The Second Appearance of Jesus with his Kingdom

The Second Appearance of Jesus with his Kingdom
is a Personal Experience!
Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many;
and he will appear the second time,
not to bear sin,
but to bring full salvation to those who are waiting for and expecting Him.
Heb 9:28

When he appears, we will be like him,
for we will see him as he is.
And every man who has this hope in him
purifies himself, even as he [Jesus] is pure.
1 John 3:2-3

And now, little children, abide in him,
so that when he appears, we may have confidence
and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1 John 2:28


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A physical return of Christ with its complete destruction of the world, so widely speculated on, is not true. Rather, Christ appears a second time, the Revelation (revealing) of Christ, in the hearts of individual believers, who have prepared the way for him to be revealed in them; he, who has been hidden within, is revealed. As Paul said: it has pleased the Father to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him. The appearance of Christ, his revelation within you, and entering the Kingdom of Heaven is the completion of salvation. Thousands have already experienced Christ's second appearance as revealed within as documented in scripture and in the writings of George Fox and several other 17th Century Quakers. First lets look at scriptures.

Jesus is recorded six times saying (click here to see) that before death some then with him would see him a second time (coming on the clouds) and that all the end times prophesies would be fulfilled before that generation, 2000 years ago, would pass away.

He returned 2000 years ago, 350 years ago, and any other time that his true believer prepares the way for him in their hearts. He will return many more times. For the Kingdom of God is within and around us - it is a different dimension to be lived in, a spiritual dimension to be entered through personal tribulations while still physically on the earth; and then to dwell there forever. But, unless you enter the Kingdom of Heaven in this life, you will never have any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ or God.

The Apostle Paul helps us understand the Kingdom of God within and among us, writing in the Bible's book of Acts: God .. is not far from every one of us. For in him we live and move, and have our being. (Acts 17:27-28) - but we are not aware of this, because we are in a lower physical dimension. The physical dimension shares the same space as the higher spiritual dimensions; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Eph 4:6. To enter the Kingdom of God within and around us, is to be dramatically translated to the spiritual dimension of consciousness and sight, in union with Christ and God, but walking on earth by the light of God. The world passes away from our sight when the Kingdom is entered. The Apostles experienced the end of the world: they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world have come. 1 Cor 10:11

In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus is recorded saying that some then standing with him, 2000 years ago, would see his glorious coming on the clouds with the Kingdom before they died. He also said the Jewish high priest who insisted on his death, would see him coming on the clouds of heaven. This is not a particular generation to come. Heaven appears to our spiritual eye as in a mist or in clouds - so, his coming is on the clouds of heaven, within the hearts of purified believers — just like he ascended: he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. Acts 1:9. Even Daniel in 538 BC saw Jesus coming on the clouds of heaven: I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. Dan 7:13.

The prophesies were fulfilled 2000 years ago, and have been and will be fulfilled many more times, because his return with his Kingdom is to individual believers who have taken up their cross and crucified their lusts and affection, (Gal 5:24), purifying themselves, (1 John 3:2-3); destroying their sinful natures through the aid of the Spirit of God. Rom 8:13
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, [in us] that he might destroy the works [sin] of the devil. 1 John 3:8
But God forbid that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
through which the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. Gal 6:14
This is done through tribulation to those individuals.
Please read this section entirely, before concluding it can't be true -you will be glad you did!

Bible scriptures, always so conveniently overlooked by the prophets of scriptural speculations, clearly show that the return of Jesus as a physical event that can be seen or noticed is not correct, much less be the cataclysmic world's end in wars.

The kingdom of God does not come with outward signs to be observed.
Nor will they say, 'Look here!' or, 'Look over there!' For behold,
the kingdom of God is within you and around you . Luke 17:20-21

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them,
and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them, and be their God. Rev 21:3

When he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone with this hope purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3
The world will no longer see me; but you will see me. John 14:19. Only those who are like him, pure, will see him appear.
The deficit sects teach that you don't have to be pure, you don't have to be perfect, you don't have to be holy.
If, as they incorrectly teach, he came back to the whole world, none of them would see him, because they are not pure.
But if one has the hope of purity and seeing their savior, they will purify their hearts, by faith and grace, to see God appear within their hearts.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Mat 5:8
He appears to the purified heart of a believer - he is seen. This is his second coming - to the purified heart.
To be purified, you must come to him, listen for him, hear him, and obey him - repetitively, over time.
You are purified by faith in Jesus - faith in his convictions being true, and faith enough to obey his commands.

He will appear the second time, not to bear sin, but to bring full salvation to those who are waiting for and expecting him. Heb 9:28.
Notice he appears to bring salvation. But he doesn't bring salvation to the whole world - only to those waiting for him.
Neither is his appearance to the whole world, only to those who are waiting for him, and who love him by obeying him.
Salvation occurs when He appears within to bring salvation to those who have waited, listened, heard, and obeyed him - those who love him.

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him," John 14:20-23.
So he only appears to those who have heard him speak commands to them, and have obeyed him.
This mystery .. is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col 1:27

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Mat 5:8. Without a pure heart, you will never see God.
He appears to the purified heart of a believer - he is seen. This is his second appearance - this time to the purified in heart.
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Cor 4:6. Christ appears in your heart, which gives you knowledge of the glory of God.
The day star rises in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:19.

When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Col 3:4
When Christ appears in you, bringing his kingdom, you will appear there also - in the kingdom within you - in glory.
How are you going to appear in glory, unless it is inside of your heart, to your mind's eye? Hidden from the world.
Other than the fruit of the Spirit, the world does not see Christ; for such a person's life in hidden in Christ Jesus. Col 3:3

Always bearing about in the [our] flesh the same death [of the inward cross] of the Lord Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
For we who live are constantly progressing to death [crucifying the old man] for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus might be revealed in our mortal flesh. 2 Cor 4:10-11

The kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed or with visible display,
Nor will people say, Look! Here ! or, See, there!
For behold,the kingdom of God is within you and among you. Luke 17:20-21
The kingdom and Christ are within you, waiting to be revealed at the time grace brings salvation.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
teaching us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions,
and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.Tit 2:11-14

To his disciples he said: I will not leave you as orphans..I will come back to you.
Just a little while now and the world will not see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.
At that time, when that day comes, you will know that I am in My Father and you are in me, and I am in you.
I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:18-20
This is the return of Christ. The world does not see it. He returns with the Father. They become one with us - union.
It is a personal experience. This is not the resurrection. He is talking about becoming one with the disciples.
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you will keep and protect them from evil. John 17:15
So, Jesus wants to keep us in the world, but to protect us from evil, while in the world- to be sanctified.
Father, I desire that they also whom you have entrusted to me may be with me where I am,
so they may see my glory, which you have given me - your love gift to me - for you loved me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24
We are physically still in the world, but our consciousness and sight translate to the Kingdom of heaven, a higher dimension.
God is in this same higher dimension; in him we live and move and have our being; who is over all, in all, and through all.
And there we have fellowship with the Father and the Son.
So with obedience to the cross, we can enter paradise while alive on earth, to be there forever, even after the second death.

He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. John 12:25-26
To hate your life, to lose your life, to follow Christ - is to crucify the sinful nature, to become pure, to enter the Kingdom.

Neither for these alone do I pray - it is not for their sake only that I make this request -
but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust, cling to, rely on) me through their word and teaching; John 17:20.
All these verses in this prayer by Jesus to the Father can apply to us too, because we are reading the disciples' words and teachings. But we have to pick up our cross daily and follow him as his disciple to become purified.

The second appearance of Jesus, union with Jesus, being translated into the Kingdom of God, and salvation - all occur simultaneously.
But only to those who have purified their hearts by faith and grace on the inward cross of self-denial to prepare the way of the Lord.

Now little children abide in him, that when he shall appear you may have confidence in him. 1 John 2:28

Both John the Baptist and Jesus were telling people that the Kingdom of God was very near, 2000 years ago:
John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. Mat 3:1-2
From that time Jesus began to preach, crying out, Repent for the kingdom of heaven is a near. Mat 4:17
Jesus was not lying when he said, The time has come, the Kingdom of Heaven is near! Mat 3:2, 4:17,10:7 Mark 1:15.
There are one hundred and forty references to the Kingdom of Heaven in the New Testament alone (click to see),
and it was the dominant subject of Jesus' parables. He said it was near then and available then.

