Matthew 24: 32-33 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door” (NIV).
In giving this analogy of the fig tree, Jesus speaks of summer. For those who believe in Jesus, and who are here when the Second Coming of Christ takes place, it will be the grandest of “summer” days. “Rapture celebration” is an utterly fitting phrase.
For those who are not believers in Jesus, the rapture will be the start of a terrifying and deadly “winter.”
The “end times” tribulation will not be an opportunity for a fun adventure for any sane person for any extended period of time. It is logical that since the end result of the tribulation will be a military confederation of troops from all nations attacking Israel, which we know from Zechariah, then what will take place up to that point will be a mass rebellion against God.
The book of Revelation, from chapter four up to the last few chapters, records a vision of the apostle John. I am no authority on Revelation, yet I have pondered the book enough to be ever grateful to our Lord God Almighty that heaven is where I will be at the end of this age.
So in summary, following the glorious epic event of the first stage of the Second Coming of Christ foretold by Jesus here in Matthew 24, the finale of God’s renewal is still to come. Tragically, there will be that tribulation of judgment in the world. Yet after that period of time, in continued glory, Christ will return into the world. He will stand on the Mount of Olives, and rescue the Jewish people from that military attack.
Then still to come will be Judgment Day. Then Jesus will renew heaven and earth.
It is all more than I can fathom. Christ’s final judgment requires us to trust Jesus with all our heart.
Heading to the finish line in the next month with this intense meditative study of Matthew 24, I do want to make the Biblical point that we have no idea when Jesus is coming back, as Jesus clearly states in Matthew 24:36. To predict such is a sin.
Yet the Second Coming of Christ is an event we should be anticipating in our hearts, because it will be a day of victorious celebration for all those who have been adopted as children of God by the mercy offered by Jesus, the Lamb of God!
Jesus is God the Son, one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said: “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!...” (Revelation 1:18).
I close with quotes from the dialogue in a prison, between Paul and Silas and the jailer:
“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’
They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.’ Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house” (Acts 16:29-32).
Indeed, believe in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, and you will be saved!
Hunter Irvine
