The End of the Ages Explained: (A Companion Book to Revelation Explained)

By Terry Swift

The author of “Revelation Explained” has written a new book. The new book is a companion book to his first book. His first book, “Revelation Explained” was a verse by - verse commentary of the Book of Revelation. His second book started as the original research that the author, Terry, used to understand what the New Testament taught about that mysterious book of Revelation. Then Terry wrote “Revelation Explained.” This second book, “The End of the Ages Explained” has 26 chapters covering 26 different topics that relate to things in Revelation. This book grew into an in-depth study and explanation of things we often hear about Revelation. These topics are often tossed around in conversations in our world today. Imagine, a book in which you can read an in-depth study of topics such as, Armageddon, Gog and Magog, the thousand years reign, the second coming of Christ, the judgment, the resurrection, Israel, 2 Pet 3, the end of the ages, and many more such topics.
Can one really understand what he is reading in Revelation? Can the things that are mentioned in visions make sense? Is an understanding of Revelation attainable? The answer is yes. The parts of scripture all fit together perfectly. Can you know it? Yes. God can help you. Terry has tried to help by taking each topic and carefully explaining scripture with scripture. He goes into in - depth explanations of the various topics. This book is not an easy chair read. It is intended for those who study diligently and want to know truly – what God has meant by what he has revealed. What is the reward? More than anything, it is to "understand God" and to see with spiritual eyes the wonderful grandeur of the completion of God's plan in Christ Jesus. The end blessing is truly spiritually awesome, fantastic and amazing beyond man’s capability and imagination. But our wonderful God has indeed revealed himself to us.
This new book, “The End of the Ages Explained” is well worth the read; every page is helpful. It is good for pastors, seminary students, elders, leaders, and every Christian. It will challenge everyone who reads it and can offer many insights into scripture. The goal of the author has always been – “to understand what one is reading”. The wise man Solomon emphasized getting understanding to his son in Proverbs. There he said – “Trust in the Lord with all you heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Prov.3:5-6, (NIV). May your understanding greatly increase when you read this book, and seek to know God better.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Nov 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9781489744135

Terry Swift

Terry L. Swift is 69 years old. He lives in San Marcos Texas with his special and wonderful wife Kathy. Both he and his wife are RN’s and have been practicing in the medical field taking care of patients for over 30 years. They have 3 grown children: Jeremy, Libby, and Becky and each of them are married with wonderful spouses. Terry and Kathy have seven wonderful grandchildren.

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THE END OF THE AGES

EXPLAINED

(A COMPANION BOOK TO REVELATION EXPLAINED)

Terry Swift

Copyright © 2022 Terry Swift.

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CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1     Appendix A:

COMING OF JESUS

Chapter 2     Appendix B:

EXPECTATION OF THE COMING OF JESUS

Chapter 3     Appendix C:

SECOND COMING AND THE APOSTLES

Chapter 4     Appendix D:

GOSPEL TO THE WORLD

Chapter 5     Appendix E::

JUDGMENT

Chapter 6     Appendix F:

RESURRECTION

Chapter 7     Appendix G:

WORLD (HEAVEN AND EARTH) PASS AWAY

Chapter 8     Appendix H:

SATAN

Chapter 9     Appendix I:

RESTORATION

Chapter 10   Appendix J:

PROMISED LAND

Chapter 11   Appendix K:

ISRAEL

Chapter 12   Appendix L:

LAST DAYS

Chapter 13   Appendix M:

END OF THE AGES; COMING AGE; AGES; AGES TO COME

Chapter 14   Appendix N:

NEW CREATION

Chapter 15   Appendix O:

THE PURPOSE OF CHRIST

Chapter 16   Appendix P:

JERUSALEM

Chapter 17   Appendix Q:

TIME OF THE GENTILES

Chapter 18   Appendix R:

DEATH AND HADES

Chapter 19   Appendix S:

ARMAGEDDON

Chapter 20   Appendix T:

REIGN WITH CHRIST

Chapter 21   Appendix U:

BODY, SOUL, AND SPIRIT

Chapter 22   Appendix V:

2 PETER 3

Chapter 23   Appendix W:

GOG AND MAGOG

Chapter 24   Appendix X:

THE KINGDOM

Chapter 25   Appendix Y:

