Jesus Is Coming Ready Or Not

By Bruce Parsons

This is an in-depth study which examines the Old Testament prophecies, Jesus' own teaching, and that of the apostles regarding end-time events. It is a very thorough, straightforward study by Pastor Bruce Parsons B.Th., but is quite readable and very informative. Bruce examines God's promises concerning Israel, the biblical truths regarding the Day of the Lord, the Wrath of God, the Resurrection and Rapture, and Jesus' Second Coming.
The book includes a Subject Index and a Scripture Index by Chapter, which includes references to 277 chapters.
This book will be a very useful resource for pastors, leaders and Bible teachers, and a very helpful and insightful read for all those interested in this important and fascinating subject. It will undoubtedly help clear up a lot of the confusion in the minds of many people and will help you come to an informed conclusion about what the scriptures really say, and you believe concerning the End-times. I am sure Jesus and the Apostles were not confused about end-time events, and I don't believe we need to be either.
Each chapter sub-section has helpful bullet point summaries, making this book a valuable addition to your library.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bruce Parsons
• Release date: Oct 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463976968

Book preview

PREFACE

Before serving as an itinerant evangelist I served as a lead pastor for ten years. During that time I observed two different reactions from my people when it came to end time events. Some were absolutely fascinated by the subject. They loved those visiting guests who specialized in teaching on Biblical prophecy. Others were totally confused by the subject. They avoided the services where end time Biblical prophecy was the subject. As a pastor I not only was looking for speakers who could help my people get their heads around Biblical prophecy, but I was also looking for books that could help me do the same. This book should be helpful.

Bruce Parsons is a teacher. I think that will be evident as you read this book. I appreciate each of the ministry gifts Jesus has given to His church. I love the evangelist who points us to the cross. I love the prophet who brings us a contemporary word from the Spirit of God. I love the pastor who is so concerned with the welfare of the sheep he shepherds. I love the administrative gifts God may give to an apostolic leaders. Bruce Parsons is a teacher. You may not agree with all of his conclusions but it will be obvious he cares about truth. He cares about the details. I am of the opinion that in much of the church world today, truth and details are not given the place they deserve. Bruce has done his homework. The subject is not light reading but I think it is important reading.

The author of this book writes, This is my best effort, with some quite exciting and unexpected new input from the Holy Spirit along the way, at understanding what the Scriptures teach about these things. But I am not infallible, so it rests with you the reader, to carefully judge my conclusions after making your own evaluation of their logic and their faithfulness to God’s true Word.

For those who are serious about studying and understanding end time events I believe this book and its material is worth adding to your library. I particularly found his bullet point summaries at the end of each section to be helpful. I recommend you not only read the book but that you also read the many passages of Scripture that Bruce references.

Michael Livengood

Evangelist and author (The Glory Factor, Adventures in Revival, More Adventures in Revival and The Wow Factor).

Michael serves as President of Mike Livengood Ministries and of Doorkeepers NZ.

INTRODUCTION

When I first discovered the series of works edited by Craig Blaising, Darrell Bock, Steve Gregg, Stanley Gundry and others, with Three Views or Four Views on the rapture, the millennium and the book of Revelation, I felt really grateful for the work they and the various contributors had done. The differing views were shared and responded to in a gracious manner, which was notably different from some teaching on the end times.

These works were a helpful step forward in the consideration of the various views held by teachers of God’s Word throughout Christendom. However, as I finished reading and considering the presentation of these various views, I still felt dis-satisfied with the outcome that had been achieved. It was good, and helpful and had been communicated in a Christ-like spirit, but the absence of a definite conclusion regarding all these views, to me, was quite disconcerting.

As I mused and prayed about the existence of these differing views amongst able scholars and teachers of the Word, there arose within me a strong and emphatic protest, which I can only inadequately express in the words. Lord!, You weren’t confused about the end times, and neither were your apostles. Please help me sort through some of this confusion and please give me more clear insight so I can? I sensed a very strong conviction I am sure was from the Lord, that because of the lateness of the hour, there was a great need for the Body of Christ to have a clear understanding of the momentous events of the time of Jesus’ return. I was sure that continuing to live with an accepted but mutually exclusive diversity of views, was not a satisfactory situation to the Lord. Certainly, not everyone is going to agree with my interpretation of the Word. But if you don’t, I pray you will know more clearly the reasons why.

