Signs of Christ's Presence

In considering the signs of Christ's presence it is imperative that we are cognizant of three scriptural points. First, if as established in the previous chapter, the Greek word parousia means presence and not coming, then the signs that many accept as evidence of Christ's imminent coming actually prove that he is already present. Second, Luke 17:26,27, Matthew 24:37, 38, and many other scriptures reveal that Christ is present before the tribulation period.

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Luke 17:26, 27.

The point of comparison is not between the arrival of Noah and the arrival of our Lord. It is not even between the coming of the flood and the coming of our Lord. The comparison is between the days of Noah before the flood and the days of the presence of our Lord before the tribulation with which this Gospel Age ends. In both periods, the people were in ignorance of the coming trouble. The days of the Son of man are the days of his parousia, presence—invisible and unknown to the world. Therefore, we should expect to see signs of Christ's presence before the tribulation.

Third, these signs are to be recognized by faithful Christians as a proof that Christ is present. This precludes the instantaneous gathering of the living church at Christ's return. The dead in Christ are raised "first" when Christ returns, but the "living in Christ" remain on earth for a period of time after his return and see signs of his thief-like presence. The Scriptural teaching of the living saints being "caught up together" with the returned Lord will be considered in detail in a later chapter.

There are many proofs of Christ's presence, fourteen of which are here considered.

Israel Restored

"…the fig tree—when his branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves." Matthew 24:32 It is generally accepted by students of prophecy that the fig tree is symbolic of the nation of Israel (Jer. 24). In Matthew 21:19, Jesus cursed the fig tree because he found no fruit on it and it withered away. Shortly thereafter, he proclaimed judgment on the nation of Israel, "Behold, you house if left unto you desolate." (Matt. 23:38), because they had not borne fruitage to God. Israel was subsequently scattered and persecuted. Historians agree Israel's rebirth is a miracle of history. Never before has a nation been destroyed, its people dispersed to the ends of the earth and then nearly 2,000 years later, regathered to their homeland and re-established as a nation. The fig tree coming back to life, putting forth leaves, represents Israel coming to life as a nation and receiving God's favor increasingly.

Matthew 24:32, Mark 13:28 and Luke 21:29 all say when "the fig tree putteth forth leaves ye know that summer is nigh." Matthew and Mark follow this by saying, "so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things know ye that it is near, even at the doors." Some claim that the word "it" in Matthew 24:33 and Mark 13:29 should be translated "he" and feel the verse means that when Israel (the fig tree) brings forth leaves, then not "it," but "he" (Christ) is near at hand. This plainly is not correct. The "it" refers back to the "summer" in the previous verse. When the fig tree shoots forth, then "summer is nigh." Summer is the kingdom time of favor on earth that follows the destruction of the present social order by Christ. Christ is already here when the fig tree returns to life. His presence brings about the restoration of Israel and the destruction of our present evil world to make room for his kingdom that will rule from the rivers to the ends of the earth.

Can we be certain that the "it" refers to the kingdom and not to Christ? It is wonderful how the Bible is its own interpreter. Again, the Bible interprets a key word by means of a parallel account.

In the Luke 21:29-31 account, verse 31 replaces the word "it" of Matthew and Mark with the phrase "kingdom of God." Compare Luke 21:29-31 with Matthew 24:32, 33 and Mark 13:28, 29.

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Luke 21: 29-31

Many Christians will agree that the fig tree, Israel restored, is the greatest sign of our Lord's prophecy. Actually, Israel's reappearance is a proof that Christ is present.

Jerusalem No Longer Trodden Down

Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Luke 21:24

Jerusalem, in this passage, has been generally interpreted two ways. One: "Jerusalem" is the literal city. Therefore, the maximum extension of fulfillment would be 1967 when the old city, Biblical Jerusalem, was captured and became a part of the modern Israeli State.

The other interpretation is that "Jerusalem" is symbolic of the Jewish people, and that the incipient fulfillment began when World War I resulted in the guarantee of a national homeland for the Jews.

Jerusalem, ceasing to be trodden down of the Gentiles, was given by Jesus as a sign of his parousia. Parousia means presence, not coming. Therefore, whichever application we place on "Jerusalem," Christ must now be present because Jerusalem is no longer trodden down by the Gentiles.

Other New Nations

"Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth…" Luke 21:29, 30 If the "fig tree" is symbolic of the new nation of Israel, then it is logical to conclude that all the other trees shooting forth picture the birth of other new nations. Israel and all the new nations are signs of Christ's presence. Since 1948, over 80 new nations have joined the United Nations. The birth of so many new nations is further proof that Christ has returned.

"Many Shall Run To and Fro and
Knowledge Shall be Increased."

The events of Daniel 12:4 occur when Michael the archangel (Dan 12:1; Jude 9) stands up in the Time of the End. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 shows that Christ's return is accompanied by the symbolism of "the voice of the archangel." Therefore, the events that follow Michael's (the archangel) standing up in Daniel 12 are proofs that the Lord is present.

Selden's first automobile in 1877 marked the leap forward in transportation. Today there are over 200,000,000 cars. Through increased and numerous modes of transportation millions are crossing and recrossing each other's paths around the world. In the past 100 years, man has increased his travel from 30 mph to 25,000 mph right off the planet to the moon. Sophistication in communications, additionally, allows man to see and hear almost anywhere in the world instantly.

If the increase of knowledge from the dawn of history to the 1800's is given a value of one, then knowledge has doubled 16 times within the last 10 years. One hundred years ago, 90 percent of the world's population could not read or write. Today, 40 percent of the world's population can read and write. Ninety percent of all scientists who have ever lived are alive today. Fifty percent of the world's inventions have been created in the last decade.

