Robert C. Harris

Get Ready Robert C. Harris

The initial coming of Christ will happen early
in the night segment of the Day of the Lord long before it dawns (the seven-year
Tribulation period--2 Pet. 1:19). This is His first coming, which is an Open
Door Return in That Night (Matt. 25:10; Rev. 3:10). The second coming of
Christ, which is not the traditional Second Coming, is the Lord's Closed Door
Return, sometime after the Great Tribulation begins at mid-trib (Matt. 25:10;
Luke 12:36; James 5:9; Rev. 3:20). Both returns will be Jewish Bridegroom
returns "at the doors" (Matt. 24:33). His third coming will be the glorious
traditional Second Coming with ALL HIS SAINTS (1 Thess. 3:13; Jude V. 14)!

 

The Midnight Cry symbolizes the beginning of a
new day--namely, the Day of the Lord--the Day of Redemption (Eph. 4:30)-- the Day
of Jesus Christ (Philip. 1:6, 10)--the Day of Christ (2 Cor. 2:16; 2 Thess.
2:2-3)--the Day of the Lord Jesus (1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:14)-- the Day of the Lord
Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:7-8)--the Lord's Day (Rev. 1:10)--the Day of the Lord that
comes as a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10). In sum, it is the
Day that Christians are to see approaching and provoke to love and good works
the more so as we see it coming (Heb. 10:25); lest the Day come unawares to the
saved (Luke 21:34). Of course, we know that Luke's warning is part of the
Olivet Discourse, but the context changes from the Jew to the Christian in
verse 26, and remains so in that chapter.



If all the Church were to go up in an at once pre-trib Rapture (pre-night), or at
the traditional Second Coming, why then the command to pray always--to escape
all these things (Luke 21:34 36)? Why then the many references to watch (Matt.
24:40 51, 25:13; Mark 13:33 37; Luke 12:36, 38, 40, 17:34; 1 Thess. 5:6; 1 Pet.
4:7; 1 John 2:28; Rev. 3:3, 16:15.)? Note: If the chapter division is removed
between 1st Thessalonians 4 & 5, we don't see a pre-trib Rapture, but a
return of Christ in the night segment of the Lord's Day. Also note: The
Tribulation and the Day of the Lord both begin with birth pangs (Matt. 24:8; 1
Thess. 5:3).



Paul described the "times and seasons," in suit, Christians are told
to watch in That Night (1 Thess. 5:1-3, 6 8), and this, before the Day dawns (2
Pet. 1:19). Note: "Times" represents the
three returns of Christ, and the "seasons" represent the same--the Summer
Harvest, the Fall Harvest and the gleaning of the Second Coming. Altogether,
these are the "times of restitution" (Acts 3:21).

 

Indeed, there will be an Open Door Summer
Harvest (Matt. 24:32 33); followed by the Closed Door Fall Harvest--or the foolish
coming out of the Great Tribulation in Revelation 7:9-17 (the latter half of
the seven-year Tribulation Night); then, later, the Second Coming gleaning wherein
Christ is the Bright and Morning Star, or the first light after the Night (the dawn
of That Day--the sign of the Son of man), eventually becoming the radiant glory
of our Lord Jesus and ALL HIS SAINTS and angels.

 

The Early and Latter Rains are the Holy Spirit
preparing His people for the last days (James 5:7). The Early Rain, as we can
verify in any Bible Concordance, was Israel's seed-time rain
(November-December). The Latter Rain, which can also be verified in this
manner, was Israel's March-April rain in preparation for the Spring-Summer
Harvest (partial).



Get Ready details the Lord's Bridegroom return(s), and the how of recognizing
the Day of Christ. Also, Get Ready addresses the seven letters to the churches,
appropriately applying them to today's church and their situations.