Many people ask themselves the question: Can this be the Second Coming? Fortunately, there's a way to get the answer before any damage is done or opportunity missed. This event is announced in the Bible, with enough details to eliminate any impostor or catastrophe. Along with other good news, scripture holds answers to today's questions.
Jesus answers this question Himself. In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 17, verse 24, He is quoted as saying: 'the Son of Man will be like lightning, which lights up the sky.' This tells us that we won't miss the return of out Lord or realize it gradually. Rather it will burst upon us with power and drama. Jesus also says: Do not go running off after people who say 'Here He is!'
It seems that those who are in the presence of the Lord can be blinded to His presence. After Jesus rose, He met some men on the road and talked with them, but it wasn't until He disappeared from their sight that they realized it was the Lord. However, those who have had near-death experiences and gone to Heaven don't seem to have had this problem.
People who have been to Heaven recognized Jesus, even young children. It seems that a believing spirit knows the savior immediately. Everyone doesn't necessarily believe these accounts, or even biblical eyewitnesses, but the words of someone who was on the scene are our best sources of information.
If you're living pretty much as usual without terrible suffering, the tribulation hasn't started. This seven-year stretch of one horrific thing after another comes before the return of the Lord. Early-warning signs like strange weather, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, fires, droughts, and wars happen before the 'last plagues' which precede the Lord's arrival.
If someone seems to be responsible for a miracle, this is not proof of divinity. The Bible tells us that many will come to claiming to be the Christ and performing signs and wonders. Those who take care not to be deceived must understand prophecy about the return of the Lord. The miracles of Jesus were example of His love as well as proof of His identity. He pointed to the blind seeing and the lame walking when disciples of John the Baptist came asking if He was the awaited one, but he did his miracles on the basis of need, not as an attraction.
Jesus spoke of spiritual kingdoms and principles. He was not a world leader or a local ruler. He had 'no place to lay His head' except by the kindness of strangers. A band of twelve men were His entourage. If a man chases after worldly power, has a lot of money he doesn't give to the poor, and talks of provision other than that of God, he's probably not the savior.
It's OK to ask the question, as long as you turn to the Bible for the answer. Jesus will return riding on the clouds, on a white horse with a host behind Him, and you'll hear trumpets in the sky. If this is not the case, you haven't found the returned Son of God.
Jesus answers this question Himself. In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 17, verse 24, He is quoted as saying: 'the Son of Man will be like lightning, which lights up the sky.' This tells us that we won't miss the return of out Lord or realize it gradually. Rather it will burst upon us with power and drama. Jesus also says: Do not go running off after people who say 'Here He is!'
It seems that those who are in the presence of the Lord can be blinded to His presence. After Jesus rose, He met some men on the road and talked with them, but it wasn't until He disappeared from their sight that they realized it was the Lord. However, those who have had near-death experiences and gone to Heaven don't seem to have had this problem.
People who have been to Heaven recognized Jesus, even young children. It seems that a believing spirit knows the savior immediately. Everyone doesn't necessarily believe these accounts, or even biblical eyewitnesses, but the words of someone who was on the scene are our best sources of information.
If you're living pretty much as usual without terrible suffering, the tribulation hasn't started. This seven-year stretch of one horrific thing after another comes before the return of the Lord. Early-warning signs like strange weather, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, fires, droughts, and wars happen before the 'last plagues' which precede the Lord's arrival.
If someone seems to be responsible for a miracle, this is not proof of divinity. The Bible tells us that many will come to claiming to be the Christ and performing signs and wonders. Those who take care not to be deceived must understand prophecy about the return of the Lord. The miracles of Jesus were example of His love as well as proof of His identity. He pointed to the blind seeing and the lame walking when disciples of John the Baptist came asking if He was the awaited one, but he did his miracles on the basis of need, not as an attraction.
Jesus spoke of spiritual kingdoms and principles. He was not a world leader or a local ruler. He had 'no place to lay His head' except by the kindness of strangers. A band of twelve men were His entourage. If a man chases after worldly power, has a lot of money he doesn't give to the poor, and talks of provision other than that of God, he's probably not the savior.
It's OK to ask the question, as long as you turn to the Bible for the answer. Jesus will return riding on the clouds, on a white horse with a host behind Him, and you'll hear trumpets in the sky. If this is not the case, you haven't found the returned Son of God.
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