The signs heralding the return of Jesus the Messiah

It is essential to distinguish the following events: the rapture of the Church, the persecutions, the coming of the antéchrist — afficher la définition INF265, the battle of Armageddon, the return of Jesus the Messiah, the judgement, the Millennium, as well as the final judgement and the glory reserved for the faithful. A precise understanding of the chronology of events described in the Bible allows a better grasp of this particular period.

Please consult the appendix ANN101: The prophetic unfolding of the end times for a detailed description of the events foretold in the Bible.

Which return are we now talking about?

Is it the triumphant and majestic return evoked in Matthew 25.31, or rather the sudden event flashing like lightning described in Matthew 24.27?

The swift return, concerning the rapture of the Church, is distinct from the second event, which is directly linked to the end of our world as we currently know it. This article will be devoted to a thorough analysis of that particular event.

It is essential to emphasise that our analyses of the biblical texts indicate that this event has not yet taken place.

First, this event fits into a clearly defined chronology, and second, it will have significant repercussions for everyday life worldwide. We are convinced that when this event occurs, all the inhabitants of the planet will be aware of it.

Here is some information about this first return, which concerns the rapture of the Church:

We will not discuss details that fall outside the scope of this study. This information is provided to clarify the distinction between this return and the one at the end of time, sometimes referred to as the ‘parousia’.

Let us simply note that the main reason currently preventing the rapture of the Church is described in this text by Peter:

We understand the complexity of this requirement and recognise that only God can determine the right moment.

We return to the main subject of this study, which concerns the second coming of Jesus the Messiah.

Jesus the Messiah, particularly in chapter 24 of Matthew’s Gospel, will announce the fulfilment of signs heralding his return.

1. Wars and conflicts: There will be wars and rumours of wars. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom (Matthew 24.6-7).

2. Natural disasters: Famines, earthquakes and plagues will occur in various places (Matthew 24.7).

3. Persecution of believers: Jesus’ disciples will be persecuted, brought before courts and hated by all nations because of his name (Matthew 24.9).

4. False prophets and messiahs: Many false prophets will arise and deceive many people. Some will even claim to be the Messiah (Matthew 24.11, Matthew 24.24).

5. Apostasy and betrayal: Many will abandon the faith, betray and hate their neighbours (Matthew 24.10).

6. Increase in lawlessness: Lawlessness will increase, and the love of most will grow cold (Matthew 24.12).

7. Worldwide evangelisation: The Gospel will be preached throughout the world, to all nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24.14).

8. Heavenly signs: Signs in the heavens, such as the sun and moon growing dark and the stars falling from heaven (Matthew 24.29).

Mark also mentions this eschatological discourse.

1. Wars and disasters: As in Matthew, Mark 13.7-8 speaks of wars, earthquakes and famines.

2. Persecutions: Mark 13.9-13 mentions the persecutions and betrayals the disciples will endure.

3. Heavenly signs: Mark 13.24-25 describes the darkening of the sun and moon and the falling of the stars.

Luke will also allude to the main theme of this discourse.

1. Wars and turmoil: Luke 21.9-11 speaks of wars, earthquakes, plagues and signs in the heavens.

2. Persecutions: Luke 21.12-17 mentions the arrest and persecution of believers.

3. Heavenly signs: Luke 21.25-26 speaks of signs in the sun, moon and stars, as well as the anguish of nations.

In his Gospel, the apostle John does not address the eschatological discourse. However, he takes up this theme in his work entitled Revelation, drawing on motifs from the book of Daniel. John indicates that these developments were revealed to him (Revelation 1.1). On the île de Patmos — afficher la définition INF226 towards the end of the first century (in AD95), he wrote these texts following the persecutions ordered by the romain — afficher la définition INF004 emperor Domitian.

Despite our efforts to examine these data, they provide little precision concerning the period we wish to identify. Indeed, world history has seen many similar situations, which have long generated potential expectations of divine intervention.

However, these declarations specifically concern the people of Israel. Even in this context, it is important to note that this people has frequently experienced similar situations, and Jesus the Messiah has not yet returned.

It is therefore necessary to seek further information to answer our question.

