TheSecondComingof

Jesus

SOONERTHANYOUTHINK!

by

OralRoberts

Unlessotherwiseindicated,allScripturequotationsarefromtheKingJamesVersionoftheBible.

Copyright©1995

byOralRoberts

Tulsa,Oklahoma74171

BK419

Reprinted9/04

PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica

Allrightsreserved

TableofContents

ImportantNews!..........................5

Chapter1ThePreciseConditionsJesusPointed

toThatPrecedeHisSecondComing..........9

Chapter2ADoubleCorruptionofManUpon

theEarth................................19

Chapter3EnoughIsEnough!..............27

Chapter4ADoubleClimaxThatGivesthe

Signal..................................37

Chapter5God'sTimeLimitsonMan........53

Chapter6WhatWillHappenNext?.........67

ImportantNews!

fromRichardRoberts

2004Update

InJuly2004,mydadhada"wake-up"

visionfromtheLordaboutthefutureofthisnationandthefutureoftheworld.Inthisvision,GodshowedHisservantOralRoberts

somethingthat'scoming—asign—thatwebelievewillbeseenandheardintheheavens.

Andwhenweseeitandhearit,Ibelieveeveryonewillhavetheopportunitytorecognizeitasawake-upcallthatJesusiscomingbacktotheearthmuchsoonerthanwethink!

Inlightofmydad'svision,Ibelievethis

littlebookcontainsvitalinformationforyou5

TheSecondComingofJesusconcerningtheperiloustimesweliveintoday.

Eventhoughitwaswrittenseveralyearsago—shortlyafterthebombingoftheAlfredP.

MurrahFederalBuildinginOklahomaCityin

1995andbeforetheterroristattacksontheWorldTradeCenterinNewYorkCityin2001

—Ibelieveit'smoreimportantandtimelythanever.

ThetruthsofGod'sWordconcerningthe

SecondComingofJesusarejustastruetodayastheyhavealwaysbeen.AndIbelievetimehasproventhemoutthroughpropheticeventsbeingfulfilledintheearth.Theseeventsarehappeningtodaybeforeourveryeyes.

Thisisthehour,dearfriend!There'safireinmybellytopreachtheSecondComingof

Christlikeneverbefore!Ifyou'reabeliever,Ipraythisbookwillcomfortyou,strengthenyourfaith,andhelpyoureachouttootherswiththemessageofGod'sredeeminglove.

AndifyouhaveneverreceivedJesusasyourSavior,Ipraythatyouwon'twaitanotherminutebeforeyoupraythesimpleprayeron

6

ImportantNews!

page68andcallupontheLordJesusChristtocomeintoyourheart.IwantyourhearttobelongtoJesusandforyoutobereadytogowithHimwhenHecomes

backforHisown!

Yourfriend,

P.S.Ifyoudon'talreadyhaveacopyofmydad's2004vision,WakeUp!JesusIsComingSooner

ThanYouThink(availableincassette,video,CD,orDVD),youcanorderoneby:

•Calling918-495-7777

•WritingRichardRoberts,Tulsa,OK74171

•Visitingourwebsiteatwww.orm.cc

7

ChapterOne

ThePreciseConditionsJesus

1

PointedtoThatPrecedeHisSecondComing

Arewehurtlinglikeacyclonetowardthe

SecondComingoftheLord?Canwedetermine

fromtheauthorityofGod'sWordthatthecomingofHisSon,JesusChristofNazareth,isathand..closerthanwethink?

IsthereanylandmarkScripture,amongso

manyintheBible,thatcanhelpusdiscoverwhetherornotwemaystillbealivewhenourSaviorsplitstheeasternskies?TheBiblesaysthatHewillappearintheheavensinthetwinklingofaneyetoraisethedeadinChristfirstandtheninstantlytranslatethelivingbelieversinHim.(SeeICorinthians15:52andIThessalonians4:13-18.)

CanthetimingofthisgreateventbepinpointedthroughJesus'ownwords?Isthe

proofofitstrongenoughtoalertusthatwe'restandingattheverybrinkofHisSecond9

TheSecondComingofJesusComingandthe"Raptureofthesaints"?

AfterpreachingtheGospeltohundredsof

thousandsinvirtuallyeverywalkoflife,IbelieveIcanpointyoutomanyScriptureswhichreferdirectlytotheLord'simminentreturn.Butthereisoneparticularversethatshinesoutatmeabovealltheothers.It'saScripturethatisseldomeverpreachedon,andyetithasbeenoneofthemostprofoundguidingforcesofmylife.Asyoureadit,letmywordsbegintofadewhileyoutryto

visualizetheLordspeakingdirectlytoyou:

Butofthatdayandhourknowethnoman,no,nottheangelsofheaven,butmyFatheronly.

ButasthedaysofNoe[Noah]were,soshallalsothecomingoftheSonofmanhe.

Forasinthedaysthatwerebeforethefloodtheywereeatinganddrinking,marryingandgivinginmarriage,untilthedaythatNoeenteredintotheark,Andknewnotuntilthefloodcame,andtookthemallaway;soshallalsothecomingoftheSonofmanbe.

Thenshalltwobeinthefield;theoneshall10

ThePreciseConditionsJesusPointedtoThatPrecedeHisSecondComing

betaken,andtheotherleft.

Twowomenshallbegrindingatthemill;theoneshallbetaken,andtheotherleft.

Watchtherefore:foryeknownotwhathouryourLorddothcome.

Butknowthis,thatifthegoodmanofthehousehadknowninwhatwatchthethiefwouldcome,hewouldhavewatched,andwouldnothavesufferedhishousetobebrokenup.

Thereforebeyealsoready:forinsuchanhourasyethinknottheSonofmancometh(Matthew24:36-44).

Iencourageyoutolockinonthesepersonal,specificallytimedwordsofourSaviorandrereadthemagainandagain.Imusthavereadtheseverses—andstudiedtheminthelightofworldconditions—hundredsoftimes.

They'reburninginmyheartrightnowwithsuchanintensitythatIprayyou'llfeelitracingthroughyourbeing.AndIurgeyoutoclingtothetruthofthesepowerfulversesbecauseyourlifehangsonthemasabelieverandadiscipleofChrist.

11

TheSecondComingofJesusItwasonlyafewshortmonthsagowhen

ournationdrewbackinhorrorasaterroristbombblastrippedthroughthecapitalofmy

homestate—OklahomaCity,Oklahoma.Inone

splitsecond,theAlfredP.MurrahFederalBuildingwasblowntopiecesand169people

losttheirlives.Theviolenceofthiscriminalacthasdeeplyscarredournation,andithasdrawnourattentiontothewayviolence—eveninoneisolatedinstance—canupsetthebalanceofhumanlives.

WhenIfirstlearnedofthisinhumanact,myheartwrenchedinmybody,andthetearsfloweddownmycheeks.IwasimmediatelyremindedbytheLordoftheverseinGenesis6:13,AndGodsaiduntoNoah..theearthisfilled

withviolence.AndIalsorememberedJesusHimselfsaying,ButasthedaysofNoahwere,soshallalsothecomingoftheSonofmanbe(Matthew24:37).

LookcarefullyandprayerfullyatJesus'

wordsinMatthew24andHisreferencetoGenesis6,andIbelieveyou'llgetastriking12

ThePreciseConditionsJesusPointedtoThatPrecedeHisSecondComing

pictureoftheeventsthatareleadinguptoHissecondcoming.

AstheDaysofNoahWere

ButasthedaysofNoahwere,soshallalsothecomingoftheSonofmanbe(Matthew24:37).

WhatwashappeninginthedaysofNoah,

thetenthmansinceAdam,thatmadeJesuscompareNoah'sdaytothedaysprecedingthesecondcomingoftheLord?Whatdreadfuleventsweretaking

placeaspeopledriftedawayfromGodandturnedtheirbacksontheirCreator?WhydidJesusreferbacktothatdayinsuchexplicitandsoul-shakingterms?

Throughouttheages,thecenturies,thegenerationsofman,Christwasthere,andHesawitall..andChristcannotlie.Hesaid,Iamtheway,THETRUTH,andthelife(John14:6).

WhateverHesaysisnotonlythewayandthelife,itisTHETRUTH.Wecandependuponit—itisunshakableintimeandeternity.Istake13

TheSecondComingofJesusmyfaithandmylifeupontheChristoftheway,thetruth,andthelife.

IpointouttoyouthatChrist(theanointedOneandthesecondmemberoftheHolyTrinity)wasthereineternitypast,beforethefoundationsoftheearthwerelaid.Inoneincomparablemoment,theFather,Son,andHolyGhostmadethegreatestdecisionofall:Letusmakemaninourimage,afterourlikeness[ourclass](Genesis1:26).

