Before answering the important question of when Christ is returning, I need to share a personal story.
Back around 1972, I was dating a girl named Joni who had some questions about the end times and the return of Jesus. Having just read Hal Lindsey’s bestselling book, The Late Great Planet Earth, I thought I had all the answers.
Joni was no theologian, but she persisted in asking some hard questions. Lindsey confidently said Christ would have to return within the generation that saw the rebirth of Israel as a nation. That meant the second coming would surely occur sometime in the 20th century, most likely by 1988.
Based on this premise, some friends of mine dropped out of college. Getting an education seemed like a huge waste of time and money if the second coming was so near.
But when Jesus didn’t return by 1988, many people were disillusioned. Instead of just blaming Hal Lindsey’s flawed analysis, they concluded that the Bible itself had made inaccurate predictions.
Lindsey described the “rapture” of the church as an event preceding a terrible seven-year tribulation period when God would pour out His judgments upon unbelievers. Numerous other books and movies would eventually further this view, warning about the dangers for those “left behind” at the rapture.
However, by the time my conversation with Joni ended that night, I had to admit I was blindly trusting the research of others but needed to do my own study. For the next week or so, I dug into every prophetic Bible passage I could find.
You may not agree, but I became convinced that Lindsey’s rapture doctrine was incorrect. Yes, we’re clearly told that Jesus will catch us away (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). But what is the timing on that? What if Lindsey’s pre-tribulation timeline was pieced together based on wishful thinking rather than sound hermeneutics?
Although I ended up with five or six pages of notes on the subject, let me share just a few of the scripture passages that stood out to me. The first one was this:
“Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:29-31).
While Lindsey confidently said Jesus would come and take us away before the tribulation period started, Jesus clearly said otherwise: “AFTER the tribulation of those days.” And the “loud trumpet call” Jesus mentions here correlates with what Paul described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16.
Likewise, I believe the trumpet in these two passages is the same as the seventh (final) trumpet in Revelation 11:15: “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.’” This is a beautiful declaration of what will happen when Jesus returns to set up His kingdom.
The rapture concept of a “secret” coming of Jesus is also dispelled by this description of His return: “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him” (Revelation 1:7). Quite the contrary to a secret return for the church, this says “EVERY eye will see him,” even His enemies.
What About the Tribulation?
The real issue of the “rapture” is when it will occur. Many Bible teachers bend over backwards trying to prove that believers will not be present on earth during the “Great Tribulation” period. Viewing that as a time of the Lord’s wrath, they point to the fact that “God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
Yes, there will be a time of tribulation before Jesus returns, as Matthew 24 says. But I’m no longer sure it will be seven years in length. Perhaps the great tribulation described in the Bible refers to events in the past (such as 70 A.D.) or the present, not the future. Here’s the reality: Christians throughout history have experienced periods of tribulation and persecution. This is nothing new.
Even though many American Christians can’t fathom the possibility of facing future tribulation, Paul warned us about this: “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). The rapture concept fits in well with feel-good American Christianity, but the Bible says we should expect opposition in the normal Christian life: “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).
So, if we face no persecution, we should be alarmed! This year I’ve interacted with Christians all over the world who’ve undergone fierce hostility because of their faith. For many who seek to wholeheartedly follow Jesus, their experience has been ridicule, job losses, beatings, imprisonments, and sometimes even death. Just last week, I heard of 70 believers who were beheaded!
Sometimes I picture what it would be like to preach the rapture doctrine in a Muslim country like Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Iran. “Brothers and sisters, I have good news!” I would begin. “Jesus will return soon, and you’ll be able to miss the coming tribulation.”
That message may work in America, but I don’t think it would resonate among believers who are already experiencing great persecution and tribulation. For them, their “blessed hope” is that Jesus will soon return to rescue them—not from some future tribulation, but from the tribulation they are already in!
So, I often find myself preaching about the second coming to Christians in persecuted lands. Yet instead of assuring them about a rapture that precedes tribulation, I preach that Jesus will soon return to set up His earthly kingdom.
The Bible promises that Christ will restore everything Adam and Eve forfeited in Genesis 3. Instead of conflict, chaos, sickness, anxiety, and death, He will make everything new. There will be a new heaven and new earth, and “he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore” (Revelation 21:1-5).
