Prophecy
Signs of Christ's Return
Why does Jesus delay His coming? Because there will be a last person saved on the earth. In Revelation 22:11 the angel announces: "Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and let the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and let the one who is holy, still keep himself holy." God will eventually shut the door on salvation.
Notes
(1)MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.2025: Those who reject God's warnings will fix their eternal destiny in hell, where they will retain their evil natures for all eternity. Those who respond to the warnings will fix their eternal destiny in glory and realize perfect righteousness in heaven.
(2)Robert H. Mounce, The New International Commentary of the New Testament, Book of Revelation, p.406: The main point of this verse is that since the end of time has come, people will reap the consequences of the kinds of lives they have led. The time arrives when change is impossible. The arrival of the end closes any possibility of change.
What Jesus Said
Matthew 24 — Signs of the Second Coming
Matthew 24:1–3 — The Temple and the Question
And Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. And He answered and said to them, "Do you not see these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down." And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"Matthew 24:1–3
Notes
(1)John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.1171: At this time the disciples were referring to Jesus's coming triumph into Jerusalem and setting up His kingdom which they expected soon. The destruction of the temple did not fit into their expectations and so they asked Jesus for a clarification. Neither did they understand His coming death, resurrection, and the church age to come. The disciples were asking two questions: when will the temple be destroyed, and when will you set up your kingdom?
(2)R.T. France, The New International Commentary of the New Testament, The Gospel of Matthew, p.890–891: Having entered the temple in a dramatic way, He now leaves it with a far-reaching statement about its future. He is abandoning it, never to return, and after that it has no future except to be destroyed. The temple now being deserted by God and Jesus is ripe for destruction and will make way for something greater. Jesus' answer will cause them to rethink their assumption: the two events are not chronologically connected.
(3)R.C. Sproul, Commentary on the Book of Matthew, p.680–681: No prophecy that Jesus made in His ministry so thoroughly proves His identity and so completely validates the inspiration of Scripture by the Holy Spirit as this one. We know from history that the things He foretold came to pass in precise detail. We have eyewitness accounts from the Jewish historian Josephus of the siege of Jerusalem and its subsequent destruction, including the demolition of the temple itself. This text should shut the mouths of sceptics and cynics about Jesus and the Bible.
Matthew 24:4–8 — The Beginning of Birth Pangs
And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no man misleads you. For many will come in My name saying, I am the Christ, and mislead many. And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for these things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs."Matthew 24:4–8
Notes
(1)John MacArthur Bible Commentary, Matthew 24:4–8, p.1172: We have always had conflicts, famines and earthquakes but these things will get notably worse and escalate at the end of the age.
(2)R.T. France, The Gospel of Matthew, p.901–903: False Messiahs would come in "Jesus' name" not because they are impersonating Jesus, but because they are claiming the role and title that properly belong to Jesus. Natural disasters and wars are part of the normal human experience, and these things would be only the "beginning of birth pains."
(3)Gene Getz, Matthew 24, Principle 52 — Israel and the Church (YouTube): Many of these signs were present in the first century, but most of Matthew 24 relates to the second coming of Christ. To adequately interpret the prophecies regarding the end of the age we must carefully distinguish between statements about the nation of Israel and those scriptures referring to the church of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24:9–14 — Persecution and the Gospel to All Nations
"Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name. And at that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. And because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the world for a witness to all nations, and then will the end come."Matthew 24:9–14
Notes
(1)MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.1172: As persecution increases many professing believers will fall away from the faith and even turn against one another. The ones who persevere are saved. This does not suggest that our perseverance secures our salvation, but God as a part of His saving work, secures our perseverance. Despite all the persecutions, false teachers, wars and natural disasters, God's word penetrates to every part of the globe, and then the end comes.
(2)R.T. France, Gospel of Matthew, p.904–913: As persecution increases, some will abandon their faith and betray their fellow disciples. Others will succumb to false teaching and lose their faith. Believers must stand firm against all opposition. This passage does not mean that a worldwide evangelization is the cause of the end, but as a necessary prelude to "the end."
