It's Time for Some Scriptural Salve

              In this Connections Series, we’re endeavoring to put the end-time prophetic puzzle together using the Spirit-inspired scriptural connections in God’s Word. Why? Because God is not the author of confusion. Resurrection and judgment are considered basic, foundational doctrines of our faith. So why on earth would God leave us floundering in the midst of uncertainty?
            The early apostles eventually assembled the puzzle based on what Jesus taught them, particularly Paul. That’s why we’re following his lead from 1 and 2 Thessalonians concerning the four strategic elements: (1) resurrection; (2) the harpazo gathering (rapture); (3) the Day of the Lord; and (4) the end of the age invasion of the Antichrist that signals birth pains.
            Some of the truths we have come to see may be new to many believers. Some believers may dismiss them immediately because they do not fit the end-time view they’ve come to support. Still others may not see why we’re bothering to bring clarity to what they see as a not-so-important element of our faith, despite what Hebrews 6:1-2 records.
            We get it. But here’s our concern. In His letters to believers in Revelation, our Lord informed us that it is time to get out of the fog of confusion and get clarity of vision. He counseled the lukewarm Church in Laodicea to put salve on their eyes, to anoint their eyes so that they could see clearly.
            So what’s the big deal about something being lukewarm? We’ve certainly seen the worst of two extremes politically and culturally. From what I can tell, the issue is not knowing one way or another for sure. We’re neither hot nor cold. Or to say it another way—we’re not clear on what we believe. Uncertainty leaves us hesitant to share our faith. It robs us of understanding our role now until that Day arrives. It leaves us treading in the tumultuous waters of insecurity.
            So let’s pick up where we left off. We first see the initial end-time invasion of Israel by the Antichrist. Then God turns out the global lights, bringing everything to a screeching halt. Next, He pulls back the veil covering the unseen realm and all the earth sees Jesus coming to gather His Church at the rapture and take us to Heaven as promised. Having finally seen Jesus for who He really is, the Jews have accepted Him as the Messiah. They become our fellow saints, part of the family of God and the redeemed. Since Christ has taken us, His Bride, to Heaven, the Jews are forced to flee into the wilderness, to their prepared place, for a time, times, and half a time. The war for Jerusalem is back on.
            By now you probably suspect that the words in bold type signal another crucial connection. It has to do with our Day-of-the-Lord calling as the heavenly Esther. This Spirit-inspired connection takes us to Daniel 7. The vision opens with the rise of the Antichrist and ends with his demise. In between is something astounding: ten thousand times ten thousand and a thousand thousands to be exact. Well, not exactly. The description informs us that this is an innumerable company that cannot be numbered!
            Not only that, many, many thrones are being put in place in God’s throne room. So who are the thrones for? Why is this innumerable throng standing before God’s throne? It is the immortal government of Christ and His Bride—the two have become One New Man. We take our seats and the books are opened. Our heavenly intercession protects and empowers the Jews to take their triumphant earthly stand. Our heavenly declarations release the trumpet and bowl judgments that consume and destroy the Antichrist and his forces.
            Like Esther, we’ve completed our two periods of preparation (two great Days of this age), and now we’re standing before the King for such a time as this. He has extended the ruling scepter to us as joint-heirs and fellow overcomers to rule with Him. Now it’s time to spoil the wicked plot of Haman (aka: the Antichrist). We rule from the place of all authority and power, both in heaven and on the earth.
            And, in case you’re wondering, we continue to rule over the earth for the rest of the Day of the Lord. We rule over cities and regions as foretold in Jesus’ parables. Although we reside with Him in Heaven, we can appear on the earth when needed, just as angels do now. We don’t have to know exactly how that will look, but we can know that it is in our future.
            This is why getting a clear view of the Lord’s coming is so important. None of our previous ideas fit. The timing of the Day of the Lord rules out a secret and signless coming. Thinking that Christ comes to immediately defeat the Antichrist also doesn’t fit, for we clearly tread first (the consuming part) and then destroy him. We do so from above, from God’s throne room. We don’t come back until we come as the City, to the new heavens and earth. May you have eyes to see!