Creatingmanperfectineveryway,Godset

himinthesplendoroftheGardenofEden.Hegavehimthepowerofspeech,ofcommunication,ofdominionoverallearthlythings,plusthepowerofchoice.Manwascreatedafreemoralagent.

Meanwhile,themightyarchangelLuciferhadcommittedhightreasonbyrebellingagainstGod.Likeaflashoflightning,hewascastdowntotheearth,takingone-thirdoftheheavenlyhostwithhim.WhenLuciferfell,helosthiscelestialformandbecameacreatureofunspeakablehorror—satan,thedevil,the14

ThePreciseConditionsJesusPointedtoThatPrecedeHisSecondComing

serpent,thefatherofallevil(Isaiah14:12-15;Luke10:18;Revelation12:7-9).

Inthemagnificentbeautyofthegarden,manwalkedandtalkedwithGod.(SeeGenesis3:8.)Heandallofhisoffspringhadtheopportunitytoliveforeverinthatpeaceful,unspoiledstatewiththepowertobefruitfulandmultiplyandreplenishtheearth.ThensatantemptedthefirstmanandwomantodisobeyGod.Thedestinyofallmankindhingedupontheirdecision,butunfortunately,

theydecidedtousetheirpowerofchoicetobelievesatanratherthanGod.TheresultwasdisastrousnotonlyforAdamandEvebutfortheentirehumanrace!

ThroughtheirfallfromGod'shighpurpose,

AdamandEvewereexpelledfromtheGarden

ofEden,andtheearthbecamecursed.Adam

andEveandallmankindwerecrushedbeneaththeawfulweightofsin,andfallenmanwas

robbedoftheimageofGodinhissoul.The

seedofsintookrootinthehumanheart,and15

TheSecondComingofJesusthatsin-seedisineveryoneofusfromtheverydayweareborn.

Bythetenthgeneration—Noah'sgeneration

—thatseedofsinwasfullygrown,givingrisetoanalarmingspiritofviolenceamongAdam'soffspringallthewayuptoNoah'sday.InGenesis6:5weread,AndGodsawthatthewickednessofmanwasgreatintheearth,andthateveryimaginationofthethoughtsofhisheartwasonlyevilcontinually.

WhatGodSaw

Godsawthatthewickednessofmanwas

greatintheearth.

Godsawthateveryimaginationofthethoughtsofman'sheartwasonlyevilcontinually(Genesis6:5).

Godsawthattheearthwascorruptbefore

Him,andtheearthwasfilledwithviolence(Genesis6:11).

Godsawthatallfleshhadcorruptedhiswayupontheearth(Genesis6:12).

16

ThePreciseConditionsJesusPointedtoThatPrecedeHisSecondComing

CanyouevenbegintopicturewhatGod

saw?CanyouimaginetheshatteringimpactthatseeingthesethingsmusthavehaduponagoodGodwhosedreamwastohaveafamily

likeHimtomultiplyandreplenishtheearthandtoliveintheclassofGodHimself?ThescenewassodevastatingthatthecounciloftheGodheadwasimmediatelyconvened:

AnditrepentedtheLordthathehadmademanontheearth,anditgrievedhimathisheart.

AndtheLordsaid,IwilldestroymanwhomIhavecreatedfromthefaceoftheearth;bothman,andbeast,andthecreepingthing,andthefowlsoftheair;foritrepentethmethatIhavemadethem.

ButNoahfoundgraceintheeyesofthe

Lord(Genesis6:6-8).

SogreatwasGod'sangeratmanwhohad

repudiatedHimandthegoodwayoflifethatthedecisionwasmadetodestroythatfirstcontingentofmankindbyanearth-wideflood.

ButsogreatwasGod'sloveandHisdesiretohavea17

TheSecondComingofJesusfamilylikeHimthatHedecidedtostartover!HE

WOULDBEGINTHEHUMANRACEAGAIN,BUTTHISTIMEWITHTHELONEFAMILYOF

NOAH—AFAMILYWHICHWASRIGHTEOUS

BEFOREGOD!

18

ChapterTwo

ADoubleCorruptionofMan

2

UpontheEarth

NowIwantyoutoturnyourfullattention

totheaccountGodgaveofadoublecorruptionthatfilledtheearthinNoah'sday.(SeeGenesis6.)Thefirstcorruptionwasthecorruptionofman'sheart.Hisheartwasfullofevilthoughtscontinually.Thesecondcorruptionwasthecompletesaturationoftheearthwithman'sevilimaginationsandviolentdeedsonanongoingbasis.

FromthemomentAdamsabotagedGod's

planformankindintheGardenofEden,man

beganasteadydescenttowardthepitofhell.

SinwasembracedbythemajorityofAdam's

offspring,anditgrewstrongerandstrongeruntilithadpoisonedeverythoughtpossessedbyman.

Thatisastaggeringthingtograsp.YetJesussaidthatatthetimeofHissecondcomingtheverysamepatternwouldberepeatedinthevastmajorityofpeople.Healsosaidthatwhen19

TheSecondComingofJesusweseethewaycorruptionispouringoutofmen'sheartscontinually,itshouldstrikeapowerfulchordinourhearts.

Weoftenheartheoutcry,"Whatevilwill

manconceiveofnext?"andwe'restunnedby

eachnewoutbreakofviolence,suchasthebombinginOklahomaCityinthe

heartlandofAmerica.Butwe'rereallynotshocked.JustasGodsawevilcontinuallyincreasingtothepointofexplosioninNoah'sday,soarewebeginningtoseeitripourlivesaparttoday—everywhere—andatpracticallyeverymoment.Indeed,thenewsmediawouldscarcelyhaveanythingto

reportifitweren'tfortheunceasingviolenceandevilofourgeneration.

JesuswarnsusNOTtoglossoverthisdeadlytrend,buttobescripturallyawarethatithappenedoncebeforeandendedinworldwide

destruction..anditwillhappenagain.

20

ADoubleCorruptionofManUpontheEarthEachdayIseesomenewandinescapableconnectionbetween"asitwasinNoah'sday"andasitisinourday.

AndIamdeterminedtoknowtheprecise

conditionsthatourall-knowingGodhastolduswouldexistwhichwouldcauseHimtosend

HisSontoearththesecondtime.ThistimeHewill"rapture"(catchup)Hispeopleoutofthiscruel,violence-filledworldbeforetheAntichrist,themarkofthebeast,andtheGreatTribulationcometotormentGod-rejectingman.

AtthetimeofHissecondcoming,theLord

willonceagainrescueHisownfromtheimpendingdoom,justasHerescuedNoahby

commandinghimtobuildanark—thebigspecialboatinwhichheandhisfamilyrodeouttheflood.Andwhenthoseswollenwatersreceded,Godstartedalloveragainthroughthatlittlehandfulofrighteouspeople.

Yes,GodisgoingtosendHisSonthe21

TheSecondComingofJesussecondtime,andwe,Hisbelievingchildren,aregoingtorideouttheGreatTribulationinHeavenwiththeLord.ThenGodwill

startoveragainonelasttime.Neveragainwilltherebeanysin,orviolence,orpain,ordeath,butonlyeternallifetothefullest,withanewheaven

andanewearth.

Beforewegoanyfurther,anotherthought

isloomingbeforeme,notonlyformyowndeliverancebutalsoforallwhoreceivemymessagefromGod'sWord.Jesussaid,Forasinthedaysthatwerebeforethefloodtheywereeatinganddrinking,marryingandgivinginmarriage,untilthedaythatNoahenteredintotheark(Matthew24:38).

EverytimeIreadthoseverses,itchillsmetothebone.Thatmassofhumanity,whoseheartswerefullofevil,whohadsaturatedtheearthwithviolence,werealsocarryingontheirdailyactivitiesinwhatseemedtobequiteanormalway.Theywereeatinganddrinking,marryingandgivinginmarriage,until(yes,until)theverydayNoahenteredtheark.

22

ADoubleCorruptionofManUpontheEarthNowthat'samind-bogglingthought!

PeopleinNoah'sdayweregoingthrough

thehumdrumofeverydaylife,livingfromonedaytothenextasifnothingwereevergoingto

change.TheyhadcompletelyignoredthepreachingandwarningsofNoah.Theybelievedtheycoulddowhatevertheywanted

todoandtherewouldbenodrasticchangesintheearth.Andtheycontinuedtoliveinexactlythatmanneruntiltheveryday,theveryhour,theverymomentwhenNoahenteredthearkandtheFloodcame.

It'saparadox:Onthesurfacelifeseemedtobesonormal,yetthatwasmerelyacover-upfortheevilinmen'shearts.AndthatevilledtoadoublecorruptionwhichfilledtheearthwithsuchappallingviolencethatGodcouldnotputupwithitanylonger.AtlastHepronouncedafinaljudgmentonman.

