The last times
The second coming of Christ, or rapture
The Church, bride of Christ, expects, in a steadfast hope the second coming of Christ [478]. The Church prays and acts in order to speed His coming [479]. Christ is coming back to catch up His own [480], to judge sinners [481] and to establish His eternal righteous and peaceful reign [482].
No one knows that day or hour [483], since He will come like a thief in the night [484]. But there will be warnings, in order that we might stand up and lift up our heads because our redemption is drawing near [485]:
- In the world, great disasters (wars, famines, earthquakes, epidemics…) [486], difficult times [487], a deceptive peace [488] and the coming of antichrist [489];
- For Israel, its coming back to the Promised Land and the blooming again of the wilderness, Jerusalem given back to the Jewish people [490]...
- In the Church, development of apostasy (apparition of false Christs and false prophets, love growing cold) [491], the Gospel to be preached in the whole world [492], religious persecutions [493], increasing of knowledge [494].