The noted historian Barbara Tuchman has observed, "Man entered the Nineteenth Century using only his own and animal power, supplemented by that of wind and water, much as he had entered the Thirteenth, or for that matter, the First. He entered the Twentieth with his capacities in transportation, communication, production, manufacture and weaponry multiplied, a thousandfold by the energy of machines." (The Proud Tower, foreward, xvi) Unprecedented travel and increase of knowledge mark the presence of Christ.

Evils are Exposed as Never Before

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts…1 Corinthians 4:5

Never in all the annals of history have ecclesiastics, statesmen, men in government, heads of industry, labor leaders and the rich been so-cross-questioned, criticized and exposed as now at the bar of public judgment. Notwithstanding their determined effort to avoid the examination, they are obliged to endure the trial. Watergate, Agnew and exposed manipulations by the multi-nation oil interests, are but a few examples. The most significant thing about Watergate is not that it took place (corruption is as old as human history), but that it could not be covered up. Try as they would, it could not be hidden. Why? We are living in the time that the hidden things of darkness will be made manifest. Even a totalitarian state like Russia is powerless to prevent exposure as evidenced by the Solzhenitsyn affair. His expose gained worldwide coverage. Further exposures resulted in the overthrow of the communist empire. These world-wide exposures of corruption are another proof that we are at the time of our Lord's return and the end of the world.

Little Faith on the Earth

…When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8 "…his appearing…the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:1-4

Infidelity is rampant from university to pulpit. In the professed church of Christ the Word of God is no longer the standard of faith, the guide of life. Human philosophies are theories are taking its place. Even heathen vagaries are flourishing in places formerly beyond their pale.

A survey taken among delegates to the National Council of Churches revealed that over one third could not state they had a firm belief in God; thirty-one per cent could not say there is life after death; sixty-two per cent did not believe miracles happened as the Bible says they did; seventy-seven per cent did not believe the devil actually exists; and eighty-seven per cent rejected the Bible concept of inherited sin. Our day is in such marked contrast with the past that church historians speak of it as the post-Christian era. This world-wide scarcity of faith means the Son of man has come.

Signs of the Last Days

"In the last days will come time of trouble. Men will love nothing but money and self [affluence and materialism]; no gratitude, no piety,…implacable in their hatreds, scandalmongers, intemperate and fierce [drug addiction and senseless violence], despisers of those that are good, traitors…lovers of pleasure rather that lovers of God, men who hold an outward form of religion, but are a standing denial of its reality." 2 Timothy 3:1-5 N.E.B., K.J.V.

These verses read like Twentieth Century headlines. A further word about one of these signs:

"Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God." This has been remarkably fulfilled in a prevalent philosophy of today. "Hedonism," the philosophy that the end and object of life is pleasure, is not new. But today, for the first time, it has received general acceptance throughout the world. The various conditions predicted in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 are further proof that we are in the "last days" of this "present evil world."

Capital and Labor Strife

Ye rich men, weep and howl…your riches are corrupted…the rust of them shall be a witness against you…ye have heaped the treasure together for the last days. Behold the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. James 5:1-4.

Strikes and walkouts, the cries of laborers for their wages, are signs of the last days. We hear them steadily increasing. As we have seen from 2 Peter 3:3,4, these "last days" occur during the parousia or presence (mistranslated "coming") of Christ. The exorbitant profit of the industrialist and capitalist have heaped up until the "last days." The "Lord of sabaoth" has heard the cries of the workers. Since the return of the Lord, much of the injustice against the working man has been corrected. The protection of the rights of the working man is a phenomenon of our time. We have only to reflect back to 1894 when the then-future president Howard Taft wrote of the Pullman Strike of 1894, "It will be necessary for the military to kill some of the mob…they have only killed six…as yet, this is hardly enough to make an impression." The Proud Tower by Barbara W. Tuchman, page 478.

Never before in human history has the right of the worker to pressure management for higher wages and better working conditions been guaranteed by laws. But both capital and labor are tarred by the same sin of selfishness. Labor's demands will continue to increase for both just and fancied rights. Management will share just so much of its profits and the death struggle will be upon us. This equalizing of the scales of justice between capital and labor marks us as in the "last days" of James 5:1-4. Another sign that Christ has returned.

Revolution and Anarchy

For the day of the Lord is at hand: for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. And it shall come to pass in the day of the Lord's sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel. In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit. Zephaniah 1:7-9

Throughout the Christian Age, economically speaking, there have been basically two classes: the "haves" and the "have-nots." A large middle class is a peculiarity of our era and locates us in the Day of the Lord. For centuries, the wealthy have been aligned with church and state in the exploitation of the masses.

We are in the "Day of the Lord" spoken of by Zephaniah. To recompense the exploitations of the past, the returned Lord has prepared a sacrifice from the avaricious accumulations of the wealthy. And the guests (masses) have been invited to share. This economic leveling has resulted in the large middle class of our day.

Demonstrations, riots the struggles between capital and labor, racial majorities and minorities will progressively get worse in the day of the Lord's presence until they end in complete anarchy. Already, anarchy is just below the surface—ready to burst forth at the slightest provocation.

While the Lord is balancing the scales of justice for the past wrongs of the vested interest class, the exploited class by their unjustified demands and violence reveal that they have nothing better to offer. Because their ideologies are honey-combed with selfishness and deprivation, they will accomplish but one thing: the destruction of our social order.

The events that Zephaniah foretells take place during the Day of the Lord. The magnitude of the prophecy rules out a 24-hour day—or a shorter period of time. The masses are invited to share the economic excess of the wealthy and time is required to reveal the deceit and violence of the exploited as they rebel against the status quo.

The whole revolutionary trend of our day, with its periodic violent eruptions, is another sign that the Lord has returned.

