A bold fresh look at end-time prophecy (and other stuff) – with john wiertzema

When Will The End Come?

by John Wiertzema

theend It’s been echoed by preachers far and wide that Jesus can’t return until we preach the gospel to the whole world. That’s not true; at least not entirely. The idea that the gospel must go world-wide before the Lord can come has been drawn from a verse in Matthew’s gospel.

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matt. 24.14)

Since Jesus said these words, they are true, just greatly misunderstood. The gospel is not the same as the gospel of the kingdom. Here’s Paul’s definition of the gospel.

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand . . . For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Cor. 15.1-4)

While delivering His Olivet Discourse, Jesus mentioned the gospel of the kingdom being preached amidst other events that take place at mid-point of the last seven years (the onslaught of Jewish persecution and an encouragement to flee from it, the abomination of desolation . . .) This wasn’t just some arbitrary thought He interjected into the mix of those other events. He was referencing something very specific; something He knew would come about at that precise intersection of time. His kingdom!

In a previous post (Timing is Everything) I explain why the inception of Jesus’ kingdom must begin at mid-point of the last seven years. That being so, the gospel (good news) of the kingdom Jesus was referring to will be preached world-wide at the onset of His kingdom, not before. The fact is, it’s not even going to be preached by men, but an angel.

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. (Rev. 14.6)

It just so happens this angel shows up in the Book of Revelation at mid-point of the last seven years, right in the midst of the other events Jesus said would be going on at that time. In fact, the only reason this angel will be able to preach the gospel to men at all is due to Jesus’ reign over the kingdoms of this world getting underway. There’s a distinct and notable change in the nature of how God deals with men on the earth immediately following the outset of Jesus’ reign. On that account, for the time being, while Satan retains that authority, it would seem God’s angels can’t preach the gospel of Christ. That’s been left to us.

The gospel of Christ doesn’t need to be preached world-wide prior to His appearing (that’s no excuse not to try though.) On the other hand, once He does appear and His reign begins (2 Tim. 4.1,) the angel will have three and a half years to preach the gospel of the kingdom world-wide before the Second Coming of Christ.

Tagged as: chronology, second coming

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Timing Is Everything

by John Wiertzema

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Col. 3.4)

The appearing of Jesus Christ is the same as the revelation of Jesus Christ. On the day Jesus appears all of the dead and living saints in Christ will be resurrected and receive glorified bodies. But that’s not all that happens on that day. His appearing also marks the beginning of His millennial reign, also called his kingdom. Consider the following verse carefully.

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom (2 Tim. 4.1 KJV)

I do fully testify, then, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is about to judge living and dead at his manifestation and his reign (2 Tim. 4.1 YNG)

There are three events mentioned in this verse and they all come about simultaneously; the judgment seat of Christ, his appearing, and his kingdom. Needless to say, if you knew when one of them will occur, you would know when the others occur as well.

Traditionally it’s been taught that Christ’s kingdom begins at the Second Coming, at the end of the last seven years. It doesn’t. It begins the moment He’s given authority over the kingdoms of this world (see Timing of the Seventh Trumpet.) In Revelation chapter 12.9, Satan, who now holds that authority, is cast down to the earth along with his angels. As a result, he loses his authority over the kingdoms of this world. In the very next verse there is an announcement made.

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power (authority) of his Christ: for (because) the accuser of our brethren is cast down . . . (Rev. 12.10)

Herein lies the exact moment Jesus begins His reign. But when does it happen in relation to the last seven years? When Satan realizes he’s been cast down, he goes forth to persecute the woman (Israel), but it says she is protected for a period of three and a half years (Rev. 12.13-14,) which is the second half of the last seven years. On this account, it’s at mid-point of the last seven years that Jesus’ kingdom and reign begins. Consequently, it’s also the time of His appearing, the resurrection of the just, and the judgment seat of Christ.

Since the timing of the resurrection of the just (the rapture) is the most debated issue of end-time prophecy, here’s where the fun begins (and I lose some friends . . . or maybe gain some.) Either way, throughout this year I’m going to hit this issue head on. Sorry all of you die-hard pre-tribers, pre-wrathers, and post-tribers, hang on to your views (or let go . . . preferably let them go,) this article is just a small taste of what’s ahead.