Thinkaboutit!Whatadramaticpicturethatisofourworldtoday!Onthesurface,everythingappearstobesonormal.Peopleareeatinganddrinking,marryingandgivingin23

TheSecondComingofJesusmarriage,buyingandselling,goingoutandcarousing—livingtheirdailylivesasthoughtherewerenoGod,noendoftime,nosecondcomingofChrist—asthoughnothingearthshakingwereathand!

Atthesametime,violenceiseruptingeverywhere.Thenation(everynation)isfullofit.Flashesofittouchyourlifeaswellasmine.

Jailsandprisonsareburstingattheseams.

Peoplearegrippedwithfear.Doorsareboltedshut.Criesaregoingupformorepoliceprotection.Ourwayoflifeisbreakingdown—ingovernments,incitiesandtowns,inhomes,onthestreets,andevenintheskies.

Nowmagnifythatamilliontimesormore,

andwhatkindofearthwillthisbe?Whatkindofworldwillthisbewhenyoucan'tturnaroundwithoutviolencecomingatyoulikewaterunderyourfeet?It'sasoberingthought,butJesusdidn'tminceanywordswhenHesaid,ButasthedaysofNoahwere,soshall

alsothecomingoftheSonofmanbe(Matthew24:37).

24

ADoubleCorruptionofManUpontheEarthInNoah'sday,sincontinuedtosweepacrosstheearthuntilGodsaidthatitfilledtheearth,corruptingitwithevil.(SeeGenesis6:12.)ItmakesmeshuddereverytimeIthinkaboutsinfillingtheearthtoday,anditcompelsmetobeespeciallywatchfulforJesus'secondcoming.

TodayyouandIcanseetheveryearthitselfbeingcorruptedbyman'sevilways.Man-madepoisonshaveenvelopedthisplanet,bringingdeath-dealingpollution,atomicenergyfallout,gasandbiologicalwarfare,andsomanyotherfrightfulpoisonsyettocome.Thishasspawnedvirulentnewdiseases,liketheoutbreakofEbolavirusinAfrica,whichisthedeadliestplagueyetknowntoman.

MyfleshtrembleswhenIthinkaboutthese

eventsinthelightofBibleprophecy,ANDITAKEHEED.Itrustthatyouaredoingthesame,notmorbidlyorwithungodlyfear,butwithasober,intelligent,andwatchfulheart.

AndasyoureadandstudythewordsofJesusinMatthew24,IBELIEVEYOU'LLGRASPTHAT

WE'RELIVINGINADEADLYSERIOUS

25

TheSecondComingofJesusHOUR!

WhatisGodabouttodo?

26

ChapterThree

EnoughIsEnough!

3

Whensinbecomessogreatthatitreaches

allthewayuptoheaven,therecomesatimewhenGoddeclares,"Enoughisenough!"ItgrievedtheLord'sheartwhenHesawtheearth-wideviolenceinNoah'sday,somuchsothatHesealedthedoomofmanwhomHehad

created.

HowmymindisjoltedwhenItrytograsp

thatfact!ItmeantthatGod'sdreamofcreatingafamilylikeHimwasshattered.Hislovehadbeencastaside.ManhadusedhisfreedomofchoiceagainsthisCreatorratherthanforHim..

andthatisasickeningthought.

Itseemsbafflingtoyouandmethatagood

GodcouldutterlywipeoutHisownCreation,butthereisalimittowhatGodwillputupwith.WhenHesawoverandoverandoverthatmanwastotallyevil,andknewthathewouldstubbornlyrefusetochange,itstruckGod'sheartlikeanarrow.HegrievedoveritsodeeplythatoutofHisgreatloveHedeclared27

TheSecondComingofJesusthatHewoulddestroythismajorityofevilmen.

Thatmayseemcrueltoyouandme,but

Godcannotabidesin.Yes,Heislongsuffering—oh,solongsuffering!Weseethiseveryday.

ButHeisstillGod.HeistheCreator.ItisHislove,Hisplan,Hispurpose,tohaveafamilylikeHim.Whensataninvadesourworldtosteal,kill,anddestroy,

asJesussaidhewould(seeJohn10:10),GodisNOTgoingtoletsatancompletelyblotoutmanoreventrytoblotoutGod!Tome,thatisthehighestformoflove.

WhenGodlookeduponthewasteanddesolationoftheearth,Hesawawayoutforfutureman.Hewouldsendanearth-wideflood—thefirstandlastoneever—withthewaves

crashingabovethehighestmountain.Itwouldbeadelugesogreatthatnoonewouldescapeexceptonefamily—Noahandhiswife,theirthreesonsandtheirwives.Theseeightwererighteousand,therefore,theyfoundgrace[favor]intheeyesoftheLord(Genesis6:8).

IamstronglymovedbyGodtotellyounot

28

EnoughIsEnough!

toworryaboutwhetherornotHetakesnoticeofyourrighteousheart.NoamountofevilandviolenceintheworldcankeeptheLordfromseeingyourrighteousness—yourfaithandtrustinHim.AsyouwalkwithGod,youareassafeasGodissafe.

InNoah'sDayTheyHadNever

HeardofRain

Nowlet'stalkforjustamomentaboutthe

daysofNoah.Inthatday,therehadneverbeenaflood.Ithadneverevenrainedbefore.TheBiblesays,Buttherewentupamistfromtheearth,andwateredthewholefaceoftheground(Genesis2:6).Noonehadeverseenrain,letaloneanearth-drenching,gully-washingflood.Butwiththecomingofthefirstdropofrain,theywouldneverbethesameagain.

ThatremindsmeofhowIfeltwhenIfirst

heardaboutthebombingofthefederalbuildinginOklahomaCity.MymindwassuddenlystruckbythethoughtthatAmerica

wouldneverbethesameagain.Maybeoneof

29

TheSecondComingofJesusourmajorcitiescouldberockedtoitscorebyaterroristbombblast,butnotarelativelysmallcityinourcountry'sheartland.Itwasanunheard-ofthing!

Rain.InNoah'sdaytheyhadneverheardofrain.

I'veoftentriedtopicturewhatitmusthavebeenlikewhenthatfirstdropofrainsplashedtotheearth.Theveryfirstdrop.Thinkofit!

Whenpeoplefirstheardit,fearmusthave

rippedacrosstheirstomachs.Terrible,troublingquestionscertainlymusthaveflashedthroughtheirminds:Whatwasthat?Whatdoesitmean?Theirimaginationsmusthaverunwild.

Theyprobablyrushedtogetherinterrorasthefirstdropofrainexplodedintoafurioustorrentofraindropsfallingfromthesky.

NoahhadbeenwarnedofGodaboutthingsnotseenasyet..RAIN..becausetheyhadneverseenrainbefore.

Whatisitthatwehaven'tseenyetintoday'sworld?We'veneverseengravesburst30

EnoughIsEnough!

openandthedeadinChristarise.We'veneverseensomeonewhowassittingorsleepingrightbesideusbetranslated,orcaughtaway,inamomentoftime.We'veneverheardavoicesuchasthevoiceofthearchangeloratrumpetblastthatshatterstheuniverse.We'veneverseentheAntichrist.We'veneverseenthemarkofthebeast—thenumber666—stampedupon

theunbeliever'srighthandorhisforehead.

Mostpeopletodayhavenevereventhoughtaboutthingslikethat!

ButthisscenecomesrightoutofthepagesoftheBible!FirstThessalonians4:16,17declares:FortheLordhimselfshalldescendfromheavenwithashout,withthevoiceofthearchangel,andwiththetrumpofGod:andthedeadinChristshallrisefirst:Thenwewhicharealiveandremainshallbecaughtuptogetherwiththemintheclouds,tomeettheLordintheair:andsoshallweeverbewiththeLord.

TheLordhimselfwilldescendfromheaven

withamighty,earsplittingshout,withthevoice31

TheSecondComingofJesusofthearchangelGabriel,andthenGabrielwillblowhismostpowerfulofallhorns.

Whenthemultitudesfirstheartheshoutof

Jesus,instantlyfollowedbythecryofthearchangelandtheblowingofhistrumpet,theywillhavebeencarryingontheirlivesinaseeminglynormalway,whileevilandviolencewillhavespreadlikewildfireacrosstheearth.

JustasthoseinNoah'sdaywhoknewnotthatthefloodwascominguntilNoahenteredtheark,THE

VASTMAJORITYINTHATDAY

WILLNOTKNOWTHATJESUS

CHRISTISCOMINGFORHIS

OWN!

Canyouimaginetheshock,theutterpanic,

whenitdawnsonthemthatwhattheBiblesaidaboutHissecondcomingISREALLY

HAPPENING!

