The Return of the King!

This entry serves as a final meditation for the Wildflower Rosary, the last decade for Sunday's Glorious Mysteries. The Second Coming of Jesus is the ultimate culmination of the Father's plan of salvation in this era of the Church. Many people these days are convinced that we are living in the days of the last generation, and there does seem to be a fair amount of evidence in their favor.


The Return of the King:

     "... and from his mouth, a sword ..."

     Revelations 19:11-16

There has been a lot of debate in learned circles about whether there will be a rapture of the believers before the worst of the Great Tribulation occurs. The prophecies are, by intention, unclear about the timing of this event, and certain teachers even deny that it will occur at all. I think the expectation, however, is clear that it is a separate event from Jesus' return to liberate Jerusalem from the final siege. Part of the confusion stems from the way the disciples asked their questions, mixing near events with far future end times. The first century destruction of the second Temple divides history in a way they could not imagine. 

Undoubtedly, St. Paul promised that we shall not forget those who have died in the faith. They shall rise when Jesus comes for us, and together we shall all be caught up in the air to meet him. What happens next is less clear. Either we wait and watch, or we go to war against the infidels attacking Israel. The saved shall be rejoicing, unthreatened by the horrors happening on Earth. Rather, we shall see what God's wrath does to those who oppose Him.

If there is no pre-tribulation rapture, I'm waiting for mid-tribulation, and if that isn't it, I know there's one at the end. The rapture is a fact. What we don't know is "when." We're waiting for Jesus, not the rescue. And yes, there will be a lot of martyrs near the middle, who will make up their minds when they see what is happening.

But also, the prophecies of the Second Coming are left unclear deliberately so as not to betray the Father's plan to the interference of the Enemy. Jesus said that we would only see the season blooming of his return, and that no one would be able to predict the day. Thus, it is our job to remain watchful, ever ready to greet the King upon his arrival. 

It is not until John receives his vision at Patmos and writes the book of Revelation that we actually see the final Return of the King to claim his remnant from among the Jews. This is not the rapture, but the return of the Beloved to claim his Bride. The wedding guests are already in attendance, anticipating her arrival. 

John sees two crucial events in the Tribulation, a harvest (ch.14), and Jesus' return for the last battle (ch.19). It may be that the harvest, taking away most of his true believers, removes all restraint from the world's conscience, thus allowing the nations to band together against Israel. At this point, Satan thinks he has a chance to win. He believes that if he can destroy all of the Jews, he can prove God a liar.

Only the 144,000 Jewish missionaries for Jesus, and those willing to stay and risk martyrdom to keep on calling those who might yet believe, are still preaching the Gospel. Many Israeli Jews may respond, but the few living elsewhere will likely be dependent on hearing with a conscience sensitive to the Lord's Voice. Surviving as a diaspora Jew will be a dangerous proposition. These remaining Jews are the ones for whom Christ returns in glory, pouring out his wrath to fight the many armies encircling Jerusalem. The Father never forgets his covenant with Abraham. The Jews are still his chosen people, and his betrothed, beloved Bride.

In Revelations 19, Jesus appears, riding on the clouds, when the heavens themselves rip open. He will be riding a white horse and his appearance is fierce, with his robe dipped in blood. He bears the name "King of Kings and Lord of Lords," and from his mouth comes a sharp sword which devastates the enemies arrayed around Jerusalem to oppose Him. When his feet touch the Earth, on the Mount of Olives, a great earthquake happens and splits the mountain all the way into the City, opening the way for his people to escape toward Moab and Petra. There He protects them until their enemies are vanquished. The resulting carnage will be too horrible to imagine, so the crows and vultures will feast. It will take months to bury the dead, and years to clean up the radiation.

The stories recalling the way these events from the Revelation actually played out will, no doubt, be recorded for posterity. The stories may become the third volume of our Holy Bible. When all is said and done, Jesus will be enthroned as King in Jerusalem, and He will oversee the clean-up of the scars of battle and the renewal of our planet. Then we will at last see what a correctly ordered society is supposed to look like, when the temptations of the devil are locked away. For a thousand years, He will reign over the whole world. And we shall live to see it all unfold. 

Hallelujah! Jesus is coming soon! 


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