Will Christ Return? (The Second Coming) One of the foundational & prominent teachings found in God s Word is The literal Second Coming of Jesus Christ to earth. Jesus Christ Himself declared that He would return Personally (John 14:3 + John 21:22) Unexpectedly (Matthew 24:32-51 + Matthew 25:1-13 + Mark 13:33-37) Suddenly (Matthew 24:26-28) In the glory of His Father with His angels (Matthew 16:27 + 19:28 + 25:31) Triumphantly (Luke 19:11-27) The Apostles all looked forward to the possibility of Christ s return Peter (Acts 3:19-21 + 2 nd Peter 3:3 + 2 nd Peter 3:8-13) Paul (Philippians 3:20 + 1 st Thessalonians 4:16) (2 nd Thessalonians 1:7-10 +1 st Corinthians 15:51 + Titus 2:13) James (James 5:7) John (1 st John 2:28 + 1 st John 3:2 + Revelation 22:12) The generation of believers after the Apostles believed that Christ s return was imminent. Polycarp (AD. 70-156) Papias (AD. 70-155) Ignatius (AD. 67-110) Irenaeus (AD. 120-202) Tertullian (A.D. 155-240) Hippolytus (AD. 170-236) These early church fathers all believed in the literal premillennial return of Christ whereupon He would reign here on literal earth for 1000 years. Over time, the teaching of the Second Coming of Christ was neglected and many people started rejecting it! The Apostle Peter actually said that in the last days scoffers would come asking why Christ had not returned as He promised (2 nd Peter 3:4). Over the past 150 years, there has been a renewed interest in studying and teaching the whole counsel of God. Thus the Second Coming of Christ is being taught with more frequency in Non-reformed, evangelical churches today. The Scriptures encourage Believers To look forward everyday to the appearing of their Lord. Page! 1 of! 6
It is the great hope of the Church. Titus 2:11-15 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. 15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. 1 st Peter 1:3-5 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 2 nd Peter 3:9-13 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Perhaps today is the day that Jesus will come and rapture His church to be with Him! What a great day that will be when we will see our Savior face to face! 1 st John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. Page! 2 of! 6
Christ s return encourages the Believer to live for the Lord By conducting ourselves in holiness & godliness 2 nd Peter 3:1 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness 1 st John 3:3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure By being watchful and persevering 1 st Thessalonians 5:4-6 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. 1 st John 2:28 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. By being a comfort to us 1 st Thessalonians 4:13-18 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. (See also: Hebrews 10:35-39 + James 5:7-8) By reminding us to serve Him 1 st Corinthians 3:11-15 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Based on these and many more reasons too numerous to mention, it is safe to say that the Second Coming of Christ is a VERY important doctrine of the Bible that we must understand, live and teach! Page! 3 of! 6
So how will Christ return? The second coming of Christ is one event, but it develops in two stages. The first stage Jesus comes FOR His church/ Believers in the AIR. The second stage Jesus comes WITH Believers to EARTH. Jesus comes FOR His church/ Believers in the AIR. This is sometimes labeled the rapture which means It is at this stage that Jesus Christ comes to snatch away to transport But He does not come all the way down to terra firma Instead Believers are caught up to meet the Lord in the AIR. Unbelievers will be left on earth to experience the tribulation period. 1 st Thessalonians 4:16-17 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. John 14:3 - Jesus says "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. Jesus comes WITH Believers to EARTH. After the tribulation period, Jesus Christ will return When Jesus Christ returns To defeat the Antichrist & To established His kingdom. His saints, all believers that were in heaven, will be with Him 1 st Thessalonians 3:13 at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Acts 1:11, the Angels said "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven." Zechariah 14:4 In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east Page! 4 of! 6
. In the first stage of Jesus return Those that have already died Will receive their glorified bodies first. Those that are alive Will have their bodies transformed as they go to meet the Lord in the air. 1 st Thessalonians 4:16-17 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Romans 8:23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. Philippians 3:20-21 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. 1 st Corinthians 15:51-53 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when will Christ return? Matthew 24:36+42, Jesus said 36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 42 "Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. No one knows the exact time of Jesus return. Believers should always maintain an attitude of anticipation Where they eagerly await His return every day But Believers must be careful NOT TO SET DATES! Throughout history there has always been some people who have ignored our Savior s warning and have gone ahead and set dates for His return. Seriously, think about it How could they know the time if Not even the Son of God knows the exact time! Page! 5 of! 6
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