Christ's Second Coming

[Truth_Seeker123]

I posted this once before but I thought that I should redo it a little and make it more of an open discussion.

According to the Bible, we will see Christ’s Second Coming. No rapture that many people speak of. Once again this is according to the Bible and none of my words.

Luke 21:27. It says And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."

Revelation 1:7 says "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Matthew 24:30 says “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Matthew 24:42 says “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” and 1 Thessalonians 5:2 says"For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night" but this does not mean that Christ’s coming will be a secret or like a thief in the night. If you read a little further in 1 Thessalonians 5:4,5 you will see that this is no secret. Those scriptures state…

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Now, according to Revelation 1:7 everyone will see him, including those who pierced him (crucified him) Will they be resurrected from the dust or will they be brought from what some people think exist (hell). Or did they repent and go to a place where people think you go to immediately after you die (Heaven)?

 

[peary]

I posted this once before but I thought that I should redo it a little and make it more of an open discussion.

According to the Bible, we will see Christ’s Second Coming. No rapture that many people speak of. Once again this is according to the Bible and none of my words.

Luke 21:27. It says And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."

Revelation 1:7 says "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Matthew 24:30 says “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Matthew 24:42 says “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” and 1 Thessalonians 5:2 says"For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night" but this does not mean that Christ’s coming will be a secret or like a thief in the night. If you read a little further in 1 Thessalonians 5:4,5 you will see that this is no secret. Those scriptures state…

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Now, according to Revelation 1:7 everyone will see him, including those who pierced him (crucified him) Will they be resurrected from the dust or will they be brought from what some people think exist (hell). Or did they repent and go to a place where people think you go to immediately after you die (Heaven)?

Actually, Christ comes twice back to earth: first, at Armeggedon: he destroys evil on earth, Satan is bound for a thousand years. Christ rules with the elect on earth for a thousand years. Second, at the end of the world: everyone will have their bodies resurrected from the dust of the earth and will be judged in a general judgment in front of all. Then we will either go to Heaven or be banished.

 

[Truth_Seeker123]

Actually, Christ comes twice back to earth: first, at Armeggedon: he destroys evil on earth, Satan is bound for a thousand years. Christ rules with the elect on earth for a thousand years. Second, at the end of the world: everyone will have their bodies resurrected from the dust of the earth and will be judged in a general judgment in front of all. Then we will either go to Heaven or be banished.

Can you post scripture for that please? I would like to know where others get their information/interpretations from. It helps me to be able to have discussions and see where others stand when it comes to the Bible.

It’s just in me to post scripture when I discuss something. I just like to let people know where I come up with my explanations.

 

[Hiskid1973]

I always enjoyed these verses from Matt 24…We don’t know the day/hour but we should be discerning the times and watch and pray…He even has a crown for those loving His appearing…What is the CC view of the one taken/one left…Thanks…

Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

BTW. Islam has an interesting end times scenario…

foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,579640,00.html

 

[peary]

Can you post scripture for that please? I would like to know where others get their information/interpretations from. It helps me to be able to have discussions and see where others stand when it comes to the Bible.

It’s just in me to post scripture when I discuss something. I just like to let people know where I come up with my explanations.

I am actually referring to the Millenium event. The Millenium begins with a resurrection (Rev.20:4-6) and ends with a resurrection (Rev.20:5). Christ returns for His Church and gathers them together. There is, at the same time, the destruction of the wicked with general chaos throughout the earth where the earth as we know it will be destroyed (Rev.16:20-21).

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled.” (Revelation 20:1 – 3.)

 

[TheQuestioner]

Actually, Christ comes twice back to earth: first, at Armeggedon: he destroys evil on earth, Satan is bound for a thousand years. Christ rules with the elect on earth for a thousand years. Second, at the end of the world: everyone will have their bodies resurrected from the dust of the earth and will be judged in a general judgment in front of all. Then we will either go to Heaven or be banished.

False. Christ only comes back once. We are already living in the 1000 years. Try not to read apocalyptic literature too literally.

 

[Reuben_J]

Matthew 24:42 says “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” and 1 Thessalonians 5:2 says"For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night" but this does not mean that Christ’s coming will be a secret or like a thief in the night. If you read a little further in 1 Thessalonians 5:4,5 you will see that this is no secret. Those scriptures state…

Mt 24
42"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.

44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

50The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.

We don’t know when the Lord will come – it will be like a thief who comes to steal at night – we don’t know when. Because of that we must always be ready and prepared so that when he comes we will be not found wanting but had done what we are supposed to do.

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Now, according to Revelation 1:7 everyone will see him, including those who pierced him (crucified him) Will they be resurrected from the dust or will they be brought from what some people think exist (hell). Or did they repent and go to a place where people think you go to immediately after you die (Heaven)?

We are children of the light – we have received the revelation and understood them and therefore can act accordingly to prepare for his coming.

The Bible is clear – we therefore don’t have to worry when the time of the second coming is nor we try to predict it. Catholics look forwards for this second coming because of the great promise that comes with it. ***“Remember our brothers and sisters who have gone to their rest in the hope of rising again, bring them and all the departed into the light of your presence”, ***a prayer often said in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist alluding to the fact that the dead will rise again to be with the Lord.

