The Coming of the Lord: Stable and Effective in the Last Days

By Joel Siegel

Many consider the subject of the end times too mysterious to explore, but behind the veil of mystery lies clear-cut revelation that penetrates the heart and enlightens the mind. The Coming Of The Lord brings simplicity and clarity to a subject often shrouded in confusion. Learn God’s sovereign plan for the last days and develop a passion for Christ’s soon return. We must learn to take our place, for Christ’s return depends on His Church. He is coming! Are you ready?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9780988853577

Joel Siegel

Faith in God’s Word, and constant reliance on the Holy Spirit have been the keys to success in the life and ministry of Rev. Joel Siegel. Raised and educated as a Jew, Joel Siegel, at age 18, had a life-transforming encounter with Christ that brought him true purpose and fulfillment.  Rev. Siegel began preaching and teaching the Word of God soon after he was saved in 1986. He entered full-time ministry in 1990, serving for three years as the music director for the gospel music group Truth. Truth’s road schedule took Joel and his wife Amy worldwide to over 300 cities a year, ministering in churches and on college campuses. From 1993 to 2000, Joel was the musical director for Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin’s RHEMA Singers & Band. In addition to assisting Rev. Hagin in his crusade meetings, Joel produced many music projects for the ministry, including his first solo release, Trust & Obey. From 2000 to 2011, Joel and Amy served as founding pastors of Good News Family Church in Orchard Park, NY. During this time, they were frequently asked to host shows for the TCT Christian Television Network. Joel regularly hosted their popular Ask The Pastor program. Rev. Siegel spends his time ministering to congregations in the U.S. and abroad, passionately endeavoring to fulfill his assignment to help lead this generation into the move of God that will usher in the return of Christ.  The Siegels make their home in Colorado. Joel oversees Faith Church Colorado in the town of Castle Rock, where Amy is lead pastor.  For music recordings, audio teaching series, books, and other resources, or to invite Rev. Joel to minister at a church or event, please visit siegelministries.org.

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Introduction

This book is different than other books abouts the end times. Although I have studied and ministered the Bible for many years, I’m not an expert on such things as the book of Revelation or the prophecies of Daniel. Nor does my proficiency lie in interpreting the events taking place in the world around us. I recognize and appreciate the fact that certain events in our world seem to be interwoven with the pages of scripture, however, those areas of study are not my specific call.

The call that I (and many others) share is similar to the call of John the Baptist:

He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord… . Luke 1:17 (NLT)

John was assigned the task of preparing people for the Lord’s first coming. I, along with others, am privileged to help prepare people for Christ’s second coming.

The Body of Christ must be prepared for His coming, for our preparation affects His coming. Jesus (and other writers of scripture) spoke frequently of this preparation (or readiness, as it is sometimes called). The purpose of this book is to help prepare the Body of Christ by providing insight into the plan of God. It’s necessary that all see where we are, know where we’re headed, and understand what it really means to be ready for His return.

When the Bible speaks of readiness, it’s speaking of a spiritual condition above all else. To be spiritually ready requires spiritual knowledge: an understanding of God’s works and ways that allows for full cooperation with Him. What God desires to do in the earth in these last days must be done with the cooperation of His Church. God needs us involved, but we can only be involved to the degree that we are prepared. It’s not enough to just be present; we must be ready.

Another purpose of this book is to dispel the myths that exist regarding the last days. A lack of sound teaching is responsible for much wrong believing in the Body of Christ. If we are to be used effectively, we must possess a solid foundation of truth from the Word of God. I have taken much time, particularly in the first half of this book, to lay a foundation that can support the full revelation of Christ’s coming. If certain chapters seem more doctrinal than inspirational, that’s the reason.

An honest look at the Body of Christ today reveals that many are not ready for His return. Some desire readiness, but errant teaching has placed them on the wrong path. We must be careful to heed the written Word of God rather than popular voices. We must follow spiritual truth rather than unscriptural traditions. May the revelation of the soon return of the Lord stir us as never before, leading us to a place of greater effectiveness, and perpetual readiness.

CHAPTER 1: Understanding The Times

Sometimes the greatest lessons are found in the most unlikely places. Example: a seemingly insignificant passage in the book of First Chronicles. Here’s the backstory:

David had been anointed King of Israel for some time, but had yet to occupy his place of leadership. He understood that it was important for him to move into his position the right way (God’s way). More than once, he had the opportunity to seize the kingdom that was rightfully his, but he had determined to move only according to God’s timing and plan. David’s patience and honor paid off. The day finally came for him to rule and, instead of having to seize the kingdom, the kingdom came to him. The following passage shows the number of troops from each tribe that presented themselves to David to escort him into his God-given place of authority.