HasitsoakedintoourconsciousnessinAmericatodaythatwhathappenedin32

EnoughIsEnough!

OklahomaCityisnotsomeisolatedevent?

Violenceissweepingthrougheverynation,acrosseverycontinent.We'rebeingbarragedbythegrimreportsofitinthenewsmedia,butwe'reseeingitfromahorizontalviewasitspreadsacrosstheearth.We'renotseeingthebigpicture—thepictureGodseeseverytime

Helooksdownontheearthfromaverticaldirection.

Ourmindsarefinite.Wecantakeinonlysomuch.ButGodisinfinite,andHefeelstheinfinitehorrorofeverysinfulthought,everycorruptact,andeverywarlikeoutbreakofviolence.

SomewhoarereadingmywordsthismomentmaybelikethoseinNoah'sday.You

mayknownothingofthemomentwhenJesuswilldescendfromheavenandbodilyremove

HispeoplefromthisearthintheRapture.YoumayknownothingofthatinstantintimewhenagreatshoutwillsplittheairandthearchangelofGodwillblowhistrumpet,andasoundfromheavenwillfilltheearthasthewaterscoverthe33

TheSecondComingofJesusseas!Butyouwillhearit,andnotevenknowwhatitmeanstoyouortothosewhohavebeen"caughtup."

ListentowhatJesussaidaboutthisnever-

to-be-forgottenmoment:

Thenshalltwobeinthefield;theoneshallbetaken,andtheotherleft.Twowomenshallbegrindingatthemill;theoneshallbetaken,andtheotherleft.Watchtherefore:foryeknownotwhathouryourLorddothcome(Matthew24:40-42).

Inalightning-likeflash,asmallremnantofbelieverswillbecaughtawaytoheavenwhiletherestofthepeopleonearthwillbeleftbehind,nothavingaglimmerofwhatthisall-importanteventmeans.

Thinkofit.Twowillbesittingsidebyside,andwhentheyheartheshoutofJesusfrom

Heavenlikethevoiceofthunder,onewillvanishintheairtomeettheLord,andtheotherwillstaggertotheirfeetandcryout,"Whathappened?Wheredidtheygo?"

34

EnoughIsEnough!

Ineveryinhabitedareaoftheearth,ineverypieceofgroundwhereabelieverisburied,andineveryoceanandpoolofwaterwhereabodyofabelieverisburiedortheashesstrewn,theywillhearthewords,Come,mypeople,enterthouintothychambers..asitwereforalittlemoment(Isaiah26:20).

Andfromalloverthissin-cursed,hell-bentworld,thesaintsofGodwhohavelivedfor

Christingenerationspastshallfeeltheresurrectionpowertakeholdoftheirmortalbones,andtheyshallrisefromtheirgraves,brushingthedirtfromtheirhairastheyascendtomeetJesusintheair.Meanwhile,thoseofuswhoarealiveandremainwillfeelgravitationloseitsforce,andinonesplitsecond,we'llbesnatchedawayfromthisearthtobewiththeLordforever!

Itwillbeagrave-burstingrescuesceneanda"catchingaway"ofthelivingpeopleofGod—allinthetwinklingofaneye!Itwillbesoastonishingthatitwillbealmostincomprehensible.Jesussaidthatmenwithtotallysin-filledheartsand35

TheSecondComingofJesuswhosethoughtsareonlyevilcontinuallywon'tknowwhathitthem.

Jesusiscoming!

HeiscomingtoraisethedeadinChrist!

HeiscomingtotranslatethosewithfaithinGod,whichisourrighteousness!

GodtheFatherknowsthetime.Heiswatching.Heisseeing.HeisgrievinginHisheartoveraworldthathasgoneastray.IthascausedHimtoregretthatHehasletmandesecratetheearth—Hisearth.

But,thankGod,thereismore!Jesustellsusso.Readon!

36

ChapterFour

ADoubleClimaxThatGives

4

theSignal

TheapostlePeterbroughtusatragicmessageabouttheworldinNoah'sday:

And[God]sparednottheoldworld,butsavedNoahtheeighthperson,apreacherofrighteousness,bringinginthefloodupontheworldoftheungodly(IIPeter2:5).

GODDIDNOTSPARENOAH'SWORLD,ANDHEWILLNOTSPAREOURWORLD

TODAY.However,Noahandthesevenothermembersofhisfamilywerespared.Noah,thehusbandandfather,waswarnedbyGodabout

theunseenfuture.Herealizedthatthemostcataclysmicthingtheworldhadeverknown

wasabouttohappen—ANEARTH-

DRENCHING,

MOUNTAIN-BURYING

FLOOD!

AsNoahwitnessedtheheartsickeningviolenceallaroundhim,sawthecorruptionoftheearth,dealtwithmenwhosethoughtsand37

TheSecondComingofJesusactswereonlyevilcontinually,hebecame

alarmedbythesceneonearthaswellasthe

warningfromHeaven.

Youknow,asIdo,thattherearetwoworlds:heavenandearth.Bothareextremelyactiveandteemingwithlife.

WhatseparatedNoahfromothermenofhisdaywasthefactthatNoahdidsomethingabouttheinvisibleworldwhichisruledbyGod.

ButNoahfoundgrace[favor]intheeyesoftheLord(Genesis6:8).

HowdidNoahfindfavorwithGod?Firstofall,herecognizedinhisspirit-manthatthereisaGod.Hisgreat-grandfather,Enoch,hadpouredintohimthathewasGod'soffspring,madeintheimageandlikenessofhisCreator.EnochhadtoldNoahaboutaworldjustbeyondhis

eyesightandaboutaGodwhohadaloveanda38

ADoubleClimaxThatGivestheSignalplanforhislife.

EnochwastheseventhmanfromAdam.

TheLordhimselfhadgivenHistestimonythatEnochpleasedHim:

ByfaithEnochwastranslatedthatheshouldnotseedeath;andwasnotfound,becauseGodhadtranslatedhim:forbeforehistranslationhehadthistestimony,thathe

pleasedGod(Hebrews11:5).

Also,Genesis5:22declares,AndEnochwalkedwithGod.

Whilesinwasmultiplyingintheearthand

manwashurtlingtowardtheFlood,EnochwaswalkingandtalkingwiththeSavior.We'retoldthatonedaywhenhewasoutwalkingwith

God,hesuddenlyvanishedwithoutatrace.TheLordtranslatedhimsothatheshouldnotseedeath.IbelievewhenthatGod-pleasingman

heldlittleNoahonhiskneesandtoldhimaboutthegreatall-knowingGod,theLife-Giver,itmusthaveregistereddeeplyonthespiritoftheboy..andhenever

forgotit.

39

TheSecondComingofJesusSecond,NoahalsofoundfavorwithGodbycultivatinghisfaith.Faithbringsaknowinginourhearts,andthatknowingtookrootinNoah'sspirit.Ofcourse,thatwasinstarkcontrasttothosewho"knewnot"untilthefloodcameandsweptthemallaway.

CanyouandIreallyknowourCreatorpersonally,theOnewhogaveusbreath?Can

webelieveinHimfromourspirits,haveaknowingofHiminourheartsatatimewhen

thevastmajorityofpeopleseemtobehell-bentondestruction,whenthestageisbeingsetfortheriseoftheAntichrist,thecomingofthemarkofthebeast,andtheGreatTribulation?

Noahhadexperiencedadeep,heartfeltconnectionwithGod,andsohadtherestofhisfamily.Andsocanwe!

PeopleareturningtoGodtodayinunprecedentednumbers.ThemoveofHisSpiritisbreakingallofourpreviousrecords,especiallyinplaceswhichhaveneverbeforebeenreachedbytheGospel.Godisraisingupanointedmenandwomen,endowingthem40

ADoubleClimaxThatGivestheSignalwiththegiftsoftheSpirit,puttinga"goye"intheirsoulsandaHolyGhostfireintheirbones,andtheyareshakingcitiesandnationstotheircore!

Thisisadaytobeglad,notsad;tolookup,notdown;tobelieve,notdoubt;toexpectamiracleandrefusetodenyGod'ssupernaturalpower.

IfeelthisinmywholebeingevenasIwrite.

IknowthatIknowthatIknowGodisreal!Hispowerisstreamingtowardallwhowillrecognizeit!ThisisourhourofescapefromtheweakandbeggarlyelementsofthispresentworldIFwewillcallontheLordandsay,"Jesus,haveYourwayinmylife!HelpmetobeaboutYourbusinessandtobewatchfuland

readyforYoursecondcoming!"

WhenNoahbecameapreacherofrighteousness,thewholeworldwaslivingontheedgeofhell.PetersaidthatNoahwentagainstthecurrentofevilinhisday.HemadeadecisionthathewouldletGodbethegreatest41

TheSecondComingofJesusOneinhislife,notsatan.Hewouldrejecttheevilinmenandproclaimthegoodnewsthattheydidnothavetobeswallowedupbythecomingflood.

