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THE WORLD, THE
WORD & YOU! RADIO BROADCAST
I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about these amazing series of events the Bible says will come “like a THIEF IN THE NIGHT!” Stay tuned… …More than thirty years ago, one of the most popular end-times prophecy films ever produced, was a series called THIEF IN THE NIGHT. To date, more than 300,000,000 viewed these films, showing the occurrence of the “Rapture of the Church,” and the events that followed. Many were saved as a result of realizing what the Bible predicted was to happen. This series began with the first film entitled: THIEF IN THE NIGHT. This title of course, was taken from Paul the apostle’s letter to the Church of Thessalonica, chapter five verse two. Where we read, 1 Th 5:2-4 (NIV) for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. Indeed, one of the most striking features of prophetic Scripture is the admonition for Christians and non-Christians to take heed to the promises of God concerning His blessed return to the earth one day, to literally and physically rule and reign over all. For Christians, they are admonished to be constantly ready for their Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead, to return first and snatch them away. Well, after another moment of music, I’ll share with you about that fantastic verse of Scripture and explain the meaning of such mysterious words, A THIEF IN THE NIGHT. Stay tuned… …Actually this might amaze you, but the Lord Jesus, when He spoke of His return, only once, that’s right just once, spoke of His return for His Church, to take them unto Himself. This is found in, John 14:1-3 (NIV) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You see, there is a lot of confusion and erroneous teaching through the years concerning the Return of Jesus Christ. This all comes about because we sometimes are indiscriminate when we read about the Coming of the Lord following the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Bible for example tells us that the teaching of the Return of Jesus Christ is a single event with a series of happenings that make it one. Let’s look at it and try to understand what God says in His Word for every believer and non-believer to pay attention to. To begin, the SECOND COMING OF THE LORD, as it is referred to in Christian doctrine is, #1 A SINGLE GREAT EVENT IN THE FUTURE THAT WILL OCCUR LITERALLY AS PREDICTED –Yes, the Bible teaches that Christ who died, was resurrected and ascended back to Heaven promised the world He would return literally and physically for a number of reasons which we will review in a moment. Secondly the Return of Jesus Christ is,
#2 A SINGLE GREAT EVENT IN THE FUTURE THAT ENTAILS TWO DISTINCT PHASES AND
PURPOSES – The first phase of the Second Coming of Christ is
called the “Rapture of the Church.” As Christ promised His disciples and all
followers, He will one day return to take off the earth, all believers in
Christ. This event, the Rapture, the Bible says can occur at any moment and
needs no signs or events to precede it. Why the first century Christians and
even the apostles themselves were encouraged by the Lord to be continually
ready for His coming. This in Christian doctrine is called the Imminent
return of Christ. Yet, when we read the prophetic Scriptures we can easily
be confused, for Christ and the apostles also predicted that many signs will
precede His promised return.
Now how can we reconcile all these contrasting and opposing teachings
concerning His return? Let me try to make sense here first by a comparison
of all that is said of Christ’s return. Now in Scripture it appears there
are fifteen differences or distinctives between the event called the
“RAPTURE, and the event called the “GLORIOUS APPEARING” of our Lord Jesus
Christ. These can be distinguished as follows:
_______________________________________________________ Now how do we come to believe this? The answer is in Scripture there are twenty-three passages that refer to the coming Rapture of the Church, that is the first phase of the Second Coming of Christ. Then we discover that there are twenty-two other verses that refer directly to the second phase of Christ’s Coming that speak of His “Glorious Appearing” at the end of the Tribulation period to set up His millennial kingdom, and to judge the world of sinners and saints who lived following the Rapture of the Church. Although it seems confusing, it is important to make this distinction if we are to have any sense as to the promised return of Christ. So saying and identifying all this, we come back to that mysterious verse in 1 Thessalonians where we read, 1 Th 5:2 (NIV) for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. Here we are introduced to yet another event prophesied in Scripture called, “THE DAY OF THE LORD.” What is this and how does it fit in with the Second Coming of Christ? Well, researching the Bible on this subject, I’ve concluded that the “Day of the Lord,” is a promised event that was first prophesied in the Old Testament. It was a day in the future when God was going to interrupt man’s rule on the earth for the purpose of judgment, indeed a terrible time when God Himself brings about events to punish a world that rejected its Creator God, and a people who spurned His love. The “Day of the Lord,” in the Old Testament and the New refers to this time when God appears in the Person of Jesus Christ, bringing vengeance upon all rejecters of God’s Son and followers of Satan in His rebellion. Yes, Christ will return as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Lamb of God, and the King of Kings. The Bible says He will come with a sharp sword and slay the wicked, and reward the righteous for their faithfulness. Passages like Isa. 2:17 and Isa. 13:6-9; Joel 3:1-2; Zech. 14:1-9 and Mal. 4:1-2 all speak clearly of this coming future Day. Now in the New Testament, we also hear of this in passages like, 1 Th 1:10 (NIV) and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. 