THE FULFILLING OF PROPHECY

Chapter 26   Appendix Z:

A THOUSAND YEARS

INTRODUCTION

I had studied and heard many things from the religious world about the book of Revelation. Some described it as about the apostasy of the Roman Catholic Church down through the ages. Others said it was about to be fulfilled in the year 2000. That was an attention getting time as the religious world stirred up their interpretations and predictions. The Jehovah Witnesses had predicted the return of Christ through their Watchtower multiple times in the 1900’s. The popular belief has been for many years here in the States that Jesus has not yet returned, when he does some version of these events will then take place: the rapture, the tribulation, the resurrection, the judgment, the destruction of the world by fire and a New Heaven and A New earth. Every generation has predicted the Second Coming of Christ in their generation since the second century. The theories and predictions are countless.

It was my desire not to get caught up in the different theories and explanations about Revelation. There are so many opinions of men. How does one sort them all out to find the truth? I considered all the theories as being like quicksand to get sunk down into and get lost and confused. I determined that I wanted to know the truth, but how? The answer was so simple, and pure – let the Spirit teach me what to believe. That is not an exclusive spiritually favored statement on my part. Every Christian has the indwelling Spirit and can learn to work with the Spirit to gain understanding. So, as all Christians should do, but seem to too seldom do, I followed the Spirit to learn what I should understand. The Bible, after all, is a book inspired and revealed by the Spirit. It is the Spirit who can help us understand what He, the Spirit, wrote. It did not matter what I had been taught, or what I had previously learned. I knew the Spirit must teach me in the scripture and enlighten me as to what I should understand. I started by reading the New Testament. I paid attention to every scripture that might relate some understanding about the end time. I wrote them all down as I read, put them in my computer and printed them out. There were over 50 pages of scriptures. I read through those scriptures and sorted them into topics. Many of those topics resulted in what you see in this book.

It was not hard. When reading through the New Testament, it quickly became obvious what the New Testament taught about end time things. Before I could finish reading the New Testament, the truth became overwhelmingly obvious. Jesus’ Second coming had already occurred in the first century, in the generation of Jesus. That was not what I had been taught. That is certainly not the popular understanding in the States today. I was very familiar with the different viewpoints – the millennialists, the premillennialist, the postmillennialists, the dispensationalist, those who claim that most of Revelation has been fulfilled but not all including the second coming, resurrection, judgment and so much more.

None of what is out there, the theories and confusing claims bothers me. There will always be the opinions of men and their theories like the tossing of the sea. I believe in following the Spirit. His word has been revealed in the bible. This does not mean we understand it. We need the Spirit, the author of the bible, to help us understand it. That is why the indwelling gift of the Spirit is given to every Christian – that the Christian may understand what God has freely given to us, 1 Cor. 2:12 (NIV). This does not mean that we automatically understand what we read because we have the Spirit. The Spirit does not work with us miraculously (charismati), but rather spiritually (pneumatikos). That understanding from his Spirit comes through receiving his power by faith and commitment. Paul says the Spirit compares spiritual things with spiritual things. We gain understanding of symbols by comparing how they are used in various places in scripture. The Spirit gets our attention by challenging our understanding of one scripture with another scripture, one that doesn’t seem to fit what we think or may even seem to strongly contradict our understanding of other scriptures. However, scripture is not against scripture. One scripture does not contradict another. The Spirit is not the author of confusion. Nor is the scripture of private interpretation. All the scriptures fit together. We should not just place one scripture against another as in a debate. We must reconcile those scriptures and explain how they fit perfectly in what the Spirit teaches. If we cannot explain how the scriptures fit together, it means we do not understand them yet. The Spirit is trying to teach us still, correct us, and deepen our understanding. Scriptures are not against scriptures. They must all be understood together. If we insist on our scriptures to prove what we believe, and cannot explain how they fit with other scriptures, we are still on the level of our own personal interpretation. We are still using human understanding and opinion. We must let go of that reliance and let the Spirit work with us. When different scriptures do not seem to make sense together, the problem is always with us, not the scripture. It means we do not understand it yet.