Matthew 24:15–22 — The Abomination of Desolation
"Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; let him who is on the housetop not go down to get the things out that are in his house; and let him who is in the field not turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babies in those days! But pray that your flight may not be in winter, or on the Sabbath; for then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall. And unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days shall be cut short."Matthew 24:15–22
Notes
(1)MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.1173: Some thought the Abomination of Desolation referred to a King of Syria desecrating the temple in 168 B.C. or the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D., but Jesus is clearly looking to a future desolation of a temple at the end-times. The Apostle Paul saw a future fulfillment in 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 and also John in Revelation 13:14–15, when the Antichrist sets up an image in the temple. Jesus is referring to a time of global cataclysm that immediately precedes His second coming.
(2)R.T. France, The Gospel of Matthew, p.913–916: Jesus is not speaking to the disciples directly but to "those in Judea" at that time. The plight of refugees is always difficult, but for those in Judea in those days, it will be worse.
(3)Pastor Matt Geisinger, Book of Matthew: Signs of the End Times, Sermon, December 9, 2018: The strongest sign that the end has come is the Abomination of Desolation that takes place at the temple in Jerusalem. The Antichrist enters the temple in the middle of the week (the 70th week of Daniel) and brings about the Great Tribulation of believers, Daniel 9:24–27.
Matthew 24:23–28 — False Christs and the Lightning of His Coming
"Then if anyone says to you, Behold, here is the Christ, or There He is, do not believe him. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the very elect. Behold I have told you in advance. If therefore they say to you, Behold, He is in the wilderness, do not go forth, or behold, he is in the inner rooms, do not believe them. For just as lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather."Matthew 24:23–28
Notes
(1)MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.1173: No one should believe the claims of false messiahs. When Christ returns to earth no one will miss it. The vulture-carcass imagery speaks of divine judgment which will accompany His return.
(2)R.T. France, The Gospel of Matthew, p.916–919: Anyone who can offer new hope of divine intervention will be listened to. These verses make a distinction between the coming siege of Jerusalem and the future appearance of the Son of Man, which will be impossible to miss — as a flash of lightning which blazes across the whole sky.
(3)Pastor Matt Geisinger, Book of Matthew: Signs of the End Times, December 9, 2018: There is no mention of the church in Revelation chapters 4–18, showing the Rapture had already taken place.
Matthew 24:29–31 — The Son of Man Coming on the Clouds
"But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL FROM THE SKY, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken, and then the sign of the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a GREAT TRUMPET AND THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER HIS elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other."Matthew 24:29–31
Notes
(1)MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.1177: The ultimate fulfillment of these prophecies takes place during the time of the Antichrist's reign on earth. The sign of the Son of Man is Jesus Himself. The events described here precisely parallel the description in Daniel 7:13 and Revelation 19:11–21.
(2)Pastor Matt Geisinger, Book of Matthew: Signs of the End Times, January 13, 2019: God turns off the lights in the sky and the men of the earth are terrified and faint with fear (Luke 21:25–26). The sign of the Son of Man may be not Jesus Himself, but the Divine Light — the Shekinah Glory of God — after which Jesus will appear in the sky. Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world."
Matthew 24:32–44 — The Fig Tree, the Days of Noah, and Readiness
"Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; even so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days which were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, they were marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women grinding at the mill; one will be taken and the other left. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason, you be ready too, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will."Matthew 24:32–44
Notes
(1)MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.1174: When the fig tree puts forth leaves, only a short time remains until summer. Likewise, when the final labor pains begin, Christ's return is near even at the doors. "This generation" cannot refer to the generation living at the time of Christ. The abomination of desolation, the persecutions, signs in the heavens and the gathering of the elect all take place at a later time at the end of the age. Jesus's emphasis is not the extreme wickedness in Noah's day, but that the people were preoccupied with the mundane activities of life — eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage — when judgment fell on them. The believer is to be ready at all times.
(2)See R.C. Sproul on YouTube, "The Rapture." John MacArthur believes the rapture happens before the Tribulation. R.C. Sproul thought that believers go through the tribulation and are then raptured. The point is to be ready for either. In any event the second coming of Christ will be a glorious event for believers, but a very dark day for the rest of humanity.
(3)Matt Geisinger, Book of Matthew: The Second Coming, January 20, 2019: There will come a day when Jesus comes in judgment and will take away those who did not repent. We are not promised tomorrow. Watch and be ready. Are you living for Him?