And so, you must be thinking, here comes all the answers! Whatever makes this guy think he’s got all the truth, when others haven’t? Well rest assured, I don’t think that. I am simply offering an in-depth study on these amazing end-time matters that I sincerely hope will help others sort through the maze. I pray that after studying this book and looking at all the Scriptures, you will have a better understanding of what you believe, what you don’t believe, and why. God’s Word must always be understood in its context and with the careful application of clear logic. Many writers have failed on these two counts, but concerning my efforts you must be the Bereans! (Acts 17:10-11.) Obviously, one’s approach to biblical interpretation plays a significant part in formulating doctrine, and the following is my approach.

Contrary to the way Scripture was understood for most of the last two millennia, I believe God’s Word is to be interpreted in a basically literal manner. My studies have led me to conclude that both Jesus and the apostles interpreted the Old Testament this way, including the many prophecies. It has been estimated that over 40% of the prophecies in the Old Testament have been literally fulfilled, which is a second good reason to follow this method of interpretation. Full allowance must be made for different styles of writing such as narrative, prophecy, poetry, apocalyptic prophecy, parables, proverbs and other metaphorical forms of language and symbolism. But whilst taking these matters into account, I believe we are meant to interpret the Scriptures in a straightforward, literal way.

In addition, as with all languages, the original biblical Hebrew, Aramaic and Koine Greek, all have their own peculiar systems of word order, and their own idiomatic forms of expression. And as with any teaching, it is very important to try and understand what has been said with due regard to its particular context. I have seriously attempted to follow these principles, but you must personally make a judgement regarding the conclusions I have made.

Over the years I have had to change my mind regarding end-time events, and even in the process of writing this book, I have been blessed with several, quite radical moments of revelation. Perhaps the most significant of these has to do with the nature and purpose of God’s wrath, and with the separate future events associated with Jesus’ Parousia. But I make no claim to divine inspiration. What God’s Word says and plainly means, is the Truth. I simply hope and pray that you will find my studies helpful in arriving at a correct understanding of the precious Truth regarding Jesus’ soon return.

God bless you with clear insight as you participate in this study.

1.

JESUS’ TEACHING ABOUT THE TIMES UNTIL HIS RETURN

An Introduction

Most of Jesus’ teaching about his return is contained in what we call The Olivet Discourse, which can be found in Matthew 24 & 25, Mark 13 and Luke 21. After Jesus’ disciples had proudly pointed out features of the Jewish temple, Jesus made a shocking announcement concerning the temple saying, Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down. After they had all reached the Mount of Olives, Peter, James, John and Andrew ask Jesus privately three questions. They asked, Tell us, when will these things happen and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age? Matthew 24:3, Mark 13:4, Luke 21:7.

Although Jesus made many predictions in his response, he gave only vague or mysterious clues in answer to the first question, When? In fact, it is not immediately obvious how we should connect Jesus’ lengthy discourse and predictions, to the three questions! From the variety of interpretations offered over the centuries, it seems that many students of the Scriptures have had this difficulty, myself included. I wondered if the disciples were not clear themselves concerning those connections, or if they hadn’t included all the details that Jesus gave.

In addition to that possibility, in Acts 1:6 just before Jesus’ ascension, the disciples asked him, Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel? Jesus responded to this further question saying, It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority. This suggests to me that Jesus’ answers on the Mount of Olives, had not given the disciples all the answers they were hoping for. This comforted me a little, by implying that I was not the only one still somewhat puzzled by Jesus’ answers.

Jesus didn’t mention the Kingdom of God in the first part of the Olivet discourse, but Acts 1:3 tells us that after his resurrection Jesus taught the disciples about the Kingdom of God during the following 40 days. I have often thought it would have been such a bonus if Luke had included some of that teaching! However, from the disciples question in verse 6 above, it seems plausible that Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom, was particularly about the kingdom as we know it now — the Kingdom of God within you Luke 17:21. But alternatively, Jesus’ answer may mean that it was simply not appropriate for them to know when he would restore the earthly kingdom to Israel. The following is a breakdown of this discourse as I now understand it. Refer to the chart on page 13. You check it out.

•Jesus’ response to the disciples’ questions in Matt. 24:3, doesn’t answer those questions in sequential order .

•Acts 1:3 - 6 suggests the disciples were also not entirely satisfied with Jesus’ earlier answer about when.

An Overview of the End Times

The first few verses in Matthew 24:4-6, Mark 13:5-7 and Luke 21:8-9, comprise a brief introduction, including warnings about coming deceivers claiming to be Christ and claiming that the end is near, and about stress and war. But all these passages conclude with the statement that Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. These first few verses are therefore a short introduction and may well have referred primarily to the not too distant future when the Roman General Titus destroyed the temple in 70 AD after a terrible siege. Many Jews were killed and many taken captive into slavery.