2000 years ago, Jesus said this:

But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces;
for you neither enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are about to go in to do so. Mat 23:13

Notice 2000 years ago he is seriously criticizing the Pharisees, who would not enter the Kingdom then,
nor would they allow those who were about to enter the Kingdom of Heaven then to enter.
So the Kingdom of Heaven was available then, 2000 years ago;
but like today's ministers, the Pharisees were blocking the way, clueless as to how to enter.
He is clearly not talking about physical death; he is criticizing live people for not entering while alive and blocking others from entering.

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes will enter the kingdom of God ahead of you.
For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him,
but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. Mat 21:31-2

and Jesus said, From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. Mat 11:12

The two above quotations of Jesus show that the Kingdom of Heaven was being entered then, 2000 years ago.
So there is no waiting around for a physical Kingdom necessary. The tax collectors, prostitutes, (i.e. Matthew and Mary Magdalene),
and forceful men were in the process of entering the Kingdom then, repenting, by taking to heart the message of John the Baptist:
Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mat 3:2 . They entered at Pentecost, after Jesus' resurrection and ascension.

The Jews had been waiting for many years for the Kingdom to arrive; they thought it was going to be a physical Kingdom,
reestablishing the physical glory of Israel's Kingdoms of David and Solomon.
But Jesus is telling them they should be entering the Kingdom then because tax collectors, prostitutes, and forceful men
were already preparing to enter then by repenting; so it is not a physical Kingdom that we can see.
It is a spiritual dimension that is not visible nor does it come with visible or with outward signs - but it is priceless.
Confused, the Pharisees asked when this Kingdom, which they were expecting, was to come; Jesus said:

The kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed or with visible display,
Nor will people say, Look! Here! or, See there! (because it will not be visible to the world)
For behold, the kingdom of God is within you and among you. Luke 17:20-21

So it won't be noticeable to anyone around a purified believer when Christ returns to establish his Kingdom in that believer's heart,
for their life in Christ is hidden. Two thousand years ago everyone was sitting around waiting for the Messiah to establish a physical kingdom;
two thousand years later, everyone is still sitting around waiting on Jesus to return and establish a physical kingdom.

One hundred generations of Christendom have sat, waiting on a physical return,
thereby missing the possibility of preparing for his personal appearance in them.
This is a major deception with disastrous consequences to those deceived.
Prize your time; use it wisely, for it is finite. But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Mat 6:33

The Kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom, not of this world, within us and around us. Jesus said, My Kingdom is not of this world.
Today, Jesus would describe his Kingdom as a different dimension that we enter, yet physically we are still here on earth;
because it is within us and around us. And the Kingdom is the evidence and prize of salvation's completion.
Jesus even said the reason he came to earth was to preach the good news of the Kingdom (which was near then):
"I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." Luke 4:43.
He also told us to make the attainment of the Kingdom of Heaven our first priority in life:
But seek first his kingdom, which does not come with signs to be observed or with visible display,
which is within you and among you.

When we die to self, through repentance to purity, Jesus and the Father returns to us with his glorious Kingdom. So by the grace of God, we should personally be denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ, who will redeem us from all iniquity and purify us, making us a peculiar people zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-13. Denying ungodliness and wordily lusts is repentance. This site shows you how to access the grace of God which leads to repentance, which leads to the completion of salvation and the Kingdom; to have fellowship with Jesus and the Father; to live in their presence, to be led by the Spirit of God; and to live in paradise - while on earth .

Here are two excerpt from George Fox's Journal: (Click to see who Fox was.)

"While I was in prison here, the Baptists and fifth-monarchy-men prophesied, that this year Christ would come, and reign upon earth a thousand years. And they looked upon this reign to be outward: when he had come inwardly in the hearts of his people, to reign and rule; these "believers" would not receive him in their hearts. So they failed in their prophecy and expectation, and did not have the possession of him. But Christ has come, and does dwell and reign in the hearts of his people. Thousands, at the door of whose hearts he has been knocking, have opened to him; and he has come in, and does sup with them, and they with him; the heavenly supper with the heavenly and spiritual man. So many of these Baptists and monarchy-people became the greatest enemies to the followers of Christ, but he reigns in the hearts of his saints over all their envy."(this was written in 1656)

True religion is the true rule and right way of serving God. And religion is a pure stream of righteousness flowing from the image of God, and is the life and power of God planted in the heart and mind by the law of life. This brings the soul, mind, spirit, and body to be conformable to God, the Father of spirits, and to Christ; so that they come to have fellowship with the Father and the Son, and with all his holy angels and saints.

And from the writings of another early Quaker, William Dewsbury:

“Thus through the righteous law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus," he says, "I was and am made free from the body of sin and death; and through these great tribulations, my garments are washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb, who has led me into the new Jerusalem, where no one enters that works abomination or speaks a lie, but those whose name is written in the Lamb's book of life. Here my soul now feeds upon the tree of life, which I had so long hungered and thirsted after, that stands in the paradise of God. Here there is no more curse nor night; but the Lord God and the Lamb are my light and life forever and ever! And I witness that I am regenerated and born again of the immortal seed, and having partaken of the first resurrection, over such the second death has no power." (written in 1655)

Dewsbury clearly speaks above of: 1) having gone through great tribulations, 2) Christ being resurrected in him, 3) being translated into the Kingdom of God, 4) being in New Jerusalem, and 5) feeding from the tree of life that stands in the paradise of God. Thus all the promises of the scriptures he witnessed as having been fulfilled.

Regarding his coming to establish his Kingdom, Jesus said as Matthew reports:

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Matt 16:27

Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. Matt. 16:28

and Mark reports the same thing Jesus said regarding his coming to establish his Kingdom:

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Mark 8:38

And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. Mark 9:1
(Mark 9:1 is the next verse after Mark 8:38)

and Luke reports the same thing Jesus said regarding his coming to establish his Kingdom:

For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. Luke 9:26

But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. Luke 9:27

and in the Old Testament even Daniel reports the same:

I saw in the night visions, and behold, on the clouds of the heavens came One like a Son of man, and He came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. Dan 7:13

(Heaven appears to us in our soul's eye as a place of great glory existing in a cloud or a mist).

2000 years ago Christ said some would not die until they saw Him come in His kingdom.

We know there are not people 2000 years old walking around; so for some, Christ has already come with His kingdom.
His resurrection is not the return, because after he was resurrected, his disciples asked, was the Kingdom to be established then?
and he said, "it is not for you to know the time or dates," and then rose to heaven, leaving them. Acts 1:6-9.
Neither does the record of how he appeared to the disciples when resurrected match with the prophecies:

they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. Mat 16:28
till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. Mark 9:1
he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. Luke 9:26
Nor does his resurrection match Matthew, Mark, and Luke's prophecies to be fulfilled before that generation passed away.

But we know his coming has already occurred for some that were standing there with him 2000 years ago.
One of those standing with him who saw his glorious return with his Kingdom was his disciple John, who later wrote in the Book of Revelation:
Just like Jesus told all his disciples: I will not leave you as orphans..I will come back to you.
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. Rev 1:9
The some are those who repented to prepare for the Kingdom.
Unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Heb 9:28
(He, who has been hidden, is revealed; the revelation of Christ, within the purified believer.)

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Pet 1:5
So, salvation occurs when Christ is revealed or appears within a man.
Christ's return, union, the Kingdom, and the completion of salvation are simultaneous.
Some of those standing with Him then, saw Christ's return before they died; they had repented and prepared for Him.

All of those who do not repent, and prepare their hearts for his return, see him return at their death.
Behold, he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: [the Jews and Romans]
and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Rev 1:7
2000 years ago, to the Jewish High Priest and the Pharisees at his trial, Jesus said..
you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven. Mark 14:62
Those not purified, to see Jesus' return before death, see him as they die, as all peoples, all nations, all generations do.
This is not a particular generation. Each generation has thought they were the special one to see a physical return.

