Christ's Retribution and Return

A couple of weeks ago we talked about the Great Vanishing. Tonight, we are going to talk about Christ’s retribution and return as we build toward talking about the Millennium and those glorified bodies that Anthony has been so anxious for me to discuss. Many people get so bogged down in the Book of Revelation, but the key to understanding it is found in the first chapter of the book.

Revelation 1:19 “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;”

The things which John has seen are Christ on earth and the glorified Christ on the island of Patmos.

The things which are refers to the Church Age in which we are currently abiding.

The things which are to come are the events that are going to happen after the completion of the Church which is called the Tribulation which turns into the Great Tribulation.

The Church Age is completed by the Rapture, and after that comes a period of time described by Jesus. (Matt. 24:21)

Matthew 24:21 “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

Jesus says that after the Church Age there will be a time of great trouble like man has never seen coming to earth, but the mistake so many make is that they think Satan and Antichrist will be dictating the events, but it is God who is Sovereign, and it is God who controls the events of the coming tribulation.

In God’s sovereignty, He allows Satan to do certain things during the tribulation, but God will still be in charge.

Tonight, we are going to give a brief outline of Christ’s Retribution and Return.

I. The Heavenly Reasons for Tribulation

There are two heavenly reasons for the Tribulation.

A. Retribution

The Webster Dictionary Online defines retribution as punishment imposed, as on a convicted criminal, for purposes of repayment or revenge for the wrong committed.

There are two groups that receive retribution during the Tribulation.

Mankind

If our definition for retribution is correct, then mankind will be punished during the Tribulation for the sins that mankind has committed.

Christ died for all sins, but if you reject the payment he offers, you have a payment due for your sins. It is a bill that you cannot avoid paying.

Romans 2:5–6 “But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works:”

God’s retribution will come because the lost world has been storing up wrath against the day of wrath. I hope you understand what the Bible means. Only God the Son knows what He endured on Calvary for payment of your sins, and only Christ is worthy to set the price you must pay for those sins if you reject His payment.

Time and time again, you see in the Book of Revelation that mankind absolutely refuses to repent.

Revelation 9:21 “nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”

Revelation 16:21 “And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.”

At the midpoint of the tribulation, mankind is refusing to repent, and by the end of the tribulation, the refusal to repent has turned into cursing God. (Rev. 16:21)

The ones receiving Christ’s retribution during the Tribulation are those who had rejected Christ before the Rapture.

2 Thessalonians 2:9–12 “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

The Bible is clear about those who will receive the retribution of Christ. It will be those who refused the truth and those who refused to be saved. As a result of that person’s choice, God makes them believe the lie of the Antichrist, and I believe that lie to be that Antichrist is Christ.

These will be condemned for denying the truth. They will have denied the truth because they will have had pleasure in their unrighteousness.

One of the heavenly reasons for the Tribulation is for Christ to pour out retribution on mankind.

2. Creation

Creation will receive Christ’s retribution.

During the Tribulation, Christ’s retribution will be directed at where Satan has been. Mankind receives God’s retribution because mankind has embraced the lies of Satan rather than the truth from God.

The Creation is just as marred by Satan as mankind is. Let me give you some verses.

Genesis 3:1–2 “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden,”

You talk about ruining a good thing. Adam and Eve were in a perfect environment, but Satan ruined it for them. Paul says this about what Satan has done to God’s Creation.

Romans 8:22 “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.”

The whole creation is groaning today because of the strain of sin. When God created the earth, it was perfect. It could sustain itself in that perfection throughout perpetuity, but because of sin and Satan, the Creation is groaning today.

What was a genteel environment has been marred by chaos and violence. Adam was able to live in harmony with the animal kingdom and the plant kingdom prior to sin, but since the Fall, there has been enmity between man and animal, between man and plant life, between plant life and animal life, and between man and his environment, but the Tribulation will be used by Christ to bring all back into harmony.

B. Redemption

The second heavenly reason for the tribulation is redemption.

2 Peter 3:9 (NASB 2020)

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.

Even during the Tribulation, God’s desire is that man come to repentance because God is not willing that any should perish.

It is during the Tribulation that the gospel will be proclaimed throughout the world, but not only will souls be redeemed but so will Israel.

God uses the Tribulation to redeem Israel, and it is incredible that it takes the Tribulation for Israel to Jesus Christ.

Zechariah 13:8–9 “In the whole land, declares the Lord, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive. And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ””

Israel will eventually recognize Jesus Christ as Messiah, but it is the tribulation that draws them to that recognition of Jesus.

So, the two heavenly reasons for tribulation are retribution and redemption.

2. The Horrific Results of Tribulation

The results of the tribulation will be horrific. I do not have time to go into each event, but I will give you an outline of what will happen.

War and bloodshed will reign supreme, and the text indicates that warfare will literally take place everywhere. The whole world will be up in arms as the restraining power of the Holy Spirit is removed. As a result of warfare, 1/3 of the world’s population is killed. Depending on the number of Christians raptured, that means that 2.5 billion will die as a result of warfare.

Famine will be widespread as it is a natural by-product of warfare. Pestilence and death will reign supreme as 1/4 of the world’s population die from disease and starvation which means roughly 1.75 billion people.

Hail and fire mixed with blood falls to the earth burning up all green grass and 1/3 of the trees. A great asteroid will fall into the sea killing 1/3 of the oceans of the world.

A comet or meteor named Wormwood falls into the fresh waters making 1/3 of the freshwater supply undrinkable with many dying as a result.