I have brought up the Spirit, and understanding how he works with us, because it is so important. He is essential for us to get an understanding of the truth. The Spirit teaches us what he means by what he has revealed in the words of the Bible. No one knows what the Spirit means but the Spirit. It is by working with him in faith and diligence that he teaches us. Things are spiritually discerned, 1 Cor.2:14. (NIV). If you are a Christian, and if you understand how to, and do follow the Spirit, you can certainly understand the things of God. Paul prayed that God may fill you with a knowledge of his will through all ‘SPIRITUAL’ wisdom and understanding… Col.1:9. (NIV). The scripture is alive and active" through the Spirit.

This book, The End of The Ages is my research and study of the New Testament that I initially did in preparation of understanding the book of Revelation. Even though my first book to be published is Revelation Explained, the contents of this book was explored first. I believe with the Spirit helping you, it will not be difficult coming to realize a larger and clearer picture of what the bible reveals about the end time. As a quick explanation – I do not believe the bible teaches us an end of TIME. That is an interpretation by many of the phrase the end of the ages. Please read Chapter 13 about The Ages, The Ages to Come, The End of The Ages.

It is my hope that God will bless you with an ever-growing understanding of his purpose in Christ Jesus to reconcile the world to himself, defeat our spiritual enemies, bring everything under his control, to restore or set in order again everything – that all things pertaining to life and godliness have been given unto us. May God be praised forever and ever.

CHAPTER ONE

APPENDIX A

COMING OF JESUS

T here are only two comings of Christ mentioned in scripture – he came the first time at the end of the ages to do away with sin. He was to come the second time to bring salvation to those waiting for him, Heb.9:28, (NIV). There is the first and second coming of Christ mentioned in scripture and that is all. His first time to come is tied to his coming in his earthly life, in the incarnation through Mary, and ending with his dying for our sins on the cross. His coming the second time , as he repeatedly taught, Jn 14:3,28, would be in the lifetime of those of his generation, Mt.16:27-28. He was to bring salvation (in its fullness, Rom.8:23) in the resurrection of those waiting for him , Heb.9:28 (NIV). Those waiting for him referred to those who were still alive of his generation when he came back the second time. Those Jesus had taught were throughout the New Testament expecting his imminent return. Those of Jesus’ generation and their expectation of his coming can be observed in the next article - The coming of Jesus – Expectation, Chapter 2. In this article, we can read the scriptures that reveal Jesus’ prediction of his imminent return – that is, within the lifetime of his generation. The apostles understood his teaching and reflected the understanding that he would soon return to them.

If Jesus did not return toward the end of his generation, as he himself taught, then we as Christians must conclude Jesus was a false prophet, Deut.18:22, and so were his apostles. If Jesus’ and the apostles’ predictions were not true and fulfilled as they said, the message of the whole Bible would become false and untrustworthy. But what Jesus did teach and what his apostles taught and their prophecies were fulfilled in that generation and they were fully trustworthy.

JESUS’ PREDICTION OF HIS IMMINENT RETURN:

1.Matt.16:27-28

Jesus taught that he would be coming back within the lifetime of some of his disciples, Mt.16:27-28, and within the lifetime of some of those who sat in judgment of him and crucified him Mt,26:64. He taught he would come back within the lifetime of the apostle John, Jn.21:22-23. Paul referred back to Jesus’ teaching in 1 Thess. 4:15, where he says According to the Lord’s own word we tell you that we who are still alive, that remain until the coming of the Lord…. Several scriptures record that his return would be very soon. The New Testament has many passages that show that Christians were eagerly expecting his return. Why were they eagerly expecting his return? Because they had been taught that he was coming back within their lifetime.

Jesus told some disciples (that he was talking to) that some of them would not taste death before they saw Him return and Him coming in His Father’s glory. In that return he said He would return: 1. in His Father’s glory, 2. with His angels, and 3. that He would reward each person according to what he had done.

The Greek of Mt.16:27 even emphasizes more than the English translations; that he was "about to" come in His Father’s glory… that is - within the lifetime of some standing there. The Greek word mellei, is translated by Alfred Marshall’s Greek Interlinear as about to come in His Father’s glory. Mellei is a word that consistently throughout the New Testament means something that is about to occur or happen. It is unfortunate that many English translations translate the word with shall or will and it does not carry the idea of the nearness of what will occur. In the context of the passages below, the idea is that Jesus is "about to" come back within the lifetime of the people standing before him.

