Look Again
Revealing the Truth of the Last DaysBy Myron PowellAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2010 Myron Powell
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4520-8319-3Contents
~Foreword~..................................................................xiiiIntroduction................................................................xv2. When is Jesus Coming Back?...............................................163. Is the Return of Jesus Christ Imminent?..................................324. How Long is the Tribulation?.............................................415. The True Israel of God...................................................576. Who is Mystery Babylon?..................................................717. The Veil is Gone.........................................................838. The Olive Tree...........................................................919. Post-Tribulation Eschatology is Apostolic Truth..........................11810. Hearing and Doing.......................................................13111. Jesus' Teaching in John 8...............................................14212. The Resurrection of the Saints at the Lord's Coming.....................15613. Worthy to Escape........................................................16614. Who Falls Away?.........................................................18015. The Righteous Remnant...................................................19116. Signs of the Times......................................................20817. What to Expect in the Last Days.........................................21718. We Will Not Fear........................................................22619. God's Plan of Redemption................................................237
Chapter One
The Last Days
Genesis 49:1 (KJV) 1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. Daniel 11:32-33 (KJV) 32 ... but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many ...
? This study guide will explain what shall "befall you in the last days" and you will gain the knowledge needed to be strong and do exploits for God, instructing others.
? We are in the last days now. The last days began with the death of Jesus Christ as the testator. His death fulfilled the Old Covenant and began the New Covenant. With the beginning of the New Covenant began the "last days" otherwise Paul and John could not have written these words:
Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV) 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
1 John 2:18 (ESV) 18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.
Jesus IS coming again:
? In our warped society where we are lied to and betrayed, God doesn't lie. He is coming again.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (KJV) 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
? His return is recorded all throughout the Bible and is worthy to be examined from the following Scriptures:
Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV) 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Colossians 3:2-4 (ESV) 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 (KJV) 12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: 13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. 1 Peter 1:6-9 (KJV) 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 5:4 (KJV) 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1 John 3:2 (KJV) 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Revelation 20:4-6 (KJV) 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
? His coming is our hope to endure in this present world.
Titus 2:13 (KJV) 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
? Just as faith is the prerequisite to being born again, it is also the key that unlocks the door to understanding the coming of the Lord.
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
? One of the rewards for diligently seeking the Lord and believing that He exists will be His glorious appearing. Jesus spoke about this often:
Matthew 24:44 (KJV) 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Luke 12:37-38 (KJV) 37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. Luke 19:12-13 (KJV) 12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
? It's been preached for years, but it's still true and even truer now; the day of the Lord is closer now than it was before. Don't be duped by the scoffers and mockers.
2 Peter 3:1-10 (ESV) 1 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation." 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 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. 10 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.
How is Jesus coming back?
? With a SHOUT (trumpets).
1 Thessalonians 4:16 (KJV) 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
? John wrote about the trump of God.
Revelation 8:2, 6 (KJV)
2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
? Chapters eight and nine of Revelation give explicit details to the sounding of these trumpets. The seventh trumpet is the trump of God that Paul wrote about in 1 Thessalonians.
? More proof of this is found in another of Paul's writings.
1 Corinthians 15:52 (KJV) 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
? The "last trump" in 1 Corinthians is the "trump of God" in 1 Thessalonians, and the "seventh trumpet" in Revelation. So, where is the seventh angel with the seventh trumpet as referred to in Revelation 8?
Revelation 10:1-8 (KJV) 1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: 2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, 3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. 5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: 7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
? Revelation 10 indicates a culmination of all things written (mystery of God) and the beginning of something new ...
Revelation 21:1-8 (KJV) 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
? The first resurrection is the rapture. The word rapture is not found in the Bible, but the phrase first resurrection is. What has been taught to be the rapture is indeed the first resurrection.
John 11:24 (KJV) 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Revelation 20:5-6 (KJV) 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
? Other passages refer to the first resurrection as well.
Luke 14:14 (ESV) 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.
John 5:28-29 (ESV) 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. Daniel 12:2 (ESV) 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 1 Corinthians 15:22 (ESV) 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
? How is Jesus coming back? With a victorious shout. The sound of the trumpet will indicate our victory over death.
1 Corinthians 15:54-55 (KJV) 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Why is Jesus coming back?
? To establish His kingdom: the new heaven and new earth.
Revelation 11:14-15 (KJV) 14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. 15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
? Isaiah prophesied of the eternal kingdom of God.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (KJV) 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
? When the last trumpet sounds, we shall be resurrected to be with Him and reign with Him in His eternal kingdom.
Revelation 20:1-15 (KJV) 1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Look Againby Myron Powell Copyright © 2010 by Myron Powell. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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