The Complex of Events Leading
to the Return of Jesus
to the Return of Jesus
Definitions
The Great Tribulation = The major time of persecution (Matt. 24:9) of Christians and the loyal remnant of Jews. This phrase occurs in Matthew 24:21 (Olivet discourses) and Revelation 7:14. It is also expressed in the parallels of the Olivet discourse as “tribulation” in Mark 13:19 and as “great distress” in Luke 21:23.
The Scriptures give no statement as to how long the Great Tribulation lasts, but other factors show that it lasts no more than 3 years and 1 month.
The Great Tribulation Is Satan’s Wrath
John’s Revelation is a book largely concerning the future and includes the time in his vision when, “the formidable dragon [Satan] was thrown down…to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” and then it will be exclaimed, “what great calamity awaits the earth and the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, filled with terrifying anger, and knowing he has only a short time left…When the Dragon realized that he had been hurled down to the earth, he began to pursue the woman who gave birth to the male child” (Rev. 12:9, 12-13). This will be the time of the great tribulation, that is, Satan’s wrath against God’s people. Daniel describes this by saying, “As I watched, this horn [Antichrist] was waging war against God’s holy people and was defeating them” (Dan. 7:21 NLT)—a war which will last for a period less than 3½ years (Dan. 12:7c).
“The Day of God’s wrath” = “The Day of the Lord”
In contrast to the event of the great tribulation, the day of the Lord will be a time of God’s destruction of the wicked. Please note how it is described by Zephaniah:
“Near is the great day of the Lord … A day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and battle cry will bring distress on men…their blood will be poured out like dust…”
(Zeph. 1:14, 15, 17).
The phrase ‘the day of the Lord’ and similar phrases appear over two dozen times in the Hebrew Scriptures. As with Zephaniah’s description we find that all descriptions of this day are concerning wrath from God. (Please see Isaiah 13:9; Joel 1:15, 2:1, 2; 3:13-16; Amos 5:18-20).
The Main Sequence is: The Great Tribulation comes before the Day of the Lord (God’s wrath).
The great tribulation is a relatively short burst of Satan-inspired intense persecution of Christians; whereas the “day of God’s wrath” brings destruction on wicked mankind.
THE ORDER OF EVENTS
In fact, Jesus gives us the order of events and when combined with a statement in Joel’s prophecy we can get a fully clear picture:
“So when you see ‘the sacrilege which causes desolation’—spoken about by Daniel the prophet—‘standing in the holy place’ then those in Judea must begin escaping to the hills.…21Certainly, at that time there will be great tribulation unequalled by anything that has happened since the beginning of the world until now, or will ever happen again. And if those days hadn’t been cut short, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones those days will be cut short…” (Matt. 24:15, 16, 21-22).
Then Jesus goes on to say:
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory” (Matt. 24:29, 30).
However, Joel approaches this from the opposite perspective when he prophesies that:
“The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes” (Joel 2:31).
Therefore, when one refers back to Matthew 24:29 the order of events becomes clear as being:
The great tribulation.
Sun, moon and stars are darkened.
The day of the LORD when Jesus returns at. This is also “the day of Christ.”
Indeed, because Christ acts as God’s agent most scholars recognize “the day of the Lord” in the New Testament to mean the same as “the day of Christ.” So, the day Christ returns will be the start of “the day of Christ,” that is, “the day of the Lord.” In fact, the “the day of the Lord” is evidently not part of the great tribulation, which is caused by Satan, but is the day of God’s wrath being poured out by Christ. All Bible descriptions of “the day of the Lord” are of God’s wrath being poured out. So, it does not extend through the Millennium of beautiful conditions, but rather it involves: “…the war of the great day of God the Almighty…and they gathered them [the kings of the entire inhabited earth] together to the place that is called in Hebrew Armageddon” (Rev. 16:14, 16). This preparation for war at the place of Armageddon, as referring to the war near Jerusalem during the Day of the Lord, is shown to be part of the pouring out of the sixth and seventh bowls of wrath and therefore the completion of ‘God’s wrath.’
Only One Coming of Jesus
The pre-tribulational and Mid-tribulational rapture theories involve the concept that Jesus returns twice, the first time invisibly to take Christians to heaven and a second time to bring the Armageddon destruction on the wicked. However, this pattern does not fit with the data contained in the Scriptures. For instance: “Christ...will appear (Gk opsthesetai) a second time for salvation, to those who eagerly await him” (Heb. 9:28). Jesus’ first appearance was in the first century and Hebrews 9:28 clearly shows that there is only a single return at a “second time which is for salvation” and not a return and then a later Armageddon return. Confirmation of this is gained by understanding the contexts in which the Greek words for Jesus’ return were used in the Scriptures.