Matt. 16:27-28

27 For the Son of Man is going to come (Greek-mellei. "is about" to come) in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 28 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." (NIV)

27 For the Son of Man is about (mellei) to come in the glory of the Father of him with the angels of him, and then he will reward to each man according to the conduct of him. (Alfred Marshall’s Greek Interlinear Translation.)

There were those who were still alive when Jesus came in 70 A.D. He came in his kingdom. The kingdom in the heavens was opened up, His people were resurrected, and the kingdom of the Son in its fullness and completion began for eternity.

There are some who believe the Kingdom of God came on the day of Pentecost. Their reasoning then, is that the people Jesus was talking to were still alive when Jesus came in his kingdom on Pentecost. Jesus did say he was going to send the promise of his Father (the Holy Spirit), and to stay in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high (in Lk.24:49). He did not say to his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the kingdom. There is no evidence the kingdom came on Pentecost. Legally, the new covenant of Jesus went into effect after he died, Heb. 9:16-17. His will needed to be announced to the world through the preaching of the gospel. That started on Pentecost with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the apostles and continued for the next 40 years. Then the end was to come, Matt. 24:14. What end? The Mosaic covenant became obsolete in 30 A.D. when Jesus died and the new covenant went into effect. The terms of the new covenant were preached in the gospel. Two systems existed side by side for 40 years, the Mosaic covenant that had become obsolete, but was still being practiced as long as the earthly temple stood, Heb.9:8. The way into the Most Holy Place, in the heavenly Jerusalem, was not disclosed until the earthly Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. The Spiritual nation, the heavenly Jerusalem, was created in a moment, Isa.66:8, at the resurrection.

Some might think the fulfillment of Matt.16 - Jesus coming in his kingdom took place on the day of Pentecost. Perhaps you understood Jesus to have come unseen through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. It is true, the Spirit came on Pentecost in a great display of power. However, Jesus coming was not in His Father’s glory on the day of Pentecost. His coming was not coming with his angels on the day of Pentecost. His coming was not coming to reward each person according to his conduct on the day of Pentecost. The judgment for one’s conduct would not come for another 40 years, and that would be after the gospel was taken to the world, Matt.24:14. Then, after the distress of the destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus would come in power and great glory with his angels in judgment, Matt.24:30-31. Jesus’ coming is described in Matt.24:30-31 in the same way as his coming in Matt. 16:27-28. Jesus coming was not on Pentecost at all. That was the coming of the Holy Spirit". Jesus had ascended into the heavens and was reigning at the right hand of the Father. The coming of Jesus described in Mt.16 only fits with the other descriptions of the second coming of Jesus in other scriptures. There would be some he was talking to who would not die before His second coming, Mt.16:27-28.

2. Mk. 9:1; Lk.9:26-27

The coming of Jesus within the lifetime of those standing before Jesus is repeated in both Mark and Luke.

Mark 8:38-9:1

38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels. 9 And he said to them, I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power." (NIV)

Luke 9:26-27

26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." (NIV)

3. Matt. 26:63-65

When Jesus was arrested, he was taken before both high priests, Annas and Caiaphas, and before the elders, the scribes, and the Sanhedrin. They asked him if he was the Christ. Jesus answered them and added that they would see him coming in the clouds: 1. at the right hand of God and 2. coming in the clouds of heaven. In other words, some, not all, but some he was speaking to would see him at his return – coming in the clouds of heaven. Some of those who examined, accused, and tried Jesus would see his return.

Matt 26:63-65

The high priest said to him, I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.

64 Yes, it is as you say, Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future (Greek- ap arti, from now) you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! (NIV)

Mark 14:62

62 I am, said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." (NIV)

Luke 22:67-70

Jesus answered, If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68 and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God. 70 They all asked, Are you then the Son of God? He replied, You are right in saying I am. (NIV)

Caiaphas, the high priest, lived from 14BC to 46AD. He did not live to see Jesus coming on the clouds of heaven. His father-in-law Annas did live long enough. Josephus tells of Ananus, the most ancient of the high priests. Ananus could not believe he had lived so long. He was there in the Temple in Jerusalem when the Temple and Jerusalem were both destroyed in 70 A. D. [See Josephus, The Jewish War, Book 4, Chapter 3 Sections 7,9, and 10.]. The prophecy was fulfilled as Jesus had told them.

