Q: What does the Bible say about Christ’s battle with hostile armies at the time of His return?

In previous Q&A’s, discussing the seventh plague of the seventh trumpet, mentioned in the Book of Revelation http://www.eternalgod.org/qa/11097 , and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, http://www.eternalgod.org/qa/11159 we described the resurrection and the change of the saints. As immortal beings and born-again members of the Family and Kingdom of God, they will meet the returning Christ in the air and descend with Him on the Mount of Olives, where Christ’s decisive battle against the evil forces of this world will take place.

Q: Will God’s people be protected from the terrible times to come?

In previous Q&As, including the Q&A on “Matthew 24” and the Q&A on the “events which will occur after the Great Tribulation has begun”,we discussed that mankind will have to endure a time of unparalleled sorrows and suffering.

We also pointed out in the past, that just prior to Christ's return, some in God's Church will be protected from the Great Tribulation, while other Christians will have to go through that terrible time.

Q: How do you understand 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17? Does it tell us that the dead in Christ will rise first and that sometime afterwards, those in Christ who are still alive will be changed?

Let us notice this passage in context. We read, beginning with 1 Thessalonians 4:13:

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope… God will bring with Him [Jesus] those who sleep in Jesus… we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means PRECEDE those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up TOGETHER WITH THEM in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

Q: Is the true Church of God a Sect?

A “sect” may be defined as “a body of persons agreed upon religious doctrines usually different from those of an established or orthodox church from which they have separated; non-conformist or other church as described by opponents.”
 
The terms “cult” and “sect” are often used interchangeably; a sect is usually connected with religion and a cult may be – but many things outside the religious arena can also be classified as cultish. Certain television programmes may have a cult following – never a sect following.
 

Q: Can you please elaborate on what is meant by the phrase “in the likeness of sinful flesh”?

In a recent Q&A ("Bound by Human Nature?") we mentioned the following in the context of the false concept that we are born with an evil human nature:

“Also, if it was passed on genetically, then Christ could not have lived a sinless life, having been born of Mary - but He did (Hebrews 4:15). Of course, we read that Christ came in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3), as He was begotten in Mary's womb and born of her. He had human nature, but He never sinned, showing that His nature or flesh did not automatically force Him to sin.”

While many do not recognize this truth, they are willing to concede the fact that Christ was not born into a sinful situation though they believe that the rest of mankind was.

Q: What is depicted by the seventh plague of the seventh trumpet?

In our previous Q&A, we began discussing the Day of the Lord. We showed that the Day of the Lord describes and encompasses the seventh seal of the scroll which the Lamb opens—and the seventh seal consists of seven trumpets, and the seventh trumpet consists of the seven last plagues or bowls of God’s wrath. We addressed the first six plagues of the seventh trumpet, pointing out that during the sixth plague, the kings of the east and other powers of this earth will assemble at a place called Armageddon or “hill of Megiddo,” which is about 55 miles north of Jerusalem. From there, they will move towards Jerusalem, where they will try to fight the returning Jesus Christ. That “battle” will take place in

Q: What is the time line of the events depicted during the “Day of the Lord”?

In the last two Q&As http://www.eternalgod.org/qa/10927 and http://www.eternalgod.org/qa/10990 on the order of prophetic events, we discussed Christ’s sayings in Matthew 24, showing that prior to His return, there would be religious deception, wars, famine, disease epidemics and pandemics, a Great Tribulation (including a martyrdom of the saints and an European attack on the USA, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the state of Israel), heavenly signs, and a time described as God’s wrath, which will be poured out over this entire world.

Q: Are we born with an evil “human nature” that we are bound by throughout the days of our lives?

In looking at mankind in the past and present, we see a commonality throughout cultures for a disposition towards the same attitudes, feelings and emotions. Of more concern are the baser inclinations of man that have led to all evils that have existed in the world. Some may conclude that mankind is born this way.

As discussed in a previous Q&A, Adam and Eve were not created with this nature, but rather had it shaped and influenced by Satan (Also, please see our second Q&A on the subject). But once they had acquired it, it did not mean that their descendants would automatically have it as well.

Q: Does your church have a prophet of God who interprets the passages in the Scriptures the way God intended them to be interpreted?

The New Testament of the Bible does speak about the office of prophet as being a part of the spiritual order designated by God for leadership in the Church:
 
“And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:28).
 
We also find that Jesus Christ, Who is the Head of the Church (compare Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18), selects people to serve in capacities including that of prophets:
 

Q: Can you describe the events which will occur after the Great Tribulation has begun?

In the last Q&A on the order of prophetic events, we discussed Christ’s sayings in Matthew 24, showing that prior to His return there would be religious deception, wars, famine, disease epidemics, a Great Tribulation (including a martyrdom of the saints), heavenly signs, and a time described as God’s wrath, which will be poured out over this entire world. We noticed that the first four seals in the book of Revelation describe the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, corresponding to false religion, war, famine and pestilence; and the fifth, sixth and seven seals describe religious persecution, cosmic disturbances, and the time of God’s wrath.