Wars and War Preparations

Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears; let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come…gather yourselves together round about…Joel 3:9-11

Joel 3:1 identifies the events of this chapter as occurring during the regathering of Israel. As already seen, the regathering of Israel is a proof of Christ's presence, therefore, in the days of Israel's return (Joel 3:1), the wars and intensified was preparations are further signs of Christ's presence. A phenomenon of our era is the two World Wars affecting every corner of the globe. By 1980, civilian breeder reactors in forty countries will turn out, as a by-product, enough plutonium to make 5,000 nuclear bombs a year.

Sociologist Andreski, the noted expert on wars, writes, "Our own century has so far been much more warlike then its predecessor." Time magazine (March 9, 1970) in concurring, observes that 100,000,000 have died in wars since the being of the 20th century, while only 3,845,000 died in the 19th century. The premium is on nuclear armaments. Wars and intensified war preparations are another proof of the return of Christ.

"Let the Weak Say I Am Strong"

The previous scripture in Joel 3:10 reveals that during the intensity of war and war preparations, the weak nations say, "I am strong." For centuries the weaker nations placated and satisfied the whims of the stronger nations in fear of the consequences. This has changed in our day. In the United Nations, the weaker powers stand up to the great powers, verbally assailing and influencing them as never before. The bar of world opinion and power politics limit the harassment of weaker nations by major powers.

The greatest power in the world today, the United States, has bitterly experienced the "weak" saying, "I am strong." In the war against North Korea and again in the conflict with North Vietnam, the United States was unable to wage total war for fear of the consequences of world opinion. With hat in hand, the United States gradually withdrew from Vietnam, hoping not to lose too much face in an impossible situation. The strangle hold of the small oil-rich nations on the economies of the great world powers is another fulfillment of this sign.

The weak nations saying, "I am strong," is still another proof that Christ has returned.

"Peace and Safety"

Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. For when they say Peace and Safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them…" Luke 21:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:2,3

"The Day of the Lord" is marked by fearful nations crying for peace in conferences, but to no avail. The trouble comes upon them in spasms, as "travail upon a woman with child."

In 1907 a world court was set up at the Hague, Netherlands, to arbitrate international disputes. War was outlawed. "Peace and safety" were assured. Then World War I shook the world with an impact unprecedented in history as a whole world order began to crumble. In 1938 Neville Chamberlain "appeased" Hitler with part of Czechoslovakia and returned to England pronouncing, "peace in our times." Shortly after, the nations were embroiled in World War II.

Since the end of World War II, no previous generation has witnessed such a frenzy of peace-efforts, both on the United Nations level and nation-to-nation negotiations. Yet, war and sudden destruction continued to erupt as in Korea, Vietnam, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, etc. The Cold War ended with the fall of the Soviet Union. No longer was there rivalry between two super-powers, the United States and the Soviet Union. Seemingly, the world would now have peace. Then smalls wars like Desert Storm and the Yugoslavian ethnic wars broke out. The scriptures also indicate that Russia will again become a power to reckon with. The unprecedented peace efforts prove the presence of Christ.

Unprecedented Trouble

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved…Matthew 24:21,22

This unprecedented trouble is a sign of Christ parousia (presence, not coming). Watchful Christians discern Christ is invisibly present during this "great tribulation." Therefore it cannot apply to a seven-year period between "a secret rapture" and his visible return.*

*See detailed discussion on the "seven-year tribulation" theory, Appendix B.

Historians agree we are in such an era of unprecedented trouble. For example:

Looking back from the vantage point of the present we see that the outbreak of World War I ushered in a twentieth-century 'Time of Trouble'…from which our civilization has by no means yet emerged. Directly or indirectly all the convulsions of the last half century stem back to 1914 and Sarajevo: the two World Wars, the Bolshevik Revolution, the rise and fall of Hitler, the continuing turmoil in the Far and Near East, the power-struggle between the Communist world and our own…—Edmond Taylor, The Fall of the Dynasties, Doubleday, N.Y., 1963, p. 16.

We have seen that twentieth century wars have cost the lives of 100 million, but unprecedented wars are only one aspect of this great tribulation.

Tribulation as a result of Christ's presence is everywhere. it has never been so widespread and intense.

Population Explosion: Before 1650 A.D. the population doubled every 1,000 years; it doubled in 1850 (200 years later); doubled again in 1930 (only 80 years later); and doubled again in 1965 (only 35 years later). In 1990 the world population was 5.5 billion. By 2000 A.D. it will increase by one billion. Up to 15 million people die of starvation annually. There are 30 million refugees and 100 million homeless. Each day 40,000 babies die of starvation in Third World countries while Americans spend over $900 million yearly feeding dogs and cats.

Pollution: The U.S. has 5% of the world’s population, but annually disposes of 290 million tons of toxic waste, uses 26% of the world’s oil, release 26% of the world’s nitrogen oxides, produces 22% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions.

Solid wastes, radio-active and toxic chemical wastes are contaminating our rivers, lakes and oceans. Air pollutants from car exhaust and industry spawn disease. Deaths from respiratory disease doubles every five years. Skin cancer caused by the depletion of the ozone layer is rapidly increasing. Acid rain is destroying our forests, which in turn will produce "global warming." This "greenhouse effect" could melt polar ice caps causing oceans to rise and wipe out hundreds of thousands of miles of densely populated coastal lands (affecting 2 billion people). Also, it would dramatically increase temperature variations. This would trigger life-threatening droughts and heat waves turning "breadbasket farmland" (like our Midwest) into barren desert. Severe food shortages would result. Time is running out, according to Lester R. Brown, president of the highly respected WORLDWATCH INSTITUTE. "Preceding generations have always been concerned about the future, but ours is the first to be faced with decisions that will determine whether the earth our children inherit will be inhabitable." Scientists are now concerned that the population explosion could hasten and increase the effect of Global warming. (New York Times, Jan. 18, 1990). Drastic climate changes resulting in economic disaster in many nations could trigger wars for survival.

