottle separately and put a vessel full of water to each bottle’s mouth”. Another man of God said, “The world is never going to be brought to Christ whole-sale, but one by one. Men are not born collectively, they do not die collectively, they do not accept or reject Christ collectively.”

     Personal evangelism is essential and mandatory because (a) Jesus commanded it (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19,20); (b) God is happy with its result (Luke 15:10); (c) Jesus did it (John 4:21-30; Matthew 4:19); (d) God the Father started it (Genesis 3:9); (e) Jesus prayed for the believers’ sanctification to make personal evangelism effective (John 17:17,18); (f) The Holy Spirit is given because of it (Acts 1:8); (g) Jesus Christ willed it (Matthew 4:19); (h) It is the heart desire of God (Ezekiel 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9); (i) Jesus’ earthly ministry illustrates it (Luke 19:10); (j) The early apostolic church practiced it (Acts 8:30-37; Mark 16:20; Acts 8:4); (k) It is a mark of true wisdom (Proverbs 11:30); (l) Every genuine believer is equipped for it (John 1:37-45; 4:28,29); (m) It is the primary purpose for our salvation (John 15:16; 20:21); (n) There is great reward for those who carry it out (Daniel 12:3); (o) The harvest is plenteous but laborers are few (Matthew 9:36,37; John 4:35-38); (p) Life is short while eternity is endless (John 9:4; I Corinthians 7:29-31); (q) Souls are precious to God (Matthew 16:26; Mark 8:36,37; Psalm 49:6-9); (r) Hell is the end of all who die in sin (Mark 9:43-48; Psalm 9:17; Revelation 20:10-15); (s) Powers of darkness and cults are growing (2 Timothy 3:13; I Timothy 4:1); (t) Neglect hinders prayers and progress (Proverbs 21:13; 24:11,12); (u) It can be done without any expense. No loudspeakers and microphones are needed. No permission from the government, church or school is needed for the use of their compound (Acts 8:4). Finally, (v) there are tremendous possibilities in personal evangelism when pursued vigorously and scripturally. It produces abundant results through the law of spiritual multiplication. For instance, if a church of 100 dedicated and witnessing members will share the gospel with the unsaved, each member with effective follow-up will, within a period of four months, disciple a new convert till he becomes a soul winner. If each convert were in turn to win one person to Christ, for example, spending four months helping him to grow in faith, and then each of them in turn were to win another soul, there would be in one year four hundred Christians. If they spend four months with the new converts and if each of the four hundred believers wins another, they would be eight hundreds. Continuing in that schedule, the membership of the church would be over three million in five years. Precisely, if there were only one Christian in the world and he worked a year, and won a friend to Christ, and if these two continued each year to win another, and if every man they led into the kingdom of God continued to win another, then, in thirty years, every person in the world would be won for Christ.

     To be involved in personal evangelism, personal experience of conversion is indispensable (2 Timothy 2:6,7, 19-21; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Also, the soul-winner must live a holy life (2 Timothy 2:4; Isaiah 52:11). Secondly, the true soul-winner must have a strong, unshakable conviction (John 9:4; I Corinthians 9:16; Acts 26:22-24; 21:8-14). He must, therefore, see himself as an ambassador of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19,20) and must thus devote his time, talents, strength and money to the furtherance of the Gospel. The world will never see Christ again until He comes back in judgment, except as it sees Him in us. There should therefore be a strong conviction about God, the Bible, salvation, Christ’s death, resurrection and His second coming. Thirdly, the soul winner must accept that the responsibility of preaching the gospel is not optional but a debt (Romans 1:14; Proverbs 24:11,12; Ezekiel 33:6; I Corinthians 9:16). Furthermore, there is need for a deep, burning Christ-like compassion (Matthew 9:36; Romans 9:1-3; 10:1). This should be the basis for the sacrifices we make, effectual fervent prayers we offer, tears we shed and hardship that we endure for the souls of men to be won to the Lord.

     Specifically, there must be quite a lot of secret praying because there is no substitute for expectant, secret waiting upon God for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, for wisdom,  strength and power, and for courage, hope, faith and a glowing, burning and appropriate message from God (2 Timothy 1:7). This prayer must be importunate to open the hearts of men to God (Psalm 2:8). The soul-winner must be skilful in the use of the Word which is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17; 2 Timothy 2:15). He must also have a definite message, and recognize first that the Gospel is a fact that must be told cheerfully; and an entrusted fact, that should be told faithfully. The soul-winner must preach the gospel with earnestness, love, simplicity, tact and wisdom (1 Corinthians 9:20-23; 2 Timothy 2:24-26). He must not give in to discouragement.

          Opportunities for personal evangelism abound daily on the streets, hospitals, motor parks, bus stops, inside the bus or taxi, prisons, homes of neighbors, schools, markets, etc. The soul-winner does not wait for a perfect opportunity as every situation is an opportunity (Ecclesiastes 11:4,6; 2 Timothy 4:2). An effective way of conducting personal evangelism is through friendship. Friendship evangelism is the art of leading a soul to Christ by cultivating his friendship. Deed of kindness, love, service and friendliness can be the bait that will get a sinner interested in the gospel message. The soul-winner must do things that will demonstrate that he cares for the person’s earthly welfare as well as his eternal soul. Friendship evangelism reflects genuine and true Christ-like love in action. Jesus Christ our Lord did not count it ungodly to dine with sinners (Luke 19:5-7). Tracts, cassettes, good books, magazines and even letter writing could be employed for personal evangelism. When do we start personal evangelism? Now. (John 4:35) This is because we cannot be guiltless before God if we neglect it (Ezekiel 3:18, 19). Millions of souls are rushing towards a lost eternity. Believers must, therefore, throw aside all flimsy excuses as there is no trouble too great, no humiliation too deep, no suffering too severe, no labor too hard, no expense too much in saving souls. We must arise therefore, pray and do the work.