NoahwasirresistiblydrivenbytheSpiritofGodtobuildagreatboattorideouttheflood.

Althoughpeopleridiculedhimandrefusedtolisten,hekeptonpreaching,testifying,andbuildingthearkofdeliverance.

Thensomethingextraordinarilydecisivehappened.Listencarefullytoadoubleeventthatrockedthisworldlikenothingbeforeorsince:First,thepeoplewhowerefullofevil,whohadgrievedtheLordandprovokedHim

intosendingtheFlood,werecrushedbeneathitsragingwaters.Second,Noah,whofoundfavorwithGodbybelievingHisWordandbuilding

thearktorideoutthestorm,wassaved—heandhisentirefamily.

Picturethissceneforamoment.Therains

poundeddownforfortydaysandnights,withthewatersrising,rising,risingabovetheearth,fifteencubits(approximatelytwenty-twofeet)42

ADoubleClimaxThatGivestheSignalhigherthananymountain.(SeeGenesis7:18-

21.)Itwasafloodoffloods!

Butlookatwhatelsehappened.Genesis7:16-18says,Andtheythatwentin[totheark],wentinmaleandfemaleofallflesh,asGodhadcommandedhim:andtheLordshuthimin.Andthefloodwasfortydaysupontheearth;andthewatersincreased,andbareuptheark,anditwasliftupabovetheearth.Andthewatersprevailed,andwereincreasedgreatlyupontheearth;andthearkwent

uponthefaceofthewaters.Alsoseeverse23,whichsays,AndNoahonlyremainedalive,andtheythatwerewithhimintheark.Noahandallwhowerewithhimwerespared!

TheDoubleClimax

Thesininmen'sheartscametoaviolent

climax.Sinbecamefullysin,tothepointofexplosion.Itreacheditsfullgrowth.

Icannotbegintoestimatehowimportantit

isforyoutounderstandthisfact.Forwhensintookonitsfinalclimacticform,itbecamea43

TheSecondComingofJesusdeadly,destructiveforce—TOTHEFULLEST—usheringinthemountain-covering,wide-wasting,all-engulfingflood.

Donottrustsin.Refusetoletitgetagriponyou.SeekGod'sgrace,Hisfavor,tobedeliveredfromasinfullifestyle!

Whilesinwascomingtoaclimaxinallmortalflesh,somethingelsewashappeningthatwassothrilling,solife-raising,soeternalthatwecan'taffordtomisspayingfullattentiontoit.Itwastheclimaxof

righteousness!

Justastheclimaxofsinbroughttheflood

rainingdownfromheaven,theclimaxofrighteousnessintheheartsofNoahandhisfamily(theremnant)causedNoahtobuildthegreatboattoGod'sexactspecifications.Whilethefloodwasraging,thearkwascrestingthewavesinperfectsafetyandmajesty.

NogreaterpictureexistsintheHolyBibleoftheterribledestroyingpowerofsinortheultimatesavingpowerofrighteousnessthanthisdouble44

ADoubleClimaxThatGivestheSignalclimaxrecordedinthebookofGenesis.

Whatascene!Justlookattherainfalling

ceaselessly,drenchingtheearth,coveringthehighestmountain.Hearthescreaming,fearfulvoicesofthosewhohadtrustedtheirlivestosinandviolence.SeethedestructionofeverylivingthingexceptNoah'sfamilyandthecreaturesintheark.

Thenlookatthearkitself—theboatthat

Noahhadbuiltwithhisownhandsandinto

whichGodhadshutthemallforthedurationoftheflood.Seeitpeacefullyridingthehighestwave,survivingthetorrentsofwater—atinyspeckintheuniverse—butallinsidewerealiveandsafe,forGodrodewiththem!

AccordingtothedescriptionintheBible,

thearkwassomefivehundredfiftyfeetlong,ninetyfeetwide,andfortyfeethigh.WearetoldthatseveralhundredyearsagoshipbuildersinHollandreproducedthearkandlaunchedituponthewatersoftheAtlantic,anditsailedperfectly.Whenitreturned,marinersfromallovertheworldwenttoHollandand

45

TheSecondComingofJesusstudiedit.Theydiscoveredthattheboatwasnotonlyseaworthy,butitwasthemostproperlyconstructedshipthathadeversaileduponthewaters.Asaresult,theartofshipbuildingwaschangedforever.Onemanandhisfamily,underGod'sfavor,builttheboatthatwassostrongandperfectitrodetheflood.

NowIwantyoutolookatNoahashepreachestheWordofGodtothesinfulandviolence-filledpeople.Hetellsthem,"I'mbuildingagreatboatandloadingitwithtwoofeverylivingcreature.There'sgoingtobeamightyearth-wideflood,sodevastatingthatitwillwipeoutthispresentworld.It'sgoingtorain,rain,rain—arainthatwillsubmergethewholeearth.NolivingthingwillescapeexceptthosewhobelieveGodandgetonboardthearkandaresaved!"

Canyouimaginehowtheymusthavescornedhim,declaringthattherehadneverbeenrainontheearthbefore,onlyamist?ButNoahkeptonbuilding.

Andthat'swhatyou46

ADoubleClimaxThatGivestheSignalandImustdo.

Inspiteofallthepersecution,thehardroads,themisunderstandings,wemustkeeponbuildingforGod!

Noah,thismanwhofiercelybelievedGod's

Wordtohim,hadaknowinginhisspirit,byfaith,thattheFloodwascoming,andheobeyedtheLordbybuildingthearkaccordingtothedivineplangiventohim.HewasmovedbyanoverwhelmingdesiretodowhatGodhadtold

himtodo.Therefore,everythingelsewasirrelevanttohisfaith.HesimplyshookoffthecriesofthescoffersandmockersandkepthismindfixedonGod'sWord,focusinghisfaithonbuildingthearkandpreachingtothepeople.

IcanunderstandhowNoahmusthavefelt.

Yousee,notlongagothefamilyofamanwhowasaninvalidaskedmetogoandprayfor

him.Assoonashispastorheardaboutit,hewentrushingovertotheman'shome,fullof

47

TheSecondComingofJesusunbeliefandwithascoffingattitude.

WhenIreachedoutmyhandtoprayfor

thatman,wehadarealHolyGhostencounterwiththeLordrightthereinthatroom.Andtherewasthebeginningofmovementinhisspiritandbody.Later,asIwasleaving,thefriendwhohadtakenmethereexclaimed,"Thatwasheavyspiritualwarfare!"

"Whatdoyoumean?"Iasked.

"Why,thatpastorbelievedthatnothingwas

goingtohappen,andhedidn'twantthemantogethishopesup.Really,hehad

hisspiritualneckstuckintheground!"

"Oh?"Ireplied."Ipaidnoattentiontohim.

AslongasIwasobeyingGod'sWordandHis

calluponmetoprayforthehealingofthesick,everythingelsewasirrelevant."

"I'msoglad,"myfriendsighed."Iwasafraidthatman'sunbeliefwouldhinderyourfaith."

"Itdidn't!"Iansweredemphatically."MymindwastotallyfocusedonGod,ourSource."

48

ADoubleClimaxThatGivestheSignalFriend,therehasalwaysbeenaloudchorus

ofmockersandscornerswhoarereadytoblastawayatthoseofuswhoarebuildingforGod.

JustasNoahrefusedtoberuffledordiscouragedandwouldn'tquit,youandImustkeeponservingtheLord,helpingtogetasmanyintothearkofsalvationaswecan,whilewelookfortheblessedhopeofJesus'coming,nomatterhowbittertheopposition.

HowCanTheyHearWithouta

Preacher?

SecondPeter2:5saysthatNoahwasapreacherofrighteousness.Ipraythatyouwillgrasptheimportanceofthatfact.AndtheapostlePaultellsusinRomans10:14,17,Howshalltheyhearwithoutapreacher?...Sothenfaithcomethbyhearing,andhearingbythewordofGod.HealsodeclaresinICorinthians1:21thatitisGod'spurposetosavemenandwomenbythefoolishnessofpreaching.Notfoolishpreaching,buttheseemingfoolishnessofit.

YetifthepreacherofGod'sWordis49

TheSecondComingofJesusrejected,thennothingcanpostponethejudgmentofGoduponunbelievingmankind.

NoahwasafaithfulpreacherofGod'sWord,

andyethewasrejectedbyeveryoneexcepthisownfamily.ThentheFloodcameandswept

awayalltheunbelievers—everylastone!NomatterwhatanyonelivingtodaythinksabouttheWordofGodthat'sbeingpreachedaboutthesecondcomingoftheLord,theirsalvationhingesupontheirbeliefinorrejectionoftheGospelasitispreachedtothem.

