The Ruin At His Coming Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

The Ruin (tribulation) at His Coming

Remarks.

1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing a theme: “the ruin (tribulation) at His coming.” We will address the second theory in pre-millennialism in this lesson: “the 7 years of tribulation” upon the earth. Some teach this shall occur at the second advent of Christ. Paul’s second Letter to the Thessalonians establishes that at the Lord’s Second Advent, “there will be a (caught up) of the saint into the air.”

2. We will discuss the question, “will there be a ruin or 7-years of tribulation at His coming?” As mention earlier, these teachers believe the rapture will remove the saints from the ongoing tribulation taking place upon the earth.

3. Paul in his second Letter to the Thessalonians wrote: “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come ... in that day,” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10.

4. Paul states: “they shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.” Not, for seven years as these teachers advocate. Let’s consider this second lesson in this series.

BODY OF LESSON

THE RUIN (TRIBULATION) AT HIS COMING

A. An overview of the “7 years of tribulation” as taught by pre-millennialist. Reference: See God's Prophetic Word, by Foy Wallace, p. 347-349; cf. Lion and the Lamb on Planet Earth, by Rodney Miller.1 There are many views regarding the pre-millennialist’s theories. We will discuss Paul’s discourse on the return of Christ to exercise judgment on those that persecute the saints. Notice:

1. Seven years of tribulation. During this time of trial there will be great suffering on earth for the wicked. “At the end of the 7 years, the forces of evil will gather to fight against Jesus, who will visibly return (Gr: epiphaneia) to defeat them at the battle of Armageddon.”1 This is the second part of the theory of pre-millennialism. We will speak to the “Battle of Armageddon” in our list point in this lesson.

2. Text of discussion. Paul wrote: “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day,” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10.

B. Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven. Paul sets forth this idea: “The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,” 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 3:13. Paul in his earlier writings to these saints, suggest that God shall bring vengeance on those that trouble them. This shall occur when the Lord is revealed from heaven. The text sets forth these few things:

1. The Lord shall be revealed from heaven.

2. The Lord shall be accompanied with His mighty angels.

3. To inflict “vengeance upon them that trouble the saints.”

C. In flaming fire. Jesus is coming: “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,” 2 Thessalonians 1:8. Paul outlines three things at His coming in this text. Notice:

1. He is coming “in flaming fire,” 2 Peter 3:9-12.

2. He is coming to “take vengeance on them,” Revelation 22:12-13.

3. He is coming to pronounce judgment upon:

a. One, “that know not God,” Acts 17:30-31; Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11.

b. Two, “that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,”2 Thessalonians 1:8-9.

c. Three, “Judgment will begin at the house of God,” 1 Peter 4:17-18; Romans 2:16.

4. Pre-millennialists teach this will be His “second return to the earth.” They allege:

a. This will be a “visibly return to earth.” The first return was invisible, if you recall in our previous point in this lesson.

b. This will culminate the 7 years of tribulation.

c. This will spark the “battle of Armageddon.” In this battle, Jesus will, “puts all enemies under His feet,” Psalms 110:1.

d. Christ will defeat the forces of evil that gather to fight against Him. “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his Anointed,” Psalms 2:1-2.