4. John 21:22-23

Jesus, in John 21, predicted to Peter that when he was old, someone else would dress him and lead him about by the hand taking him places he did not want to go. Jesus said this to Peter indicating by what death he would die. [In Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, we are told that under Nero, Peter was crucified upside down.]. In John 21, Peter asks about John’s death, indicating how would John die? Jesus replied, If I want him to be alive when I return, what is that to you. John was still alive when Jesus returned. John wrote the Book of Revelation in about 65-69AD. The date of the writing of the book is determined according to the internal evidence in the book. That was within 1 year of Christ’s return. John was still alive when Jesus returned in 70 AD. As we continue to examine scriptures, it will become evident that Jesus returned in 70 AD. Below is John 21, where Jesus says John would still be alive when he returned.

John 21:22-23

22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me. 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?" (NIV)

5. Matt. 10:21-23

In Matthew 10. Jesus sent out his 12 apostles to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. They were to preach that the Kingdom of God is near. In Matt. 10:23 He told them they would not finish going through the cities of Israel before the son of Man comes. This indicates they (some of the apostles) would still be taking their message to the Jews when Jesus came again.

Matt. 10:21-23

21 "Brother will betray brother to death (Mt.24:10; Lk.21:16), and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (NIV)

6. John 14:28-29

John records Jesus’ words, "You have heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you. Then Jesus says, If you loved me, you would be glad I am going to the Father. In the text, it indicates that Jesus going away" is when he goes away to the Father at the time of the ascension. Then, He says - he will come again to them. Jesus had also told them, John 14:2-3, 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. KJV Jesus had prayed in John 17:24, Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. NIV It was Jesus’ desire to return from heaven in order to receive his own and take them with him to heaven.

John 14:28-29

28 "You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. (NIV)

7. Acts 1:10-11

In Acts chapter 1, Jesus was with His apostles whom he had chosen, and after saying they were to be His witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth, Jesus was taken up and received in a cloud out of their sight.

Acts 1:10-11

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 Men of Galilee, they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven. (NIV).

The text does not say Jesus would come back to them in the same way as they saw him go. But if I had two men in white telling me Jesus was coming back in the same way I saw him go, I would think they meant Jesus was coming back to me, or to at least some of us standing there. The apostles had no reason not to understand it that way, because Jesus had taught them He was coming back, returning to them. This is another text in which we see Jesus was to come to them again.

8. 1 Thess. 4:15

Paul speaks of the Lord’s return in 1 Thess. 4, and prefaces his comments with a reminder of the Lord’s own words or teaching – "In the Lord’s own word, we tell you, that "you who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord. Some would still be alive of that generation (who had not tasted death", Matt. 16:27) at his coming, as the Lord had said. Others would have already died. In 1 Thess. 4 Paul says those who had already died (in the Lord) the Lord would bring with him. Why bring those who had died with Him? Because they were the captive spirits in Hades (Abraham’s bosom) who were led by Jesus, Eph. 4:8 to heaven, paradise. Because those spirits, who had died under Christian persecution were under the altar, Rev.6:9-11, Jesus would bring them with him. Why would Jesus bring the righteous dead with him? They were to receive the redemption of the body, to receive the spiritual body of the resurrection. We can study that under the topics of the resurrection, chapter 6, and several other topics. Below is the scripture where Paul reminds us of the Lord’s own words.

1 Thess. 4:15-17, NIV

15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the Lord forever. (NIV)

Some might understand that still living in the passage to refer simply to those living at the time of Jesus’ return. They might not understand that those still alive had a reference back to Jesus teaching that some of that generation would not taste death, (would still be alive) when Jesus returned with His angels. They might believe that the time of Jesus return was never revealed, that it was unknown because Jesus said what is below –

9. Matt. 24:36-40

Matt 24:36-40

36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. (NIV)

They knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came in Noah’s time. The day and hour the people did not know. The flood came suddenly, without warning, like a thief. However, Peter calls Noah a preacher of righteousness in 2 Peter 2:5-6. He says,

If he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others. (NIV)

Peter also says –

God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was preparing, 1 Peter 3:20. (NIV)