That’s good news, indeed!
More Questions
At a birthday party with my grandkids last week, a devoted Christian woman asked me questions reminiscent of the conversation with my girlfriend Joni years ago: “Jim, I hear you are a pastor,” she began. “Do you believe in the rapture and the possibility that Jesus will return this year?”
Frankly, I stammered and was unable to give her a clear, concise answer. That’s one of the reasons I decided to write this blog.
As I reflect on the subject today, I realize there’s one thing I actually like about the rapture doctrine: It teaches that Jesus can return at any moment, so we must continually be alert and ready.
In contrast, those who dismiss the pre-tribulation rapture idea are prone to say Jesus can’t return until all sorts of other things happen first. For example, there’s all sorts of speculation about a third temple being built in Israel, the sacrifice of red heifers, getting the gospel to more unreached people groups, the rise of Antichrist and a one-world government, and so on.
Although I have opinions on some of these allegedly necessary “signs of the times,” I believe the overwhelming testimony of the scriptures is that Jesus will come at a day and hour when He’s not expected. He warned that His followers must remain in a state of readiness, faithfully doing the things He has instructed us to do (Matthew 24:45-51). He also said we should be sure to have extra oil in our lamps, because the Bridegroom’s return may be delayed (Matthew 25:1-13).
Any valid teachings about Jesus’ return should thus prompt us to urgency and preparedness, not complacency. We should make sure our hearts are right with God and ask the Lord for greater compassion for the lost and more boldness in sharing the gospel.
When Will the Last Trumpet Sound?
Some Bible teachers and social media influencers have pointed out that the major events in Jesus’ life and ministry typically occurred on Jewish feast days. His crucifixion coincided with the Feast of Passover and His resurrection was on the Feast of Firstfruits. Then the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Feast of Pentecost.
This prompts an interesting question: Will Jesus’ return be on the Feast of Trumpets, known as Rosh Hashanah? This year the date will be from September 22 to September 24—just a few weeks away! Internet prophets have convinced millions of people that Jesus will be coming back that day.
Do I think Jesus will return at the Feast of Trumpets this year? I doubt it, but I really have no idea. It could be this year or many decades from now. Yet I am sure of this: It’s time for us as followers of Christ, whether in persecuted lands or places like the United States, to recommit ourselves to passion for Him and compassion for others.
Jesus gave us this stern warning: “Watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly” (Luke 21:34). For Bible prophecy or any other issue, the heart of the matter is always a matter of the heart.
Are there clear prophetic signs pointing to Jesus’ return? Even though there will always be skeptics and scoffers (2 Peter 3:3-4), the answer is clearly yes.
We’ve been warned that “perilous times” will come in the last days, so that sign shouldn’t be any surprise. But instead of being paralyzed by fear or lulled to sleep by apathy, Jesus told us what our posture must be: “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).
Sincere believers may have valid questions about the details and timeline. After all, the religious leaders in Jesus’ day had many misguided interpretations of the Old Testament prophetic scriptures about the Messiah’s coming. I certainly don’t have all the answers about Jesus’ return—and I’m skeptical of anyone else who claims to have it all figured out. In fact, if you see someone promoting their elaborate charts detailing the last days, you should be skeptical too.
Even Jesus’ disciples had questions about when He would inaugurate His kingdom. Yet instead of giving them a timeline, He gave them a task: you “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:6-8).
And don’t miss Peter’s reminder that our understanding of prophecy should impact “what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11-12). If our view of the end times doesn’t affect our conduct, having the correct theology will be of little use.
It all gets down to this: Let’s make sure we’re ready to stand before Jesus at His return. Regardless of how we understand the details and timeline, the constant cry of our hearts should be, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).
P.S. I’ve come to love a new song about the second coming: “Come Jesus Come,” by Stephen McWhirter. Here’s the link, and I think it will inspire you as well.
This is outstanding Jim.
Your insights are excellent and I admire your courage to stick to the scriptures rather than popular misconceptions about the end times.
God bless you!
Mark
Great insights Jim!