Challenging the Doctrine of Immanence
Some teachers say that Jesus could return at any moment, but is that accurate? Is the so-called Doctrine of Immanence biblical? Pastors and church leaders encourage unbelievers to be prepared for Christ's return, which is correct; however, I believe it is not biblically accurate to state that Jesus Christ could come today. The Lord Himself said that He would send His angels to gather those who believe in Him, God's people, only after the Abomination of Desolation occurs and during a time of great tribulation or persecution by the Antichrist (Matthew 24:15-31). The desecration or abomination of the temple will trigger a period of intense distress (Tribulation KJV). As you read the passage below, pay attention to the references regarding the timing of these events, "Immediately after," and "then," in the following relevant scripture:
The Timing of the Gathering: After the Tribulation
29“Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ 30“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other (Matthew 24:29-31 NIV; emphasis added).
Defining "Thlipsis": Why Tribulation Isn't God’s Wrath
The Greek word translated as "distress" in the NIV above is "thlipsis." This Greek term signifies heavy pressure, distress, or affliction. The same word is translated as "Tribulation" in the King James Version of the Bible, and contrary to some teachings, it does not mean the wrath of God. In Matthew 24, which discusses the second coming of Christ, Jesus Himself explicitly states twice that His followers will face persecution (thlipsis):
Then you will be handed over to be persecuted (thlipsis) and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me (Matthew 24:9).
I leave it to each of you reading these words to consider what could lead to the hatred and persecution of believers, but we see the beginnings of this hostility in today's events. Let's look at a second reference:
For then there will be great tribulation (thlipsis), unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again (Matthew 24:21).
Paul the Apostle wrote, “Tribulation [thlipsis] works patience” (Romans 5:3 KJV). The same verse in the NIV translates thlipsis as suffering, stating that it produces perseverance. Paul also uses the word thlipsis elsewhere: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering [thlipsis] produces perseverance” (Romans 5:3 NIV). Brothers and sisters, I know I am treading on some toes here, but it is only in America that we are so naive as to think that we, of all the Church, won't have to endure persecution or tribulation. I share this not to be controversial, but to ensure we are spiritually equipped for the reality of the days ahead. I believe God will allow us in the West to face persecution so that we are changed through our proper responses during character-transforming difficulties. The Lord said that His people should expect times of hardship or tribulation. For example, in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:21), “But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution [thlipsis] comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” True believers build deeper roots in Christ.
Jesus said that we would not know the day or hour of His coming (Matthew 24:36), but those who are born again and spiritually renewed or regenerated by the Spirit of God will recognize the season as it nears—and it is nearing!
Lessons from the Fig Tree: Recognizing the Season
The Lord shared a lesson from the fig tree: when its leaves emerge and its twigs become tender, you will know that summer (the return of Christ) is near. He explained that specific signs would indicate the season: “When you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door” (Matthew 24:33). One might ask, "What signs are we to look for?" The signs are those Jesus mentioned earlier in Matthew 24—the rise of the Antichrist, the Abomination of Desolation(Matthew 24:15), and the persecution of the saints (vs. 9, 21). As we noted in yesterday’s meditation, Paul the Apostle wrote about three events that will happen before the catching up of the saints by the Lord: 1) A great falling away among many church attendees not walking with Christ, 2) the rise of the Antichrist, and 3) the seating of the Antichrist in the yet-to-be-built temple (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).
How to Prepare Your Heart Today
We will identify the season by its signs, but not the exact day or hour it will happen. This period is a time for the Church to prepare spiritually for upcoming challenges. Growing closer to the Lord and learning to hear His voice are vital. If you're not yet walking with Christ, now is the time to call out to Him and receive His gift of salvation.
Application: Putting the Word into Practice
· Practice Small Faithfulness: Perseverance is a muscle. If we cannot handle the small "pressures" of daily life—like being mocked for our faith or choosing integrity over convenience—we won't be ready for greater trials. Treat today’s minor frustrations as training for future endurance.
· Study the Signs, Not the Date: Instead of worrying about a specific calendar date, focus on the "season." Stay informed about biblical prophecy so you aren't caught off guard, but let that knowledge drive you to share the Gospel with urgency rather than hide in fear.
· Connect with a Community: You cannot endure the "great distress" alone. Ensure you are part of a local body of believers where you can be encouraged and held accountable.
Continue Your Journey…
To keep up with our daily meditations on the Second Coming of Christ, consider bookmarking the link below for all our free 3-minute Bible meditations in English:
The full study on this topic is titled “The Rapture and Day of the Lord.” The video teaching is found at the following link: https://youtu.be/55VR6a8P9Bo