This will not be a pleasant experience, particularly for those who thought that He would know them.
At judgment, Jesus said he would reject many who called him Lord and had even performed miracles in his name
by telling them plainly: 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers [they still sin]! Mat 7:21-23
Until we hear his voice, obey his voice, abide in his Him, and are purified by him; we still sin and he doesn't know us.
The foolish virgins without oil in their lamps, said: Lord, Lord, open to us. (without abiding in Him, his Light and Living Word, voice)
Replying, Jesus said: Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Without abiding in Him, he doesn't know us.
Jesus knows listeners: My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27
If you abide in My word, [Voice of the Lord], you are truly My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32
I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. John 8:34
You cannot continue to be a slave to sin and serve God, or even expect his approval. Rom 8:8

See My Sheep Know My Voice for more. Also True Grace vs. False Grace, and The Missing Cross.
or See How to Benefit from the Changing Power of God through repentance, which leads to Christ's return with his Kingdom.

Jesus is recorded six times saying (click here to see) that before death some then with him would see his coming and that all the end times prophesies would be fulfilled before that generation, 2000 years ago, would pass away.

We have the Apostles testimony, who said they were already in the Kingdom, with Jesus's having appeared in them with his Kingdom, then:

Paul said: Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. Col 1:13
Paul again: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. Gal 2:20.
Paul said: he received the gospel through the Revelation of Jesus Christ, and God was pleased to reveal his son in me. Gal 1:12,15-16
So Paul (and others) had been delivered from sin, had been translated into the Kingdom of Christ;
and Paul further had the Revelation of Jesus Christ within himself, and was living in union with Christ.
All the great promises, experienced by Paul while alive, and witnessed for our benefit.

John said: I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. Rev 1:9
(John had been in tribulation, and was in the Kingdom. See all the scriptures showing tribulation happens to anyone determined to lead a godly life in Christ Jesus.)

Fox and his Quakers testified that his coming has occurred in thousands of them 350 years ago.

And Jesus said prostitutes, tax collectors, and forceful men were entering the Kingdom then, 2000 years ago.

So we have Jesus' statements, Paul and John's testimony of being in the kingdom, and the Quaker's testimony.

So it has occurred already for some and will occur for another, and will occur for another,... and will occur for another.
Below are some excerpts from George Fox's Journal and letters describing his personal experience of the end of the world, and his entering the Kingdom: (Click to see who Fox was.)

Now I came up in spirit, through the flaming sword, into the paradise of God. All things were new, 2 Cor 5:17, and all the creation gave another smell unto me than before, beyond what words can utter. I knew nothing but pureness, innocence, and righteousness, being renewed up into the image of God by Christ Jesus; so that I came up to the state of Adam, which he was in before he fell. The creation was open to me; and it was showed me how all things had their names given them, according to their nature and virtue. ... But I was immediately taken up in spirit, to see into another or more steadfast state than Adam's in innocence, even into a state in Christ Jesus, that should never fall. And the Lord showed me, that such as were faithful to him, in the power and light of Christ, should come up into that state in which Adam was before he fell; in which the admirable works of the creation, and the virtues of that may be known, through the openings of that divine word of wisdom and power by which they were made.

So [God] drove out the man [Adam and Eve out of paradise, the Garden of Eden]; and He placed at the east of the Garden of Eden the cherubim
and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep and guard the way to the tree of life. Gen 3:24

I saw that none could read John's [Revelation] words correctly, and with a true understanding of them, but in and with the same divine spirit by which John spoke them; and by his burning, shining light which is sent from God. For by that spirit their crooked natures might be made straight, their rough natures smooth, and the man of greed and man of violence in them might be cast out; and those that had been hypocrites might come to bring forth fruits suitable for repentance, and their mountain of sin and earthliness might be leveled, and their valley filled in them, that there might be a smooth, level way prepared for the Lord in them; and then the least in the kingdom is greater than John. But all must first know the voice crying in the wilderness in their hearts, which through transgression has become as a wilderness.

I saw also the mountains burning up, and the rubbish, and the rough, and crooked ways and places made smooth and plain, that the Lord might come into his tabernacle. These things are to be found in man's heart; but to speak of these things being within, seemed strange to the rough, crooked, and mountainous ones. Yet the Lord said, ‘Oh earth, hear the word of the Lord!'

Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low;
and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth. Luke 3:5

Do not yield to the lust of the eye or lust of the flesh; for the pride of life stands in the lust which keeps out the love of the Father; and upon pride his judgments and wrath remain, where the love of the world is sought after, and a crown that is mortal is sought. In this ground the evil enters, which is cursed; which brings forth briers and thorns, where death reigns, and tribulation and anguish are upon every soul, and the Egyptian tongue is heard; all which by the light is condemned. There is the world, which must be removed. By the light the world is seen, and by the power the world is removed, and out of its place the world is shaken; to which the thunders utter their voices, before the mysteries of God are opened, and Jesus revealed. Therefore all of you, whose minds are turned to this light, wait upon the Lord Jesus for the crown that is immortal, and that fades not away.

From Letter 25
And you that love your soul, love the light, to wait for Christ, the Savior of your soul;
and you that hear the word, wait in the light, which comes from the word, which leads up to the word which was in the beginning,
which breaks the world to pieces that lies in wickedness,
and burns it as with a fire; and divides asunder the precious from the vile.

From Letter 33
And if any be moved (who are turned to the light) with the power which comes from him,
to any service for the Lord, to it be obedient; and you will see Christ with you to the end of the world.

From Letter 51
The cross is to the carnal part, which is the ground of images, the ground of the seducers, and the ground of the false prophet and antichrist; the cross is to that ground, to the root and life of it. This being minded, which is pure and eternal, it makes a separation from all other lovers, and brings to God, and the ground of evil thoughts comes to be opened, and the cross is to that ground;
which cross overturns the world in the heart. Which cross must be taken up by all who follow Jesus Christ out of the world which has an end, into the world which is without end; and all the evil things of the world must be denied. For 'who loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him'; but where the world is standing, the cross is not lived in. But dwelling in the cross to the world, here the love of God is shed abroad in the heart, and the way is opened into the inheritance which fades not away; where nothing shall enter which is defiled.

Francis Howgill has a series of excellent writings on this site, explaining how the Day of the Lord occurs to individuals who have prepared their hearts through submission to the Spirit of God.

Many More Scriptures

Now, let's look at the many Bible's statements regarding the timing of Jesus's return. When you look at the below verses, there are only three explanations possible:

1.Jesus, Peter, Paul, John, and James were great exaggerators (obviously this is not true),


2.the translators of the Bible got it all wrong (not possible, too many translations, too many places to be all wrong together),


3.the timing of Jesus's return really was soon for them, the early Church; it was soon then, and soon now - of necessity, a personal experience, which occurs in a believer whenever he or she has been purified by mortifying the deeds of the body through the aid of the Holy Spirit.

Consider the following scriptural quotes:

■The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. (2000 years ago). Rev 1:1-3


■Thy Kingdom come: Jesus tells us when we pray, to pray the Lord's prayer, which includes "thy Kingdom come." This prayer was the only prayer he taught us. If the Kingdom was only to occur thousands of years after people who were instructed to pray for it to occur, Jesus would either be not too bright, or guilty of a cruel hoax, which of course he is neither. Think about it.


■Go read Matthew 24:3-34 of the end times prophecies. The prophecies were in response to being asked in verse 3 as to when the end of the world would come? Then in verse 34 he says all the end times prophecies would be fulfilled before that generation passed away; proving it is a personal experience.


■And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever. 1 John 2:17. So the world with its lusts and passions disappear together, crucified by the aid of the Spirit. After we are purified, Christ returns to establish his Kingdom within us, and the world as we know it disappears. We enter a different dimension - paradise or the Kingdom of Heaven.


■Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 1 John 2:18


■Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world have [past tense] come. 1 Cor10:11

■But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise,
and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God,
because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 2 Pet 3:10-12
(Peter here is saying: it is coming soon; be obedient; be holy in conduct; be godly to get ready. This is not 2000 years later.
As the eyes of Adam and Eve opened to this dimension, dropping them out of paradise, this is the eyes being closed as one is being restored. As a purified Christian goes back into paradise, this dimension disappears in a roar as though the heavens and elements melt in burning; it is like a tent stretched over them dissolves. Think about it. How else could being transformed into another dimension be described 2000 years ago?
Now notice, not only the earth burns up, but the works. This is man's judgment, and a purified Christian eagerly goes into this burning light, the consuming fire, because his works were prompted by the Holy Spirit, and will be preserved. But on the normal death of an unpurified man, he hates the light and all his works are burned up. And this coming, this judgment, this end of the earth, this melting of the heavens - was coming - so 2000 years ago they were told by Peter to look for and hasten that day.)


