We know we have a great work to do when we appear with the Lord Jesus. We understand also that during the time from now until Jesus returns the Christian churches must prepare the believers for the tasks associated with the installing of the Kingdom of God on the earth.

How long do we have to prepare ourselves for the resurrection from the dead, the ascension to meet the Commander-in-Chief in the air, and the return to earth on the white war stallions to destroy the armies of Antichrist? We do not know for certain, but probably more time than is commonly believed among Evangelical Christians.

The purpose of the present essay is to suggest the coming of the Lord is not imminent. The Bible tells of several events that must take place before the Lord returns. If I am correct, the doctrine of the pre-tribulation, any-moment "rapture" has no basis in the Scriptures.

I want to talk to you like a Dutch uncle about the notion of an any-moment "rapture."

If the so-called "rapture" is to take place at any moment, then most of the passages dealing with the coming of the Lord are different from the "rapture." The other passages tell us of the things that must come to pass before the Lord returns, particularly the rise of Antichrist and his invasion of Jerusalem.

Thinking about the situation of the world today we can see that it will be years before the Antichrist gathers together the armies of the world to invade Jerusalem. Also the Temple must be rebuilt, because it seems from the Scriptures that Antichrist is going to sit in the Temple of God in Jerusalem and declare himself to be God.

He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. (II Thessalonians 2:4—NIV)

I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. (Zechariah 14:2—NIV)

Since the Temple has not been rebuilt, and there is no Antichrist who is leading the armies of the earth against Jerusalem, the historic return of the Lord is at least several years away.

Also the great latter-rain revival, portrayed by the two witnesses of the eleventh chapter of the Book of Revelation, will take a period of time to accomplish. The Gospel of the Kingdom must be preached to every nation for a witness, and then the end of the age will be here, as Jesus said.

Paul told us clearly that Antichrist will arise and there will be a great falling away from the faith.

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. (II Thessalonians 2:1-3—NIV)

To be continued.