MEMORY VERSE: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:12.
BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 24:29-31.
INTRODUCTION
The coming of Christ is something that should excite the believer. He should have nothing to fear 1 John 4:17 NLT. This is because His coming is redemptive for those are being saved but judgement for those who are perishing 2 Corinthians 2:15. At His coming, all things would be set in order, and we would be presented to God as a church without spot or wrinkles.1 John 1:5. Everyone will receive their just reward for their works while here on Earth when He comes suddenly unannounced Revelation 22:12- 14; Revelation 16:15;1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. As God’s children, we must be ready for His imminent return which will be preceded by great tribulations such as we are experiencing here on Earth now Matthew 24:1-14, The nations of the world are part of the tools that God will use to punish His people, Israel. All these must happen before Christ comes as King at the very end to judge those whose names hare not written in the book of life. May the Lord show us mercy and grant us grace to be ready when He comes.
OUTLINE
- CHRIST OUR REDEEMER
- CHRIST, THE JUDGE AND KING
- CHRIST OUR REDEEMER
Prior to the creation of mankind on Earth, things were in order until the devil destroyed them. God called for Jesus to eliminate and destroy all the works of the devil to restore all things to their original purpose. God also performed a separation between Light and Darkness because they can never coexist John 3:19-21. Although mankind was made in the image of God, We lost His image and our fragrance and so needed redemption from our fallen state because of the presence of sin 2 Corinthians 2:15; Genesis 4:6-7. The depraved nature of mankind increased so much that God limited their lifespan Genesis 6:3. God started with Noah whom He found righteous, but this attempt failed when Noah got drunk Ezekiel 10:18
God then decided that He would come in the flesh Himself in the person of Jesus Christ to restore man to his original image, by His death on the cross John 3:14-15, 2 Corinthians 3:14-18. Our freedom from the old nature of Darkness is in Christ, Romans 6:1-9. This is the only way we can function in our original capacity as bearers of the image of Christ.
2. CHRIST, THE JUDGE AND KING
God’s judgment against sin and evil is death but His gift is eternal life Romans 6:23. In Christ Jesus, God gave us a way of escape. God is emphatic about judgment of sin in Genesis 48:4-6 Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were adopted by Jacob, yet in Revelation 7.5-8 Ephraim and Dan were blotted out from the names of the tribes to be sealed during the Lord’s indignation because they caused lsrael| to sin after the sin of Balaam Ezekiel 18:20-32.Similarly, God passed judgement for sin across the scriptures 1 Kings 12:25-33; John 16:11; Revelation 20:10. However, God through Jesus Christ desires to reconcile us back to Himself and keep us from eternal punishment to come in the no distant future John 5:24; Matthew 25:41.
Christ is coming back to this Earth as a King Revelation 20:4. Christ would first need to recall all His servants through a series of calls before He comes back finally with them to rule on the earth. The Word refers to this as the first resurrection Revelation 20:5. The first to rise would be Christ the firstborn, Romans 8:29, 1 Corinthians 15:20-24, Acts 26:22-23, then the dead John 5:28-29, Daniel 12:2, Acts 24:15, then those of us who are alive 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, then those from the tribulation Revelation 20:4, Daniel 7:9, 22, 27. No where did the Scriptures speak of a second resurrection. It only spoke of a second death. The Scriptures refers to everyone that partakes of the first resurrection as victorious. They will reign with Christ for a thousand years on the earth. Revelation 20:14 tells us that anyone whose name was not found in the book of life is thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death Revelation 21:8. After this, the Kingdom of God will come down to dwell with men. Christ will make a new heaven and a new earth, and brings it back to men; there, He will rule and reigns supreme and fill in all. Revelation 21:23.
CONCLUSION
We have not been appointed to face the wrath of God 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10;1 Corinthians 15:24. God’s desire is that the Mystery of Christ might be made known through the Church Colossians 1:26-29 His coming as King is to fill all things all over the universe.
FURTHER READING
Mon: Matthew 24:1- end, 1 Peter 3:18-20,
Tues: 1 Peter 4:5-8,
Wed: Ephesians 4:8-10,
Thurs: Jeremiah 23:18,
Fri: 2 Thessalonians 2:5-8,
Sat: Mark 4:22-24,
Sun: Revelation 1:1-3.