Sunday, October 5, 2014

The second coming of Christ/The resurrection of the saints



     1. Is He coming?

1 Thessalonians 4:14 “For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with Him the believers who have died. 15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet Him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.”

a. This is the blessed hope, which we are commanded to encourage one another with.
                                            i.     Encourage literally means to pour courage or to put courage into.

Illustrate Here: Have 2 liter bottles filled with water and pour them out into a container. Representing courage, hope, love, heaven, forgiveness, grace, eternal life, healing and restoration.

Hebrews 9:27 “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, 28 so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for Him.”

b. The New Testament declares His coming, in fact in the 260 chapters of the New Testament, the second coming of Christ is definitively referred to 318 times.
                                            i.     The word covenant appears 318 times in scripture as well.
                                          ii.     God’s word to us is covenant not a contract.
                                       iii.     Covenants are created with blood, and life binding oaths contracts are made with paper and there are always loopholes.
c.  The last prayer in the bible is a great heart throbbing cry for His return.

Revelation 22 “Even so come quickly Lord Jesus.” And the answer still rings from heaven: Revelation 22:12 "Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.”

d. Jesus is coming!
e. The bible says He’s returning, the Old Testament prophets say He’s returning trustworthy men like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Micah, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, then the New Testament prophets beg for a warning to us, Peter, Paul, and John.
f.   Next, heaven speaks of His returning as Gabriel, the four living creatures, the 24 elders, the angels of God, and finally the tribulation martyrs testify.
g. Finally He’s coming back because He said so.
                                            i.     What if He should come tonight or right now?
                                          ii.     Does your heart explode at the thought?
                                       iii.     Are you ready to meet Him, walking in His grace and love and if you are not then today is your day, say yes to Him.

     2. How is He coming?
a. No truth is more firmly established on Bible foundation, no truth more emphasized in the Word than the second coming of Jesus.
                                            i.     There are tons of theories       but scripture declares that His coming will be attended by opening graves, resurrected saints, breathtaking power and wonder.
b. His coming is to be sudden.
                                             i.     He is to appear in the “twinkling of an eye.”

Matthew 24:36 "However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself. Only the Father knows. 37 "When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn't realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. 40 "Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. 42 "So you, too, must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming. 43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”

a.          Vs. 37 Jesus’ return will not be in a time of global chaos, catastrophic events occurring as people everywhere cry out in agony, begging for death.
a. At least not in the way some portray, but at a time when people are carrying on life in a normal fashion, like the days of Noah (eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage).
                                            i.     This is not to say that everything will be peaceful.
                                          ii.     We have had wars and persecutions all through history and they will continue to come.
b.          But there must be a readiness in every one of our hearts and lives for Jesus.
a. Ready for Him to encourage me, ready for Him to convict me, ready for Him to change me, ready for Him to return to get me.
b. Because I know Him, I will be with Him forever.
c.  Because I know Him He is coming for me.
d. Because I know Him I can be confident in His powerful promise to return.
                                            i.     See, I can know about Him and not know Him, expound.

Acts 1:9 “After saying this, He was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see Him. 10 As they strained to see Him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday He will return from heaven in the same way you saw Him go!"

c.           His disciples stood and watched Him go up, and up, until the clouds hid Him from their view.
a. He will return in the same way He left making Himself visible to us who are waiting for Him.
                                            i.     He will descend from heaven, come in power, bringing an innumerable company of angles to take us home.
                                          ii.     He is coming with a shout and no grave will be so far distant in Africa’s burning sand or Greenland’s icy mountains.
1. That Christ’s voice will not reach and make a way into.
                                       iii.     No stone or mausoleum so solid, that His voice will not break through.
1. This shout will be heard in every location of the earth where there abides a waiting, ready heart.

     3. When is He coming?
a.  The only "sign" that we will have of Jesus coming will be His actual coming.
                                            i.     We are to look forward to Christ's return in every moment; living responsibly, faithfully, compassionately, and courageously.     

Matthew 24:4 “Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you, 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah.' They will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. 9 "Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are My followers. 10 And many will turn away from Me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”

a. The persecution, false prophets, and general downgrade of society will not prevent the spread of the gospel.
                               i.     Before the end the gospel is to be preached for a witness unto all nations: not that all nations will be converted, but all nations shall have had the opportunity given them of deciding whether they are for or against Christ.
1. We the church should take seriously as our duty.
                            ii.     I live my life believing we are in the last season of grace.
1. Judgment is to come and I want to be ready.
b. Christ is coming as a thief in the night.
                          iii.     A thief comes with a definite object in view, and when it is accomplished he quickly, quietly disappears, carrying with Him that for which he came.
                          iv.     And the richest of all treasures the earth holds today are followers of Christ.
2. He is coming as a mighty warrior, victorious over death, hell, and the grave.

    4. For whom is He coming?
a. He is coming for the ready.
                                            i.     I don't know if we have seconds, days, or years—but as Christians, God calls us to take the truth of the Gospel to the ends of the Earth and that He must pour out His wrath on the world for the rejection of His Son.
b. He is coming for those looking.
                                            i.     Our job is to warn the unbelieving of the consequences of sin, show them that God is loving and gracious, willing to forgive as we come to Him in repentance and faith.
                                          ii.     Accepting God's provision for our sins—the shedding of Christ's Blood on the cross.
1. This is what we preach—Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, crucified for the sin of mankind, died, buried and risen from the dead seated at the right hand of God praying for people!
c.  He’s coming for you, have you prepared yourself by believing in Him?
                                            i.     Have you prepared yourself by following Him?
1. Are you ready to say yes, even now?      
d. He’s coming for the millions of believing followers and when He does tears are over, poverty is over, sickness, disease, and death will be completely annihilated.
                                            i.     Misunderstandings, abuse, disappointment, destruction, murder, and all lies will cease eternally.
e. He’s coming for faithful servants, they bore a cross here, there they will wear a crown.
                                            i.     The ever believing, nothing doubting, though the night was dark, the valley deep, and the pathway rugged; led by a faith that never wavered, even though it could not see or understand, a faith that challenged demons and the unbelieving alike, Christ is coming for you.
                                          ii.     Jesus is coming back for the believer not the perfect, not the most educated, not the rich, famous, or the popular, but the believer.
f.   He’s coming for every race, tribe, tongue, language, and people group who has dared to call upon His name.







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