Jesus Is Coming Again Pt. 19 The Day Of The LORD's Judgment Is Coming Soon!

The apostle Paul is going to address the latter part of Jesus' second coming. The initial part is the rapture of the church that we just studied. This is also called the resurrection of life (John 5:19-29). 

After the dead in Christ rise, all living saints on earth will be caught up in the air with the resurrected saints. Then, Jesus will take us home to heaven. 

The marriage supper of the Lamb will take place. This is pictured for us in the gospels (See Matthew 22:1-14; 25:1-13). 

The church will be presented to Jesus Christ as His spotless bride (2 Corinthians 11:1-2; Ephesians 5:22-33; Revelation 19:6-10).

While this takes place in heaven, the seven year tribulation age begins on earth. The book of Revelation describes it in great detail. 

When the marriage supper of the Lamb is complete, King Jesus will return to earth with all His saints, and destroy the false prophet, and the antichrist (Revelation 19:11-21).

Next, Jesus will establish the long awaited millennial kingdom on earth, and Satan will be bound for one thousand years. 

After that, he will be freed for a short time, and will generate one last rebellion against God. Jesus will destroy the enemies of God and Satan will be cast into the eternal lake of fire. 

This is followed by the resurrection of damnation and the great white throne judgment for sinners. All sinners will be judged according to their works, and will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20). 

Jesus will return to earth as King, and Judge of all.

Revelation 19:11-16  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12)  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13)  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14)  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15)  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16)  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 

This text is the one that is connected with the Old Testament prophets, who proclaimed about the great and terrible day of the LORD's judgment.

The prophets of old spoke often about the day of the LORD.

Joel 2:10-11  The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: 11)  And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? 

There are almost thirty references to this day of the LORD's judgment and this corresponds exactly with Revelation 19. 

I gave you this context, so that we all understand this aspect of the second coming of Jesus. 

Jesus and the day of the Lord judgment".

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2  But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2)  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 

We can tell that Paul is speaking about the great day of the Lord judgment in this text. He speaks of times and seasons connected with all that the prophets said about this day. 

Jesus told His disciples that it was not for them to be concerned with the times and seasons connected with the end of the world. The timing belongs to the Father and He will do it when the time is perfect (Acts 1:7). 

Matthew 25:13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. 

Paul uses the phrase "thief in the night" which connects with what Jesus taught about the day of the Lord (See Matthew 24:43). 

This is the idea that Jesus will come for the day of "the LORD" judgment at an unexpected time. People will not be looking for judgment day to come.

Peace & safety are promised but judgment day is coming.

1 Thessalonians 5:3  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 

Paul uses another phrase that connects with the day of "the LORD judgment". "Peace and safety" are always sought by world leaders. The antichrist will promise peace and safety during the tribulation period.

The prophet Daniel tells us about the seven year peace treaty that will be offered by the antichrist (Daniel 9:24-27). 

The battle of Armageddon. Jesus will triumph.

Revelation 16:15-16  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 16)  And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. 

Jesus stated that He will come as a thief breaking into a home at night, when everyone is asleep. In that day, all the warring people will be gathered to the plain of Megiddo, called Armageddon. 

This will be where the climax of the last battle will take place. This is the day of the "LORD judgment day" and all the signs will be evident. 

The sun will darkened, the moon turned to blood, the stars will be shaken in heaven and massive earthquakes will occur (Matthew 24:3-31). 

We know what is coming, so live for God's glory.

1 Thessalonians 5:4  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that, that day should overtake you as a thief. 

Paul reminds Christians that we are not ignorant of these things because God has given us the completed canon of scripture. We can look into the scriptures to study these things. 

We are to keep waiting for Christ to return, keep walking with the Lord, keep working for His kingdom, keep worshipping Him and be His faithful witnesses. 

Live as children of light, watch and be sober.

1 Thessalonians 5:5-7  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6)  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7)  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

Paul reminds us that when God saved us, He adopted us into His family. A Christian is now a child of light and of the day, not of darkness. 

The world is going to continue doing all the depraved things that it does, day in and day out. The believer in Christ is called to watch for Christ's return with a sober attitude. 

Unbelievers are going to eat, drink, be merry and live in sin. They are children of the night (Matthew 24:38-39). 

1 Thessalonians 5:8-11  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9)  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10)  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11)  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 

Believers in Christ have hope, faith in Christ and the love of God shed abroad in our hearts. 

We have full joy and confidence knowing that God our Father has not appointed His church to go through the wrath that will be poured out during the tribulation period. 

Jesus died for us so whether we live or we sleep (die) we will live with Christ forever, together with all other believers. 

Paul concludes by telling us how this eternal truth comforts our hearts and edifies our new man in Christ.