GREEK WORD MEANINGS:
parousia (noun) = a coming to be present, arrival, advent
apokalypsis (noun) = a revealing, the revelation
epiphania (noun) = an appearing, a manifestation
phaneroo (verb) = to appear or be manifested
erchomai (verb) = to come
elthon = having come.
Pre-tribulationalism correctly teaches that the words apokalipsis and epiphania are associated with and occur at the same time as the erchomai i.e., the coming of Christ. However, Pre-tribulationalism incorrectly proposes that Christ’s parousia occurs seven years earlier than his apokalypsis, epiphania and erchomai and so making it an earlier coming. However, an examination of the usages of these words in the Scriptures shows that they all refer to a single event as shown below.
These Four Terms Describe the Same Event
On the Day Jesus Returns
On the Day Jesus Returns
‘PAROUSIA’ OCCURS WHEN ‘APOKALIPSIS’ OCCURS
Here Jesus references: “the flood” as a picture of “the advent (parousia) of the Son of Man” (Matt. 24:39) but the similar reference to “…the flood” pictures “on that day when the Son of Man is revealed (apokaliptetai)” (Luke 17:27, 30). So, Jesus uses the flood as a single event illustration of his return with both the words parousia and apokaliptetai applying to that single event.
‘PAROUSIA’ OCCURS WHEN ‘EPIPHANIA’ OCCURS
Paul speaks of, “the appearing (epiphania) of [Jesus’] coming (parousia)...” (2 Thess. 2:8) whereas John speaks of “...when [Jesus] is made visible (phanerothe)...at his coming (parousia)” (1 John 2:28). So, it is evident that epiphania/phanerothe and parousia are terms for the same event i.e., Jesus’ one-time return
‘PAROUSIA’ OCCURS WHEN ‘ERCHOMAI’ OCCURS
Just as Jesus speaks of his parousia as a reference to his coming (Matt. 24:27 and 39) he also says “...you do not know on what day you lord is coming (erchetai)” (Matt. 24:42) and so showing that the word erchetai also concerns the same single event.
SUMMARY
These comparisons show that the Greek words apokaliptetai, epiphania/phanerothe, erchetai, and parousia are all terms for the same event i.e., Jesus’ one-time return so that, the parousia, that is, “the coming to be present,” of Jesus cannot be separated in terms of time from the other terms. So, Jesus is revealed, appears, comes, and comes to be present (arrival) all at the one single time. Although these are not synonyms, they are related to the one-time return of Jesus in contrast with the pre-tribulation rapture scenario. Indeed, we know this coming is visible because, “[Jesus] is coming (erchetai) with the clouds and every eye will see Him” (Rev. 1:7). So, when we connect this to 1 John 2:28 which says, “when he is made visible (phanerothe)” we can see that the parousia cannot be invisible because it is the same event as the epiphania which is visible as well as the apokalypsis which means he is revealed. Additionally, Christ’s parousia will be seen just as lightning is seen (Matt. 24:27).
Jesus Returns Only After the Great Tribulation
In his Olivet discourse Jesus made it very clear that he will return only once and that this will be after the great tribulation. He said:
“Certainly, at that time there will be great tribulation … 29“Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light … 30“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory” (Matt. 24:21, 29, 30).
Rewards Are Given Only
on the Single Occasion When Jesus Appears
on the Single Occasion When Jesus Appears
The rewards for the Christian of the blessed hope, the unfading crown of righteousness and glory, the receiving of praise and glory, and the Christian’s change to becoming just like Jesus are not an earlier invisible parousia as can be seen from the following passages:
“…as we await the blessed hope, the appearance (epiphaneian) of the glory of the great God and of our saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
“Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing (epiphaneian) and kingdom ... there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord…will award me on that day...also to all who have loved his appearing (epiphaneian)” (2 Tim. 4:1, 8).
“…so that the proof of your faith...may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation (apokalipsei) of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:7).
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears (phanerothentos), you will receive the unfading crown of glory”
(1 Pet. 5:4).
“…when he appears (phanerothe), we will be like him, because we shall see him just as he is”
(1 John 3:2).
Therefore, the rewards to Christians are not given at a so-called earlier secret parousia, but when the kingdom comes at Jesus’ appearing and revelation. Also note that rewards are to be given immediately after resurrection time because, “...you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:14).
Other Key Factors for the End-Time Scenario
CHRISTIANS ARE “NOT APPOINTED TO WRATH” (1 Thess. 5:9)!
Unlike the Pre-Tribulation scheme the biblical scheme demonstrates that “the day of wrath” follows on after “the great tribulation” (please see Chapter 16) so that Christians will not be subject to God’s wrath as will be the case for the unrepentant wicked. Christians will have divine protection through this latter period as did the ancient Israelites for most of the plagues upon Egypt just prior to the exodus.
