2012-2015 AND THE SECOND COMING

2012-2015 and the Second Coming

By: Mark A. Becker

There has been a lot in the news as of late concerning the Mayan calendar [1-2] , the aligning of the sun with the center of the Milky Way galaxy (2012) and the 'Blood Moon Eclipse' (2015) [3]. While I find these articles and hypothesis's intriguing, I would note that the Lord's second coming, most likely, will not happen in this time span.

But, I do believe the date of December 21, 2012 might have possible significance and I will address this at the end of the article.

First, what I believe.

The Rapture

I am a pre-tribulation rapture proponent. Contrary to popular belief, the Rapture has been Christian doctrine since the day of Pentecost.

As Hal Lindsey so astutely pointed out - the Old Testament pointed to one Messiah but two manifestations. One as a 'Suffering Servant,' the other as 'Conquering King.' The same also applies to the 'Second Coming.' [4]

Most Scholars agree that Jesus will come back to Earth seven years after the Tribulation period begins - 3 ½ years after the 'Abomination that causes Desolation.' (Daniel 11:31)

Thus the 'Tribulation Saints' (see note below) that are left on Earth will know the day and hour of Christ's return.

If the Bible is so clear about the timing of Christ's return, then why are we told in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 that 'the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night?'

It is because there are two different events in relation to Christ's return. One referred to by scholars as the 'rapture,' the other - the 'second coming.' One invisible and one visible.

"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." - 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (NIV)

"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NIV)

There are many other verses in Scripture confirming these two separate events.

The Third Jewish Temple

Scripture is very clear that there will be a Jewish temple in the last days. This temple is currently in the birthing stages. [5]

"He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." - Daniel 9:27 (NIV)

War of Gog and Magog

Russia, Iran, Libya, Syria and other nation hater's of God's chosen people will attack the Jewish nation revealed in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. [6]

Good news! God, as always, wins!! Israel will be divinely protected and restored.

"On that day I will give Gog a burial place in Israel, in the valley of those who travel east of the Sea. It will block the way of travelers, because Gog and all his hordes will be buried there. So it will be called the Valley Of Hamon Gog."

"For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land. All the people of the land will bury them, and the day I am glorified will be a memorable day for them, declares the Sovereign Lord." - Ezekiel 39:11-13 (NIV)

Anti-Christ

"The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast – all whose names have not been written from the creation of the world in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain." - Revelation 13:5-8 (NIV)

No anti-Christ - No Tribulation. They go hand in hand.

Note: You may have observed that anti-Christ is making 'war against the saints.' This is not the Church. They are those Scholars commonly refer to as 'Tribulation Saints.' Those left behind after the Rapture - then making a decision for Christ.

"He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name." - Revelation 13:16-17 (NIV)

This technology is already available and being used today. [7]

This doesn't mean the anti-Christ is pulling the strings. This technology must be used on a global scale with the only available 'opt out' policy being death.

Lets Review

1. The Church has yet to be 'snatched away.'

2. The Jewish Temple is in the early stages.

3.    Russia, Iran and their depraved coalition with evil intentions have yet to attack Israel.

4.    Anti-Christ is yet to step onto the world stage. (He most likely is here, but his power is limited.)

5.    The 'Mark of the Beast' in not fully implemented; and won't be until anti-Christ's reign.

Conclusion

In order for the 'Second Coming' of Jesus to coincide with the 2012-2015 date range; the Church would have to be Raptured no later than the end of 2008.

Remember, the Rapture has to happen first.

I also believe that the lining up of the sun with the center of the Milky Way galaxy could very well have environmental and ecological consequences predicted by Jesus Himself:

"There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven." - Luke 21:11 (NIV)

"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken." - Luke 21:25-26 (NIV)

I also believe the anti-Christ could use the hysteria of the ancient Mayan calendar to prop himself up.

"He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws." - Daniel 7:25a (NIV)

Could the end of the Mayan calendar, dated for December 21, 2012, be the perfect vehicle for anti-Christ to accomplish just this? I believe it very well could.

Claiming that ancient civilizations predicted his messianic kingdom by purposely ending their calendars at the predetermined time, would certainly cause many to take notice. Then follow it up by producing a calendar dedicated to his worship and all the while wiping from the memory of the masses, the timeline humanity has used for over 2,000 years - The timeline of Christ.