We don’t bother too much where we would go because ultimately we would go to heaven if we have done correctly and according to his law.

I don’t see any mystery in those verses unlike others who dwell to speculate on the time and the day the Lord will come.

 

[rtconstant]

False. Christ only comes back once. We are already living in the 1000 years. Try not to read apocalyptic literature too literally.

To be fair while I think this view has strong arguments, and its a completely legitimate view. I don’t believe that the Church has declared this officially. I believe there are other views that are considered “OK”. But now if you know something I don’t, please let me know.

 

[Reuben_J]

To be fair while I think this view has strong arguments, and its a completely legitimate view. I don’t believe that the Church has declared this officially. I believe there are other views that are considered “OK”. But now if you know something I don’t, please let me know.

That was taken from the Book of Revelations. As is it with this book, it is always a risk to try to figure out what it specifically means, especially if one try to understand it literally. Though the 1000 years was spelt out explicitly there, one can never discount the fact that it could still have figurative meaning. If the poster meant it this way, then I would agree with him.

God bless.

 

[peary]

False. Christ only comes back once. We are already living in the 1000 years. Try not to read apocalyptic literature too literally.

I hardly think so! You don’t read your history, obviously. You will have to show me where, for the past thousand years, Satan has been bound and chained to the pit.

Not reading Revelation literally? Hmm, that’s like the pot calling the kettle black.

 

[TheQuestioner]

From catholic.com/library/Rapture.asp

The period of a thousand years, the writer tells us, is the reign of Christ, and the thousand-year period is popularly called the millennium. The millennium is a harbinger of the end of the world, and Revelation 20 is interpreted in three ways by conservative Protestants. The three schools of thought are called postmillennialism, amillennialism, and premillennialism.

The amillennial view interprets Revelation 20 symbolically and sees the millennium not as an earthly golden age in which the world will be totally Christianized, but as the present period of Christ’s rule in heaven and on the earth through his Church. This was the view of the Protestant Reformers and is still the most common view among traditional Protestants, though not among most of the newer Evangelical and Fundamentalist groups.

As far as the millennium goes, we tend to agree with Augustine and, derivatively, with the amillennialists. The Catholic position has thus historically been “amillennial” (as has been the majority Christian position in general, including that of the Protestant Reformers), though Catholics do not typically use this term. The Church has rejected the premillennial position, sometimes called “millenarianism” (see the Catechism of the Catholic Church 676). In the 1940s the Holy Office judged that premillennialism “cannot safely be taught,” though the Church has not dogmatically defined this issue.

Christ only comes back once.

 

[Hiskid1973]

From catholic.com/library/Rapture.asp

The period of a thousand years, the writer tells us, is the reign of Christ, and the thousand-year period is popularly called the millennium. The millennium is a harbinger of the end of the world, and Revelation 20 is interpreted in three ways by conservative Protestants. The three schools of thought are called postmillennialism, amillennialism, and premillennialism.

The amillennial view interprets Revelation 20 symbolically and sees the millennium not as an earthly golden age in which the world will be totally Christianized, but as the present period of Christ’s rule in heaven and on the earth through his Church. This was the view of the Protestant Reformers and is still the most common view among traditional Protestants, though not among most of the newer Evangelical and Fundamentalist groups.

As far as the millennium goes, we tend to agree with Augustine and, derivatively, with the amillennialists. The Catholic position has thus historically been “amillennial” (as has been the majority Christian position in general, including that of the Protestant Reformers), though Catholics do not typically use this term. The Church has rejected the premillennial position, sometimes called “millenarianism” (see the Catechism of the Catholic Church 676). In the 1940s the Holy Office judged that premillennialism “cannot safely be taught,” though the Church has not dogmatically defined this issue.

Christ only comes back once.

I don’t think anyone denies a “catching away” (rapture) to meet Christ in the air like He left…The dead in Christ and the living at the time rise top meet Him if were alive at that call.It will happen in the twinkling of an eye(a quick purgatory for those who believe in it)…
Timing is an issue…Is His appearing in the clouds calling us up the same time He lands on the mount? Like a holy U turn , going up then right down…What about one taken, one left behind…When is that happening? What about the unwise virgins when the door opens, where are they left at? How will He “keep” some…How will we not experience the wrath poured out ? Lots of interesting questions as we watch and pray discerning the times…Looking up for our redemption draws neigh…

 

[peary]

From catholic.com/library/Rapture.asp

The period of a thousand years, the writer tells us, is the reign of Christ, and the thousand-year period is popularly called the millennium. The millennium is a harbinger of the end of the world, and Revelation 20 is interpreted in three ways by conservative Protestants. The three schools of thought are called postmillennialism, amillennialism, and premillennialism.

The amillennial view interprets Revelation 20 symbolically and sees the millennium not as an earthly golden age in which the world will be totally Christianized, but as the present period of Christ’s rule in heaven and on the earth through his Church. This was the view of the Protestant Reformers and is still the most common view among traditional Protestants, though not among most of the newer Evangelical and Fundamentalist groups.