Crime and Violence continue to spiral. Automatic weapons are readily available to the "kid" on the street. An estimated 100,000 guns are taken into American schools daily. In large cities, students are scanned for weapons upon entering school and the halls are patrolled by armed police. There is an upsurge in the most violent types of crime by teens of all races, classes and life-styles. Once muggers robbed a person and ran off. Now they beat, violate or murder them. There were over 2200 homicides in New York City during 1990. Also, every 2½ weeks a child was murdered in New York by a parent. Over three million wives are battered each year in the U.S.

Drugs: We are losing the drug war because the huge profits are too corrupting. In 1989 the major U.S. chemical companies sold 18.5 million pounds of chemicals to "front companies" in South America who in turn sold these chemicals to drug cartels. There are 2.2 million hard-core drug users in the United States. While 1 out of 40 persons in New York City is hard-core, nationally 1 out of 100 are hard-core users. The number of casual users is substantially higher. Is it any wonder the crime rate is spiraling? Seventy percent of New York City’s drug users are affluent. One thousand drug addicted babies are born every day.

Economic chaos: The U.S. entered the 1990’s with a staggering debt of over $3 trillion and a perilous foreign trade imbalance; the S & L Associations on the verge of complete collapse; the commercial banks in serious trouble; insurance companies failing; 1300 companies claiming bankruptcy per week. The nineties witnessed the bankruptcy of many corporate giants.

In 1983, the U.S. was the world’s largest creditor nation. By 1990 it became the biggest debtor nation (C. Fred Bergsten, head of the INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS, 1990). Weekly monitoring shows the U.S. debt has swelled to over $4 trillion. Many economists predict it will soon top $5 trillion. No longer are we the unchallenged economic power of the world.

Out of the 2,500 Savings and Loan Associations, over 1,000 needed to be bailed out. It is more than a fiasco of high risk loans and mismanagement. S & L heads have swindled astronomical sums. Government regulators are accused of hiding facts to avert election issues.

Indeed, our generation IS experiencing a "Time of Trouble such as never was since there was a nation."

This unprecedented trouble is a sign that Christ's coming is not imminent but he already is here.

Nations On The Run—Another Remarkable Prophecy

"Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him." Amos 5:18, 19, 20

In Amos’ prophecy the fleeing man represents the world’s experiences in this dark "time of trouble." At the dawning of our era, Great Britain ruled the most expansive empire on earth. The lion in this prophecy, Britain’s national symbol, appropriately illustrated the mighty nation that devoured (colonized) weaker nations. Colonialism’s suffocating grasping led to the world’s fleeing to another form of government.

The man in Amos 5:20 escaped the lion only to meet the bear—a form of government diametrically opposed to the grasping greed of colonialism—communism! The former Soviet Union, the "bear" of Amos’ prophecy, offered man another hope for safety in this time of trouble. Communism’s failure to rescue man was underscored by its precipitous fall. The nations are now seeking another hope of security—nationalism.

Entering the "house" of nationalism has been anything but comfortable for the world. Bosnia, Serbia, Germany and other nations now seeking safety in nationalism are suffering civil war, economic malaise, the rise of new "hate groups" and other ills. While in the supposed security of ultra-nationalism (will church and state reunite?) the people place their hand on the wall. Seeking rest in the supporting structure of human government will result in being bitten by the serpent. That old Serpent, the Devil and Satan, which once deceived the nations that they were Christ’s Kingdom (Revelation 12:9) will bite them again. Then the nations will feel the rebuke of Jehovah in the great time of trouble.

Nations on the run is one of the signs of the "day of the Lord," the day of Christ’s presence.

Why Some Christians
Are Unaware

Luke 21:34-36 warns that when Christ returns some Christians are unaware of His presence. this "Day" comes as a snare upon two kinds of Christians. some are overcharged with the cares of this life; others neglect the Word and Spirit of God to follow leaders who misguide them.

Study Luke 21:34-36. Remember that this chapter is speaking of signs of Christ's second presence and notice how watching Christians are aware when the day of the Lord comes upon them; whereas the world and negligent Christians are not.

Our Lord says, "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you [Christians] unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them [the world] that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch [watch yourselves and also the word of prophecy] ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."

The phrase "that ye may be accounted worthy to escape" in verse 36 of the King James Version is a poor translation. compare the following translations: Revised Standard Version, "praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place." Rotherham, "making supplication that ye may gain full vigour to escape all these things that are about to be coming to pass." New English Bible, "praying at all times for strength to pass safely through all these imminent troubles."

These translations indicate that the thought of the Greek* is that watching and praying Christians will receive the strength to pass through the tousles during the early period of that "day." Note that the church is still on the earth. Strength is not necessary for an experience from which the Lord removes you, but the Lord gives strength to endure the dangers Christians must encounter in the tribulation. However, negligent Christians are ensnared by these dangers. Note well the implications of this scripture. Faithful Christians are here during part of the tribulation period, but are sustained by the strength of the Lord.

Study Psalms 46:1-6, which deals with the tribulation period that brings the present world to an end. While the earth is being removes, while the mountains are being carried into the sea, while the sea is roaring, while the mountains are shaking, we find in verse 4 that the church, the "City of God," is still on the earth. Why is it that "she shall not be moved" during the tribulation? Is it because she is with Christ in heaven? No! "God is in the midst of her" while she is yet here on earth. The church would not need this protection if she were already taken home, but she needs it in the time of trouble while she is still here. God will not only protect her in the early stages, but in addition, He "will help her right early." The church will only experience part of the tribulation before her resurrection change.

this cannot refer to "tribulation saints," since only the church, the bride of Christ, is symbolized in Scripture as the City of God (compare Psa. 46:5 and Rev. 21:2.