What the Apostles Said
Paul, Peter, Luke, and John on the Last Days
Paul — 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4, 8–12 — The Man of Sin
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. And that lawless one will be revealed whom the LORD will slay with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs and false wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason, God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, in order that they may be judged who did not believe the truth but took pleasure in wickedness.2 Thessalonians 2:3–4, 8–12
Notes
(1)MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.1766: The language indicates a specific event. The key to identifying the event is identifying the main person which Paul does, calling him the "man of sin." Paul is referring to the ultimate apostasy, which reveals the final Antichrist and sets the course for events and ushers in the Day of the LORD.
(2)R.C. Sproul, The Reformation Study Bible, p.2146: This may refer to a general falling away within the church, to the apostasy of the Jewish people, or to a worldwide rebellion against God. Paul identifies this event as the appearance of the man of sin or Antichrist — "the prince who is to come" in Daniel 9:26 and whom John calls "the beast" in Revelation 13:2–10. He will draw away by deception those already inclined against the true God. God will use Satan and the Antichrist to bring about judgment on the wicked.
Paul — 2 Timothy 3:1–5 — Difficult Times in the Last Days
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come, for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. From such people turn away.2 Timothy 3:1–5
Notes
(1)MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.1810: A description of unbelievers in the last days before Christ's return. Like the scribes, Pharisees, false teachers and their followers are concerned only with outward appearances.
(2)R.C. Sproul, The Reformation Study Bible, p.2173: What makes false teachers so dangerous is that they appear to be Christians.
(3)The Tony Evans Bible Commentary, p.1295: The false teachers of the last days would look real, but the power of God would not operate through them. True godly teaching moves people from sin to righteousness.
Paul — 2 Timothy 4:1–4 — Preach the Word
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His Kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.2 Timothy 4:1–4
Notes
(1)The Tony Evans Bible Commentary, p.1297: The Apostle Paul emphasizes the divine source and purpose of scripture, making a public charge in front of God and Jesus Christ, delivering a sacred command to be faithful to preach His word. The action resembles the role of a herald who receives the message of the king and faithfully delivers it to the king's subjects. In a world that claims everything is relative, people should be able to hear the absolute truth of God's word. Sinful people prefer to hear what makes them feel good.
(2)MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.1813: The faithful preacher must proclaim the Word of God when it is popular and when it is not. Professing Christians flock to preachers who offer them God's blessings apart from His forgiveness, and His salvation apart from their repentance. They want to be entertained by teachings that produce good feelings about themselves. Paul warns Timothy that many people will become intolerant of the confrontive preaching of God's word.
(3)R.C. Sproul, The Reformation Study Bible, p.2174: Some people have an endless fascination with everything but the truth. They look for and attract false teachers to themselves.
Luke — Acts 1:9–11 — The Ascension and the Promise of Return
And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was departing, behold two men in white clothing stood beside them; and they also said "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven."Acts 1:9–11
Notes
(1)MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.1432: God the Father took Jesus in His Resurrection body from this world to His rightful place, at the Father's right hand. A visible reminder of God's glory was present as the apostles watched the ascension.
(2)R.C. Sproul, The Reformation Study Bible, p.1842: The Ascension of Christ is often overlooked by the modern church. In the Ascension, Christ entered into His glory in heaven. Daniel 7:13–14 records His arrival in heaven: "I kept looking in the night visions and behold; with the clouds of Heaven; One like the Son of Man coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days; And was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom; That all the peoples, nations, and men of every language, might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed." When Jesus ascended into heaven for His coronation as the King of Kings, He was seated at the right hand of God — the seat of authority. From this position Jesus rules and administrates His Kingdom and presides as Judge of heaven and earth.
John — Revelation 1:7 — Every Eye Will See Him
BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him, even so. Amen.Revelation 1:7
Notes
(1)The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.1992: The focus is on the glorious day when Christ will triumph and bring history to a close. This echoes the promise of Daniel 7:13 — the Son of Man will come with clouds of heaven. Not ordinary clouds but clouds of glory and blazing light. He comes with the clouds rather than on or in them.
(2)Robert H. Mounce, The New International Commentary of the New Testament, The Book of Revelation, p.50–51: At His coming all the tribes of the earth will mourn — not just the 12 tribes of Israel. The prophet Zechariah identified the ones who pierced Him as "the house of David" and "the inhabitants of Jerusalem" and they would shed tears of repentance because of what they did to their Messiah (Zechariah 12:10). The mourning of the rest of the earth's inhabitants would be their guilt of sin and fear of punishment.
