"For just as the lightning comes forth from the east and shines to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be." (Matthew 24:27) The word “coming” is translated “presence”. To say you are looking forward to the Lord’s coming, may simply means you are anticipating an event. But to understand and say that you were looking forward to his presence has far more intimacy. Actually, the believers enjoyment of his presence right now is what prepares us for his coming or his visible presence. Those of Israel, who survive the last 3 1/2 years will start looking for the Christ, even believing Jesus as the Christ. Their discovery of Christ Jesus, however, will be filled with much deception, much of it like the New Testament Jesus , who was in an upper room or out in the wilderness.,or performing a sign or miracle. These are all attempts by the evil one to keep Israel away from the truth. "Therefore if they say to you, Behold, He is in the wilderness, do not go forth; Behold, He is in the inner rooms, do not believe it." (Matthew 24:26) simply don’t believe it because the appearance of Christ is going to come like lightning. Boom! And there He is. At the end of the great tribulation his presence will be the proof of his coming. Are you ready for his coming? The best way to be ready is to be in his presence today. I don’t know to what degree a Jewish person could know the inner Christ during the last half of the tribulation, but Jesus said, if you seek me, you will find me if you search for me with all your heart. They will not find him outwardly until they see his presence, but perhaps the Lord will supply an inward enjoyment of his presence, as they begin to turn to him, through the testimony of the witnesses, and the missionaries that the Lord has supplied on the earth.