A deeper insight into the nature of the tribulation in Psalms 46 is obtained from the meaning of the word mountain as used in the Bible. Jeremiah 51:24-25, the nation of Babylon, because of her many military victories, is called a "destroying mountain." Speaking of the nations that opposed Israel, Isaiah 41:15 states that Israel would "thresh the mountains" and "make the hills as chaff." In Daniel 2:35, 44, 45, the Kingdom of God is spoken of as a "great mountain, and filled the whole earth." thus we see in Scriptural usage, mountains are symbolic of people (see Rev. 17:15). The roaring sea would represent the restless or anarchistic elements of mankind. When Psalms 46 says, "The waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof" and "though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea" it means "the great tribulation" will result in the destruction of the nations by anarchistic elements of society.

A further proof that the church is still here during part of the tribulation is found in Matthew 24:21. Remember, Matthew 24 contains a series of signs or events that would denote not the imminent coming, but the secret presence of Christ. Faithful watchers would discern these signs of Christ's presence. A period of unprecedented trouble is spoken of in Matthew 24:21 as one of the signs of Christ's presence; and faithful watchers will see these signs. Therefore, some of the church will be on earth when the tribulation begins and discern it as a sign of Christ's presence.

These scriptures are but a few that reveal that the church will still be on earth during part of the tribulation.

"Caught Up Together With Him"

>Paul, speaking of the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ, called it "that blessed hope." Titus 2:13 What a blessed hop indeed when finally united with Christ, our beloved bridegroom. soon the warfare will be ended, the toiling and suffering over. Soon we will experience that joy of seeing him face to face and sharing the presence of his fellowship throughout eternity. Long have Christians waited for the second coming of Christ; long have they fervently prayed for the time they would be united with him whom they have grown to love so much. Inspiring thoughts of this glorious event have been the basis of many hymns. A phrase evolving from this joyous expectation is the "rapture." It is well to bear in mind that the word "rapture" is not found in the Bible. Consequently, we must determine if the popular rapture concept is actually Scriptural. A consideration of all the scriptures on the resurrection of the saints reveals that when Christ returns, the "dead in Christ" are raised; then, during the period between his return and the full establishment of his Kingdom, the living saints are gathered to him individually as they die over a period of time.

What Say the Scriptures

1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17, describes the raising of the saints at Christ's second presence. Note the sequence of time between the resurrection of the "dead in Christ" and the living saints being caught up.

"We Shall Not All Sleep, But We Shall All Be Changed"

Some will have slept in death before their resurrection at Christ's return. However, Christians living during Christ's presence will be changed in the twinkling of an eye without sleeping in death. Each, at the instant of their dying, will be raised to immortality.

The Problem of a Partial Quotation

A set of verses in our Lord's Great Prophecy is frequently used to prove the instantaneous gathering of the living saints to Christ in the air. It will be seen however, that they have nothing to do with the living saints being taken to heaven.

A Rich Feast

This lesson of Luke 17:34-36 is beautiful. Remember, Luke 17 and Matthew 24 are accounts of our Lord's Great Prophecy in which He gave signs of his parousia, presence. The living church cannot be caught up at the moment of Christ's return, for they will be here on earth discerning the signs of Christ's presence. But their relationship to the returned Lord is blessed and unique.

Fleeing Babylon

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Revelation 18:1-5

A Further Proof

A further proof that the one in the bed, the one in the mill and the one in the field (Luke 17:34-36) do not picture the living church caught up to heaven is found in verses 30-33 of Luke 17.

"Every Eye Shall See Him"

Having established Scripturally that the second advent of Christ begins with a secret invisible presence which is discernible only to the church by the eye of faith, the question logically arises, will the future revealment to all mankind involve mental perception or literal sight?

Harmony must be sought between two sets of scriptures relative to this matter. Matthew 24:30-31 and Revelation 1:7, if taken literally, could be interpreted to mean that all mankind will see the returned Christ with their literal eyes. On the other hand, the following four scriptures state, with clarity, that after Christ ascended into heaven, mankind would not and could not see him with the literal eye.

(1) "Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye [shall] see me: because I live, ye shall live also." John 14:19 Here is a plain statement by Jesus just prior to his death and resurrection that the world would never again see him. Then he adds that "ye," the apostles and all the church would see him again. Why? Because "ye shall live also." Just as Christ was resurrected, so his faithful followers will be raised at his second advent. "The world seeth me no more." When Christ returns, the world will not see him with the literal eye, but his followers will literally see him when they are caught up together with him in their resurrection bodies. 1 John 3:2

(2) Hebrews 1:1-3 tells us that the glorified Christ is the express image of the Father's person. Colossians 1:15 speaks of Christ, "who is the image of the invisible God." These scriptures show that when Christ ascended into the presence of God, he was the exact image of the Father. From 1 Timothy 6:16 we learn that Christ is "dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see." If no man can see Christ after his ascension, because he is the exact glorious image of the Heavenly Father, then no man can see the returned Christ of glory.

(3) Acts 22:6-8 and 11-14 reveal that a mere glimpse of the glorified Christ completely blinded Saul of Tarsus. If required the power of God through Ananias to even partially restore Saul's sight.

(4) Luke 17:20 reveals King Jesus will return unobserved. The 17th chapter of Luke is speaking of the second presence of Christ, when he returns to set up his kingdom. Verse 20 states, "The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation." If Christ's return was visible to man, then the Kingdom of God would come visibly.