■old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Cor 5:17


■For this world in its present form is passing away. 1 Cor 7:31


■But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Gal 6:14


■Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Mat 28:20. This statement makes no sense, unless you realize the end of the world is a personal experience - as it was for the disciples - they are not still alive on the earth - yet they saw the end of the world.


■And now, little children, abide (live, remain permanently) in Him, so that when He is made visible, we may have and enjoy perfect confidence (boldness, assurance) and not be ashamed and shrink from Him at His coming. 1 John 2:28
This is John speaking 2000 years ago telling a people then that his coming was imminent.

■Peter was explaining the flames from heaven that came down upon them as, "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, said God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:'" Acts 2:16-17
This was Pentecost. The beginning of the last days, or the end of the ages. So, the end times began with Pentecost, 2000 years ago.


■Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Cor. 10:11. The end of the ages had already begun 2000 years ago, and continues today.


■But the end and culmination of all things has now come near; keep sound minded and self-restrained and alert therefore for prayer. 1 Pet 4:7


■Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Mat 6:33. If the Kingdom has not always been available, why would Jesus tell us to make our first priority to seek the Kingdom, assuring us that if we did, God would provide our physical needs? We are supposed to ignore the pursuit of food and clothing so that we can dedicate ourselves to seeking the Kingdom of God; every generation for the last 2000 years has had the same instruction. Again, this command makes no sense if the Kingdom of God is only coming to a generation thousands of years after he gives the command to people. Jesus is neither guilty of cruelty, or stupid, for telling every generation to make this their first priority - because every generation has had and will have the opportunity to enter the Kingdom of God is within you and among you, and he said some would see it before they died.


■Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book. Rev 22:7. Jesus speaking.


■And he told me, Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book and make no secret of them, for the time when things are brought to a crisis and the period of their fulfillment is near. Rev 22:10. Angel speaking.


■Behold, I am coming soon, and I shall bring My wages and rewards with Me, to repay and render to each one just what his own actions and his own work merit. Rev. 22:12. Jesus speaking.


■The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place." Rev. 22:6


■Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Phil 4:5. Paul speaking.


■Christ said, "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." Rev1:3. (The time was near 2000 years ago.)


■Christ said "Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown." Rev 3:11


■Christ said "Behold, I come quickly: blessed [is] he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book." Rev. 22:7


■Christ said "He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" Rev 22:20


■Paul said "But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none," 1 Cor 7:29


■James said "Be patient and stand firm, because the Lords's coming is near."Jam 5:8
■The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. Col 1:13. (Paul was and others were in the Kingdom then, a done deal, has, as in past tense.)


■John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Rev 1:9 (John was in the Kingdom)


■Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 1 Peter 1:13. Here is the revelation of Jesus Christ in Peter's time; think about it, the revealing of Jesus Christ. Now think about the book of Revelation. This Revelation occurs in us!


■For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom 8:18


■who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 1:5-7
Salvation and the revealing of Jesus Christ within occur at the same time.


■since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 2 Thes 1:6-7


■The mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations [from angels and men], but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints) To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of glory. Col 1:26-28


■Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Mat 5:8. Without a pure heart, you will never see God.
He appears to the purified heart of a believer - he is seen. This is his second appearance - this time to the purified in heart.
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Cor 4:6. Christ is revealed in your heart; you see the glory of God.


■John said, "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time." 1 John 2:18


■Jude said, "But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts." Jude 1:17-18
(he was speaking of those already there in that time)


■And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 1 John 4:3. ( "is come" means that Jesus Christ has come in their flesh, as in "confess that Jesus Christ has returned to them and is Lord and King in his Kingdom within them - can you imagine how much trouble the interpreter had with this phrase? But, whatever, many antichrists were already in the world 2000 years ago.)


■And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides for ever. 1 John 2:17


■Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Mat 24:34, Mark 13:30, Luke 21:32
Go read these yourselves. Jesus is talking about his return. Below is Matthew 24:14-34


14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso reads, let him understand:)

16 Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains:

17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

25 Behold, I have told you before.

26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

28 For wherever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and
they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near:

33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

Yes, Jesus said that generation would not die before all the prophecies had been fulfilled.
His return is to individuals who prepared for the Kingdom by repentance. Everything foretold is an individual experience.

Click on Mark 13:30 and Luke 21:32 to see how they confirm the same.

The Apostles testified to having entered the Kingdom (Paul and John). Click on their names to see verses.

The Apostles told their followers the Kingdom and Christ's return would be soon for them, as above in detailed quantity.

And the Quakers testified that Christ's had returned in glory in thousands of them.

And we know his return has occurred for some that were standing there with him 2000 years ago.
The some are those who repented to prepare for the Kingdom.

Christ's return, entering the Kingdom, and the completion of salvation are simultaneous, when he is revealed within you. Even so it is that Christ, having been offered to take upon Himself and bear as a burden the sins of many once and once for all, will appear a second time, not to carry any burden of sin nor to deal with sin, but to bring to full salvation those who are [eagerly, constantly, and patiently] waiting for and expecting Him. Heb 9:28. Do you really think this is a particular generation? If so, how could God be so unfair to all the other generations? Since every eye is supposed to witness the second appearance of Christ, then if Christ returns to the earth in a physical body, how could every man see this physical occurrence? The common saying in Christendom today is: keep looking up. But to see the return of Christ, you must keep looking within, watching, watching, watching. For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God has shown it to them. Rom 1:19. The mystery of which was hidden for ages and generations, but is now revealed to His holy people (the saints), to whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of glory. Col 1:26-27

Jesus is recorded six times saying (click here to see) that before death some then with him would see his return or that all the end times prophesies would be fulfilled before that generation, 2000 years ago, would pass away.

I marvel at how those, who have spent their life as 'Bible Scholars,' could possibly miss this.

But don't expect your preachers to admit their error, for to do so would put themselves out of a money paying job;
they would be admitting they never had a clue as to what Jesus and his message was all about - blind guides.
They would have to admit they had promised you a false salvation, without even understanding salvation!
Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit. Mat 15:14

The blind guides smart enough to recognize these scriptures say: "Oh, yes Christ came back once already to those disciples; but that one doesn't count for the one he really meant; they call themselves "Preterists." Some even say, congratulations! you are in the Kingdom and just don't know it; or maybe it is your lack of faith that you can't see it. Ridiculous explanations for their ignorance and lack of faith in the power of God to bring the Kingdom to individuals of all generations who through repentance and the cross enter the Kingdom.

Christ's Return, the Kingdom, and the completion of salvation are an individual experience.

From Francis Howgill's Works:

The appearance of God, who is eternal life, in his day, in his immeasurable Light, is a great joy, and source of rejoicing to the righteous. For he is to his people an everlasting light, and in his light they come to see light.

He reveals the secret mysteries of his kingdom in those who see his day appear in their hearts, which makes all things manifest, even the secrets of the Lord, and his hidden treasure, and his durable riches, which never canker or rust, but are fresh, and keep their pure image and impression. By this Light all the righteous, who have waited on God’s appearance, come to see Him. As it is written, “Lo! This is our God, we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” Does he indeed come that you have waited for? Yes, come, “and his reward is with Him;” and they that see Him find contentment in Him, and in his reward. And what is his reward? Joy, gladness, peace of conscience, assurance of God’s love sealed in the heart by the pure Spirit of the Lord, the streams of Life flowing forth continually from the great deep, which refresh and keep cool in the greatest extremity and heat of temptation; and this is enjoyed by those that have waited and do wait for it; even in the body they bear witness of Him and his coming. What was the witness of his disciples? "The Son of God has come and has given us an understanding." Of what? Of God, of his day, of his appearance, of his power, of his wisdom, of his kingdom, of hope, of faith, of assurance, of peace, of joy, of comfort and consolation. What? In this life? Yes, a cloud of witnesses I might bring in former ages, and also in this age, blessed be the Lord; but my witness that gives me assurance, is nearer me than all their witnesses, although they are all true. Abraham, the father of the faithful, and of the righteous, who believed in God and was accepted, saw Christ’s day and was glad; that is, by faith; yes, he and all that ever saw Christ’s day, or the Father, saw Him by faith; by faith they saw Him who is invisible: "Behold! God is my salvation." Isaiah 12:2. What! Do you enjoy it already? Yes, He has become my salvation; and Simeon, who waited for the consolation of Israel, said: "Now let your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation." Luke 2:30. And this he said, who knew comfort and consolation: "As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation abounds by Christ." They were made partakers of his Divine nature, and sat together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: and they that are in Him, and enjoy Him, who is the power of God, and the wisdom of God, know rest; and peace, and salvation, both from guilt and acts of sin. And the apostle, writing to the Hebrews, said that "When the Son of God had purged away our sins," (speaking of the atonement,) "He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" he looked beyond sin, even to Him who had purged away sin; and this being purged from sin comes to be made manifest unto and in those that believe, by the Spirit of Jesus, who is Christ the Lamb, the arm that brings salvation, who is the author of eternal salvation onto all those that believe. He begins it and perfects it in his day, for He works in the day, as He himself said: "My Father works here in this, and I work." He destroys the work of the devil: this is his work in man, which they that have come to his day feel and see, even the handy-work of God in themselves; and his own works praise Him, for they only can. And they that have not come to the day, know not God’s work in themselves; and they who have not yet heeded that, in themselves which manifests all things reprovable, and which reproves, have not yet come to know the appearance of the glimmering of light or of the day in themselves, which the saints witness in themselves, even all of those that are sanctified.