As far as the millennium goes, we tend to agree with Augustine and, derivatively, with the amillennialists. The Catholic position has thus historically been “amillennial” (as has been the majority Christian position in general, including that of the Protestant Reformers), though Catholics do not typically use this term. The Church has rejected the premillennial position, sometimes called “millenarianism” (see the Catechism of the Catholic Church 676). In the 1940s the Holy Office judged that premillennialism “cannot safely be taught,” though the Church has not dogmatically defined this issue.

Christ only comes back once.

Well, I am a Catholic Christian, and I believe that at some point in our history - the end of the age (which is not the end of the world) - and after a great Tribulation for the Church, Christ will come for His Church in some way, and that the earth will be purged along with Satan being chained for a thousand years. I also believe that there will be a “Golden Age” - a period of peace - that will be granted to our world. Afterwards, Satan will be unleashed once more in the final move towards the end of the world. There is nothing controversial in this, and, if one understands the messages of authentic apparitions, this seems to be the scenario. I was also told by a prominent Catholic theologian that this interpretation is as valid as any other; it neither adds nor subtracts from the Faith.

 

[TheQuestioner]

Well, I am a Catholic Christian, and I believe that at some point in our history - the end of the age (which is not the end of the world) - and after a great Tribulation for the Church, Christ will come for His Church in some way, and that the earth will be purged along with Satan being chained for a thousand years. I also believe that there will be a “Golden Age” - a period of peace - that will be granted to our world. Afterwards, Satan will be unleashed once more in the final move towards the end of the world. There is nothing controversial in this, and, if one understands the messages of authentic apparitions, this seems to be the scenario. I was also told by a prominent Catholic theologian that this interpretation is as valid as any other; it neither adds nor subtracts from the Faith.

I’m…pretty sure that’s a heresy. I’ll check, but I’m almost 99% sure its a heresy.

 

[IHeartAquinas]

While I find Revelation fascinating, I’ve always been perplexed by one thing:

Public revelation supposedly ended with Christ, and all other revelation was to be treated as private revelation. The Revelation of St. John was written…what? 100 years after Christ? Isn’t it technically private revelation, so we shouldn’t be interpreting it too literally anyway, or even be attempting to apply it to the world at large?

 

[peary]

While I find Revelation fascinating, I’ve always been perplexed by one thing:

Public revelation supposedly ended with Christ, and all other revelation was to be treated as private revelation. The Revelation of St. John was written…what? 100 years after Christ? Isn’t it technically private revelation, so we shouldn’t be interpreting it too literally anyway, or even be attempting to apply it to the world at large?

That is an incorrect assumption. The Church teaches that revelation ended with the death of the last apostle.

 

[Hiskid1973]

While I find Revelation fascinating, I’ve always been perplexed by one thing:

Public revelation supposedly ended with Christ, and all other revelation was to be treated as private revelation. The Revelation of St. John was written…what? 100 years after Christ? Isn’t it technically private revelation, so we shouldn’t be interpreting it too literally anyway, or even be attempting to apply it to the world at large?

I’ve always wondered about Daniel 12 and this verse… But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased…It doesn’t say add like apparitions but like eyes will be opened to what some scripture means…

 

[IHeartAquinas]

Ah. Ok. My bad. Thanks for the correction.

 

[TheQuestioner]

From catholic.com/library/Rapture.asp

Third on the list is premillennialism, currently the most popular among Fundamentalists and Evangelicals (though a century ago amillennialism was). Most of the books written about the End Times, such as Hal Lindsey’s Late Great Planet Earth, are written from a premillennial perspective.

Like postmillennialists, premillennialists believe that the thousand years is an earthly golden age during which the world will be thoroughly Christianized. Unlike postmillennialists, they believe that it will occur after the Second Coming rather than before, so that Christ reigns physically on earth during the millennium. They believe that the Final Judgment will occur only after the millennium is over (which many interpret to be an exactly one thousand year period).

But Scripture does not support the idea of a thousand year span between the Second Coming and the Final Judgment. Christ declares, “For the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done” (Matt. 16:27), and “[w]hen the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. . . . And they [the goats] will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matt. 25:31–32, 46).

From ignatiusinsight.com/features2006/colson_eschatology_jun06.asp

In contrast, dispensationalists believe that the Kingdom will be a thousand-year, earthly reign of Christ, known as the millennium (from the Latin word for “thousand years”). Belief in a literal thousand-year earthly reign is called millenarianism or millennialism. It has been explicitly rejected by the Catholic Church. In 1944, the Holy Office warned against “. . . the system of mitigated Millenarianism, which teaches . . . that Christ the Lord before the final judgment, whether or not preceded by the resurrection of the many just, will come visibly to rule over this world. . . . The system of mitigated Millenarianism cannot be taught safely” (CCC 676).

 

[TheQuestioner]

I don’t know if its been declared heresy stamped and true, but i know that the Church does not and will never teach that Christ will return twice, nor that Christ will return and reign before finally deciding to judge.