AsayoungmanIhadnodesiretobecomea

preacher;yetwhenIfeltthecallofGoduponmyheart,itwasthehighesthonorofmylifetogointotheministry.AndmysoulissetonfirewiththemessageofGod'sWordthatI'mpreachingtoyoutodaybecauseIknowthatifyou'llbelieveit,youwillbesaved.Youwon'tbecaughtunawarebytheraptureofGod'speopleorbelefthereonthisearthtofacethecruelwrathoftheAntichrist,themarkofthebeast,andtheGreatTribulationwhichwillimmediatelyfollowtheRapture.

50

ADoubleClimaxThatGivestheSignalRecentlysomeoneaskedmewhatIthought

aboutafewpreacherswhohadfallenandbroughtdishonortothekingdomofGod.IrepliedthatIdeeplyregrettedit,notonlyfortheirsakes,butevenmoreforthosewhowouldusetheirfallasanexcusetoshrinkbackfromtheLordandfromallpreachersoftheGospel.

Also,IsaidIwasprayingfortheirrestoration.

"However,"Isaid,"nothingcanalterGod's

plantocarryoutHiseternalworkwithman.

NothingHesaysinHisHolyWordwillfail."

AndyoucanbeassuredthatmostpreacherswillnotdishonorGodorbowtheirkneetothedevil.They

willfaithfullyproclaimGod'sWordandbring

thelightoftheGospeltothissin-darkened

world!

Ibelievethat!

God'sWordWilNotFail!

WhenGodraisedmeupoutofnothingto

preachHisWord,totakeHishealingpowertomygeneration,andtobuildHimauniversity,51

TheSecondComingofJesusHiscallingovershadowedeverythingelseinmylife.Itwasamightydreamandaneternaldestiny.AsPauldeclared,Woeisuntome,ifIpreachnotthegospel(ICorinthians9:16).Oh,IcannotabandonGod'scall!I'mdedicatedtopreachingHisWordandspreadingtheGospel

messagefortimeandeternity!

I'mpreachingtodaytoseelostsoulswontoChrist,tobringdeliverancetothesick,thehurting,thedowntrodden,tobuildupthebodyofChrist,toeducatethousandsofyoungmenandwomentoserveGod,andtohelpprepare

God'speoplefortheRapture—thecatchingawayofthebrideofChrist(IThessalonians4:13-18).Andthatleadsmetothenextthingwecanexpecttohappen.It'ssomethingthatshakesmetotheverycoreofmybeingeverytimeIthinkaboutit!

52

ChapterFive

God'sTimeLimitsonMan

5

WhenGodfacedtheawfulprospectofman'swickednessandhisnon-repentantattitudesealedforeverinhisheart,HecouldnotpermithimtocompletelydestroytheearthordestroyHisremnant—therighteousfamily

ofNoah.AndtheLordsaid,Myspiritshallnotalwaysstrivewithman,forthathealsoisflesh:yethisdaysshallbeanhundredandtwentyyears(Genesis6:3).

HowmanytimeshaveIreadthosesoul-

shakingwords,thosewordswhichhavesodeeplymarkedthedestinyoftheraceofman!

I'vepreachedonthatScripturecountlesstimesasithasburnedinmyspirit,anditsimplicationsforustodayareinescapable.

WhilethemenandwomenofNoah'sday

wereeatinganddrinking,marryingandgivinginmarriage,witheveryimaginationandthoughtonlyevilcontinually,Godwaswatching,planning,andlayingoutatimetable.

AndwhenHeproclaimedthatmanwouldhaveone53

TheSecondComingofJesushundredtwentyyearstochange,thepeopleofthewholeworldwereouttherewithblindersontheireyes!

Ifyou,thereader,haveevenaglimmerof

spiritualunderstandingoratinyspeckoffaithinwhattheLordsaysHewilldo,thenthisisyourhour,yourmoment,tofulfillyourGod-

givendestiny.

Genesis6:3plainlyreveals:

1.God'sSpiritwillnotalwaysstrivewithman,andthatincludesyouandme.

2.Ourdaysarenumbered.

3.Thereisatimelimitalreadyknownand

alsofortherestofmankind,beforetheRapture.

God,ourFather,alreadyknowstheprecise

momentwhenthetrumpetshallsoundandthe

mostincredibleexodusofalltime—theRapture—willtakeplace.Heknows.Jesusdoesn'tknow,andyouandIdon'tknow,buttheFatherknowstheexactmoment(seeMatthew24:36).

Itwillallhappeninaninstantoftime.

54

God'sTimeLimitsonManWhenGod'stimelimitsexpiredinNoah'sday,therewasthatfirstdropofrain,thenmoredropssplashingdown,thenawildburstofrainwhichbecameanearth-widedownpour

coveringthehighestmountains.NooneexceptNoahandhisfamilyreallybelievedthatthefirstdropofrainmeanttheFloodwasabouttocomegushingdownfromthesky.

Canyoufathomtheemotionsthatwillrip

throughyourbeingifyouarestillalivewhenJesusdescendsfromheavenwithamighty,earsplittingshout?Whenyouhearthearchangel'strumpetsoundingworldwide,whatdoyousupposewillflashthroughyourmind?

WillyourememberthewordsofthepreacherwhofirsttoldyouabouttheRaptureandChrist'sSecondComing?Willyourecall

thewarningthatGodwon'talwaysdealwith

yourheart,thatHehassetatimelimitontheraceofman,ofwhichyouandIaremembers?

Iknowthis:thewarningofGodaboutthesooncomingofHisSonisburninginsideme.WhileIdonotknowtheexactmomentwhenthosetime

55

TheSecondComingofJesuslimitswillexpire,Iknowthat"comingeventscasttheirshadowsbefore"them.

AndIhavethisinnerwarningthatsomethingearthshakingisabouttotakeplace.

AreyourespondingtoGod'sstrivingwithinyoursoul?DoyoubelievethattheFatherknowsthetimeandhassetHislimitsuponit?Isaytoyou,don'tlookuponyourrelationshipwithGodassomethingyoucanplaywith!Don'thardenyourheartandrejecttheLord,butthinkseriously,asyou'veneverthoughtbefore,ofthewordsofJesusinLuke21:33:Heavenandearthshallpassaway:butmywordsshallnotpassaway.EVERYWORDTHAT

GODHASSPOKENWILLCOMETOPASS!

Frankly,Idon'tknowhowmuchtimewe

haveleft.That'swhyJesustoldus,

OccupytillIcome(Luke19:13).It'salsowhy,asatwelve-year-oldboy,theLordsaidofHimself,WistyenotthatImustbeaboutmy56

God'sTimeLimitsonManFather'sbusiness?(Luke2:49).AndyouandImustcontinuallybeabouttheSavior'sbusiness!

GodShutNoahintheArk

WhileNoahwaspreachingandfollowing

God'sblueprinttobuildtheark,theLordgavetheworldonehundredtwentyyearstochange.

Noahknewnothingaboutconstructingsucha

hugeandseaworthyboat,letalonehowtolaunchoutonthoseunchartedwatersasthe

boatcrestedtheviolentwavesoftheflood,yethewasobeyingGod.

Thenthefatefuldayarrivedwhentheark

wasfinished,andGod'scallwentouttoallthecreaturesoftheearthtocomeinbytwosandsevens,maleandfemale,andentertheark.(SeeGenesis7:2,3.)ThelivingcreaturesweredrawnthereirresistiblybytheLord,andtheytookrefugeintheplaceHehadpreparedforthem.

ThenGodurgedNoah,"Callyourthreesonsandtheirwivesandalsoyourwife.It'stimetoboardtheark!"AssoonasNoah57

TheSecondComingofJesussteppedonboard,we'retoldthattheLordshuthimin(Genesis7:16).

Nowwhenthetimelimitswereover,God

shutNoahandhisfamilyin.ThatmeantHeshutalltheothersout.Inthesameway,whentheshoutofJesusChristandthetrumpetofGodpiercetheair,thebodyofChristwillbecaughtawaytobewiththeLordinheaven,

wheretheywillbeshutinwithHimatthemarriagesupperoftheLamb(Revelation19:7,9).Meanwhile,therestoftheGod-rejectingmultitudeswillbeshutout.Theshuttinginandtheshuttingoutwilloccursimultaneously—intheflashofasecond!Thereafter,thosetobesavedwillbeunder"greattribulation."

Whilethiseventwillastonishan

unbelievingworld,Ibelievethere'sameasureofGod-instilledunderstandingineveryhumanheartthatthingscan'tgoonforeverthewaytheyaretoday.Evenafterthefallofman,GodleftasparkofHimselfineverypersonbornsincethatdayorwhowilleverbeborn.It'sthatdivinesparkthattheHolySpiritisworkingon58

God'sTimeLimitsonManallthetime.