1/3 of the sun, moon, and stars are turned into darkness.

A plague of demon locusts is released from the Abyss terrorizing those who have rejected Christ for 5 months. They will sting the lost soul like scorpions, but they do not have the authority to kill.

Ugly and painful sores appear all over the bodies of those who reject Christ. There will be tremendous earthquakes. The sun will scorch people with fire. Darkness, like the darkness of Egypt, a darkness that you can feel, will cover the earth. The sea and the freshwater supply will completely turn to blood.

What an incredible seven years with devastating and horrific results!!!!! Now, I want you to understand that the horrors that happen during the tribulation can only happen as the result of God’s handiwork. I believe the verse that explains what happens is found in the book of Colossians.

Colossians 1:15–17 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

I have told you this before, and this is the key to understanding prophecy and the Bible. The Bible is best understood literally. Sometimes we look for symbolism at the expense of the reality. For this world to be turned into total chaos, all Christ would have to do is loosen His grip, and that is exactly what happens during the tribulation with horrific results.

III. The Hallelujah Revival

A. The Kingdom Expands (Rev. 7:9-14)

Revelation 7:9–11 “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,”

Revelation 7:12–14 “saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

The greatest revival in the history of the world will take place during the world’s darkest hours.

A number so great will be saved from every nation, tribe. people, and language that John could not number. They will be saved the same way you and I are saved, by putting their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as verse 14 says. They will have made their robes white by the blood of the Lamb.

Here is the key to understanding those that are saved. There are countless people across the globe at this very minute that have not been exposed to the gospel. I think of Muslim countries, Communist nations, and even nations like the United States which has vast areas that are not being penetrated by the gospel today. When those people hear the good news, they will flock to Jesus for their salvation. Tragically, most of them will be martyred.

Revelation 6:9–11 “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.”

The Bible even tells us how they will be killed.

Revelation 20:4 “Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”

You will not be in that number if you are lost tonight, and the Rapture happens because you will have been sealed in your rejection.

2 Thessalonians 2:11–12 “Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Dear friend, if you are planning on getting saved in the future, it will not happen. It is a principle found in the Bible. Today, is the day of salvation. If you reject Christ now, you will not be saved during the tribulation because you will not be drawn to salvation.

B. The Witnesses Employed (4 witnesses that spark revival)

The 144,000 Jewish Witnesses

We have talked about these witnesses on Wednesday nights. They will be sealed before the tribulation begins for the sole purpose of sharing the gospel, primarily to Jews, but Gentiles will be saved too as result of their testimony.

2. The Two Special Witnesses

Revelation 11:3–4 “And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.”

Revelation 11:5–6 “And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.”

These two witnesses represent the Law and the Prophets. I believe, without being dogmatic, that the Mount of Transfiguration reveals the identity of these two special witnesses. When one thinks of the Law, whose name comes to mind? Moses. When one thinks of the prophets, whose name comes to mind more than likely? Elijah.

These two will be given power for 3 1/2 years, the last part of the tribulation. I believe they will be the agents that call down the judgments of God just as Moses did in Egypt and Elijah did in Israel. For 3 1/2 years, they will preach repentance, and many will heed their warning and get saved.

3. An Angel Flying in the Midst of Heaven

Revelation 14:6–7 “Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.””

As this angel proclaims the eternal gospel, it will be more than obvious that the end is near. The hour of judgment will be at hand, and many will get saved as this angel offers the invitation for all the ages.

4. God’s Word

I just recently thought about this witness. God’s Word will stand forever. When the Rapture occurs, do you know what will be left behind? All of those copies of God’s Word that Christians have bought throughout the years, all of those Gideon Bibles that have been distributed. YouTube will be full of sermons from great preachers like Billy Graham, David Jeremiah, and Adrian Rogers, and from not so great preachers like Jimmy Clendenin.

During the tribulation, it is very possible that my sermons may reach more people for Christ than they ever will before the Rapture. God never leaves Himself without a witness, and His Word will be a witness until the very end.

IV. The Holy Return

When all seems hopeless, the KING of KINGS returns.

Revelation 19:11–16 “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Israel will be desperate. The redeemed will be desperate.

It is very likely that the Jews have almost been eliminated. The remnant will be praying nonstop in Jerusalem for deliverance as the nations of the world, and I mean all nations, surround Israel at the behest of Satan, Antichrist, and False Prophet to annihilate Israel. As those prayers go up, Christ comes down with His armies.

I want you to pay careful attention to Revelation 19:14 “And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.”

Not the army from heaven but the armies from heaven. What does that mean? Well, I believe it means that one army will be an army of angels and created beings. I believe it means one army will be the redeemed of the Church Age. I believe it means one army will consists of those Old Testament saints who were saved looking forward to the coming Messiah, and I believe one army will be those martyred during the Tribulation.

The Bible says armies for a reason, and whatever that reason is and whoever is in those armies, and those armies will be led into battle by the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, and all those who refused to repent will have no chance as Jesus proclaims “I AM!”

Revelation 19:17–20 “Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.”

It will be over in a minute with the Millennium awaiting on the other side of victory.

Dear friend, what I have told you tonight is real. It is a reality that awaits you if you reject Jesus Christ. You have absolutely no guarantee that you can be saved in the future. Today is the day of salvation. If you think about it logically, tomorrow never comes anyway. It is always today.

There is no one that can definitively say what is going to happen tomorrow, or what he or she will be doing tomorrow. As that is the case, how can you possibly believe that you can be saved tomorrow? Come to Jesus tonight. He died for you so that you would not experience His wrath.