(3)Pastor Matt Geisinger, Sermon August 7, 2011, Book of Revelation Chapter 1: When we see Jesus in His Glory, it won't be Jesus meek and mild, but His rule everywhere.
John — Revelation 6:12–17 — The Sixth Seal
And I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became blood; and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. And the sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and freeman, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come; and who is able to stand."Revelation 6:12–17
Notes
(1)MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.2007: The force described in the sixth seal is overpowering fear. All the earth faults begin to fracture resulting in a cataclysmic global earthquake along with volcanic eruptions. Large amounts of ash and debris will be blown into the earth's atmosphere, blackening out the sun and giving the moon a red hue. "Stars" in Greek can refer to any celestial body — most likely a meteor or asteroid shower. The sixth seal will begin what the prophets call the "Day of the LORD."
(2)Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, p.149–153: The breakdown of the movements of heavenly bodies would be a grim announcement that the end of the world is at hand. The removing of every mountain and island from its place has no parallel in apocalyptic writing. People will be driven in terror to plead for death rather than face the wrath of the Lamb.
(3)Pastor Matt Geisinger, Sermon, September 11, 2011, Book of Revelation 6:12–17: Our hope is in Jesus Christ. The judgment of God will come. The nations of the earth will crumble, but those who stand with Jesus Christ will stand secure.
John — Revelation 19:11–16 — The Warrior King
And I saw heaven opened; and behold a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war. And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and He has a name written upon Him which no man knows except Himself. And He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule over them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh, He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."Revelation 19:11–16
Notes
(1)The John MacArthur Study Bible, p.2019–2020: Christ the Warrior — this event is preceded by blackness, the darkened sun, the moon gone out, falling stars, lightning and blinding glory as Jesus comes. John's vision portrays Christ as the conqueror on His war horse, coming to destroy the wicked, to overthrow the Antichrist, to defeat Satan, and to take control of the earth. "In righteousness He judges and wages war." This startling statement vividly portrays the holy wrath of God against sinners. God's patience will be exhausted with sinful, rebellious mankind.
(2)Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, p.350–356: His blazing eyes reflect His eagerness to carry out His mission. The robe dipped in blood draws heavily on the oracle of vengeance in Isaiah 63:1–6. The prophet asks, "Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress?" God replied, "I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My wrath; their blood spattered My garments." Isaiah 63 is also the inspiration of the Battle Hymn of the Republic: "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord, He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored." The blood that stains the robe of the conquering Messiah is not His own. The conquering Messiah commands a heavenly army who like their leader are mounted on white horses and "called chosen and faithful." The name "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS" emphasizes the Warrior Christ in His triumph over all the enemies of God.
(3)Pastor Matt Geisinger, April 22, 2012, Revelation 19:1–16: This passage reflects the Hebrew prayer in Isaiah 64:1–2, "Oh, that Thou would rend the Heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at Thy presence." The battle when He returns is not a drawn-out process. All He has to do is speak His word and the enemy is defeated. His eyes on fire speaks to His penetrating gaze and judgment. The many crowns show He is the King of kings. Bend your knee to Jesus Christ. Are you ready?
Peter — 2 Peter 2:4–9 — Past Judgments as a Pattern
For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down into hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, and if He condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly — then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation and keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment.2 Peter 2:4–9
Notes
(1)The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.1934–1935: Lest anyone think God is too loving and merciful to judge the wicked, the Apostle Peter gives three illustrations of past divine judgment. The pattern of the plan of God is to rescue the godly before His judgment falls.
(2)Tony Evans Bible Commentary, p.1364: These three examples highlight the Lord's judgment of those who lead ungodly lifestyles. Lot was a righteous man who was tormented by the lawless deeds he saw and heard. Even today, feeling tormented by wickedness is an indication of a person's desire for righteousness.
(3)R.C. Sproul, The Reformation Study Bible, p.2258: The point is that if God punished evil angels, He will certainly punish ungodly people as well.
