The Judgment Seat Series

OPEN: Several years ago there was a TV evangelist who was preaching about his view of the 2nd Coming of Christ. Toward the close of the program he apparently actually made this pitch of one of his videos:

"Jesus is coming soon -- perhaps tomorrow!

Send $10 for a video that will explain the Second Coming of Jesus Christ!

Please allow six weeks for delivery."

What’s wrong with this picture???

Did this guy REALLY believe Jesus could come at any moment?

Of Course Not!!!

But anyone who seriously reads Scripture comes away with the very real impression:

Jesus could come tomorrow.

Well, everyone except most of the prophetic teachers on TV/radio.

According to them, we’re gonna need way more than just 6 weeks for Jesus to return.

According to the theology of most of these teachers, there’s a bunch of things that need to take place first.

Here’s a graph that shows this thinking:

(https://disciplesforlife.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/disp-pre.gif)

Notice what being taught here:

• 1st there’s church age (1) – this may last for a few more years.

• THEN Jesus returns “secretly” to rapture the Gentiles (3)

• There’s the building of Temple (not listed on the chart)

• THEN there’s a 7 year period of tribulation (3)

• Followed by a millennial Kingdom – Christ reigning on earth for 1000 years (4)

• THEN Jesus will judge mankind (6)

Jesus can’t come tomorrow!!

There’s WAYYYY too much stuff needs done 1st.

I mean, just to get the permits to rebuild the Temple will take longer than 6 weeks.

Now, as complicated as all this may sound - this is one of the simpler graphs I could find.

Some of these charts are really convoluted and confusing.

And I used to believe this stuff, but there are several reasons why I don’t buy into it anymore:

First – this kind of teaching requires at least 2 or 3 Second Comings of Christ.

(All depending on how you count them)

You have the “SECRET” coming of Christ to rapture the Church.

Then you have the “PUBLIC” coming of Christ to set up millennial kingdom.

And then (maybe) you have Jesus slipping away and coming back for judgment (depending on who does the teaching on this part of the presentation).

But there can only be one 2nd Coming!!!

After that… there’s a 3rd coming and a 4th coming and maybe even a 5th coming.

It just doesn’t make any sense!!!

Secondly – this kind of teaching focuses on the fact that Jesus must come to earth to receive His kingdom. Until that time comes – Jesus is not King and He does not reign… at least yet.

For Jesus to become King, He has to wait for the Millennial Kingdom (several years yet in the future). And in order to receive His kingdom, Jesus has to come to earth.

But that’s bogus. It’s not true.

For example, the prophecy from Daniel 7:13-14 tells us

"… there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was LED INTO HIS PRESENCE. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an EVERLASTING DOMINION that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”

Notice what this prophecy in Daniel is saying:

Where did Jesus have to go receive His Kingdom?

Not to earth… instead, He was led into the heavenly throne room.

AND how long would His kingdom last?

Forever! It would NEVER pass away (in other words, it’s not limited to 1000 years)

In addition, Colossians 1:13 tells us Jesus’ kingdom exists right now–and you and I are part of it

“(God) has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the KINGDOM of his beloved Son”

And the 3rd problem with this Millennial teaching is this -

This 1000 year thing only shows up in Revelation 20.

It is NEVER mentioned anywhere else in the Bible.

If you were to listen to most of the prophetic teachers on TV and radio you’d believe that this Millennial Kingdom lay at the very heart of God’s plan for the End Times. And yet… it is only mentioned in Revelation 20 – NO WHERE ELSE!

In addition, this false teaching directly contradicts other Scriptures, such as II Peter 3:9-12 which declares:

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

But THE DAY OF THE LORD will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.