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The Bible makes it abundantly plain that Jesus’ coming is not a secret event, as we have seen in the article How Christ will Return. Also, see Revelation 1:7, Psalm 50:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, and Matthew 24:27.
1 Thessalonians 4:15 - 17 features a shout loud enough to literally wake the dead (the resurrection of the Christian dead takes place right after it). A trumpet and an Archangel “voice” will be heard. The Greek “voice” is fwnh> — fo-nay’ , from which we get our word “phone.” Can you imagine a silent phone call? The same word is in Revelation 14:7 when it says “loud voice.” 1 Corinthians 15:51 - 53; Psalm 50: 3 - 5; Matthew 24:31 — do these references suggest silence — or a great deal of sound and noise ?
When the Bible speaks of those being left, it does not say they will be left alive on earth. Luke 17:26-37 describes the event in detail. In Noah’s day there were two classes, one taken and saved, the other left and destroyed by the flood. In Lot’s day there were two classes, one taken out of the city and saved, the other left in the city and consumed by fire.
It will be similar when Jesus comes. One class will be taken to heaven with Jesus and the other class will be destroyed. In Luke 17:37, Jesus is asked, "Where, Lord?" Where are these people left? Jesus responded, “Wheresoever the body is, thither the eagles will be gathered together.”
Revelation 19:11-18 and 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, 2:8 clarify the point that when Jesus comes, those who reject His way will be with death.
Whenever we interpret Scripture, we must be sure to not build a doctrine upon one verse alone, but to take the whole Bible’s teachings on an issue into consideration. If a verse we are using seems to contradict another verse, then there is a discrepancy in our understanding. This is where really knowing our Bible is so important. Verses are scattered about the Bible and, like treasure hunters, we are to seek in the inspired verse and lay Scripture beside Scripture, “line upon line; here a little, and there a little” (Isaiah 28:10).
Mark 13: 26 - 27 tells us the Lord will be “...coming in the clouds with great power and glory” and sending His angels to gather His people from every point of the compass to be with Him.
Matthew 24:27 compares the coming of the Lord to “lightning” blazing
across the sky from east to west — hardly a “secret” event.
Matthew 24:30 states His “sign” will appear in heaven and all tribes
of the earth will mourn. They will see Him coming in “the clouds of
heaven with power and great glory.”
Revelation 1:7 reveals more details about the peoples of the earth wailing and mourning as they see Him coming — and even those who pieced Him will be alive to see Him coming in the clouds.
Read several authors' thoughts on papal Rome's history.
This article highlights quotes from historical and Catholic sources proving the Papacy's aggressive nature.
An Italian mystic. A minister to a British king. An Augustine monk. A Swiss farmer's boy. What do these men have in common? They were used by God in powerful ways to bring about the Protestant Reformation. Enter into the lives of these ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
Inspiration for these articles comes from Gideon and Hilda Hagstoz' Heroes of the Reformation