Peter — 2 Peter 3:3–11 — Mockers and the Day of the Lord
Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and that the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed with water. But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish but for all to come to repentance. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness.2 Peter 3:3–11
Notes
(1)The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.1942: The Apostle Peter warns believers false teachers will come and argue against the second coming of Christ and the judgment through ridicule. Their argument against Christ's return is based on uniformitarianism — all things continue on since the beginning of the earth. They deliberately ignore previous cataclysmic events such as the creation and the flood. God endures endless blasphemies against His name, along with rebellion and murders, waiting patiently while He is calling and redeeming His own, not willing that any should perish.
(2)Tony Evans Bible Commentary, p.1366: The reason for people's scoffing is that God's truth interferes with their immoral lifestyles. This is a posture of deism over atheism. They believe in God, but he has little to do with their daily reality. The Apostle Peter notes God has intervened in human history in the past and has promised to do so again.
(3)R.C. Sproul, The Reformation Study Bible, p.2260: The false teachers were asserting that the cycle of life would continue eternally, and that the world would continue in its present state forever, denying that God would intervene decisively to judge the wicked.
What the Prophets Said
Joel, Isaiah, Zechariah, Amos, Zephaniah, and the Psalms
Joel 2:30–32 — Wonders Before the Day of the Lord
"And I will display wonders in the sky and on earth, blood, fire, and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be delivered; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those that escape, as the LORD has said, even among the survivors whom the LORD calls."Joel 2:30–32
Notes
(1)R.C. Sproul Bible Commentary, p.1528: The universal scope of events heralding the great and awesome day of the LORD is emphasized. Salvation is to be found in returning to the true and exclusive worship of God. Paul quotes this verse in Romans 10:13 with regard to the inclusion of the Gentiles into the salvation plan of God.
(2)Leslie C. Allen, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament, The Books of Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah, p.100–101: The eschatological teaching of Jesus applied these phenomena to the future, partly in the time of Jerusalem's destruction in 70 A.D. and partly in the final judgment. God's reassuring message to His people is they have nothing to fear from these events.
(3)Josephus mentioned a comet and other signs in the sky at the fall of Jerusalem — Translation by William Whiston, The New Complete Works of Josephus, The Jewish War, Book 6, Chapter 3, p.898–899.
Isaiah 13:6–13 — The Day of the Lord's Burning Anger
Wail, for the day of the Lord is near! It will come as destruction from the Almighty, therefore all hands will fall limp; and every man's heart will melt. And they will be terrified, pains and anguish will take hold of them; they will writhe like a woman in labor, they will look at one another in astonishment, their faces aflame. Behold the day of the LORD is coming, cruel, with fury and burning anger, to make the land a desolation; and He will exterminate its sinners from it. For the stars of the heaven and their constellations will not flash forth their light; the sun will be dark when it rises, and the moon will not shed its light. Thus, I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will also put an end to the arrogance of the proud and abase the haughtiness of the ruthless. I will make mortal man scarcer than pure gold, and mankind than the gold of Ophir. Therefore, I shall make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken from its place, at the fury of the LORD of hosts, the day of His burning anger.Isaiah 13:6–13
Notes
(1)John MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.776: The Day of the LORD occurs when the Messiah returns in judgment of all living on the earth. Scripture associates cosmic upheavals with the period of tribulation just before Christ's return. God will put an end to the sin of human pride and evil. Because of this visitation, human mortality will be extremely high but not total. God will spare His faithful people.
(2)John N. Oswalt, The New International Commentary of the Old Testament, The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 1–39, p.306–307: The immediate results of God's attack will be complete helplessness. Before God's power all vaunted human greatness will be as nothing. In these verses, the sin of human pride is directly identified as the cause of God's wrath. These verses indicate that God is sovereign over all things and that human sin has cosmic implications.
(3)R.C. Sproul, The Reformation Study Bible, p.1144: The ancients worshiped the heavenly bodies, but scripture teaches that God is the creator of them all. These expressions depict the coming of God in judgment against His creation.
