MEMORY VERSE:‘’And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where i am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3.
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
INTRODUCTION
Acts 1:10-11 describes the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ as being personal, bodily, and visible with power. The second coming of our Lord will be in like manner. However, if will be in two phases. The first phase, regarded as the rapture 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, will be the coming of the Lord with His saints Revelation 1:7, to set up the millennium reign of 1000 years on earth 1 Thessalonians 3:13. Between the first phase and the second phase of the second coming of Christ is the period of the great tribulation.
OUTLINE
1.PROPHECIES OF HIS SECOND COMING
2. BEHOLD HE COMES!
1.PROPHECIES OF HIS SECOND COMING
The first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ was prophesied and those prophecies came to pass, literally Isaiah 7:14; 9:6. This gives us great confidence that the prophecies of the “Second Advent’ will also be fulfilled literally. His second coming was foretold by the prophets Daniel 7:13-14. Jesus Himself said it Matthew 25:31; John 14:3. The angels and the apostles also witness to it Acts 1:10-11, 1 Timothy 6:14.
He is coming to fulfil the following purposes:
At the first phase (rapture), there will be the completion of the salvation of the saints Hebrews 9:28. Christ will bring to light the hidden things of darkness 1 Corinthians 4:5 and receive us to be with Himself as His bride John 14:3. At the second phase (the physical revelation of Christ),. He will be glorified in His saints 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, execute judgement, as a conquering King 2 Timothy 4:1. He will reign majestically Revelations 11:15 and destroy death 1 Corinthians 15:25-26.
2. BEHOLD HE COMES!
The following should be noted about the manner of His second coming: at the first phase (the rapture), He will descend from Heaven with a shout and voice of the archangel 1 Thessalonians 4:16, suddenly 1 Corinthians 15:52, in glory of His Father Matthew 16:27, the saints will meet Him in the air and be with Him forever 1 Thessalonians 4:17. At the second phase (the revelation), He will come in clouds to the earth with power and great glory Matthew 24:30, He will come in His own glory accompanied by His angels Matthew 25:31 with His saints 1 Thessalonians 3:13, in flaming fire 2 Thessalonians 1:8 and bodily, as He ascended Acts 1:9-11.
CONCLUSION
Do not be deceived. Christ’s coming is sure and certain 2 Peter 3:3-12. While we ought to plan and work as if He will not be coming for another century, we must live a holy and pure life at all the time as if today He will return 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13. Watch and pray.
FURTHER READINGS:
SUN: Matthew 24:44
MON: 2 Peter 3:3-12
TUE: Revelations 22:20
WED: Luke 13:3
THUR: Matthew 25:13
FRI: 1 Timothy 1:14
SAT: 2 Timothy 2:19