The next few verses in Matthew 24:7-8, Mark 13:8 and Luke 21:10-11 provide a brief overview of a later period. There will be more serious and widespread troubles including wars between nations and kingdoms, as well as famines, earthquakes, plagues, terrors and great signs from heaven. Matthew and Mark tell us that these signs are the beginning of birth pangs. This metaphor naturally indicates the onset of a specific short period of pain and difficulty, which will end with a significant deliverance and great joy. In the context of the whole discourse, these birth pangs must equate to the time of great distress Jesus refers to later in Matthew 24:21 & 29-30, Mark 13:19 & 24-26 and Luke 21:25-27. This time of great distress is predicted to occur just before Jesus’ return.

These opening verses thus form an overview of the whole period right up until Jesus’ Second Coming. It is true that the world has seen many earthquakes and famines, including some before 70 AD, but the great signs from heaven, which Luke includes in this same period, have not yet occurred. Similarly, the distress that occurred in 70 AD, horrific as it was, was certainly not unequalled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equalled again. (Such that) If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, Mark 13:19-20. Although there are contrary opinions, these details clearly prove that this time of birth pangs and great distress was not fulfilled in 66-70 AD, and therefore that the Preterist View cannot be true. Jesus here amplifies what Daniel had written hundreds of years before in Daniel 12:1-2, Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Daniel 11:40 tells us that this will occur, At the end time . . . This time of great distress is thus definitely still future.

•Jesus begins his response to the disciples’ questions with a brief overview from then until his return .

•Jesus doesn’t mention the destruction of the temple in this brief overview .

Luke’s Digression and the First Major Warning Sign

To this point in Jesus’ reply to the disciples’ questions, no specific mention has been made of the destruction of the temple. Thus, the disciples’ first question has not yet been answered. However, before Luke continues in verse 25 with his description of the signs in the heavens and the time of great distress, he alone makes a notable digression in Luke 21:12-24. He begins this parenthesis with But before all this, indicating that the events and warnings in the following verses apply to a time well before Jesus’ return. The context of these verses is strictly Jewish, because Jesus refers to synagogues, Jerusalem, the land, and to this people. And because of the way Jesus uses the pronoun you so often, it appears that his words are particularly addressed to those very disciples he was speaking to. In the following verses Jesus then speaks particularly about the difficult times leading up to the fall of Jerusalem.

Before the occasion of this discourse, Luke 19:41-44 tells us that Jesus wept when he entered Jerusalem, because most of the inhabitants didn’t recognise this time of their visitation. He predicted then, that the city would be besieged and that not a single stone would be left upon another.

In Luke 21:20-21 Jesus gives this significant warning, When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. This warning is thus directly related to the time when Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD. But the only hint Jesus gave as to when this might occur, is found in Luke 23:28, when he said to the women following him to Golgotha, Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. These words, spoken to living people, implied the destruction of Jerusalem would occur within about a generation. Luke concludes this parenthesis with Jesus’ prediction in verse 24, that from that time forward, Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. And this has indeed been the case right up until the present time.

Thus, because Jesus’ words in Luke 21:24 about Jerusalem being trampled have remained true right up until the present day, this means that the times of the Gentiles have not yet been fulfilled. However, I believe verse 22 indicates that Israel’s punishment for rejecting their Messiah was completed in 70 AD. And it seems clear that the Lord is now no longer hiding his face from Israel, but is helping the Jews in amazing ways. There is so much evidence of this, in spite of the horrendous persecution they have suffered, even though the partial blindness Paul refers to in Rom. 11:25, is still upon them. It behoves us to bless those whom God blesses and not to curse them. And we should remember that at another time when they were suffering God’s punishment, although this is not the case now, that the Lord said of them in Zech. 2:8, Whoever touches you, touches the apple of his eye.

Although there are one or two verses in Luke 21:12-24 that also occur in Matthew and Mark, Luke is the only one that provides the specific warning about surrounding armies which uniquely applied at that time, as well as details concerning the destruction of the temple and the circumstances that would then prevail. Thus only Luke records this detailed answer to the disciples’ first question about the destruction of the temple, and he does this in a distinct parenthesis. The preceding verses in Luke 21:10-11 then flow straight on into verses 25-26, showing how distinct the subject matter of Luke’s digression, really is. Joined together, verses 11 and 25 read, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 25 There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves.