It may seem surprising, but we will examine writings of the prophètes juifs — afficher la définition INF063, as presented in the Bible, to obtain information. These texts date back several centuries before our era, long before the coming of the Messiah, also known as Shiloh.

In fact, most of these texts do not directly address Jesus’ return, but rather events concerning the people of Israel. These events must take place before that return. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that until these prophecies are fulfilled, Jesus’ return will not occur.

These observations relate specifically to the Jewish community. In other words, the tragic events that may affect humanity, similar to those described by Matthew, are not directly linked to this return.

To understand the current state of the world, or to use the métaphore — afficher la définition INF181 of a clock and identify what hour we have reached, it is essential to pay particular attention to the people of Israel.

This observation by Zechariah faithfully reflects the current situation in 2024. At present, it is difficult to dispute this assertion or suppose that it is irrelevant.

But what also interests us in this account by Zechariah is the expression: ‘On that day’. What day does he mean when speaking to his fellow citizens?

It should be recalled that the prophet Zechariah lived in the fifth century BC, under the reign of King Darius I of Persia, around 520–518 BC. He ministered after the exiles’ return to Jerusalem and was a contemporary of the prophet Haggai.

The passage in Zechariah 12.3 mentions ‘that day’, often interpreted as the day of the Lord, denoting a future time of judgement and divine deliverance for Israel. This day is regarded as representative of the end times or the transformation of our present world and society.

This reference in Zechariah to that particular day therefore alludes to the return of Jesus the Messiah.

According to Zechariah’s words, Jerusalem will face a period of confrontation, thus becoming a complex issue for all the nations that gather against it.

Here are four observations on the text of Zechariah 12.3:

The probability of a people surviving for 26 centuries is almost zero.

The probability of an ancient city such as Jerusalem becoming known worldwide after 26 centuries is extremely small.

The probability of Jerusalem becoming a stumbling block for all nations after 26 centuries is very low.

The probability of all the nations of the earth uniting against it after 26 centuries is unrealistic.

Taking Zechariah’s four statements together, we might conclude that he initially confused his dreams with reality. Yet, to date, we observe that his first three predictions have indeed come true. There is therefore no reason to think that the last will not be fulfilled.

This text had to be fulfilled before the arrival of Jesus the Messiah. You now understand how we can identify more precisely the period of Jesus the Messiah’s return.

We would like to make an observation about point number 4, which indicates that all the nations of the earth will rise against this people. It is important to understand that representation of these peoples meets the conditions of this prophecy. This does not mean that entire populations will be opposed, but rather that a portion of each country will have exerted sufficient influence to sway the political decision.

However, how could this be achieved?

Nowadays, certain individuals within Islam adopt extremist and antisemitic positions, which already influence the policies of various European countries as well as those of the United States. At present, it appears that the likelihood of Zechariah’s prophecy being fulfilled is increasing significantly and rapidly.

Here are three Old Testament passages that have recently been fulfilled and concern the Jews’ return to their land.

May 14, 1948 is undeniably a landmark date in human history. This significant event cannot be ignored, nor can the biblical texts that foretold it.

We have already addressed this study in several texts previously published on the site.

The chapter entitled The land of Israel today draws on texts prophesying the Jews’ return.

The chapter entitled The end of conflicts, in which we explain what the Bible says about the Israeli–Islamist conflicts we observe today.

The chapter The return of Jesus the Messiah, in which we revisit information from the Gospels about Jesus the Messiah’s return.

The appendix ANN101: The prophetic unfolding of the end times, in which Pastor Alain Michel Trichard reviews all the New Testament texts announcing the end times.

We will not repeat here what we have already written in these four documents. The hyperlinks provide easy access to these publications.

By reading them, you will understand that the history of this world seems to have accelerated in recent years and has seen the fulfilment of many predictions concerning the Jewish people. This glorious return of Jesus the Messiah, who will set his feet on the mont des oliviers — afficher la définition INF305, is becoming more concrete week by week.

By examining the beginning of Zechariah chapter 14, we can see the authority of God, who brings events to pass through his word. This chapter written by Zechariah is notably relevant in the present context and can serve as a reminder of the urgency of the times. It highlights the importance of conversion to Jesus the Messiah as the path to salvation in the face of inevitable global disasters.