Get ready. The sands of time are running low and Christian, we're about to take a ride!

JJB

Footnotes

[1] http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2007-03-27-maya-2012_n.htm

[2] http://abcnews.go.com/International/Story?id=5301284&page=1

[3] http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=63076

[4] http://www.hallindsey.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=285

[5] http://www.templeinstitute.org/main.htm

[6] For helpful commentary on Ezekiel 38 and 39, please see Joel Rosenberg's website at: http://www.joelrosenberg.com/

[7] http://www.digitalangel.com/

By Mark Becker Email: markabecker@charter.net Click here for bio and archived articles

Great article Posted On: 11/14/09 10:27:38 AM Age 50, MD I like the article and I agree. One thing that i would add is the attack of Gog and Magog is going to happen at least three and one half years before the tribulation starts. Ezekiel 39:9-10 says; “Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and make fires of the weapons and burn them, shields and bucklers, bow and arrows, clubs and spears; and they will make fires of them for seven years, so that they will not need to take wood out of the field or cut down any out of the forests, for they will make their fires of the weapons. They will seize the spoil of those who despoiled them, and plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord God. This tells us that Israel will live off the salvage of the destroyed armies for 7 years. Revelation 12:13-14 tells us that for the last half of the tribulation, Israel will have to flee to a place God has prepared for them in the wilderness, so the seven years of living off the salvage has to end by then. Doing the math,this means that this attack has to happen at least 3 1/2 years prior to the tribulation and could be before the rapture. I have more information at www.hisreturn.jimdo.com witnesses Posted On: 11/14/09 10:07:42 AM Age 50, MD The two witnesses are clearly after the rapture, they will prophesize during the first half of the tribulation after which Antichrist will have them killed, causing a worldwide celebration. But after three days, God will raise them and they will ascend to heaven. For more information on this and the endtimes visit www.hisreturn.jimdo.com The Branch Is Yet Tender Posted On: 11/13/09 11:43:54 AM Age 46, GA Please stop giving false information.All that Corinthians and Thessalonians is saying is that we will be raptured, but not when. It's sure not before the tribulation period.What did Jesus say? that we would go through it!I agree with the 2012 tribulation theory, but not the rapture.Jesus tells us that we defineately go through it! Just because your afraid to tell the truth won't make it go away. Let's do as Jesus instructed, first let no man deceive you,and be ready. Don't be a false prophet and tell people we won't go through tribulation, but rather try to let them know just how bad it will be. I feel like there are to many "theologins" that only think they know something rather than are in touch with God so that might reaaly know what will happen, and how we might get through it. It starts by communicating with God, and not just asking your selfish wants. I only pray as Jesus taught us, "thy will be done" and have learned more from God than most "scholars" have. But please stop lying to people about a "pre-trib" rapture because it simply isn't true. thank you! Posted On: 11/13/09 11:22:50 AM Age 46, GA this is exactly how i feel!I just wrote a response to one of the false prophets. Thank you! The Branch Is Yet Tender Posted On: 11/13/09 11:18:33 AM Age 46, GA We will not be raptured in 2012, but as you beleive, I beleive that it will be the start of the tribulation.But if you know what Jesus said of the end times,you know first that there will be false prophets(which is any one who tries to teach a "pre-trib" rapture)and that there will be many things that everyone will have to endure. Please stop using those scriptures from Thessalonians and Corinthians as doctrine for your deceition. I know that no one wants to realize that we are going to have to go through three and a half years (actually 1335 days{Daniel 12:12})of tribulation, but it's simply not fair to lie to people about what you would like to happen, and start telling the truth.I beleive exactly what Jesus said " let no man deceive you " and "be ready".Yes spiritually, but also pshically with what we might need. I would love to talk to any one about what I feel is really going to happen in the next few years, and what we will need to do to endure until the end. In God's love, Barry 2012 Posted On: 06/28/09 07:54:44 PM Age 53, NC Ihave a very close friend of mine who by the way,was givin a gift from GOD since he was about eight years old.To heal the sick,and the gift of wisdom[dreams and revalations].He shared with me a dream about 2012 and 2019.He said and quote.Men will prosper until 2012,then from that point on ther will come bad times.witch from 12 