We also know from historical records that early during the siege of Jerusalem, events back in Rome forced Titus to put his siege plans on hold for a while, thus allowing those who believed Jesus’ warning, to flee during that time, which many apparently did. Jerusalem’s destruction was indeed great. As Jesus predicted, every stone of the temple was overturned, in an attempt to recover the gold that had melted into the cracks when the temple buildings were set on fire. Historical records suggest that over a million people died during that horrendous siege, and that about the same number were taken into captivity as slaves.

•Only Luke records Jesus’ detailed answer about when and how the temple would be destroyed .

•The answer as to when? was only given by a strong hint that it would be in the disciples’ lifetime and before the awful times prior to Jesus’ return. He confirmed this in Luke 23:28 .

•Jesus’ warning about armies surrounding Jerusalem must not be confused with his warning of an abomination being set up in the holy place, which is still future .

The Second Major Warning Sign

In Matthew 24:15-16 and Mark 13:14 Jesus gives a different warning thus, When you see standing in the holy place the abomination that causes desolation, spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. The word translated then in Matthew 24:16 is the Greek word tote, which means at that time or immediately after that (and not a vague sometime later. Refer Vines Expository Dictionary or any Greek lexicon.) This word is used again in verse 21, For then there will be great distress, unequalled from the beginning of the world until now. This means that the warning in Matthew and Mark about the abomination that causes desolation is closely linked in time to the period of great distress Jesus predicted, which is clearly still in the future.

Although both warnings include instructions for those in Judea to flee to the mountains, Matthew 24:16, Mark 13:14 and Luke 21:21, the warning recorded by Luke applied to the time when Jerusalem’s desolation is near. By contrast, the warning recorded by Matthew and Mark is said to be at that time (Greek tote) of the great distress that Jesus predicted will occur just before his visible Second Coming, Matthew 24:21 and Mark 13:19-21 & 24-26. Thus, these two warnings cannot be about the same event, because of the clearly stated time difference. Confirming this, Josephus informs us that the idolatrous Roman ensigns, which were erected on the walls of Jerusalem by Titus, which some have wrongly equated with the abomination that causes desolation, were not erected in the temple and were only erected after the siege was over, when fleeing, as Jesus advised, was no longer possible.

Thus this warning in Matthew and Mark must apply to a yet future time. In Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14 Jesus connects it with Daniel’s prophecy in Daniel 11:36-45, which we are meant to understand, where he predicts that one is coming with abominations against the Lord and the temple. Paul explains this a little more clearly in 2Th. 2:3-4 where he tells us that there is coming a time when the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

•Matt. 24:9-14 refers to a time of trouble just before the end, that Jesus described as the beginning birth pangs.

•Jesus taught that the abomination of desolation will be set up in the temple during the subsequent time of birth pangs .

•Even so, there are a few similarities to the time leading up to the fall of Jerusalem in AD70 .

The Time of the Birth Pangs

After the brief overview in each of the Gospels, which covers the period right up to Jesus’ Second Coming, and the digression in Luke concerning the events leading up to the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, each of the three Gospels continues with a fuller description of the events immediately before Jesus’ return. We find this in Matthew 24:9-14, followed by an expanded description of the time of birth pangs, i.e. the time of great distress, in verses 15-28. This period of distress is also described in Mark 13:9-23, but only briefly in Luke 21:25-26.

Concerning this period of birth pangs, or the time of great distress Jesus predicted would precede his visible Second Coming, Matthew records that nations and kingdoms will rise against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. He says there will be persecution and martyrdom and hatred by all nations, and that many will turn away from the faith and betray and hate each other. Jesus also said Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.

As these things are predicted to happen during the period of birth pangs, it would appear that the time when many will turn away from the faith, will be even worse than the apostasy Paul refers to in 2Th. 2:3. Paul teaches that this is going to happen just prior to or at the beginning of the day of the Lord, and so I understand this time of birth pangs to be the same period as the day of the Lord and as the great distress Jesus refers to in Matthew 24:21 & 29. See also Mark 13:19 and Luke 21:25-26. Mark adds that there will be floggings and appearances before governors and kings. There will be betrayals within families and children having their parents put to death, and that, All men will hate you because of me. He says, False Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect — if that were possible.

Although Matt. 24:9-12 and Mark 13:9-13 look very similar to details Luke provides for the time leading up to AD70, this section of Matthew’s account begins with then (tote), which means at that time. (The same word is used in verses 10 & 14.) Thus these details apply particularly to that specific short period of time prior to Jesus’ return.

In Luke 21:10-11 he records that there will be great earthquakes, pestilences and fearful events and great signs from heaven. And in verses 25-26 he adds, 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. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

All