This is the fifth and closing article under the above title.  The purpose of this series of articles has not been to be argumentative or demeaning to those who believe and teach doctrines which are different to those presented in this series.  It has been, and is, my purpose to set forth that which can be defended by the scriptures. The doctrine sent forth in this series is not my doctrine, but that clearly sent forth in God’s word.  I welcome questions (in person or written) and discussion (private or public) from any one who may feel the doctrines presented are not taught in the scriptures. I firmly believe if  two individuals disagree on any  subject concerning the salvation of man, one or both of them are in error, they  both CANNOT be in harmony with the scriptures. I am fully persuaded EVERY INDIVIDUAL who is saved by the teaching of the scriptures will be saved the EXACT same way as ALL others. One cannot take the scriptures and find TWO, much less MULTITUDES of ways by which man is saved through the scriptures and Jesus Christ our Lord.  God and Christ are not respecters of persons!  

Our final topic is the second return of Christ. One point that is agreed by all that I am aware of  by those who are believers in God and Christ, is that Christ is coming again.  Sadly, that is where the agreement ends and the division and confusion begins.

The major doctrine taught concerning Christ’s coming is that Christ will physically return and set up and reign in an earthly kingdom for a period of a thousand years.  With his return and establishment of a kingdom there is said to be a taking away (rapture) of the saints, (before, during or after Christ’s coming) depending on the doctrine of different groups who teach there will be a earthly kingdom.

What do the scriptures say?  Every teaching on this subject cannot be according to truth! Most of the confusion and error on this topic comes from a misunderstanding of the nature and manner of  the kingdom the scriptures teach that Christ will set up and reign over and that leads to error and misunderstanding of when the kingdom begins according to the scriptures.

First, let us consider several statements Jesus made concerning His kingdom.  “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 10:7)   “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” (Mark 11:14)  “When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:30-33)  In Matthew 18:36, Mark 9:1 and Luke 9:27 Jesus said there where those present at that time that would “not taste of death” until the kingdom came.  How can the coming of the kingdom be a future event?

Notice these scriptures in the epistles concerning the kingdom. “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” (Col. 1:13)  Those in the church were (are) in the kingdom. Hebrews 12:28, we have received a kingdom that cannot be moved. In Hebrews 1:1-5 the writer speaks of Christ's kingdom being in the present.

The scriptures say Christ will judge the world when He comes (2 Tim. 4:1) In 1 Cor. 15:23-25 It says Christ will deliver the kingdom back to God the Father at His coming, not establish a kingdom on earth. Concerning Jesus’ coming in Acts 1:10-11 the apostles were told they would see Jesus return as they had seen Him go. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 tells us at Christ’s coming the dead in Christ will be resurrected and those that remain alive will be caught in the clouds and “so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (not on earth)