Our news reports—and the world’s top-secret intelligence reports probably even more so—reflect a dangerous world. Dozens of hot spots seem ready to explode into wider violence. Weapons of mass destruction are falling into the hands of despots and terrorist groups. Tensions between races, nations and groups of nations seem to be continually increasing. But what would an outsider see? What if today’s world were part of a science fiction story? What would a visitor from the stars see? All the same problems, of course, but perhaps a different perspective would give a chance for the visitor to see more clearly the patterns of human behavior that have led to these predicaments. Consider this description of our time that comes from a perspective beyond the human sphere: “In the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 2 Timothy 3:1-5 [1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
American King James Version×). The apostle Paul, 2,000 years in advance, nailed this list of many of the causes of humanity’s ills. God’s Spirit showed clearly the things we are doing that are making our world more dangerous by the minute. “No one would survive” Jesus Christ’s disciples knew even then that the world was getting worse and worse, and would finally reach a point where these and other evils would crescendo to a final climax. Jesus had told them He would return to begin a new age of peace. So they asked this Man (who they knew was also God in the flesh), “When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3 Matthew 24:3And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world?
American King James Version×, New International Version). Jesus’ answer was breathtaking in its scope, but one phrase surely caught their ears. “For then there will be great distress, unequalled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened” (Matthew 24:21-22 Matthew 24:21-22 [21] For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. [22] And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
American King James Version×, NIV). The future of humanity was at stake! Jesus Christ identified the time of His return as a time when human extinction was possible. But He promised He wouldn’t let that happen! His feet will stand… Jesus Christ will literally return to this earth! In the same way the disciples saw Christ ascend into the clouds after His resurrection, He will return through the clouds to this earth, this time with power and great glory (Acts 1:11 Acts 1:11Which also said, You men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.
American King James Version×; Matthew 24:30 Matthew 24:30And 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.
American King James Version×). That’s the biggest news story in history—especially since if He did not come, human history would end. Mankind continues to find more ways that we can obliterate every man, woman and child off the face of the earth. Biblical prophecy describes in detail the time of great distress, or tribulation, that will envelope the earth. Wars, disasters, famines and disease epidemics will decimate the population. Finally, when the nations of the world gather for battle at a place called Armageddon (Revelation 16:14 Revelation 16:14For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
American King James Version×, 16), Christ must swiftly intervene before it is too late. Sadly, the nations will not recognize or welcome their Savior, but will fight Him. “Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east” (Zechariah 14:3-4 Zechariah 14:3-4 [3] Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. [4] And his feet shall stand in that day on the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall split in the middle thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
American King James Version×). The battle will be over swiftly, ending the painful age of human misrule. Finally, a new day will dawn—a day fresh with the promise of peace and fulfillment, of joy and purpose, of happiness and accomplishment. The nightmares of history will fade, and the dreams of mankind will begin to come to life. The biggest news story in history: CHRIST RETURNS! In summary, consider the facts of this incredible news story. Who: Jesus Christ, who came the first time to pay the penalty for our sins to become our Savior, returns to put an end to sin as our King (Revelation 11:15 Revelation 11:15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
American King James Version×)! What: Christ puts an end to human misrule and sets up the long-promised Kingdom of God (Daniel 2:44 Daniel 2:44And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
American King James Version×). When: In the nick of time before humanity destroys itself (Matthew 24:22 Matthew 24:22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
American King James Version×). Christ gave signs to identify the end time, but did not reveal the “day and hour” (Matthew 24:36 Matthew 24:36But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
American King James Version×). Where: Starting with Jerusalem, this Kingdom will spread over the whole earth (Zechariah 14:3-4 Zechariah 14:3-4 [3] Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. [4] And his feet shall stand in that day on the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall split in the middle thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
American King James Version×; Acts 1:11-12 Acts 1:11-12 [11] Which also said, You men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven. [12] Then returned they to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
American King James Version×; Matthew 5:5 Matthew 5:5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
American King James Version×; Revelation 5:10 Revelation 5:10And have made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
American King James Version×; Daniel 2:35 Daniel 2:35Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
American King James Version×). Why: Christ returns because it is part of God’s plan to show love for everyone, to bring many children to glory (John 3:16 John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
American King James Version×; 2 Peter 3:9 2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
American King James Version×; Hebrews 2:10 Hebrews 2:10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
American King James Version×). How: God’s laws—the way He designed the universe to work—will be taught and will bring real peace and prosperity, but most of all a loving family relationship, to all the world (Isaiah 2:2-4 Isaiah 2:2-4 [2] And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. [3] And many people shall go and say, Come you, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. [4] And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
American King James Version×). “Your Kingdom come!” The time after Christ’s return will be wonderful beyond imagination! No wonder Christians have always prayed “Your Kingdom come!” At the end of the book, Jesus Christ tells us, “Surely I am coming quickly.” And we fervently respond with the apostle John, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20 Revelation 22:20He which testifies these things said, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
American King James Version×). The events leading up to Christ’s return are described in detail in several of our brochures. For more information, download or request your free copies of The Middle East in Bible Prophecy, Are We Living in the Time of the End? and The Book of Revelation Unveiled. Look for further articles in this series in upcoming issues.