The “Last Days”?? Can Someone Explain This Concept, and Make it Simple to Understand? PART TWO

In Part One, we learned about an amazing rescue coming for Jesus Christ’s followers. He will come down, and with the sound of a trumpet, lift many into the clouds to be with Him. This event is called “The Rapture.”

But how is the “Rapture” different from Jesus Christ’s “Second Coming”? Are they the same thing? What are the identifying factors of each of these things? Let’s look at some key points.

The purpose of the Rapture is to remove Jesus’s followers from the destructive events that God has planned for the earth. We will learn about the “Wrath” that God has planned, as you continue reading.

One of the most identifying differences between the Rapture and the Second Coming is where Jesus will be located in each event. In the Rapture, Jesus will come down toward the earth, but He won’t actually touch the ground, as it states in the following scripture:

1 Thessalonians 4:17

“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.”

It describes Jesus meeting His followers “in the air.” Those people who have chosen to follow Jesus, who are living upon earth will be “caught up,” or lifted up into the clouds to meet Him. It also states that those who have died in Christ will also rise from their graves and meet the Lord in the air. He is calling home “His Church” to be with Him. Those still alive, as well as those who have already died.

Another scripture identifies that not everyone will be lifted up. In the book of Luke it states:

Luke 17:34-37

³⁴ “I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

³⁵ Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

³⁶ Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

³⁷ And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.”

Jesus comes, during this time, in celebration; A joyful reunion to reunite with His followers.

So, this is the Rapture. Now let’s look at the difference in the details of the Savior’s Second Coming.

The key identifier here is that when Jesus comes this time, He will actually descend directly “upon the earth”, as it states in the book of Zechariah.

Zechariah 14:4

“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east… “

A quick point here is that when He comes this time, He will come as a warrior, with the intent to defeat evil in a war. He will not come in peace as He does in the Rapture. We will discuss the “Second Coming” of Jesus Christ in more detail later. But these key points help us distinguish the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming.

Key Point: There is a difference between the events known as the Rapture, and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

So, what is the antichrist up to at this time, in the series of events of “Tribulation?” We’ve learned in Part One, that he has been trying to get people to join him and take his mark. But let me share what happens next in satan’s (antichrist’s) plan.

A false peace is on the earth at this time, and a temple is being built in Jerusalem by the Jewish people. These Jews have falsely recognized the antichrist as their “Messiah,” whom they too have been waiting for thousands of years to return to earth. They have been tricked, because this “great” new leader has negotiated access for them to build this temple on such a sacred spot. They are celebrating his return, and worshiping him as a result of being fooled.

Three and a half years after the peace treaty has been signed, the antichrist will enter into the temple which is now finished, and sit upon the throne. He will then proclaim to the world his true identity. No longer a representative of peace, but rather, the evil ruler! He will demand that all who are upon the earth worship and follow him.

2 Thessalonians 2:4

“Who opposeth and exalteth 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.”

Remember, the Last Days are all part of the battle between good and evil—God vs. satan. After satan makes this proclamation of who he really is, God, who has now reached the point of tolerance with him and evil, will step in and pour out His vengeance upon the earth.

God has told us through the scriptures that He will pour out His Wrath upon the whole earth through what is referred to as a “Vile.” Let’s look at list of each of His punishments that He has planned.

Revelations 16:1:4

“And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

² And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

³ And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.

⁴ And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

Revelations 16:8

⁸ And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

Revelations 16:10-12

¹⁰ And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

¹¹ And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

¹² And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

These next three and one half years will be a time of punishment for those who have chosen to follow satan. This terrible time is described as follows:

Revelation 9:6

^6”And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.”

Sounds brutal right? That’s because…it will be. This will be the most terrible time ever, that the inhabitants of the earth have seen.

Please understand why this is occurring. God has given free agency to all men and women while they live on the earth. Satan has taken advantage of this “freedom” and has spent 6,000 years enticing people away from following God. Now, in the ultimate act mocking God, satan is proclaiming to be God. It is obvious that now is the time that God has to step in and stop this from happening.

But what about God’s children who have been caught up and deceived into following satan. Why is God punishing them as well.

God has made a promise to all of His children. He has promised that He will delay sending Jesus Christ for His second coming, until the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached to all nations. Then, it becomes ‘our’ responsibility to choose whether we will follow Him, or choose to ignore Him. Our free agency still exists today, just as it has always been.

Matthew 24:14

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come”.

If you’re reading this and don’t yet know Jesus Christ, I invite you to learn about Him and dedicate your life to Him. Repent and be baptized. You can find more information on my blog at www.riverwilde.blog, and I’m here to help you on this journey. There is peace in Christ, and choosing Him eliminates the need for you to be exposed to God’s wrath.

