please note: I am currently drafting a full reply to the FB post that prompted this article.
The Tribulation according to the book of the Revelation of Saint John, is a period of time when:
a) there are extreme changes in the earth and weather
b) there are supernatural forces at work, visibly - possibly 'aliens'
c) the devil comes down with great wrath to deceive and persecute Christians
d) the Wrath of God comes upon the ungodly
In other words, things are getting tough on the earth and the forces of our god YHWH and evil Lucifer/Satan are increasingly in open competition. This is the Mystery of Godliness and the Mystery of Iniquity coming to full fruit at the end of the age.
When Jesus returns, he will come on the clouds, just as he left. "The dead in Christ shall rise first, then we who are living shall be caught up" (now days referred to as the 'rapture').
The early church asked "What shall be the sign of his coming?". That's important: they were expecting his earthly return.
When Yeshua (Jesus) stood in the temple and announced his ministry to the Jews, he quoted Isaiah 61, but only the first half, which reads
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD"
the rest that follows happens at this second coming...
"and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn". That's 'the day'. Vengeance and comfort. Vengeance on those who rejected YHWH and comfort fit is that chose him.
That's what is coming. Jesus the Messiah will come back just as he left, to judge the nations with a rod of iron. Will he bring his order on this earth? The answer may surprise you: it is no! Our view on this has been pulluted by the teachings of Darby and Scofield! The idea that the 'thousands year reign' is a literal thousand years is largely due to them. The 'thousand' is Greek is actually 'an unspecified period of time'; and I believe that period is the church age - but that's another subject! The scriptures say the Second Coming will bring destruction to the earth! When we are caught up, it will be to our rescue as the earth in its current form goes through its last moments.
We though have hope. We have a great Father in Heaven who's name is YHWH, the creator of all. He is all knowing and all wise. He will win the day. Our job is to be patient and faithful no matter what goes on, knowing we have the 'earnest' (KJV) is the Holy Spirit - ie. a guarantee or down payment on our salvation.
Those who are saved will rejoice at his coming. The time is increasingly near.
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