06.03.05 - A Review of Our Scenario

6.3.5 A REVIEW OF OUR SCENARIO The scenario which we presented in Section 6.2 was not a preconceived idea. Indeed, as we presented the scriptures in the New Testament which deal with the second coming of Jesus, we made a number of changes to assure that this scenario is not only totally consistent with scripture, but that it also communicated the essence of the events as they will unfold near or at the end of time as we know it. At this point we ask you to go back and read all of the scriptural references which we have presented. Or, better yet -- read the entire New Testament through with the sole purpose of identifying every scripture which states anything about the second coming or the judgment. It will not take too long, especially if you are just reading for that purpose. As you read, verify or improve upon the scenario which we proposed, which now we have validated, and present below for your convenience:

1. Jesus second coming could be at any time and we should always be ready for it.

2. Jesus’ imminent physical recognition (presence) will be signalled by the voice of an archangel and the trumpet of heaven. It will be an event that is obvious to all people on the earth.

3. Jesus will appear in the clouds.

4. This will be followed almost immediately by a general resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

5. The righteous dead will be caught up with Jesus in the air, after which those saved who are still alive will also be caught up; this, by definition is a separation from the saved from the lost, who will remain on the earth.

6. The righteous will live with Jesus, His father and the Holy Spirit forever in heaven.

7. The lost will be cast alive into the lake of fire where they will ever be doomed with the devil and his angels.

8. This earth will be burned up as part of the process, and God has promised a new heaven and a new earth to those who are saved.

Again, we do not claim that this scenario improves upon the bible’s description -- it does not! There is no better way to say it than the way that the bible does. We urge the reader to pick up your bible and assure that the above is consistent with scripture.

If it is consistent, it leaves no room for "the rapture." The bible never speaks of the second coming as "the rapture." Any attempt to furnish a scriptural basis is a play on words, which we discuss in detail in Section 6.6. It is unfortunate that when the denominational organizations might be doing so much to promote a respect for God’s word, that they have seen the need to "help God" by adding something that, had He wanted it in His word, He surely would have put it there. At this point we wish to go into a little more detail on two points which have confused bible students for some time. The first of these relates to the chaining of satan, and it compares two scriptural passages which were discussed independently above. The comparison gives additional insight into the meaning of the 1000 year reign. The other subject involves an understanding of just what the New Testament means when it talks about the "kingdom."