The Coming of the Son of Man

I. Matthew 24:36-44

II. The time of Jesus’ coming is unknown.

A. It is known only to the Father, Matthew 24:26.

B. It will not be accompanied by signs such as the destruction of Jerusalem.

C. Matthew 24:1-35 warns the disciples of the destruction of Jerusalem. The destruction would be preceded with signs such as earthquakes, famines, the spread of the gospel into the whole world, and armies surrounding Jerusalem. The signs came as Jesus prophesied when Jerusalem fell in 70 A.D.Since this destruction has come, we can be assured that the destruction of the whole world will come, just as Jesus promised.

D. Jesus will come as a thief in the night, 42-44

E. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 – We must be ready always for His coming

F. 2 Peter 3:10-13

G. When Jesus comes all will be destroyed. We must be ready for that day.

III. There will be no “rapture” of the saints.

A. Jesus says that His coming will be like the days of Noah, 38-41.

B. People will be going about their daily business when Jesus comes.

C. Even in Noah’s day, some planned weddings and feasted on the day of destruction. They did not heed the warning of Noah. Jesus’ coming will be as much of a surprise.

D. A “rapture” of saints from the world is not pictured here nor is it taught elsewhere in scripture.

E. What is the “rapture?”

F. The “rapture” is a doctrine wherein faithful Christians will be taken up to be with the Lord before men who are left on the earth suffer for a period of time (3 ½ to 7 years depending on the particular doctrine) they call the Tribulation. Hal Lindsey, in his book The Late Great Planet Earth, described it as the ultimate trip, (see chart 1) Read Charles Harris quote (see chart 2) The word ” Rapture” does not appear in scripture. It comes from the Latin word RAPERE (the Greek word HARPAZO) which is translated ” caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, a popular verse used in trying to teach this doctrine. The “rapture” is a silent coming where the saints mysteriously disappear.

G. Analysis of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

H. This text is often used to defend the rapture theory. There was concern among the Thessalonians about their brethren who died. They believed that their hope for salvation was gone and that only those who were alive when Christ came would be with the Lord. Paul assured them that the righteous dead would join the righteous living to be with the Lord. The wicked dead or living are not mentioned in this passage because that is not the Thessalonian concern (v.13-Dead for whom they sorrow).This coming is not quiet: A shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. What is pictured here? (see 1 Thess. 4:13-18: The Christian Dead, chart 3) We see one coming, one resurrection, and eternal presence with the Lord.

I. Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians discussed the fate of the wicked.

J. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 In that Day, when he comes to be glorified in His saints (what was pictured in 1 Thessalonians) he will punish the wicked and disobedient from His presence. So what we see now is this (1 Thess 4:13-18 and 2 Thess. 1:6-10, chart 4)

K. This is pictured in Matthew 24:40-41.

L. Some will say that this portrays the rapture (think of Lindsey’s quote) But, this is like the days of Noah (v.37) In the days of Noah the wicked were taken away and the righteous were left (v.39 – the flood took them away. Who? The wicked!) This would portray a reverse rapture for the wicked are taken and the righteous are left. The wicked don’t belong and they are taken into everlasting punishment; the righteous stay with the Lord.

M. Some say that the rapture is the first part of a two-stage second coming (Tim La Haye quote, chart 5)

N. These two stages would be separated by seven years of tribulation and followed by a 1,000 year reign of Christ and a little season when the Devil is freed from bondage.1. There is no mention is scripture of a ” two stage” second coming either by Jesus or the apostles. Peter (2 Peter 3:10) tells us that when the Lord comes again the heavens and earth will be destroyed, yet this theory teaches that it will be over 1,007 years before all is destroyed, hardly like a thief or without signs. The ” two stage” second coming is a way to ” wrest the scriptures” to make it fit where it will not. La Haye himself extols the golden rule of Biblical interpretation (see chart 6) I agree totally with that rule of interpretation! It makes no logical sense to give the second coming two stages for the writers would surely have known their math and named one a second coming and the next a third coming. They were inspired by the Holy Spirit to speak only of a second coming. No matter how you call it, second stage or whatever, if Jesus left and came back again it would be a third coming and the writers speak of no third coming. The golden rule of interpretation rejects a rapture and two-stage second coming.

IV. The Last Day

A. So what will happen on the last day? (see The Last Day, chart 7)

B. We must be ready for that day, Matthew 24:42, 44 (parables that followed)