They that gaze abroad [looking for a visible, outward appearance] cannot see the Lord’s appearance, or his day. He that does not know not where it consists, does not know how to look for it, any more than did the Jews, who were scripture experts and learned men, knew where the Kingdom of God consisted. And the literal believers, whose faith is founded on the letter [Bible/Scriptures], and on what is visible, know no more where the Kingdom of God is to be found. This day of the Lord, which is eternal brightness, appears in the heart; and the dawning and breaking forth of it is to be waited for there; and as it is witnessed, it manifests evil, and brings it to light, and declares against what is contrary to its own nature. Christ, the Covenant of light, the Gift of God, who is sent and anointed of God, to preach and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God, proclaims it in the heart; for He comes not to bring peace, but a sword, and his sword is the sword of the Spirit. It is what divides, and discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart, and discovers its desperate wickedness. In earthly hearts where He finds no faith, He kindles a fire and executes his vengeance; and his day to those without faith is a day of great perplexity. Their spirits come to be wounded; their hearts become faint, and sorrow fills them, and trouble is known; and in this state He finds all who are unconverted; without faith; without hope; and therefore He takes away peace. Many have talked of the day of the Lord; but when it appears, they will not be able to stand it; but will rather run to anything, [the refuge of continued darkness] than see the Lord of life appear to execute vengeance upon his enemies.

They who have not yet seen this day of the Lords vengeance in themselves, have never seen the day of salvation. The prophet cried out: "Who may abide the day of His coming, and who shall stand when He appears?" And many have been eye-witnesses of the dreadful day-of the Lord, which has appeared in them, wherein all peace has been hidden from their eyes: and all that ever came to see that day of joy and gladness, first knew the terror and the terrible day of the Lord in themselves. Therefore said the apostle: "We, knowing the terror of the Lord, persuade men." Now this day of the Lord comes not with observation, "Lo here, or there;" thus the Pharisees looked that the kingdom of heaven should come, when Christ told them it "as within them." I say, if ever any do behold the bright shining forth of Eternal Life, they must wait in what is of God, through which He will manifest his day and power in them; and as they keep their attention to what manifests evil unto them, and shows them good, they will see how it appears; even as the lightning shines from the east unto the west, so is the coming of the day of the Lord; and the eye which is spiritual sees it. The power and the glory of the Lord, are seen in the day which is pure and spiritual in the heart; and the eye which is pure discovers when it comes, where it comes, and how it comes; while it is hidden from the vultures eye, and is hidden from the eyes which cannot cease from sin.

Now the day of the Lord comes not where the carnal mind might imagine, nor when man wills; neither according to the carnal desire of the carnal heart; neither according to the evil eye that looks out, can it be seen.

And as the day of the Lord is a mystery, the Spirit of the Lord is the only discoverer of it; for none can know the things of God, but by the Spirit of God. The day of the Lord; even his bright shining forth in the heart of man, is one of the glorious things of God, which only the Spirit of God gives the knowledge of to man, and in man. The further men draw from the Light, the darker their hearts become; and their understandings being closed up, they cannot behold the Lord, neither his glory, which is revealed only by God's Holy Spirit; which Spirit is near man, though he sees it not.

Throughout the New Testament are references to the world passing away THEN, (at that time, not today or some time in the future). Again, these Apostles are not crazy saying that the world was passing away 2000 years ago! No, the end of the world is a personal experience that can occur whenever an individual believer has been purified in the "end times" that we have been in since Pentecost.

Again: " The Kingdom of God does not come with outward signs or with visible display.
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within and among you. "Luke 17:20-21
"It is within you and around you." Today, we would describe that as another dimension. When we step into the Kingdom of Heaven, the world as we see it is gone; we see from another dimension, even though our bodies are still here on earth. The Kingdom of Heaven is within us and around us; it is another dimension of reality. Everything we now see will be gone from our sight. (Physicists tells us there are several other dimensions than the three plus time we see.)

Considering how Paul below describes God to the Athenians in Acts, this is confirmed and makes sense:

God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
For in him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:27-28

We live in God, move in God, and have our being in God; but we are not aware of it, because we are in a lower dimension.
When we enter the Kingdom of God, we are still here, but our consciousness enters the higher dimension - heaven.

No outward signs or visible display. Everything is inward.
You are translated into another dimension. All things are new. All old had passed away.
The world has passed away. The Book of Revelation is full of symbols; it is not literal.
So what about earthquakes - "tremble at the word of the lord?" - Inward
Many false prophets will arise - they're all around us, claiming to be his ministers, but they charge money and have no fruit
The world ends - you step into another dimension, but you are still here John 17:15 John 17:24
Many will say they are Christ - while silent, you will hear many voices of deceit, claiming they are Jesus
Great suffering, tribulation- yes, again a personal experience, (see below) 1 Peter 1:5-7
The abomination of desolation will appear - before Christ is revealed, he has to show you the Spirit of Satan in your heart. 2 Thes 2:3
Nation against nation? A warrings within: 1) the spirit of Christ vs. 2) the spirit of Satan - Inward.
Kingdom against Kingdom - Kingdom of God warring against the Kingdom of Hell
Light will be brighter than the sun - you will no longer walk by sunlight or moonlight, only the Light of God. Isa 60:19 Rev 22:5
Two men will be in a field. One taken, the other left. A personal experience, not visible and without outward signs - Inward.

From George Fox's Letter 300.

And all you that have received the power of Christ in your hearts,
have you not seen what wars, and what rumors, and nation against nation,
as it was in the two births in the womb, that came forth,
two nations, two births, nation against nation;
and much may be seen, what wars outwardly there have been, and bringing down,
before the appearance and receiving the Lord;
and so here he being received, here is people against people, and nation against nation,
and earthquakes, and shakings within and without.
They that receive the Lord's power must feel this, and know this,
and see the fulfilling of it, and not look out, for his kingdom without,
like a company of Pharisees, lo here, lo there,
but as Christ, the power of God, is known within,
(as Christ said the kingdom of heaven is within),
and as they come to feel it there, they shall know the shakings and earthquakes,
and wars, and rumors, and that part that pertains to nations,
that must be shaken before they come to be of the holy nation,
which is against the other;
and this is to be known, and seen, felt, and fulfilled
with the power of Christ Jesus, and by his spirit;
as they that live in it may take a prospect of these wonderful things
and workings of the Lord God and his power in this age.

George Fox

AntiChrist, Whore, Beast

Little children, it is the last hour;
and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming,
even now many antichrists have come,
by which we know that it is the last hour. 1 John 2:18

Antichrists were already in the world at the time of the Apostles, so why are we looking? Let's look at the test of an antiChrist.