These are the numbers of the divisions of the armed troops who came to David in Hebron to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him, according to the word of the Lord. The men of Judah bearing shield and spear were 6,800 armed troops. Of the Simeonites, mighty men of valor for war, 7,100. Of the Levites 4,600. The prince Jehoiada, of the house of Aaron, and with him 3,700. Zadok, a young man mighty in valor, and twenty-two commanders from his own fathers’ house. Of the Benjaminites, the kinsmen of Saul, 3,000, of whom the majority had to that point kept their allegiance to the house of Saul. Of the Ephraimites 20,800, mighty men of valor, famous men in their fathers’ houses. Of the half-tribe of Manasseh 18,000, who were expressly named to come and make David king. Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command. Of Zebulun 50,000 seasoned troops, equipped for battle with all the weapons of war, to help David with singleness of purpose. Of Naphtali 1,000 commanders with whom were 37,000 men armed with shield and spear. Of the Danites 28,600 men equipped for battle. Of Asher 40,000 seasoned troops ready for battle. Of the Reubenites and Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh from beyond the Jordan, 120,000 men armed with all the weapons of war. 1 Chronicles 12: 23-37

More than 300,000 trained soldiers showed up to bring David into his kingdom. This was no small thing, for each of these men had to break off from what was familiar (the existing kingdom of Saul) in order to move in the new direction that God was taking the nation. Although this story provides many lessons for today, this story is actually not our story at all. The lesson we are most interested in is found in verse 32:

Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.

Issachar’s 200 is by far the smallest number listed, but contained within their small number was a gigantic quality of spirit. It’s said that these men had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do. The fact that the Bible identifies this quality in Issachar’s leaders indicates that it was probably not a prominent trait among the rest. Even the Levites, the priestly tribe who spent their days occupied with the things of God, were not said to have had this kind of insight into the times.

Notice that their understanding of the times gave them a coveted advantage: they knew what Israel ought to do. Understanding the present helped them to accurately determine their future. This kind of knowledge is invaluable, for if people cannot see ahead, they will not be equipped to move with purpose toward their goals. No doubt, the leaders of the tribe of Issachar were a tremendous resource for Israel.

It’s necessary for believers today to possess an understanding of the times – knowing where we are in the plan of God – so we can clearly see what’s ahead. One of the main purposes of this book is to assist in providing this kind of understanding.

Think about it: well over 300,000 men (324,000 to be exact), and there were only 200 that were really in touch with the plan of God. 200 out of 324,000 is an unbelievably small percentage: just a fraction of one percent. Surely, God wasn’t withholding His plan from all the rest. After all, these were people who were on God’s side – pioneers and warriors – not the ones who stayed loyal to Saul’s kingdom just so they didn’t have to experience the discomfort of change. We see from this passage that it’s possible to be committed to God, but still be unaware of what He desires to do in the earth.

While pondering these numbers from Israel’s history, a logical question arose: What percentage of believers today really understand the times? My study of the Word and experience in ministry leads me to believe that the percentage today is probably about the same as it was in David’s day: woefully low.

How could I make such a judgement? These things are not very difficult to ascertain. If an understanding of the times provides a clear sense of direction, all one needs to do is observe the direction that people are going. A person’s current direction indicates their level of understanding. The direction of much of the Body of Christ shows that a lack of understanding of the times still exists. Fortunately, it’s not too late to gain understanding and change direction.

Fully Aware

​Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2

What an amazing statement by Paul. The church at Thessalonica was so well taught and well-focused that he said, you have no need to have anything written to you. They were fully instructed and fully aware.

How many churches today are fully aware of the times? Not too many, I suspect. Thankfully, this can change. We derive much encouragement from the fact that Paul, without any of today’s media resources, was able to develop a church that had learned to take its full place of participation in the plan of God. God indeed has great plans for our day, but those plans will only come to pass as many more in the Body of Christ become like the members of the church of Thessalonica, or the leaders of the tribe of Issachar. We must become people who have understanding of the times.

CHAPTER 2: The Last Days

An understanding of the present provides a clear path to the future. How valuable it is to be able to see ahead! Many miss it by trying to chart a course for the future without understanding the times they are presently in. What time are we in today? Thankfully, the scriptures tell us. We are in the last days, also known as the end times.

But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase. Daniel 12:4

Part of Daniel’s prophecy was for a time to come: the time of the end. (Notice that this verse did not say the end of time,