Behold, He comes!

Mark 13:26-27

During the closing days of WWII, a hospital in Nuremberg Germany was damaged extensively by a bombing. After cleaning up the rubble, someone painted on the wall of one of the hospital wards, “We don’t know what is coming, but we know Who is coming.” Christians have always lived in the joyful certainty that Jesus is coming back.

Titus 2:13 “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,”

Salvation has already been achieved through the Cross and the resurrection but total victory still awaits the day of His return.

No teaching in all of Scripture could be clearer than the teaching that Jesus is coming again.

John 14:3 ““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.”

Acts 1:10-11 “And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also 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.””

1 Thes. 4:16 “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.”

The second coming of Jesus is going to be awesome beyond all description: The heavens are going to open up as Jesus steps on a cloud of glory, descending with Him are His mighty angels in flaming fire!

At His 1st coming only shepherds in the fields came and worshiped Him but when He returns all of creation will bow their knees to Him and hail Him King of kings and Lord of lords as He sits on the throne of David and His rule shall never end.

CPS: Today I want to tell you two things about His coming.

I. The Signs of His Coming (3-13) (Matt. 24:3)

In reply to the disciples question Jesus stressed that no one knows the day or the hour. Clearly people will be caught by surprise but Jesus gives 7 warnings “watch out, be on your guard, and be on the alert.” We may not can know the time of His coming but Jesus gives us indications as to what the closing days of history will be like.

Just Prior to Jesus’ return will be days of unprecedented upheaval.

A. False Prophets (6, 21-22)

B. Global Wars/ International Conflicts (7-8A)

C. Natural Disasters/Famine (8B)

This world has always had wars and natural Disasters, the key to this is 8(C). These are the beginning of birth pains (Sorrows KJV). Greek noun ōdin (suffering) This word is translated as “Labor Pains” in 1 Thes. 5:3. It is the idea of the onset of contractions that increase in frequency and intensity.

ILL: I remember when Hope was about to have Chandler, we took her to the hospital because she was having contractions. At first they were 20 mins. apart and lasted a few seconds then they grew more frequent and increased in intensity and length. Before long they were lasting over a minutes and coming every five minutes.

As time draws near to His coming famine and natural disasters will be frequent and extremely intense.

D. Persecution of Christians (9-13)

Persecution of Christians in Israel and the Nations will be extremely intense on account of the Gospel, to the point that families will be divided delivering each other to death , but it will be a time of advancement for the Gospel. (13) (Matt. 24:14) Despite mounting opposition from the world against the Church the Gospel (Holy Spirit) will spread throughout the whole world! We are called to stand fast and endure, then the end will come!

Again, many of these signs have always been visible though not to the same degree, but they will be greatly intensified in the end times.

ILL: The May 1984 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC shows through color photos and drawings, the swift and terrible destruction that wiped out the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in A.D. 79. The explosion of Mount Vesuvius was so sudden, the residents were killed while in their routine: men and women were at the market, the rich in their luxurious baths, slaves at toil. They died amid volcanic ash and super-heated gases. Even family pets suffered the same quick and final fate. It takes little imagination to picture the panic of that terrible day. The saddest part is that these people did not have to die.

Scientists confirm what ancient Roman writers record—weeks of rumblings and shakings preceded the actual explosion. Even an ominous cloud of smoke was clearly visible from the mountain days before the eruption. If only they had been able to read and respond to Vesuvius’s warning!

Jesus said, “And you must watch! I have told you everything in advance! (23)

II. The Significance of His Coming (14-27)

After those birth pains an evil will fall upon this world like has never before been seen! The man of lawlessness will emerge on the world stage performing signs and wonders! He will be killed but raised back to life! This world figure will stand in the rebuilt Temple of Jerusalem and declare Himself God and demand that all the world worship him. For 3 1/2 years He will rule with an iron fist but after that tribulation (1290 days and not a day more) Jesus will suddenly appear and conquer all His foes and make right every wrong! What is the significance of Jesus’ return? Final and absolute victory!

We can say today that the devil is a defeated foe and he is, yet he is still on the loose trying to steal, kill, and destroy all that God holds dear! When Jesus comes all rebellion of spirit and humanity will be squashed! Jesus warns us about this day saying, Mark 13:33 “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.” So, BE READY!

ILL: After church, where she had been taught about the Second Coming, a little girl was quizzing her mother. “Mommy, do you believe Jesus will come back?” “Yes.” “Today?” “Yes.” “In a few minutes?”“Yes, dear.” “Mommy, would you comb my hair?”

Are you ready to meet the Lord and Savior of the world? I sure hope so. However there are many mockers who say that this is a bunch of hogwash. “they've been talking about the end for years and it still hasn't come.”

2 Pet. 3:3-4 “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” 2 Pet. 3:8-9 “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 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.”

Jesus tells us that this generation will not pass away until all these things takes place (30), Generation is the Greek noun genea, means an indefinite age, but it can also mean race; ie: the human race! In the day of the Lord the sun will be darkened and the moon will not shed its light, the stars will be falling from the skies and the powers in heaven will be shaken. Then in that total darkness, as evil seems to prevail; the Light of the world in all His Glory will appear in the air leading the host of heaven, His robe dipped in blood, from His mouth a sharp sword in which He will strike down all His foe, written on His robe and His thigh is the name KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, simultaneous He will gather those who are His living on earth and the saints of Heaven, He will descend upon the mount of olives which will break into as His holy nail pierced feet touch the earth! He will walk across the Kidron valley and kick open the eastern gates of Jerusalem, march up the Temple Mount and sit down upon the throne of David in VICTORY! What is the significance to the Lord’s coming? Victory!

Jesus tells us (31) that all creation will pass away but what He has said will certainly come true! Are you ready! Rev. 22:20 “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”