1 Th 5:1-3 (NIV) Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. “ You see, this passage that speaks of Christ’s coming as a “thief in the night,” is not a reference at all to the Rapture of the Church. No it refers to the Glorious Appearing of the Lord at the end of the Tribulation, when the skies will open and every eye shall see Him who once was crucified, who once walked the earth in humble flesh, and who once offered Himself up as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. How is it Christ’s Return will be unexpected? The answer is -- from those who rejected Him. They will have long ago refused the Bible, and God’s promises and predictions. During the terrible years of the Great Tribulation, when God pours out His wrath on the earth, which is the time period of the Day of the Lord, they will be completely deceived and not expect Christ to literally return. Who exactly are these people? Why the apostle Peter tells us when He wrote, 2 Pet 3:3-9 (NIV) First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Yes, Peter identified them as the evolutionists and secularist of all time who reject a created universe, who reject a sovereign God over all, and who want nothing to do with Him in their lives and living. These will undoubtedly go into the Tribulation Period, and suffer judgment and in the end be cast into Hell and later the Eternal Lake of Fire. Yes, the Day of the Lord Peter identifies will be such a time for such a people. Therefore, when Christ return with His saints and all His glorious angels, they will be completely surprised and unprepared, and worse it will be too late! There is no salvation for survivors of the Tribulation who have not repented and confessed their sins, calling upon Jesus Christ to save them. For them it will be sudden and swift judgment. We read of this in, Rev 19:11-16 (NIV) I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Like a “thief in the Night” Christ will return at the end of the Tribulation to slay all those who rejected Him and His love gift of salvation. But for the believer in Christ, there only awaits a moment in time that will imminently comes when God calls us home and the Savior comes to meet those who are alive to be reunited with those who died in Christ. Hear the glorious Scripture that tells us this, 1 Th 4:16-18 (NIV) For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words. Friend, how will Christ find you when that first phase of His Second Coming occurs? Will he find you scoffing at His Word and predictions? Will He find you as one who laughed at those silly Christians who believed in Jesus Christ? Or, will God find you as one who was faithful, one who believed and turned their life over to His rightful rule and reign as their Creator and Savior? The choice and destiny is yours my friend, and the only time we have to take it is now, for now is the day or time of salvation. Either death or rapture may end every chance for you later to repent and believe. You see, by my very telling you of Christ’s offer to be forgiven and to receive Him by a prayer of faith, it may well make you a candidate for being forever rejected at a later date following the Rapture of the Church. Listen to a unique section of Scripture concerning this, 2 Th 2:8-12 (NIV) And then [following the Rapture of the Church] the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. There you have it! God says all those who clearly understood the promises of God in salvation, and fully and continually rejected it, prior to the Rapture of the Church, they will be forever sealed in their sin and have no opportunity to later repent when they see all the Bible’s predictions come true. Friend, I trust you will not be one of them, for God may only give us the moment to hear and believe and to receive Jesus into our hearts. If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, right now I plead with you repent, that is confess you are a sinner before God, and ask Him to save you on account of Jesus Christ dying for your sins on the cross. Call upon the Lord Jesus to grant you His forgiveness and the promised Holy Spirit to help you live for Him. For all who do, God will save you, and make you His child and prepare you for His promised Return. Jesus said, John 14:1-3 (NIV) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. Do you believe
this? Will you believe the Word of God the Son? He is coming again, perhaps
very soon, and when He comes, the world will forever be changed. First, for
evil in the absence of God’s righteous saints and their holy effect on the
world at large; then for good, when at the end of God judgments, He will
return with His saints to slay the wicked rebellious rejecters and to
refashion the world into a fabulous Garden of Eden once again for a 1000
years prior to ushering in a glorious eternity. I trust and pray you will be
among the righteous on that day, and not see the glorious Lord coming as a
thief in the night…
The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures. A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request. These weekly radio commentaries are not exhaustive studies of any particular subject due to the time limit of broadcasting. Actual broadcasts can be heard in selected areas around the nation, as funding provides. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for over 23 years, and serves as General Director. These transcripts are available free of charge to all who desire them. Also available are actual radio cassette tapes and printed booklets of each message. A free listing of recent messages is available upon request also. Want to Help?
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