Every spirit that does not confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God;
this is the spirit of antichrist, which you have heard would come; and even now it is already in the world. 1 John 4:3

No half-intelligent false prophet would say that Jesus Christ never walked the earth as a fleshly man; no one would need to be cautioned about such an obvious fraud. That is not the meaning of this test. What this verse means is this: Anyone who does not own up to (the anointing) Jesus Christ is [has] come in their flesh, to be their controlling Lord of words and deeds, is antiChrist. Anyone who does not confess the anointing, Spirit of Christ, controlling them is controlled by a different spirit than Christ. The anointing anointing that is truth, teaches you all things, so that the believer knows all things.

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 1 John 2:20
But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will[a] abide in Him. 1 John 2:27

But this anointing is only given to those believers who obey him: so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him. Acts 5:32. So, if you don't yet know all things, it is because you have not been given the Holy Spirit in sufficient measure.

The key word to understand is confess. John's word confess means to own up to, or to admit that Jesus Christ is [has] come in the [their] flesh. As proof of this assertion, look at 4:15:

"Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God." 1 John 4:15

It is obvious that anyone who simply says that Jesus in the Son of God does not have God dwelling in him, and he does not dwell in God; but, anyone who owns Jesus the Son of God, does have God dwelling in him, and he dwells in God. Even the demons say that Jesus is the Son of God. Confess Jesus the son of God means to confess the anointing referred to above. The anointing is to have God dwelling in him, and he dwell in God, is the end result of the Christian journey. Look at what Jesus said about a person dwelling in him and God in them in John 14:19-25:

Before long the world will no longer see me; but you will see me; and because I live, you will also live.
In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
He who has my commandments, and keeps them, it is he who loves me; and he who loves me, shall be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will show myself to him.
Judas said to him, not Iscariot, 'Lord, how is it that you will show yourself to us, and not to the world?'
Jesus answered and said to him, 'If a man loves me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him [in his heart].
He who doesn't love me, does not keep [and obey] my teachings; and the teachings that you hear are not mine, but are the Father's who sent me. John 14:19-25.

So, if you obey Jesus' commands and teachings, showing your love, you will be loved by Jesus and the Father. You will receive the Holy Spirit's anointing. And later then they will come and make their home with you; they live in a Kingdom, so they bring the Kingdom to your heart, the Kingdom within you, which starts the smallest mustard seed, but which grows by your obedient love to be the largest of all. The Kingdom is the end of grace: be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13. You will see me; in that day you will know. John 14:19-20 .

Anyone who does not have the anointing, Christ, controlling them is of a different spirit than Christ. "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not the anointing of Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 2 John 1:7." So again, why are we looking for "the antichrist?" They were already around 2000 years ago, and they are all around us today. One is either controlled by the spirit of Christ, or controlled by the spirit of Satan. Obviously, anyone controlled by the spirit of Satan is not "pro christ," they are "anti christ." They can talk about Christ all day; they can quote the entire Bible; but, unless they possess his Spirit and are controlled by it, they are still of the other spirit. That is why Jesus did not want man's testimony, "because he knew what spirit was in men."

From George Fox's paper on The Pearl Found:

Christ said in the 7th, and 24th of Matt that false prophets and antichrists would come, to his disciples before he was offered up, and Christ gave to his disciples the marks by which they should know them, that they should be inwardly ravening, that is, devourers, having sheep's clothing, that is the outside, but wolves inwardly; do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? by their fruits you shall know them. Now before the disciples' decease, Christ said unto them false prophets and antichrists should come, and later the disciples saw that the false prophets had already come into the world, as said 1 John 2:18-19,4:1. Little children I write unto you that it is the last time, whereof you have heard say, antichrist should come, whereby you know it is the last time, for there are many antichrists, many false prophets already in the world, and they went forth from us that it might be manifest they were not of us, for had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. But said he, you have an anointing which abides in you (to the saints) and you need not that any man teach you, but as the same anointing does teach you, and as it does teach you, you shall continue in the Son of God and the Father. Christ, who said they should come, told the disciples to not go after them, the false prophets and antichrist which would be inwardly ravenous. John saw they were come; he told the saints the anointing was in them to teach them, and the false prophets and antichrists, of which they had heard say should come, they were already in the world, and went out from them, and were inwardly raveners, and all that dwelled upon the earth went after, and all the world came to worship the beast and false prophet, and all nations drank of the wine of her fornications, that is, of the whore.
And now cry the professors and teachers of the world, the antichrist is just now coming, and our age is the end times; but did not John say, it was the last time when all nations had drank the cup of fornication, and all that dwelled upon the earth had worshipped the beast. [The whole world marveled and followed this beast which changed to a beast with horns like a lamb, supporting the false christian church of many names.] Now we say the false prophets and antichrists have come, those which Christ said would come, which John saw had come, which went forth from them, which all people that dwelled upon the earth went after, and all nations came to drink the cup of her fornications, and she sits upon the waters, and the waters are people, and nations, and tongues, and languages, and multitudes, Rev 17:1-5,15, where she sits, tongues are waters, people waters, languages waters, nations waters, multitudes waters, for those have been from the rock, those who Christ said would come, and John saw had come, that had gone forth from them, and so have been as waters, and so the first beast arose out of the sea, and the second out of the earth; and all this Babylon building up and throwing down, and all these crosses and images, pictures and worshipping of names and idols, and all these pulpits, priests, tithes, churches, with crosses in the church-yards, and church-ends, have been of them, and all this making of ministers by the will of men, by their schools and colleges, for covetous ends, and covetous practices, are among the apostates, which are apostatized from Christ's disciples, who went forth freely, sent forth by him, and all these names of blasphemy among people called christians are of the beast, and given by the beast since the days of the apostles in the apostasy; in their days there were not so many names given to christians. So what Christ said would come, John saw had come, who had gone forth from them, which all the world went after, and worshipped the beast and false prophets.

The beast of the Book of Revelation is the beast of heathen religious authority, which power was severely curtailed [a wound to the head] by early Christianity, particularly in the Mediterranean region. But a second beast shortly arose that had horns like a lamb, but was a beast. Note, this beast appears to be Christian-like, and under pretence of the Lamb's authority, (though acted by the dragon's power, derived from the first beast of heathen religion) compels men to comply with such traditions, ceremonies, and rituals, (for Christian duties), as resemble the customs of the heathen, in their idolatrous worship and superstition. The whole earth followed this beast, and still does. He [the beast] was further permitted to wage war on God's holy people (the saints) and to overcome them. And power was given him to extend his authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.Thus, the false church arose, and no one could spiritually buy or sell, (like the foolish virgins for oil in their lamps), unless they complied with the beast and had received the false church's mark. Any who denied this false church, or who tried to buy or sell (spiritual works by mind or hand) without the sanction of the false church were martyred, as their predecessors had done before, under the heathen power, or first beast. And while this false church is often identified by the Protestants as the Roman church, the Protestants are all part of the same false whore, (the beast has many names), salvation based on saying certain words, water, bread and wine - all superstitious rituals - instead of a complete change of heart - circumcised to be a new heart and mind.

The mark of the beast is seen by what spiritual things a man puts his hand and mind to. Those with the mark of the beast put their spirit, soul, and body to the upholding the religion of man, as invented by man, seeking justification by fleshly action, ceremony, and ritual; they are looking for cover, to remain in their fallen, unredeemed, unpurified, unregenerated, imperfect, unholy, carnal, prideful, lusting, fleshly, selfish, beastly nature. Anyone, who tried to increase their measure of Christ by any way that differed from the doctrine of the false church (to buy or sell spiritual oil differently for their lamps), was not only stopped from buying and selling; they were killed - which really made them unable to buy or sell.

(You, who are still speculating what that mark might be in the future, read what John said: Here is discernment. Let anyone who has intelligence (penetration and insight enough) calculate the number of the beast, for it is a human number; his number is 666. It is man's spirit, body, and mind; the old fleshly self, the old sinful nature, the old man, the uncircumcised in heart, the stony heart, the carnal mind, the old unregenerated creature, walking after the lusts of the flesh - instead of walking in the Spirit, in faith, in love, in the light. If the beast is supposedly yet to come, then all generations of past Christians were deliberately told to do the impossible - to calculate the number with intelligence and insight. The antichrists had already come; the beasts are man-made religions, seeking to appease God with some heathenish ritual, works, actions, or sacrifice. The 2nd beast, with horns like a lamb [appearing christian], is the so-called christian sects of today.