IalsobelievethattheLordspeakstoeverybody,whethertheyarelisteningorevendistinguishingHisvoice.Hiswordsmayseemasifthey'recomingfromouterspace,andyetthey'retherightwords.Iknowthiswastrueinmyownlife.

UntilIwasseventeenyearsold,Icannot

rememberhavingaseriousreligiousfeelingoranydeepthoughtsofGodofmyown.Istifledthedivinesparkwithinmebygoingmyown

willfulway.Hewassomethingtotallyunrealtome.IletmyselfbelievethateveniftherereallywasaGod,Hewouldneverspeaktomepersonally.

Then,outoftheblue,IheardtheLordspeakinginsidemyspirit.Andwonderofwonders,IunderstoodHiswords!Hesaid,"Son,Iamgoingtohealyou,andyouaretotakeMyhealingpowertoyourgeneration.YouaretobuildMeauniversityandbuilditonMyauthorityandtheHolySpirit."

59

TheSecondComingofJesusIwasanobody,arunawaywhohadbig

plansandambitionsformylife,butIhadallmyfeelingsaboutGod.AndyetHespoketome.

Whatapricelessthought!Yousee,GodthinksasmuchofeveryotherhumanbeingasHedoesofme.NoonehasacorneronHisunfathomablelove.John3:16putsitthisway:ForGodsolovedtheworld,thathegavehisonlybegottenSon,thatwhosoeverbelievethinhimshouldnotperish,buthaveeverlastinglife.

WhentheBiblesaysthatGodlovedtheworld,itmeansthatHelovedeveryindividualperson.AndHeloveduseachonebeyondmeasure,eventothepointofsendingHisonlybegottenSonintothejawsofdeathatCalvary,sothatnoonewhobelievesonHimshouldperish—thatall..all..all..wouldbesavedandhavelifeeverlasting!

Thisisundoubtedlythemostawesomefact

ofallexistence.It'sthemountainpeakofallthatistrueandreal.Nooneshould

permithimselftodoubtGod'sloveforhimifherealizesthatGodletHisownSondieforhis60

God'sTimeLimitsonManpersonalsalvation.

Thenwhatislacking?Justthis:

EachoneofusisunderadivinecommandtobelisteningandtohearGod'svoiceinsideourselves,tograspwhatHeissaying,andthento

obeyHiminstantly.

Seemingly,mostpeoplesay,"Iwon'tdoit.Iwon'tobeyHim."

WhenNoahheardGod'svoicespeakingin

hissoul,hechanged.HeobeyedtheLord,nomatterhowunusualthecallorhowdrasticthecost.Hejustdidit,byfaith!

Godhasalwayshadapeople—aremnant—

whodeclare,"Iwilldoitbyfaith!"TheywillexalttheLordandputHimfirstintheirlives.

TheywillbowtheirheartsinworshipandadorationofJesusasKingofkingsandLordoflords.Theywillplanttheirseedsoffaith,cheerfullyandwithpurposeuntoGod,their61

TheSecondComingofJesusRewarder,theirSeed-Multiplier.TheywillhelpspreadtheGospelmessagetothefourcornersoftheearth.

They'reablood-bought,blood-washedremnant,andthereisnopoweronearthorinhellthatcanprevailagainstthemastheyobeyGodandlooktowardthesecondcomingoftheLord!

WatchtheFloodDestroythe

EvilasItRaisestheArkAbove

theWaters

Throughouthistory,ineverycivilizationthere'stherecordofagreat,earth-wideflood.

That'sbecauseithappenedjustliketheBiblesaid!

Writtenineverythingthroughouttimeand

eternityistherecordthatJesusChristcametothisearththefirsttimeandthatHewillcomeagainforHisown.Youcandisputeit,argueit,doubtit,ormockit,butit'salltonoavail.Jesus

iscomingagain..andIbelieveitwillbesooner

thanwethink.

WhatringsinmysoulwhenIthinkabout

62

God'sTimeLimitsonMantheFloodisthesoundofthatfirstdropofrain—ping!Itmusthavebeenheardthroughouttheearth.Thenanotherdropsplattereddown—ping!Thenanotherandanotherandanother—

ping,ping,ping!Thencamethatgully-washingthunderstormthatlastedfortydaysandfortynights—somethingthathadneverhappenedbefore!

Listen!Jesussaidthatthemenandwomen

ofNoah'sdayhadnoideawhatwasaboutto

happenuntiltheFloodcameandsweptthem

allaway.AndthenHeadded,ButasthedaysofNoahwere,soshallalsothecomingoftheSonofmanbe(Matthew24:37).

HowmuchplainercanHesayitormakeit?

ThefirstphaseofthesecondcomingoftheLordintheformoftheRaptureisgoingtoburstlikeathunderclapuponanunsuspectingworld—hugenumbersofpeople"whoknownot"becausetheychoosenottoknow!

Nowlet'slookonceagainattheclimaxof

sinANDofrighteousness—adoubleclimax—

63

TheSecondComingofJesuswhichtookplaceinNoah'sday.Firstofall,thesinsofmanweresogreatthattheycausedGodtosendtheFlood.Andsecond,therighteousnessofNoahandhisfamilywasso

greatthatitenabledthemtobuildthemightyarkofdeliverance.Astheclimaxofsinsetlooseadelugeofwaterfromheaven,theclimaxofrighteousnessliftedthearkabovetherisingflood.

Whilethefloodwatercrushedeveryliving

thing,thosesamerampagingwatersliftedtheboat,anditmasterfullyrodethewavesastherainpoureddown.Finally,whenthewaterhadreceded,thearkcametorestupondryearth.

Watchtheflooddestroytheevilasitraisesthearkabovethewaters.Itisadoubleclimax!

Andthat'sapictureofwhatwillhappen

whentheLordcomesbacktothisearththesecondtime,onlythistimetherewillhenofloodofwater.Whenthesininunregeneratedman's64

God'sTimeLimitsonManheartbecomesfullysinfulandreachesitsclimaxonceagain,itwillusherintheAntichrist,themarkofthebeast,theGreatTribulation,theBattleofArmageddon,andtheendoftime.ButbeforeGodpullsbackthecurtaintorevealHisfinaldestructionofunbelievingman,somethingequallydramaticwilltakeplace.

Whentherighteousnessofthesavedsouls

whoareservingtheLordbecomesfullyrighteous,thenrighteousnesswillreachitsclimax.

ThatclimaxwillbringJesus,ourSavior,vaultingoverthegatesofheavenwitha

mightyshout,thevoiceofthearchangel,andthetrumpet'sblast.Andalltherighteous,bothlivinganddead,willbeinstantly"snatchedaway"overthelegionhillsofglory!INTHE

TWINKLINGOFANEYE,INAMOMENTOF

TIME,THOSEWHOAREBELIEVERSIN

JESUSWILLRIDEUPOUTOFTHISWORLD

TOMEETTHELORDJESUSINTHEAIR(seeI

Thessalonians4:16,17).That'ssomethingwe'vegottoknow.

65

TheSecondComingofJesusThenwhatwillhappen?

66

ChapterSix

WhatWilHappenNext?

6

Beforetheworldcanevencomprehendthat

God'speoplehavebeenbodilyliftedoutoftheearththroughtheRapture,chaoswillreignmomentarily.WithGod'speoplegone,chaoswillreignimmediately.Carsthatarebarrellingdownthehighwaywillsuddenlycareenoutofcontrolastheborn-againdriveristranslatedtoheaven.Theplanesofpilotswhoarecaught

awayintheRapturewilltakeasharpnosediveandplungetotheearth.

Thinkofit!Automobileswillgoastray.

Boatswillsink.Peoplewillscream.Thereisnowaywecanpicturethehavocthatwilleruptinthefirstfewmomentsafterthesaintsaregone.

AllthelittlebabiesintheworldwillgoupintheRaptureintheflashofasecond,forJesussaid,ofsuchisthekingdomofheaven(Matthew19:14).Therewon'tbeasinglechildundertheageofaccountabilityleftbehind—notonewhohasdiedorwhoislivingwhenJesuscomes.

Unsavedmothersclutchingtheirlittleones

67

TheSecondComingofJesusintheirarmswillsuddenlyfeelthemsnatchedawaytobewiththeLord.AscreamwillgoupfromthisearththatfarexceedsthecryoftheEgyptiansinMoses'daywhenthefirstbornsonsofEgyptperishedduringtheplagues.Itwillbearoarofhumanagonylikenonethathaseverbeenheardbefore.

