When Jesus Comes

By Seth Myers       Popular doctrine claims that the Lord will return “secretly” to take away the saints. As seen on TV, a certain number of people will simply vanish from the earth! While “the Rapture” may be exciting, it is simply not scriptural.     Here is what “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) says will happen “when the Son of Man comes” (Matt. 25:31):   1. When the Lord returns, the entire world will know (Matt. 25:31,32a; 1 Thess. 4:16). 2. “All” the angels and faithful dead will be with Him (Matt. 25:31; 2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Thess. 4:14b). 3. The bodies of the dead will be raised [to be reunited with their spirits] (Jn. 5:28,29a; 1 Thess. 4:16b; 1 Cor. 15:52; cf. Jas. 2:26a). 4. The faithful then living will join the Lord and His saints “in the air” (1 Thess. 4:17). 5. “Earthly” bodies will be “changed” from mortal to immortal (1 Cor. 15:51,52). 6. Every human being since the beginning of time will stand before God in judgment (Matt. 25:31,32; 2 Cor. 5:10a; cf. John 5:27; Rom. 14:10; Heb. 9:27). 7. The entire physical Creation will be utterly and permanently destroyed (2 Pet. 3:10-12). 8. Jesus will “deliver the kingdom,” which He had received and established after His resurrection/ascension, over to the Father (1 Cor. 15:24; cf. Acts 2:30,31a; Dan. 2:44). 9. Each person will be consigned to one of two eternal destinations—chosen for themselves while “in the body” (Matt. 25:33,41,46; John 5:29; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; cf. 2 Cor. 5:10b). 10. This is called “the last day” (John 5:39,40,44,54; 12:48) and “the end” (1 Cor. 15:24a).

- Seth Myers preaches for the Highway Church of Christ in Sullivan, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://hwycoc.com/