Message left behind 10 05 14 presentation

Understanding The Second Coming Of Christ

1248, 1306, 1689, 1792, 1836, 1844, 1914, 1936, 1960, 1974, 1981, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994, 2011.

Do you have any idea what these dates have in common?

They all represent the times in which people predicted that the second coming of Christ would occur.

According to a 2006 survey

by Pew Research Forum, 79% of Christians in the USA say they believe the return of Christ will happen someday and 20% say it will happen in their lifetime.

Many Christians have “rapture fever” – that is, they are obsessed with the second coming of Christ.

Various interpretations surrounding the when, where,

and how of this incredible event have spawned endless divisions among Jesus’ followers. In fact, some Christians are so fixated on the second coming of Christ

that they haven’t given enough time to understand His first coming.

(Leonard Sweet)

Our Lord Jesus Christ is coming again. We will be gathered together to meet Him. But we ask you, Christian brothers, do not be troubled in mind or worried by the talk you hear . . .

Do not let anyone fool you . . .

Our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father loves us. Through His loving-favor He gives us comfort and hope that lasts forever. May He give your hearts comfort and strength to say and do every good thing.

(2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 16-17 – New Life Version)

FACT 1: Christ is coming again!

Promised return

He was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them.

“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!”

(Acts 1:9-11 – New Living Translation)

When you eat the bread and drink the cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.

(1 Corinthians 11:26 – New International Reader’s Version)

Christ was offered 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.

(Hebrews 9:28 – New Living Translation)

The Son of Man will come again just as lightning flashes from east to west.

(Matthew 24:27 – God’s Word Translation)

FACT 2: No one knows when!

Imminent return

But the exact day and hour?

No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels not even the Son. Only the Father knows. The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah’s.

Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark. They knew nothing—until the flood hit and swept everything away.

(Matt. 24:36-39 – The Message)

Two men will be working together in the fields, and one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be going about their household tasks; one will be taken, the other left.

So be prepared, for you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.

(Matthew 24:40-42 – Living Bible)

FACT 3: We must be ready at any moment!

Sudden return

For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

(1 Thessalonians 5:2 – New Living Translation)

Just as a man can prevent trouble from thieves by keeping watch for them, so you can avoid trouble by always being ready for my unannounced return.

(Matthew 24:43 – Living Bible)

The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. But only five of them were wise enough to fill their lamps with oil,

while the other five were foolish and forgot. So, when the bridegroom was delayed, they lay down to rest until midnight, when they were roused by the shout, “The bridegroom is coming! Come out and welcome him!�

All the girls jumped up and trimmed their lamps. Then the five who hadn’t any oil begged the others to share with them, for their lamps were going out.

But the others replied, “We haven’t enough.

Go instead to the shops and buy some for yourselves.� But while they were gone, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.

Later, when the other five returned, they stood outside, calling, “Sir, open the door for us!�

But he called back, “Go away!

It is too late!” So stay awake and be prepared, for you do not know the date or moment of my return.

(Matthew 25:1-13 – LB)

FACT 4: We must get busy sharing Christ!

Delayed return

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.

(Matthew 24:14 – New Living Translation)

Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day.

God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness.

He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.

(2 Peter 3:9 – The Message)

I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there—all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches,

standing before the Throne and the Lamb and heartily singing: Salvation to our God on his Throne! Salvation to the Lamb!

(Revelation 7:9 – The Message)

When the apostles were all together, they asked Jesus, “Lord are you now going to give the kingdom back to Israel?�

Jesus said to them, “The Father is the only One who has the authority to decide dates and times. These things are not for you to know.�

But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power.

You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria and in every part of the world.

(Acts 1:6-8 – New Century Version)

Jesus, the One who says these things are true, says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20 – New Century Version)

Let’s Pray