2012-2015 and the Second Coming<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
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/