Literal, or Symbolic

These four scriptures show that the glorified Christ will not and cannot be seen at his return. Yet Revelation 1:7 and Matthew 24:30 seem to indicate that all mankind will see the returned Lord. Will this be by literal sight or by mental perception (as for example, when we say, "I see [understand] what you mean")? As Christians, we cannot afford to base our conclusions upon one set of scriptures that do not fit with our views. We must accept the challenge: "Study to show thyself approved unto God…rightly dividing the Word of Truth." The only valid way to ascertain the correct view of any Biblical doctrine is to collate all the scriptures on a given subject and then rightly divide them, that is, harmonize them. Only then can we be sure of the correct understanding. When all the scriptures on a given subject are brought together, they will harmonize. They will not contradict.

It is generally admitted that some scriptures are symbolic, for example, the fig tree of Matthew 24:32 which represents the nation of Israel and the eagles of Luke 17:37 which symbolize faithful Christians. The problem is how to determine if a passage is literal or symbolic. Whenever a literal interpretation does violence to reason or places the passage in direct antagonism to plain statements of Scripture, it is a good indication that the passage should be considered figuratively and its interpretation as a symbol should be sought in harmony with obviously plain and literal passages.

Remember John 14:19; 1 Timothy 6:16; Acts 22:6-8, 11-14 and Luke 17:20 are all plain statements to the effect that the returned Lord cannot and will not be seen by the human eye. These scriptures should be read and reread. They are literal statements that cannot be taken symbolically.

Mental Perception

Now, for a consideration of the other set of scriptures (Matt. 24:30-31 and Rev. 1:7), which speak of all mankind seeing the returned Lord. Are they literal or symbolic? In both texts, the Greek word translated "see" is optomai. The following definition is from An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words by W. E. Vine:

OPTOMAI—to see; used a) objectively, with reference to person or thing seen, or b) subjectively, with reference to an inward impression or a spiritual experience or a mental occupation.

Thus we see optomai can mean either literal sight or mental perception. The following are examples of how the Greek word optomai is used in Scripture to denote mental understanding.

Luke 3:6—"And all flesh shall see [optomai] the salvation of God." One doesn't literally see salvation, one understands it.

John 1:51—"And he [Jesus] saith unto him [Nathanael], Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see [optomai] heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man." Nathanael never literally saw this. In an allusion to Jacob's ladder, Jesus is saying that the Son of man would become the real ladder of communication between heaven and earth.

Three more examples of optomai are found in the following:

• Revelation 19:10—"And he said unto me, See [optomai] thou do it not."
• Matthew 24:4—"…And they said…see [optomai] thou to that."
• Matthew 24:24—"…I am innocent…see [optomai] ye to it."

These scriptures reveal that the Bible does use optomai, translated "see" in Matthew 24:30-31 and Revelation 1:7, in a symbolic sense to denote mental understanding.

A thoughtful reading of Matthew 24:30-31 and Revelation 1:7 reveals terminology that leads itself to symbols, and in fact, are often used in the bible as symbols. For example, in the following quotation of Matthew 24:30-31, words that frequently are used symbolically are her italicized. "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see [optomai] the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

The scripture simply cannot be taken literally. Any concept with which it is harmonized requires a symbolic interpretation. For example, some apply this scripture to the living saints being caught up with Christ to heaven. But here in Matthew 24:30-31 they are gathered "from one end of heaven to the other." If understood liberally, the saints would already be in heaven when Christ returns, and this scripture would teach that the saints are taken at that time out of heaven and not to heaven. This rules out a literal interpretation of Matthew 24:30-31. It also says that they are gathered from the "four winds." Are the saints gathered from four literal winds?" Those who teach the rapture concept recognize this problem and symbolize the four winds and the word "heaven" in verse 31 to mean that the church will be gathered from all parts of the earth. However, this presents a greater problem. By what rule can we arbitrarily symbolize the word "heaven" in verse 31, yet insist that it is literal in verse 30 where it mentions "the sign of the Son of man in heaven" and "coming in the clouds of heaven"? Matthew 24:30-31 is either literal or symbolic; it cannot be both. A literal application does not make sense; therefore, both verses must be consistently symbolic.

Symbolic Meaning of Matthew 24:30-31

Heaven and heavens are often symbolic of corrupt religious systems (2 Pet. 3:5-10; Isa. 34:5-4; Joel 2:9-11). See can denote mental perception (Luke 3:6; John 1:51; Rev. 19:10; Matt. 27:4,24). Clouds often represent trouble as in Joel 2:1-2, a parallel text of Matthew 24:30-31. The word angels is translated from the Greek word aggelos which literally means messenger and often refers to any messenger of God (Rev. 2 and 3, the seven angels or messengers to the church). Trumpets are often used to denote a proclamation of truth (1 Cor. 14:8; Joel 2:1).

With these symbols in mind the explanation of Matthew 24:30, 31 becomes meaningful. Here the Master tells us in verse 30 that one of the first signs or evidences of Christ's return will be in heaven, that is, in the corrupt religious systems. Verse 29 speaks of the powers of the heavens shaking. Agnostic revolutionary influences have infiltrated the churches. The resultant battle between the fundamentalist and the modernist has sorely rent the church heavens. Since Vatican II, Catholicism is being similarly shaken. The Son of man comes in "clouds of heaven," that is, during this trouble that is shaking the churches. The Luke account includes "distress of nations with perplexity." This worldwide trouble in both the churches and the nations will increase in intensity until all the people of the earth mourn because of it. Finally "they shall see [discern] the Son of man coming in the clouds" of trouble, that is, they will realize that the trouble is the result of our Lord's return. While the heavens (nominal churches) of Matthew 24:30 are being shaken, verse 31 reveals that the returned Lord will "send his angels [messengers] with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect—from one end of heaven (corrupt church systems) to the other." Revelation 18:1-4, a parallel passage, further confirms that this trumpet is a proclamation of truth. Through this great proclamation of the truth, faithful servants of God will call the Lord's people out of Babylon.