to 19 are 7 years.... The Two Witness's Posted On: 11/13/08 03:02:11 PM Age 41, TX Mark, Your article doesn't mention anything about the two witnes's mentioned in Rev. 11. Where do you believe they fall in all of this? Will they appear before the church is raptured or after? And who are they? After all, clearly they play a very important role in all of this. My thoughts Posted On: 09/07/08 02:27:51 AM Age 29, NEW ZEALAND Well, I'm informend 2012 is definetley going to happen. I know the anti-christ and she is a woman. Really nice person. But there is another, her husband. He is infact God. He is here to send all those that listen to her to hell with her. I'm also informed hell isn't forever though you think it does, and it does last for a very very long time. That's all i can give you and may God have mercy on your soul! LET THEM BOTH GROW TOGETHER UNTIL THE END OF THE AGE Posted On: 08/25/08 12:14:26 PM Age 64, OH Dear friend, thank you for your kind reply. It would be nice if you would include your 1st name so I can call you by name, but not necessary. In general, would you say modern Israel is Christian or are they deceived. Of course a few are trusting in Jesus, I know some that are. As far as Jesus referring to the sabbath and the winter, I think Jesus was saying to pray that we are not dormant (winter) or at rest but working to serve Him when He returns. When Jesus said, beware the yeast of the pharisees, was He speaking of bread. As to your remark, who was Jesus speaking to: Jesus was speaking to whoever has ears to hear, which is all who are humbly seeking the Truth, and not trying to justify their position.- The book of Daniel is not for Jews, but it is for all those who trust in The One and Only true God. I read it, don't you. Did the Jews understand the book of Daniel, which tells about Jesus coming to earth 2000 years ago also. Paul tells us that the Jews have been cut out and we have been grafted in. The message of the whole Bible is that God saves all who trust in Him. Ruth was not a Jew, yet she has a book named after her. Enoch was not a Jew, yet he was raptured before he even died. We are not saved as nations but we are saved as individuals. - Many scriptures can be interpreted many ways, but they all have to agree, or it is not the truth. Jesus says, LET THEM BOTH GROW TOGETHER UNTIL THE HARVEST, which is the end of the age. How can you interpret these words of Jesus to mean that the wheat is taken 1st. Lou Disciples' questions Re:"When" and "What" Posted On: 08/22/08 05:15:47 PM Age 63, TX As you quoted Jesus from Mt., "See, I have told you ahead of time." Jesus was telling the disciples the answers to their specific questions about what EVENTS and when they would take place leading up to, during and through the trib. They already knew He was the Messiah. They specifically asked WHEN and WHAT WILL BE THE SIGN. I don't deny that it's a reaffirmation of who Jesus is, but that's not the only book in the Bible that describes Him, and you can't say that's the only topic of any of them, either. In another post, you stated, ""THE JEWS WERE DECEIVED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT TRUST IN GOD. BUT WE SEE THE ELECT IS STILL HERE." (I didn't bother to respond) Do you think any of the elect are Jewish? Are you implying that because many of the Jews were deceived that they all were? For all time? During the trib? If that's your position, consider who Mt. 24 is told to, and what it's about. Who was the Jewish Messiah talking to? Jewish believers. Where were they? In Jerusalem. Verse 15 puts us at mid trib, 3.5 years in the middle, when the antichrist identifies himself. "SPOKEN OF through the PROPHET DANIEL"--Jesus' words! Who's going to know the book of Daniel? The Jews! Who was the early church--Messianic Jews--told to take the gospel to? To the JEWS first, starting in Jerusalem, and then to the Gentiles. He's referring to the Jews when He says THEN let those who are in JUDEA flee to the mts. I believe that's Petra. "Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath." WHO is forbidden to travel on the Sabbath? ORTHODOX JEWS! In verse 27 He tells them to not look for Him, He's coming to them: So obviously, since so much of this conversation is about the Jews and Israel, Jesus is coming for some Jews who will be saved during the trib! "For as lightening that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." Rev. chapter 19 opens with a roar in heaven. 19:8 describes the BRIDE at the wedding feast of the Lamb as dressed in "FINE LINEN, WHITE AND CLEAN," and in 19:14 it reads "The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and DRESSED IN FINE LINEN, WHITE AND CLEAN. So the bride is already in heaven at the beginning of the chapter for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and then returns to earth with the Jesus. Those who were truly saved and Raptured will be a part of the bride, riding behind Him. I think it will include even a lot of people who didn't believe in a pre-trib Rapture!