Whiletherighteous—theremnant—are

sittingdowninHeavenatthemarriagesupperoftheLambandutterchaosis

breakinglooseonEarth,allatoncesatanwillrealizethatit'shistimetostrike.Hewillswiftlyunveilhis"son"—theAntichrist,themanwhopersonifiesallevil.

Astheworldclamorsforasupermanwho

canrescuethemfromthechaos,satanwillendowthismanwiththepowertotemporarilycalmtheirfears.TheAntichristwillhavebrillianteconomicabilityandacharismatic,satanicpersonality.Hewillbeempoweredbythedeviltobringorderoutofchaos,solvemystifyingproblems,andproduceworldwide

prosperityandafalsepeace.TheBiblesaysthat68

WhatWillHappenNext?

everyonewillwonderafterhim.(ReadthethirteenthchapterofRevelation.)

Inthemiddleofhisreign,theAntichristwillproclaimhimselftobetheChristintherebuilttempleinJerusalem,whilethewholeworldwatches.Andthenhewillissueanumber—666(thenumberofman)—whichisto

bestampedindeliblyoneveryperson'sforeheadorrighthand,withoutwhichnoonecanbuyorsell.

Andhecausethall,bothsmallandgreat,richandpoor,freeandbond,toreceiveamarkintheirrighthand,orintheirforeheads:andthatnomanmightbuyorsell,savehethathadthemark,orthenameofthebeast,orthenumberofhisname(Revelation13:16,17).

AllwhotakethemarkofthebeastwillforeversealtheirdoomwithGod.AndtheAntichristwillfightagainstthosewhobecomebelieversaftertheRapturebecausetheywillrefusetotakethemark.Itwillbeatimeofterribletribulationallovertheearth,andtheLordHimselfsaid,Andexceptthosedaysshouldbe69

TheSecondComingofJesusshortened,thereshouldnofleshbesaved(Matthew24:22).

ThenJesuswillmarshalthearmiesofHeavenandthearmiesofgloryandcomeridingdownfromtheskyonthatgreatwhitehorse,withHissaintsbehindHim.

Hisbeingwillfilltheuniverse,sothateveryeyewillseeHim,andthenationswilltremble.He'llfightagainstsatanandhisunholysons—theAntichristandthefalseprophet—ANDHE

WILLPREVAIL.

Itisnotthepurposeofthisbooktocover

theBattleofArmageddonandChrist'ssweepingtriumphoverthedevil,theAntichrist,andthefalseprophet.NordoIwishatthistimetodealwiththeLord'sreturntoanewheavenandanewearth,tosetupHiseverlastingkingdomwithHissaints,wheretherewillbenodevilorevilofanykind.

ItismypurposetofaithfullyfollowJesus'

words,ButasthedaysofNoahwere,soshallalsothecomingoftheSonofmanbe,showingthestrikingresemblancebetweenthedays70

WhatWillHappenNext?

precedingtheFloodandthedaysthatareleadinguptothesecondcomingofChrist.

That'simportantforyoutokeepinmind.

WhatIhavejustsharedwithyouisnota

mythorsomefarfetchedthing.It'sreal.ItisGod'sWord.Jesusiscoming.You'llneverbeabletosay,"Nobodywarnedme!Ineverheardthatmessagebefore!"

MysoultellsmethatsomeonewhoisreadingmywordsisverymovedbyGod'sSpirittotakeaction.TheLordistuggingatyourheart.Friend,youdon'twanttobewithoutChristinyourlifewhenHesplitstheeasternskies!WhatatreacherousworldthiswillbeafterthesaintsofGodarecaughtawaytobewiththeLord!Andifyou'releftbehind,yourlifewillbeaforetasteofhellitself!

Ibelieveyou'regettingacallfromGodthisverymoment,anditjustmaybethelastchanceyou'lleverhavetocometoChristortofullycommityourselftoHimandHisGospel.IfeelatremendouswarninginmyspiritasIwritethesewords.Jesusissayingtoyou,"Thisis71

TheSecondComingofJesusyourhour.Thisisyourvisitationfromonhigh.

ThisistheHolySpiritdealingwithyourheart.

ThisistheLordsaying,'Todayisthedayofsalvation.Hardennotyourheart,andcometoHimnow."'

WhenIwasayoungmandyingoftuberculosis,notknowinganythingaboutGodorthedevil,membersofmyfamilyhelpedmecometoChrist.IrepentedofmysinsandbecameGod'sborn-againman.AndjustassomeonehelpedmecometoknowtheLord,

myheartisburstingtohelpyoucometoHimrightnow!

JustturnyourthoughtstowardJesusofNazareth.Bloteverythingelseoutofyourmind.CallupontheLordtosaveyoursoul,tofillyouwithHisSpirit,tohelpyougetreadytoridethewindstoHeavenwhenHecomesback

forHisown!

TheapostlePauldeclared:

IfthoushaltconfesswiththymouththeLordJesus,andshaltbelieveinthineheartthat72

WhatWillHappenNext?

Godhathraisedhimfromthedead,thoushaltbesaved.Forwiththeheartmanbelievethuntorighteousness;andwiththemouthconfessionismadeuntosalvation(Romans10:9,10).

Justsaythissimpleprayeroutloudwith

me,andmeaneverywordyousay:

"HeavenlyFather,IcometoYouintheNameofYouronlySon,JesusChristofNazareth.IpraiseYouforYourmercy,Yourgoodness,Yourforgiveness,andIturnfrommysinsandclingtotheCross!

"Oh,howIloveYou,Jesus,becauseYoufirstlovedme!Ibelieveinmyheartthat

YoudiedformysinsandGodraisedYoufromthedeadtobemypersonalSavior.IopenmyhearttoYouastheLord,theHealer,theDelivererofmylife.

"WithmyheartIbelieveandwithmymouthIconfessYoubeforemen.IamsavedbyYourshedbloodontheCrossatCalvary!

"Lord,IdonotintendtomissYoursecondcoming.IwanttomountuponthewingsofthewindandsoarwithYourchildrentomeetYouin73

TheSecondComingofJesustheair!

"LordJesus,IdeclarebyfaiththatIamnowaChristian,ablood-boughtbeliever,afollowerinYourfootsteps.IamamemberoftheremnantwhoalwaysputsGodfirst.

"IamYourservant,andbyYourgrace,IcommitmyselftoservingYouallthedaysofmylife.

I'mgoingtorideoutofthisworldintheRaptureandspendmyeternityinHeavenwithYou!InthemightyNameofJesusofNazarethIpray.Amenandamen."

DoyouknowwhatIfeelinmysoulright

now?IfeelsoclosetoyouthatifIcould,I'dreachoutmyhandandprayforyouandrebukesatanoffyourlife!

Friend,Iwouldbesodeeplyhonoredifyou

wouldtellmeyourneeds.I'llbombardHeavenwithmyprayersforyou!I'llprayaholeinthesky!Oh,IbelievetheLordhassentmeacrossyourpath!

IfyoufeelIcanbeafurtherblessingtoyou,mymailingaddressis:OralRobertsTulsa,OK

74

WhatWillHappenNext?

74171

Oryoumaywanttosteptoyourphoneand

calltheAbundantLifePrayerGroupinthePrayerTowerontheOralRobertsUniversity

campus,whereprayerneverceases(918-495-7777).

Letusknowwhat'sonyourheartsowecan

reallyfightforyouwithourfaith.I'llsendyoumyprayersfortheLordtohelpyouwhereyou'rehurtingandfillupyourbeingwithHismightypresence!

GODBLESSYOU!

75

Iwantyourneedstobe

met

Friend,I'mexcitedaboutJesus'comingbacktotheearth.TheSecondComingisgoodnewstoallwhobelieveonJesus.Butwhilewearestillonthisearth,"occupying"asJesustoldustodo,Iwanttopartnerwithyoutohelpyougetyourneedsmet.

Iwouldbehonoredifyouwouldwriteme

andletmeknowwhatyourneedsare.ThenI

wanttoprayapowerfulprayerofagreement

withyou,andwriteyoubackwithanencouragingwordfromtheLord.Together

we'llstandinagreementandbelieveGodformiraclesinyourlife.

DocumentOutlineTheSecondComingofJesus

TableofContentsImportantNews!1ThePreciseConditionsJesusPointedtoThatPrecedeHisSecondComing

AstheDaysofNoahWereWhatGodSaw

2ADoubleCorruptionofManUpontheEarth3EnoughIsEnough!

InNoah'sDayTheyHadNeverHeardofRain4ADoubleClimaxThatGivestheSignal

TheDoubleClimaxHowCanTheyHearWithoutaPreacher?God'sWordWillNotFail!

5God'sTimeLimitsonManGodShutNoahintheArkWatchtheFloodDestroytheEvilasItRaisestheArkAbovetheWaters

6WhatWillHappenNext?