Many Roman Catholic persecutions were justified by Saint(?) Augustine's famous: Why ... should not the Church use force in compelling her lost sons to return, if the lost sons compelled others to their destruction?" - A classic example of the end justifies the means, which looses sight of the principal command of Christ to "love enemies," not destroy them. Another supposed saint(?), Thomas Aquinas wrote: On the part of the Church, however, there is mercy which looks to the conversion of the wanderer, wherefore she condemns not at once, but "after the first and second admonition," as the Apostle directs: after that, if he is yet stubborn, the Church no longer hoping for his conversion, looks to the salvation of others, by excommunicating him and separating him from the Church, and furthermore delivers him to the secular tribunal to be exterminated thereby from the world by death. These revered saints(?) ignore Christ's reply to his disciples when they wished to punish the people who would not listen to him, severely rebuking them with: Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. Jesus further said that if someone is violating the standards of the church, (sinning), they are supposed to be warned by one, then warned by two or three, then censured by the whole body of believers, - and if they fail to repent of their error, they are supposed to be expelled and shunned - not killed, or imprisoned, or tortured, or stripped of their property.

Protestants killed heretics too. John Calvin, was a principal founder of Protestantism, having great influence on the Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Baptists, and even Lutherans. Calvin had Servetus arrested, wrote charges of heresy against him, and testified against him at his trial; Servetus' crime was to have denied the scriptural support of the trinity and infant baptism. Calvin's charges and arrest of him resulted in Servetus being burned at the stake. Jacques Gruet, a known opponent of Calvin, was arrested, tortured for a month and beheaded on July 26, 1547, for placing a letter in Calvin's pulpit calling him a hypocrite. Calvin also had thirty four women burned at the stake as witches accused of being responsible for a plague; his theocracy in Geneva in credited with a total of 58 sentences of death. Calvin justified execution of heretics, writing: Whoever shall maintain that wrong is done to heretics and blasphemers in punishing them makes himself an accomplice in their crime and guilty as they are. There is no question here of man's authority; it is God who speaks, and clear it is what law he will have kept in the church, even to the end of the world. Wherefore does he demand of us a so extreme severity, if not to show us that due honor is not paid him, so that we spare not kin, nor blood of any, and forget all humanity when the matter is to combat for His glory. The apologists of Calvin spilling blood and forgetting all humanity point out that many other Protestants killed heretics too - (the everybody-did-it defense; better said is: all the great men of God? then were murderers.)

Jesus said: .. whoever kills you will think and claim that he has offered service to God. John 16:2

And the whore was drunk on the blood of the saints - the Roman church's inquisitions and slaughters throughout Europe, in which during the Middle Ages (800 AD to 1500 AD) nine million souls were put to death, accused of witchcraft. This was followed by the Protestants of England and America who in 50 years were responsible for the deaths of over 869 Quakers in the 17th Century. The persecutors of the Quakers included Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, and Baptists.

From George Fox's Letter 306 :

And every one that comes into the spirit, and into the truth,
are the true worshippers of the God of truth, who is a spirit;
and all that are not in the spirit and truth, are in the beast's worship,
(out of the spirit of God), and in his wrath under the dragon's power.

And we know that before Christ returns to us the man of sin also has to be revealed in us. We see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place; our ego or "spirit of flesh" standing in our heart where Jesus should be reigning. Until Jesus destroys this sinful nature, we are ruled by it; a spirit sown by its father, Satan. When Jesus returns, he crushes the head of the serpent, the "man of sin and the son of perdition" 2 Thes 2:3. This is the same thing as "the God of Peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." Rom 16: 20. The son of perdition (Satan) that sits in the temple of our heart must be revealed to us. 2 Thes 2:3-4. This is not pleasant; the light shows us our condition; but we get changed to have Christ rule as Lord instead, by the power of the cross and through grace. Scripture also describes this process of slaying the Spirit of Satan with the brightness of His coming. When Christ appears, his Holy Light burns away the residual sin remaining in us, leaving us pure as he is pure. This is the final step of many operations by grace to remove our lusts and affections from our heart; the final step to death of self on the cross. This is when Christ returns in glory to establish his Kingdom in our hearts, and when we are translated into paradise, stepping into another dimension where all things are new and the old has passed away. The completion of salvation.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Gal 5:24

From George Fox's Journal:

If you wait in what is pure in you, you will find and see, because God has given you a measure of his spirit, by which you can comprehend things and see the deceits. Now when the mind goes forth from that pure measure, which lets you see deceits, the simplicity is ensnared, and God is not in your thoughts any more; instead, the son of perdition in you sits in the temple of God, where he ought not to sit. With the birth of the Lord [in you], this son of perdition is discovered, and with the brightness of the Lord's coming [in you], he is consumed; that man of sin is revealed [in you], and so shall you witness the scriptures fulfilled. But you must wait in that which is pure, which will show you when you mind departs into disobedience.

Come out of her my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues. Rev 18:4-7
Yes, all the deficit sects of today comprise Revelation's Whore of Babylon, of which all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, because all the sects are simply evolutional varieties of the Roman Empire's church, both east and west, whose doctrines were dictated by the sainted Emperors Constantine and Justinian the despot, thus eliminating the true gospel by 390 AD. The church adulterated with the Kings of the earth. The protestants are just variations of the same basic beliefs: instant salvation by speaking words, water baptism, eating bread/drinking grape juice, listening to sermons, etc.; the same basic ritual form of salvation and worship. She [the deficit sects] committed adultery with the Kings of the earth, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from her excessive luxuries.She boasts she is not a widow and will never see grief. She boasts that Christ is their husband; but these false churches are the whore of Babylon, who ignore Christ's commands to repent, his teachings, his requirements, his warnings, his required holiness, his gospel, his Kingdom, his promised freedom from sin, and his cross of self-denial - the Missing Cross to Purity.

This deficit is hardly surprising, when you consider that Christ's disciples and apostles (John, Peter, Paul, and Jude) wrote of false teachers and preachers in their time..

For more reading on the whore and the antichrist, Isaac Penington has an excellent paper on the Babylon the Great, available on this site.

Tribulation

Jesus also tells us tribulation will take place for some before the generation then on the earth with him passed away:

29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and
they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near:

33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
(Notice the emphasis, using the word Verily. He is trying to convince us that he is speaking plainly and truly.
He knew the great confusion and fiction that would result speculating on his return.)

So the great tribulation and Jesus' return has already occurred for some in that generation.
See all six of his statements (click here) regarding his return during that generation's lifetime.

Consider next what John in Revelation says:

"John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Rev 1:9

Here John says that he had already shared in the tribulation and he was in the kingdom 2000 years ago. Was John lying, exaggerating, confused? Of course not; he experienced it then, just as we necessarily have to experience it now to be completed; and if John was in the tribulation, then we should expect to be in tribulation too, as part of the purification process while on earth. Tribulation was happening then; tribulation happens now.

And in Act 14:22-23, Paul was " Establishing and strengthening the souls and the hearts of the disciples, urging and warning and encouraging them to stand firm in the faith, and [telling them] that it is through many hardships and tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." They are talking about tribulation to disciples 2000 years ago in Acts. Tribulation was happening then; tribulation happens now. It is on an individual level, those who have prepared themselves and persisted.

What about the tribulation? The body is to be taken, (really they come to you), where the eagles gather Luke 17:37--- (spiritual torturers.) There is significant suffering required to perfect love and reach the revelation and return of Christ in you to establish his Kingdom in you and for you to be translated into paradise. Peter says:

1 Peter 4:12-13 "Do not think it strange the fiery trial you are undergoing, but rejoice that you are participating in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."
(There's that "reveal" word again, as in Revelation of Jesus Christ.
He, who has been hidden, is revealed; the Revelation of Christ, within the purified believer.)

In 1 Peter 1:5-7 he says: [you] "who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (When Jesus Christ is revealed in us - a personal experience after grief in all kinds of trials.
(He, who has been hidden, is revealed; the Revelation of Christ, within the purified believer.)

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom 8:18. (Jesus Christ, in glory, revealed in us, after sufferings.
He, who has been hidden, is revealed; the Revelation of Christ, within the purified believer.)

