Chafer, Bible Doctrines: Events before the 2nd coming of Christ

Events preceding the second coming

of Christ

Chafer, chapter 44

Monday 3 October 2011

A. The importance of the second coming

The parables of Matt 13 describe the state of this current age - and the varied reception to the truth of God. The parable of the sower is a good example here.The parable of the weeds shows the danger of false confession not shown until the harvest- mustard seed shows small to large growth of Christianity- yeast shows evil mixed in with good- hidden treasure refers to Israel- pearl of the church - the net shows separation of saved/unsaved at the end of the age


Matt 13 is in general speaking of period between 1st and 2nd comings of Christ with no mention of rapture or specifically of the church.It shows faith mixed with good and evil - climaxing in judgement and separation of saved/unsaved.Chafer states there is no basis for postmillennialism with the idea of the KOG triumphing through preaching the Gospel and human effort - though we should not be pessimistic as we know God will fulfill his purpose. We need to look at the two millennia since Christ to realise the truth of Matt 13.


Matt 24 gives a similar picture:- false Christ's v5, - wars, rumors of wars v6, - famines v7, - earthquakes v7- martyrs v9-10, - false prophets v11, - cooling love for Christ v12, - gospel preached to all the world v14Apostasy of the professing church is predicted in 2Peter 2-3:- deny person / deity of Christ 2:1- denial work of Christ on the cross 2:1- moral apostasy, poor standards 2:2-22- departure from doctrine of 2nd coming etc. 3:1-13See also 1 Tim 4:1-3, 2 Tim 3:1-9, Jude 3-19


The present age when God is calling out his church will end suddenly at the Rapture - not dated in the OT but when the dead in Christ will rise along with the living Christians being caught up to heaven, 1 Cor 15:51-58, 1 Thess 4:13-18 - the departure of the church here will set the scene for the 2nd coming of Christ where he will establish his millennial kingdom - there will be 3 periods between the rapture and the 2nd coming.


B. The period of preparation following the rapture

Removing all believers in the rapture will be a dramatic event - evil will have free reign, and satan’s purposes in a way never before seen.The first phase after the rapture will be a time of preparation for events to come:1. The professing church will remain on earth after the rapture - these are unsaved individuals (most expositors think the church will be taken up during the rapture) - this is symbolised by the harlot in Rev 17, dominating the whole world (waters v. 1,15) - a world religion will be formed devoid of redemption and true Christian doctrine


2. For Israel the period of preparation will be a time of revival - Rom 11:25-26a, I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved.Chafer says immediately after the rapture many Jews will turn to Christ - they will then become ambassadors of the gospel to Jews and Gentiles - Jews are already spread to all parts of the world making this a natural process.


3. Politically, in relation to Gentiles, the old Roman Empire will be restored - Dan 2, 7:7, the 10 horned beast is still yet to be fulfilled - 10 nations will form a confederacy (league, alliance of states) - Chafer suggests the EU might be the forerunner but it will be focussed upon the Mediterranean not Europe (inc. N Africa, W Asia, S Europe states) - this will then be a “Roman Lake”A ruler will rise up - Dan 7:8 - initially of 3 then of all 10 nations - a strong political man of the Middle East who will work with the church to gain power - this will then lead into the second period.


C. The period of peaceDan 9:26-27, Chafer states this leader will make a covenant (of protection) with Israel - though the details are not given in scripture - this establishes a protectorate for Israel and brings peace to the Middle East - it is a time of (mainly) peace, prosperity etc. for Israel and probably many Jews will return there at that time.The world church, under the leader, will grow and become the dominant religion in the world.As well as some turning to Christ, many Jews will return to orthodox Judaism - a temple will be built in Jerusalem and Mosaic sacrifices offered.


Peace will be shattered by an event described in Ezek 38-39 - an attack on Israel by Russia and her allies. This is a point of great disagreement in terms of the event and timing.- Ezek 38 says it takes place at a time of peace, suggesting after the Roman ruler- it is more than an assault, it challenges the covenant with the Roman ruler, (Chafer says it is a Russian bid for control of the Middle East) and due to its suddenness cannot properly be marshaled againstGod intervenes supernaturally to save his people and wipes out the invading forces - Ezek 38: 18-23This war shatters the peace and prepares for the next stage:


D. The period of persecutionThe world has suddenly changed, now, with a balance of power between;1. The ruler of the Middle East and leaders aligned with him2. Russia and nations aligned with her - but her armies have been destroyed (temporarily)In this situation the Middle East ruler declares himself a world dictator - and seizes political, economic and religious power - he proclaims he is ruler Rev 13:7 (16-17, Dan 7:32)- It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.


Israel then becomes persecuted as overnight the covenant is broken with her - introducing the time of Jacob’s trouble, Jer 30:7. Elsewhere this is called the great tribulation - Dan 12:1, Matt 24:21, Rev 7:14Israels sacrifices are suddenly stopped - Dan 9:27, 12:11, Matt 24:15 - and is advised by Christ to flee to the mountains, Matt 24:16-20 - thousands of Jews will be massacred, Zech 13:8 - the world ruler will set them self up in the Temple and be worshipped there under pain of death for refusing, Rev 13:14, 2 Thess 2:4, Rev 13:8, 15


The final period will being in the middle of the 7 years originally planned of the covenant - and so will last 42 months, Rev 11:2, 13:5Because of its blasphemy and persecution of Jew and Christian the world ruler of the Mediterranean (also called the Antichrist, Dan 9:26), will be the subject of great judgment form God - see Rev 6-19 - specifically Rev 6:1-8:1, 8:2-21, 11:15-19, 16.Christ described this time of unprecedented judgments in Matt 24:21-22, so bad that if not stopped it would have wiped out all our race.


As it is many many people will be killed in this time.The result is growth of opposition to the ruler of the Middle East who cannot provide peace and plenty. Worldwide revolution takes place against his authority resulting in the war of Dan 11:40-45, Rev 9:13-21, 16:13-21 - armies form the North, South and the Orient descend upon the Holy Land to fight. At the height of this Jesus returns in power and glory - bringing judgment and his own millennial kingdom!


Spiritual

Chafer, Bible Doctrines: Events before the 2nd coming of Christ