43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. John 5:43 NASB

Scripture teaches us that the world must hear the gospel even as they are drawn to worship another.

Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. (KJV)

The Day of the Lord is near in Joel’s prophecy, as these are in this valley of decision. And there men will have to decide between Christ and Antichrist. It will come as a day of darkness, for the sun, moon and stars will not shine as this day of the Lord approaches.

Jesus and Paul both spoke of His coming as a thief.

Revelation 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. (KJV)

Here Jesus announces His soon coming right in the midst of explaining Armageddon.

Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (KJV)

Jesus will return in His day of the Lord in the midst of the sun, moon and stars not shining. He will come as a thief in the night.

1 Thessalonians 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (KJV)

Paul has been instructed by Joel concerning this day. And He told us that he had received his gospel from Jesus Himself. So there is no doubt as to why he later penned these words.

2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (KJV)

So many today are looking up in great anticipation, but before this day comes this Antichrist will arise bringing to pass Jesus’ own words:

43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. John 5:43 NASB

Many tell us that these words are spoken concerning Israel, but this cannot be. For those who accept this Antichrist will not see the coming kingdom, and Israel will surely be in that kingdom during the day of the Lord. Jesus was speaking to unbelievers who were to be cut off from Israel. He was not speaking to Israel. He was speaking to the world who will receive this one — this Antichrist.

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (KJV)