Were the people of the first world warned of a flood? We don’t know. We don’t know the content of Noah’s preaching other than he preached righteousness. However, would not God call them to repentance before he judged them with the flood? Yes, God is not willing that anyone perish but that all would come to repentance. It seems reasonable that they knew of a flood coming, but they did not believe the message. Did those people know the more specific time of their judgment, the day of reckoning? Absolutely not. It came upon them like a thief in the night. The coming of Jesus was just like in the days of Noah. That’s the point of Jesus saying no one knew the day or hour of his coming. He was to arrive like a thief in the night. However, did they know he was coming in their lifetime? Yes! He regularly taught it, Jn 14: 3,28. When Jesus said no one knew the day or the hour of the coming of the Son of man, Matt.24:36, he goes on to say in verse 42 – watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord doth come. They knew their Lord was coming in their lifetime, but because they did not know the specific time – watch, and be ready.

10. 1 Thess. 5:1-11

The exhortation for God’s people of Jesus’ generation to be watchful and ready is repeated throughout the New Testament. They were indeed expecting His return because Jesus had told them He would in their lifetime. However, the New Testament times revealed much more about signs and events that should occur before the coming of the Lord. God’s people were aware of these things as we shall see. Paul then finally writes in 1 Thess. chapter 5–

1 Thess. 5:1-11

5 Now, brothers [believers, T.S.], about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people [unbelievers, T.S.] are saying, Peace and safety, destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers [believers, T.S.], are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (NIV)

The apostles had fully informed the Thessalonians about the coming of the Lord. They expected him to come. Paul did not need to write about times and dates. They knew. However, they also knew that the day of the Lord, the very day of His coming they would not know. Why? Because they knew that that day He was to come as a thief, unannounced, suddenly, and with no warning. Paul goes on to say that the day of the Lord should not come upon them and overtake them as a thief. Why? That day should not surprise them as it would those who were of the darkness. They were of the day. They were appointed unto salvation. They were ready, prepared, watching for the day to arrive- whenever it arrived. Those in darkness would be caught by surprise. They would be saying peace and safety when the horrible day of the wrath of God came upon them suddenly.

11. Luke 12:35-40

Jesus told a parable to the generation of His day:

Luke 12:35-40

35 "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." (NIV)

Jesus actually told many parables emphasizing that his generation should be ready for the Son of Man’s return. They would not know the hour, but they did know he would return in their generation.

12. The destruction of Jerusalem was tied to Jesus’ coming back.

In the narrative about the destruction of Jerusalem in the gospels, Jesus ties His coming back or his return to the events of those days of Jerusalem’s destruction. In connecting those events to the time of His coming, Jesus gives His followers even more information as to the time of His return. Not only had Jesus taught that some of His generation would still be alive when He returned, but Jesus taught more when he answered the questions the disciples asked him in Matthew 24:3:

1."when will these things be? (NIV)

2.what will be the sign of thy coming? (NIV) (Greek – parousias)

3."the completion (Greek Matt. 24:21-22 - sunteleias) of the age (Greek – aionos)?"

21 For then there will be great distress (great tribulation – KJV), unequaled from the beginning of the world until now — and never to be equaled again. (NIV)

Jesus answered all 3 of these questions. The narrative of Jesus’ answers is found in Matt.24-25, Mark13, and Luke 17,21.

During the time the Roman army of Titus surrounded Jerusalem and besieged it, the extreme condition of starvation, and horrible desperation within the city was of unimaginable distress. Josephus, the first century Jewish historian, described it in detail. Matthew says in Jesus words: that "Immediately after the distress of those days" (so, still in those days of which he speaks in previous verses) that there would be signs in the heavens:

Matt. 24:29-31

29 "Immediately after the distress of those days "’the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ (NIV)

The signs in heaven are used over and over in the Old Testament of God coming in judgment, a day of destruction, a day of darkness, Isaiah 12:6-13.

Jesus goes on to say – "at that time" [so still in the same days but after the distress of those days had begun] that-

30 "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (NIV)

Mark records the same words.

Mark 13:19-20

19 because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now — and never to be equaled again. (NIV)

Mark 13:24-27

24 "But in those days, following that distress, "the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;

25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

26 "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. (NIV)

Luke records Jesus’ words a little differently, adding information we do not have in the other two gospels. We will not discuss that added information here. Notice, however, that what we have observed in Matthew and Mark is also what Luke includes. The signs in