Symbolic Meaning of Revelation 1:7

"Behold, he cometh with clouds [in a time of trouble]and every eye shall see [optomai, discern] him [as the trouble intensifies, it will become evident that the day of God's wrath has come], and they also which pierced him [the Jewish nation will especially discern Christ's presence in the final phase of the time of trouble when they are delivered from an invasion of many nations (Ezek. 38, 39; Zech. 12:10)]: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him [as the day of wrath intensifies all will experience much sorrow and anguish]."

Revelation 1:7 cannot be taken literally since those who literally pierced Jesus have long since died. If "they also which pierced him" is symbolic of the living Jewish people, then the "clouds" and "every eye" seeing him must also be symbolic.

Thus we find that the Bible does not contradict itself. Many scriptures plainly state that the returned Lord cannot be literally seen by man. In harmony with this, the few scriptures that refer to mankind seeing the returned Christ, are obviously symbolic and denote a mental discernment of Christ's presence.

The Man of Sin

In his second letter to the Thessalonians the apostle Paul shows that two circumstances must precede the second presence of our Lord: (1) a great falling away from the original, apostolic faith; and (2) the appearance of the Man of Sin, the antichrist (2 Thess. 2:3). No interpretation of our Lord's second advent should be seriously considered which fails to identify these two events. Having proven that our Lord has already returned, we now proceed to show that the Man of Sin has indeed come, fulfilling every detail of the prophetic description.

Let us first note, however, the disharmony between this prophecy and some current views. Some claim that the Lord Jesus first comes secretly to take his saints—and then the Man of Sin appears. An examination of an error made in the early church is instructive on this point. Recognizing that Christ was to come invisibly, as a thief (1 Thess. 5:4, Rev. 16:15), some believers in Paul's day concluded that Jesus was already present and that the resurrection of the dead in Christ had, therefore, occurred (2 Thess. 2:1-2, 2 Tim. 2:18). In order to correct this mistake, Paul found it necessary to advise that they "be not soon shaken in mind…that the day of the Lord is present [Greek, enistemi]. Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition." 2 Thessalonians 2:2,3 Compare with the Revised Standard Version. Notice, the invisible presence of Christ is preceded, not followed, by the revealment of the Antichrist. Also verses 1 and 3 teach that the Man of Sin precedes two things: (1) "The coming of our Lord"; and (2) "our gathering together unto him." This eliminates the possibility of Christians being taken to heaven before the Man of Sin is revealed.

It should be observed further, that Paul did not attempt to correct their error by asking if they had seen Jesus with their literal eyes, or had heard a literal trumpet with their ears, or had seen large numbers of Christians suddenly disappear. Had such arguments been appropriate, Paul would certainly have employed them. The concept of the invisible presence was correct: the Day of the Lord would steal quietly upon the world and many would be overtaken by it unawares (1 Thess. 5:2-4). The mistake of believers in that day was not in regard to what they should expect, but when. Looking forward with great eagerness to the return of Christ, as the fruition of all their hopes, they were prone to accept uncritically any teaching to the effect that their longed for Lord was present, or near at hand.

That there was a great "falling away" from true Christian faith during the early centuries of the Gospel Era, no Protestant will deny. Pompous rituals and elaborate ceremonies replaced the simple preaching of the Gospel. Salvation was sought no longer through the blood of Christ alone, but from holy water, relics of saints, medals and amulets, the rosary and the intercession of Mary. Multitudes flocked to converted heathen temples to pray to and adore the very same idols which the Pagans had worshipped a short time before. The names of the statues were simply changed form those of Pagan gods and heroes to the names of Christian martyrs and saints. The Roman Emperor, who as Pontifex Maximus ("Chief Religious Ruler"), had been the head of all the Pagan priests, vacated his office in favor of the Bishop o Rome, the new Pontifex Maximus. Whereas the Roman emperors had claimed to possess the Keys of Janus and Cybele, the new supreme pontiffs, dressed in the same costume as their forerunners, claimed possession of the Keys of St. Peter and attempted to prove that the Apostle Peter had once been the Bishop of Rome,; something completely unsubstantiated by history

This Man of Sin, growing out of the apostasy, as foreseen by Paul, exalted "himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." 2 Thessalonians 2:4 The temples to which Paul refers is not a literal building, but the Church of God, for he elsewhere declares, "Ye are the temple of the Living God." 2 Corinthians 6:16 The self-exaltation of the bishops of Rome in the temple (church) of God was extravagant beyond measure. Applying divine prerogatives to themselves, they claimed that every human being must be subject to their authority. "The pope holds the place of the true God," declared Pope Innocent III (A.D. 1198-1216). The Lateran Council (A.D. 1123) acclaimed the pope as "Prince of the Universe." St. Bernard (A.D. 1090-1153) wrote that "none except God is like the pope, either in heaven or on earth." And Pope Nicholas (A.D. 858-867) boasted that Constantine had "conferred the appellation of God on the pope, who, therefore, being God, cannot be judged by man.
Astounding as these false claims are, they deceived the whole Christian world during most of Papacy's dark reign (Rev. 13:5, 6). Only a faithful few escaped their baneful influence and remained loyal to their true Lord and Head. And be it noted that the Greek prefix "anti" signifies not merely "against" or "opposing," but also "instead, in the place of." (See Strong's or Vine's) Thus, Antichrist is not simply an opponent of our Lord and his truth, but as impostor, a usurper of his position. Attributing the purest motives to the popes, the Papacy would still be the Antichrist; for claiming to be the "Vicar of Christ" on earth and supreme "Head of the Church," each pope in turn has applied the Messianic promises and appellations of Scripture to himself. Even kings were required to kiss the pope's great toe, in supposed fulfillment of Psalm 2:12, "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry."