GOD’S PROMISE OF: “I WILL KEEP YOU FROM THE HOUR OF TRIAL”
Jesus promises this in Revelation 3:10 and our concern here is to know to what does the term “keep” (Gk. tereo) refer. According to Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon when “keep [tereo] is used with “from” [ek], it means: “by guarding, to cause to escape in safety out of.” So, this gives the thought of protection provided for someone, so that they may be preserved through a difficult situation rather than having avoided it. This was the same for the ancient Israelites in Egypt.
The other use of this combination of tereo ek is in John 17:15 where Jesus has just prayed that his disciples not be taken out of the world but rather that the Father “keeps them from [Gk. tereses autous ek] the evil one” or as the NRSV renders it “but I ask you to protect them from the evil one.” So, it is evident that this text should not be used in an attempt to prove that Christians will avoid “the great tribulation” by being prematurely raptured out of it.
All Christians Must Be Resolute Until Christ Returns
“The day” that is mentioned for the receiving of rewards is “the day of Christ” concerning his return. This is when Christians gain their final salvation: “for now our salvation is nearer...and the day is near” (Rom. 13:11, 12). “...hold fast what you have until I come” (Rev. 2:25). Indeed, “...each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it up because it is to be revealed with fire” (1 Cor. 3:13), as Paul further said: “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus…in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ” (Phil. 1:6, 10). Indeed, “the day of the Lord” occurs after the great tribulation. So, the above encouragements would be meaningless if the body of Christ were not here on earth to at least the end of the great tribulation to greet Jesus when he returns.
Why the Resurrection and Rapture are After the Great Tribulation
After Jesus describes the “birth pains” in Matthew 24:4-8 necessary to bring about a renewed earth he then speaks of the hard labour of the great tribulation (24:9-14), after which he enlarges upon it (24:15-31) giving the sequence of this complex events leading to his return with one aspect after another occurring within a few years.
“So, when you see what Daniel, the prophet spoke of, namely, (1) ‘the sacrilege which causes desolation’ standing in the holy place (the reader should understand this), 16then those in Judea must begin escaping to the hills. 17Anyone on the roof of his house mustn’t waste time going down into his house to collect anything. 18Anyone in the field mustn’t return to pick up his robe. 19How terrible it will be for those who are pregnant and for those who are nursing their babies in those days! 20So pray that when you have to escape it won’t be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21Certainly, at that time there will be (2) a Great Persecution unequalled by anything that has happened since the beginning of the world until now, or will ever happen again. 22Unless those days are cut short, no one would be rescued. But for the sake of the chosen ones those days will be cut short. 23Then if someone says to you, ‘Look! Here’s the Messiah!’ or ‘There he is!’ don’t believe them. 24False messiahs and false prophets will appear performing awesome miracles and signs to deceive, if possible, even the chosen ones. 25See, I am warning you in advance. 26So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he’s in the desolate waste-lands,’ don’t go out; or ‘Look, he’s in the secret inner rooms,’ don’t believe them. 27In fact, the Son of Man’s arrival to be present as king will be just as when lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west. 28Wherever the carcass is, that’s where the vultures will gather.
29(3) “Immediately after the persecution of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30(4) Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the tribes of the earth will be wailing in sorrow. (5) They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and extraordinary glory. (6) 31He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet blast, and they will gather (episynagoge) his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the skies to the other.
Firstly, “The sacrilege which causes desolation” in 24:15 is a reference to Daniel 9:27, 11:31, and 12:11 and it is called “he” in Mark’s parallel account (Mark 13:14) as a reference to Antichrist. This is confirmed by Paul’s parallel picture given in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4 where he is called “the man of lawlessness.”
But now notice in Matthew 24 that when Jesus is seen “coming on the clouds of the sky” that he sends out his angels to “gather his chosen ones from the four winds.” But those with a pre-tribulation belief have argued that this is not the rapture. They say that this is just the gathering of Jews back to Israel or other gathering. However, there are several reasons why it is the rapture and therefore includes the first resurrection:
Daniel notes the first resurrection in 12:3 as he follows the same sequence in 11:36-12:3 as does Jesus in Matthew 24.
Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 2, follows the same sequence as Jesus’ Matthew 24 description and shows the “being caught up to meet the Lord in the air.”
Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 uses the same Greek word episynagoge as gathered in this obvious resurrection/rapture passage.
John in Revelation 7:9-17 shows Christians as coming “out of the Great tribulation” as survivors who are then immediately with Jesus.
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All of the above factors discount the Pre-tribulation Rapture and Mid-tribulation Rapture theories. So, the biblical information above shows that Jesus returns after the great tribulation and so showing that the Post-tribulation rapture theory and the Pre-wrath rapture theories are correct up to this point, although the Post-tribulation theory fails to take into account later factors.
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