After reflecting on all that has been foretold, I feel great comfort in knowing God’s plans for me. He will protect me and others who follow Him, shielding us from the punishment to come. Through the Rapture, He will keep us safe in the clouds with the Savior. Isn’t it just like God to protect His children? I see my future as being one filled with peace and protection.

So, in the journey of this article, we are now nearing the end of the seven-year tribulation period. It will conclude with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and the “Battle of Armageddon.” Let’s explore these final events.

When the Savior comes again, He will come in power and glory to claim the earth as His kingdom. Here are the scripture details of His coming:

Revelation 1:7

⁷ Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Revelation 24:27

²⁷ For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Revelation 24:31

³¹ 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.

Zechariah 14:4

“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east… “

Zechariah 14:3

³ Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

All people will recognize Jesus, and know who He is, when He comes this time. Even the Jewish people, whose ancestors were responsible for His death, will recognize what they have done, as they view the piercings in His hands and feet. They will see Jesus as the true Messiah whom they have been waiting for.

We can see from the scriptures above, that when the Savior comes to earth, He does so prepared for battle. He does not come this time in peace, but rather in vengeance. He will then proceed to engage in a foretold event, known as the Battle of Armageddon.

Revelation 16:16

“And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”

This battle will take place in a location in northern Israel known as Megiddo, (pictured here.)

This is Satan’s final attempt to oppose Jesus and righteousness. He and his followers will gather here, intending to challenge Jesus. However, it won’t truly be a “battle”—victory will come effortlessly with just a single command from Jesus. Satan and his followers will be destroyed, and cast down into hell.

Revelation 20:1-2

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

² And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.”

Key Point: Jesus will return to Earth with the purpose of defeating Satan and his followers. This confrontation, known as the “Battle of Armageddon,” will end in Jesus’ ultimate victory over evil.

Evil will then be defeated, and the earth will be transformed into something new, and glorious.

Revelation 21:1–4

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

4 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, for the former things have passed away.”

Jesus will reign over this new earth, and will be joined by the righteous who have been lifted up to be with Him, as well as those who have been resurrected. God’s justice will prevail, and peace will be restored. The world will be renewed, free from sin and evil, where only righteousness and light will remain. This marks the beginning of an eternal era of harmony and joy for those who have chosen to follow God, dwelling forever in His presence.

So, this concludes the events known as the “Last Days” upon the Earth. These details have all been told to us by a loving, kind…and JUST Father in Heaven, who only wants the very best for those who have chosen to follow Him.

Many of us have come to know the peace in our lives that comes from following Christ. We have spent a lifetime knowing of a protective Father in Heaven. We have received a testimony of a “Life After Death,” and have found great comfort in knowing that we will once live again with Him in a place that is filled with joy and peace.

Although some of these details might provoke alarm, and even fear, I PROMISE you with all that I can give, that if you are following Jesus Christ there is nothing but peace in your future, as these things come to pass. Remember, God’s fight is not with you, it is with evil!

To those wondering where you fit in all of this, ask yourself these questions:

Do I know Jesus Christ?

Have I dedicated my life in serving Him by following His teachings?

Have I been baptized?

Have I learned about the atonement of Jesus Christ?

Have I acknowledged and applied this atonement in my life, repenting of my sins, and asking for His forgiveness?

If so, then you can look forward to being part of the Rapture event we discussed. The Rapture is not a judgment on sin; rather, it’s a moment when those who know and follow Jesus Christ will be rescued from the coming wrath of God. None of us are without sin, but for those who have chosen to follow Him, this is His promise of protection.

If these words have stirred something within you and you don’t yet know the Savior, what are you waiting for? Let’s GO! Kneel before God and introduce yourself to Him. Tell Him that you want to know Him and are ready to begin this journey. He will guide you and connect you with others who can support you along the way.

I once saw a post on TikTok from someone who wrote, “I’d like to get to know Jesus Christ. Can anyone help me?” The response was overwhelming, with people stepping forward, eager to help them on their path.

There is a vast “family” of believers across the world who want nothing more than to support each other in life’s challenges, and to prepare for the coming of our Savior. Will you make the decision today to join this big family? God is waiting with open arms. He longs for everyone who feels lost to find Him. Even now, there are people praying to find you, to bring you home.

I hope you’re feeling peace in this moment. That peace is God’s way of affirming the truth of what you’ve read.

I look forward to being together with all of you soon. Will you join me now in proclaiming that Jesus is the way to peace? Let’s help each other find calm and hope in a world that can be so troubled. That is my hope and prayer, offered humbly, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!