For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes...You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline.Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all [of God's children] share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons. Hebrews12:6-8

"Tribulation is a great treasure, wherewith God honors those that be his, in this life: therefore evil men are necessary for those that are good; and so are the devils themselves, which by afflicting us do try to ruin us: but instead of doing us harm, they do us the greatest good imaginable. There must be tribulation to make a man's life acceptable to God; without it, it is like the body without the Soul, the Soul without Grace, the Earth without the Sun. With the wind of tribulation God separates, in the floor of the soul, the chaff from the corn. Those souls are to be pitied, who cannot find in their hearts to believe, that tribulation and suffering is their greatest Blessing." Miguel de Molinos

For more scriptures, documenting how Tribulation applies to all generations, see Tribulation Scripture References.

Tribulation is not a hard day at the office, a car wreck, divorce, death in the family, or some natural difficulty. This tribulation is poured out on you from above, supernaturally. The tribulation has to be supernatural; various vials of sufferings and hardships poured on you from above. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. Rev. 21:9

In the process of being purified and being prepared for Christ's return, we have to go through supernatural suffering to develop the characteristics necessary for Love -- patience, humility, faith, and long-suffering. Indeed all who delight in piety and are determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with persecution. 2 Tim 3:12. It is through many hardships and tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. But remember, we will never be asked to do more than what we are able, for he will give us the strength to withstand anything he allows; and the reward is far greater than any tribulation we have to go through -- for eye has not seen, nor ear heard, what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Cor 2:9 And it will greatly exceed our fondest hopes. When this "strange thing" happens to you, don't run from God, Luke 17:33. but rather rejoice that you have been counted worthy to suffer for his sake - 1 Peter 4:13. ( for a little while). And Paul says in Romans 8:18 "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col 1:27

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude,
because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 1 Pet 4:1-2
This is how we are purified from sin, through suffering in the body in this life, into the fiery furnace that burns away the dross.

This happened to George Fox, and he details his sufferings in his Journal. He details the return of Christ and his being taken to the heavens with Christ to sit down in Christ. Read the first part on the sidebar, "Early Years and Translation." Everyone determined to follow Christ suffered. Everyone has to be tested. Read the Suffering Section in the How to Benefit from the Changing Power of God.

The pressures of attaining purity through tribulation on earth are so great that when some have been "convinced" and "condemned" (having entered the Ministry of Condemnation and Tribulation), they can become so tired and weary that they don't have the strength to go on; they then "fall asleep" in Christ, (they die, but while in Christ). There were also persecutions in the time of the Paul, with some members being executed.

And I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from this time forward. Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labors; and their works will follow them." Rev 14:13.

A group of believers were often maturing together as a body, fellowshipping together and growing together; some could not persevere. But they are the first to be translated at the Lord's next coming as said in 1 Thes 4:13-18, The Meeting in the Air. The infinite mercy and kindness of the Lord takes them out of the world to protect them from evil and falling away, and to keep them safe until their resurrection from the grave into Heaven. (This to me is wonderfully special because it says that once someone enters into the Ministry of Condemnation, their salvation while on earth is assured; what Love and Care He has for us -- to be sure we make it, even if we weaken under pressure. I don't think I will ever know how great is our God - he is beyond our minds. But we know he is clean, pure, logical, sensible, gentle, kind, merciful, fair, just, faithful and true beyond measure).

So, do we sit in our sinful natures, waiting to die to go to heaven or waiting for the rapture to take us to heaven with our body of sin? Or, do we strive "with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength" to enter by the narrow way? If we love God, we seek to crucify the passions, desires, lusts, and affections of the sinful nature so that he can return make his home in us and to become our Lord in word and deed.

Of course we can trust God to know what is absolutely best for us; he understands us far better than we understand ourselves. He created us to know and do certain things; he has a plan for each of us; we must strive to position ourselves so that he can complete his restoration of us back to the divine image - the end of this world in us and the Kingdom of Heaven in us, and us in it, and He in us, and us in Him, and he our Lord and King ruling us in love and controlling our words and deeds. He making his abode in us and us being His and him being OUR GOD, Rev. 21:3. Judas said to him, (not Iscariot), Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man loves me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:22-23. This is the return of Christ. The world does not see it. It is a personal experience.

And to have Christ return to establish his Kingdom in our hearts and rule us, we must let Him purify us as He is pure, for everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3. We must mortify the lusts and affections of the flesh. We must die to fleshly self on the cross. See Jesus Wants to Teach You Himself and Perfection and Purity for more information on how this is possible, and see Meditation Guidelines on how to receive the changing, purifying grace of God.

New Jerusalem

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect. Heb 12:22-23

From George Fox's Journal again: (Click to see who Fox was.)

While I was under this spiritual travail and suffering, the state of the city New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven, was opened to me; which some carnal-minded people had looked upon to be like an outward city that had dropped out of the elements. But I saw the beauty and glory of it, the length, the breadth, and the height of that, all in complete proportion. I saw that all, who are within the light of Christ, in his faith, which he is the author of, in the spirit, the holy ghost, which Christ, the holy prophets, and apostles were in, and within the grace, truth, and power of God, which are the walls of the city; such are within the city, are members of this city, and have the right to eat of the tree of life, which yields her fruit every month, and whose leaves are for the healing of the nations. But they who are out of the grace, truth, light, spirit, and power of God, are those who resist the Holy Spirit, quench, and grieve the spirit of God, who hate the light, turn from the grace of God into wantonness, and contemptuously disregard the spirit of grace. Such as have erred from the faith, made shipwreck of it and of a good conscience, who abuse the power of God, and despise prophesying, revelation, and inspiration, these are the dogs and unbelievers that are without the city. These make up the great city Babylon, confusion, and her cage, the power of darkness; and the evil spirit of error surrounds and covers them over. In this great city Babylon are the false prophets; in the false power and false spirit; the beast in the dragon's power, and the whore that is gone a whoring from the spirit of God, and from Christ her husband. But the Lord's power is over all this power of darkness, cage, whore, beast, dragon, false prophets and their worshippers, who are for the lake which burns with fire. Many things more did I see concerning the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, which are hard to be uttered, and would be hard to be received. But, in short, this holy city is within the light; and all that are within the light, are within the city; the gates whereof stand open all the day (for there is no night there), that all may come in. Christ's blood being shed for every man, he tasted death for every man, and enlightens every man that comes into the world; and his grace, that brings salvation, having appeared to all men, there is no place or language where his voice may not be heard. The christians in the primitive times were called by Christ 'a city set upon a hill;' they were also called 'the light of the world,' and ‘the salt of the earth;' but when christians lost the light, salt, and power of God, they came to be trodden under foot, like unsavory salt. Just as the Jews were preserved above all nations while they kept the law of God, but when they turned their backs on God and his law, they were trodden under foot of other nation. Likewise Adam and Eve, while they obeyed God, were kept in his image and in the paradise of God, in dominion over all the works of his hands; but when they disobeyed God, they lost the image of God, the righteousness and holiness in which they were made; they lost their dominion, were driven out of paradise, and so fell under the dark power of satan, and came under the chains of darkness. But the promise of God was, ‘that the seed of the woman, Christ Jesus, should bruise the serpent's head,' should break his power and authority, which had led into captivity, and kept him in prison. So Christ, who is the first and last, sets man free, and is the resurrection of the just and unjust, the judge of the quick and dead; and they that are in him are invested with everlasting rest and peace, out of all the labors, travails, and miseries of Adam in the fall. So he is sufficient and fully able to restore man up into the state that he was in before he fell; and not into that state only, but up into that state also that never fell, and beyond that state even to himself.

True religion is the true rule and right way of serving God. And religion is a pure stream of righteousness flowing from the image of God, and is the life and power of God planted in the heart and mind by the law of life. This brings the soul, mind, spirit, and body to be conformable to God, the Father of spirits, and to Christ; so that they come to have fellowship with the Father and the Son, and with all his holy angels and saints.

What Must We Do to Prepare His Way Into Us?

And Paul talks about Christ being revealed in his explanation of grace:

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14

Jesus came so he could destroy the devil and his works [sin] in us - if we go to him.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, [in us] that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

So, let us be joyful we have, as all generations since Pentecost have had, the opportunity for Jesus return to us and establish his Kingdom in us. The Kingdom that is gained by repentance, which leads to righteousness, evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit. Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col 1:27. For unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Heb 9:28. When he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3. He, who has been hidden, is revealed; the Revelation of Christ, within the purified believer.

See How to Benefit from the Changing Power of God for more on preparing to receive Christ and his Kingdom.