Here we are confronted with a basic violation of Scriptural interpretation. When the bible identifies a symbol, then we are on shaky ground to give that symbol a different meaning. Daniel, Chapter 7, clearly states that beasts represent governments and it lists the governments: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome. By what logic are the beasts of Revelation symbolic of an individual when beasts in Daniel are admittedly governments? Also, is it not inconsistent to claim the "little horn" in Daniel is a man, whereas the horns of Revelation are governments? Consistency requires a uniform application of the beasts and horns in both Daniel and Revelation. The justification for this reversal of interpretation is the claim that the leopard beast of Revelation 13 is referred to by a personal pronoun "he"; whereas the government beasts of Daniel are not. This simply is not valid. In Daniel 7:19, 20, the fourth beast, which all agree represents the Roman Empire, is referred to by the personal pronoun "his." In Daniel 8:3-7 the beasts picturing Medo-Persia and Greece are continually referred to by the personal pronouns "he" and "him."

With this the future literal Man of Sin concept crumbles. In Daniel 7:13=14, Christ is brought before the Heavenly Father and given the kingdom. In Daniel 7:18 and 22, "The saints of the most high," the same saints that are persecuted by the "little horn," the Man of Sin, are also given the kingdom. Remember, only Christ and his church reign in His kingdom. Therefore, "the saints of the most high" in Daniel 7 are not the "tribulation saints," but the Church of Christ who reigns with Christ. This also gives us the time element of the Man of Sin. The "little horn" persecutes these saints, consequently, the "little horn," the Man of Sin, is revealed before either the Day of Christ when the saints are resurrected or the tribulation occurs.

Daniel 7:25 shatters the whole "seven-year tribulation" concept. Daniel 7:25 reveals "the saints of the most high" are worn out by the "little horn" for a period of a "time, times, and a half times," which most agree refers to 3½ years or 1260 days. We have already seen that the saints persecuted by the Man of Sin are the church who reign with Christ and not the tribulation saints. Therefore, the church is persecuted for 1260 days. Consequently the 1260-day period occurs before the great tribulation and is not part of the tribulation.

The Scriptures do not speak of a "seven-year tribulation" nor do they speak of two back to back 1260-day periods. The following citations are the only places in the Bible which mention the 1260 days: Daniel 7:25;12:7; Revelation 11:2, 3; 12:6, 14; 13:5. Each agrees with Daniel 7:25. The holy people (saints means holy ones) of Daniel 12:7; the holy city (identified in Rev. 12:2 as the bride of Christ) of Revelation 11:2, the woman (symbolic of Church, 2 Cor. 11:2) of Revelation 12:6, 14; the saints in Revelation 13:5, 7 all show the Church of Christ is persecuted for 1260 days by Antichrist. And the Bible rule for time prophecy is a day for a year (Ezek. 4:6). During the 1260 years of Papacy's persecution of the Church, God's two witnesses (Rev. 11:3 the Old and New Testaments) witnessed in sackcloth—the dead language of Latin.

We have already considered the first two points: the preposterous words by which popes claimed to be "as God" and the wearing out of the true Church by papacy. Papacy did indeed "change times." Unwilling to await the unfolding of God's plan, papacy changed the time of Christ's Kingdom. It declared the reign of Christ had already begun and applied scriptures relating to the Millennial glory of Christ to the unchallenged dominion of the popes up until 1799. (Douay Bible, First Edition, footnote on Rev. 20:2) Another example of Papacy's attempting to "change times" is in their changing of the calendar.

Did papacy change laws? The precepts and commandments of God meant little. By the claimed right of issuing "dispensations" the popes frequently set aside the moral law. Murder of heretics was called praiseworthy, subjects were encouraged to rebel, oaths and contracts were canceled and torture was declared to be an "act of faith." Spying, intrigue, perjury and theft were pronounced virtuous deeds when performed in the service of the church. Not content, moreover, in dispensing with divine laws, the popes were always ready to create new ones if convenience so required. Clerical celibacy was prescribed, meat was forbidden for centuries on Fridays, ecclesiastical taxes were levied and liberties of the people were frequently curtailed.

Indeed, the four earmarks of the Man of Sin given in Daniel 7:25 have been fulfilled in the infamous reign of papacy, especially up to 1799. This is why Martin Luther and the other Reformers identified the papal system as Antichrist. The Man of Sin already has been revealed, therefore, there remains no objection that the Lord is now present (2 Thess. 2:3).

With the combined weight of the testimony of prophecies of our Lord's return before us, we may have as full a confidence of his presence as those who were his personal eyewitnesses on the Mount of Transfiguration at his first advent (2 Pet. 1:16-18).

In fact, our confidence in Jesus' return is "more sure" based on prophecies—

We have also a more sure word of prophecy,
Whereunto ye do well that ye take heed,
As a light that shineth in a dark place,
Until the day dawn and the day star
Arise in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:19

The watchers, the children of light, see the day dawning and their Day Star, Jesus, arising on the horizon while the world still sleeps. This blessed knowledge so strengthens and energizes their hearts that they are sanctified in a way they could not be otherwise. He has kept his promise, He has come again.

They see the foregleams of the Sun of Righteousness which will eventually rise with "healing in his wings" (Mal. 4:2) to bless the groaning creation. With joy they realize that they will also be with him as,