This mistaken concept has developed from these two separate scriptures.
The first Scripture is found in Jude 14,15
"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, BEHOLD, THE LORD COMETH WITH TEN THOUSAND SAINTS,to execute judgment upon all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him"
The second scripture is found in I Thess. 3:13
"To the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, AT THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WITH ALL HIS SAINTS."
The false assumption is made, that Christ will FIRST come FOR his Bride, the church. The saints will be caught up to meet him in the air and then accompany him to heaven. Many denominations teach that this will be that period of a thousand years, either before or after a supposed, "Seven year tribulation period." The conclusion is then drawn, that Christ will come again at a later time WITH his saints to execute judgment. Again a false concept has replaced the truth.
The Millennial advocates use the following two scriptures to substantiate their concept.
The first scripture is found in 1 Thess 4:16-17
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the arch angel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (verse 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."
Those who have been taught the concept of another age to come, have placed this so-called "Millennial age" between these two verses. God has NOT placed a period of a thousand years between these two scriptures.
The apostle Paul gives us the full understanding and the truth of this event in 1 Thess.4:13-14 when he writes...
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep,(have died in the physical body) that you sorrow not, even as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so THEM WHICH ALSO SLEEP IN JESUS WILL GOD BRING WITH HIM."
The saints who will accompany Christ at His return, are the innumerable host of the souls of all the believers who have died from the time of Adam until the last believer before His coming.
It is the Souls of all who have been resting in Paradise that the Lord is returning with. The Bible tells us "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." Just as Christ promised the theif on the cross..."Today thou shalt be with me in Paradise."
Christ will return with the souls of All the saints throughout the ages whose bodies have slumbering in the earth and sea. These are the ones that God will bring with Him.
The scriptures tell us that..."The dead in Christ shall rise FIRST, THEN WE which are alive at His coming will be caught up to be with him in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and to those who look for him shall he appear the SECOND TIME without sin unto salvation." (Heb. 9:28)
These scriptures verify the two advents of Christ into this world. The first appearance was in the beginning of this gospel age. Jesus Christ appeared as the world's Redeemer and Savior, "offered to bear the sins of many." Then it is written that He will appear the SECOND time at the end of the ages.
The scripture clearly says, "He will appear the SECOND time."
NOT a second and a third time...ONLY a SECOND time. Amen?
"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him." (Rev.1:7)
"The powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they SEE the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." (Luke 21:26-27)
"And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall SEE the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
(Matt. 24:30)
The scriptures forewarn every person of this entire unexpectated event.
The apostle Paul penned these words of warning..."For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a theif in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them...and they shall not escape."
(1 Thess. 5:2-3)
This admonishment is to ALL..."And take heed unto yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come upon all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
(Luke 21:34-36)
The return of the Lord Jesus Christ is eminent! It is that great and solemn event pending! God's people are instructed to, "watch and Pray and be ready, for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man will appear."
No man knows that day, not even the Son. It is in the Heavenly Father's knowledge alone! This will be a day like no other since the foundation of the earth!
Many Biblical accounts are given of the vengeance and wrath of God. It was an unbelieveable day of wrath when God opened the waters of the deep and brought torents of rain from the heavens above for forty days and forty nights. That great Deluge overwhelmed teaming millions into one common watery grave!
The plagues that the Lord sent forth upon the Egyptians surely did strike terror in those people who lived in ancient times. Waters were turned to blood, insects and flies swarmed upon every beast of the field and human beings also! Boils, sickness and pestilence came upon all! Darkness covered the earth! Fire and hail fell in unnatural and astronomical proportions! It was an awful night in Egypt when every family cried out in grief as the death angel took their first born.
However! This "Day of the coming of the Lord" will exceed them all! For the Great God of heaven and earth, the Creator of the Universe and all that there is, shall step down from the heavenly portals Himself to take vengeance upon them that know Him not!