Zechariah 14:1–9 — The Lord's Feet on the Mount of Olives
Behold the day is coming for the LORD when the spoil taken from you will be divided among you. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished, and half the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city. Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south. Then the LORD, my God will come, and all the holy ones with Him! And it will come about in that day that there will be no light; the luminaries will dwindle. For it will be a unique day which is known to the LORD, neither day nor night, but it will come about that at evening time there will be light. And it will come about in that day that living waters will flow out of Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and the other half toward the western sea; it will be in summer as well as winter. And the LORD will be king over all the earth.Zechariah 14:1–9
Notes
(1)R.C. Sproul, The Reformation Study Bible, p.1644: The Old Testament prophets proclaim a "Day of the LORD" for judgment and deliverance, both of which are present in this passage. When the LORD comes in judgment even the mountains cannot maintain their integrity. This day of battle ushers in God's eternal kingdom.
(2)The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.1073–1074: The "Day of the Lord" is a technical term for God's wrath against sinners. Here Zechariah is looking into the future where God's wrath is unleashed on the world and ushers in the millennial kingdom and Christ's rule on earth. Jerusalem will be overrun by invaders which triggers God's wrath against the world. Christ will rule the nations with a rod of iron. There will only be one religion in the world after Christ does away with all false religion.
(3)Mark J. Boda, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament, The Book of Zechariah, p.747–767: Yahweh had once departed from Jerusalem through its eastern gate (Ezekiel 10:18 and 11:22) and so He will return to the Mount of Olives to the east of the city. According to Ezekiel 43:1–4, the Lord will return through the eastern gate of the city. This day is known only to Yahweh.
Amos 5:18 — Darkness, Not Light
Alas, you who are longing for the day of the LORD. For what purpose will the Day of the LORD be to you? It will be darkness and not light.Amos 5:18
Notes
(1)The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.997: Even the wicked wanted the Day of the Lord to come, mistakenly thinking that it would bring victory and blessing instead of certain judgment.
(2)M. Daniel Carroll R., The New International Commentary on the Old Testament, The Book of Amos, p.334–335: The "Day of the LORD" is connected to a powerful personal appearance of the God of Israel. In Amos' time the popular understanding of this event was that God would defeat the nations' enemies. The closing verses of the book disclose that after Israel's judgment there would be a time of restoration.
Joel 2:1–13 — The Coming of the Lord's Army
Blow a trumpet in Zion,
And sound an alarm on My holy mountain!
Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble,
For the Day of the LORD is coming.
Surely it is near,
A day of darkness and gloom,
A day of clouds and thick darkness.
As the dawn is spread over the mountains,
So, there is a great and mighty people.
There has never been anything like it,
Nor will there ever be such after them,
Even for many generations.
A fire devours before them,
And behind them a flame burns.
The land is like the Garden of Eden before them,
But a desolate wilderness behind them,
And nothing at all escapes them.
Their appearance is like the appearance of horses,
And like war horses, so they run.
With a noise like chariots,
Over mountain tops they leap,
Like the noise of a flaming fire that consumes the stubble.
Like a mighty people arranged for battle,
Before them people are in anguish,
All faces turn pale.
They run like mighty men,
They climb the wall like men of war,
Everyone marches in formation,
And they do not break ranks.
They do not push one another,
Everyone marches in his own column.
They rush on the city,
They run on the wall.
They climb into the houses,
They enter at the windows like a thief.
The earth quakes before them,
The heavens tremble.
The sun and the moon go dark,
And the stars lose their brightness.
The Lord utters His voice before His army,
Surely His camp is very great,
For strong is he who carries out His word.
For the Day of the LORD is great and very terrible,
Who can endure it.
"Yet even now," declares the LORD, "Return to Me with all your heart,
And with fasting, weeping and mourning,
And rend your heart and not your garments."
Now return to the LORD your God,
For He is gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness,
And relenting of evil.
Notes
(1)R.C. Sproul, The Reformation Study Bible, p.1524–1525: Joel urges all the inhabitants of the land to prepare for the imminent assault by the army of the LORD. Complex metaphors of an army and locust invasion combine to depict the judgment and devastation to occur. Such divine judgments are accompanied by a shaking and breakdown of the natural order. All creation is disturbed. The relentless army is the LORD's. He commands and His forces obey. The day of the LORD is great, dreadful and unbearable.
(2)Leslie C. Allen, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament, The Books of Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah, p.74: As the world quakes in alarm at God's appearing, so the locusts to Joel's mind have the same effect — they represent Him and come as emissaries of His wrath. "I have issued orders to My crusaders and summoned My heroes to wreak My anger... Yahweh of hosts is mustering a host for battle." (Isaiah 13:3–4) A hostile, irresistible army is on the march.
(3)The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.984: The Day of the Lord does not always refer to an eschatological event; on occasion it has a near historical fulfillment. As is common in prophecy, the near fulfillment is a historic event which gives understanding to the more distant, eschatological fulfillment.
Zephaniah 1:14–18 — A Day of Wrath and Distress
Near is the great day of the LORD, near and coming very quickly; listen, the day of the Lord! In it the warrior cries out bitterly. A day of wrath is that day, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and battle cry, against the fortified cities, and the high corner towers. And I will bring distress on men, that they will walk like the blind; because they have sinned against the LORD; and their blood will be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the day of the LORD's wrath; and all the earth will be devoured in the fire of His jealousy, for He will make a complete end, indeed a terrifying one, of all the inhabitants of the earth.Zephaniah 1:14–18
Notes
(1)The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.1039: Zephaniah vividly described the Day of the Lord, rehearsing the ominous conditions characterizing that day. This section seems to point to a near fulfillment when Babylon subdued Judah, as well as the ultimate fulfillment far in the future which will involve the whole earth. Their silver and gold would not protect them from the holy wrath of God.
(2)O. Palmer Robertson, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament, The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, p.287: The consequences of the coming Day of the Lord are specified — humanity, the principal object of God's wrath, shall be devastated. The broader discourse of the Day of the Lord suggests a cosmic conflagration. In his opening verses, the prophet had spoken in terms of a worldwide judgment which would reverse the entire order of creation.
Joel 3:11–17 — The Valley of Decision
Hasten and come, all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves there. Bring down, O LORD, Thy mighty ones. Let the nations be wakened and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread, for the winepress is full; the vats overflow, for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness. And the LORD roars from Zion and utters His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth tremble. But the LORD is a refuge for His people, and a stronghold to the sons of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. So, Jerusalem will be holy, and strangers will pass through it no more.Joel 3:11–17
Notes
(1)The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.990: The nations of the world will be gathered to Jerusalem to the battle of Armageddon (Zechariah 12:3, 14:2; Revelation 16:16, 19:11–21). The judgment of the nations includes the event of Matthew 25:31–46: "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them one from another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats."
(2)Leslie C. Allen, The New International Commentary of the Old Testament, The Books of Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah, p.120–121: If the stable bodies of the natural world are convulsed at Yahweh's appearing, it can be taken for granted that mere mortals have little chance of escape. The stanza gradually moves from the theme of the terrifying of the nations on that Day, to the comforting message of the safety afforded to Israel in Jerusalem.
Psalm 2 — A Warning to the Rulers of the Earth
Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break their bonds in pieces; and cast away their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the LORD shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath; and terrify them in His fury: "Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall shatter them like a potter's vessel.'" Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.Psalm 2
Notes
(1)The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p.598–599: Psalm 2 shines its poetic spotlight on the rebellion of mankind against God. The nations of the earth, led by their kings and rulers, direct their hostility toward the LORD and His anointed one. After mocking them with His divine contempt, God speaks and acts from His perfectly balanced anger. "Today I have begotten You" is quoted in the New Testament with reference to the birth of Jesus in Hebrews 1:5–6 and also His resurrection in Acts 13:33–34. Instead of immediate judgment the LORD and His Anointed mercifully provide an opportunity for repentance.
(2)Nancy deClaissé-Walford, Rolf A. Jacobson, Beth Laneel Tanner, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament, The Book of Psalms, p.70–71: Psalm 2 revolves around the question: who rules the earth? Do human princes and kings rule? Or is there a different Lord of creation in control? Psalm 2 bears witness to the faith that God's reign, though it seems hidden and invisible now, is the only true reality. The righteous will be vulnerable to the powers of the world, but they will never be without help.
After the Darkness
Revelation 21–22 — The Dawn of a New Age
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."
"It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son."
And the city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as its width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. And I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. And the nations shall walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.
And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. And on either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His bond-servants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. And there shall no longer be any night; and they shall not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall illuminate them; and they shall reign forever and ever.
"Behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book."
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter by the gates into the city."
"I Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, the bright and morning star." And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes, take the water of life without cost.
He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.Revelation 21–22 (selected)