Behold I Come Quickly

                                   BEHOLD I COME QUICKLY

                 The Imminent Return

                 Introduction

Barnabas, who was a co-worker with the apostle Paul, has been quoted as saying, “The true Sabbath is the one thousand years … when Christ comes back to reign.”

Clement (a.d. 96), Bishop of Rome, said, “Let us every hour expect the kingdom of God … we know not the day.”

Polycarp (a.d. 108), Bishop of Smyrna and finally burned at the stake there, said, “He will raise us from the dead … we shall … reign with Him.”

Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, who the historian Eusebius says was the apostle Peter’s successor, commented, “Consider the times and expect Him.”

Papias (a.d. 116), Bishop of Hierapolis, who—according to Irenaeus—saw and heard the apostle John, said, “There will be one thousand years … when the reign of Christ personally will be established on earth.”

Justin Martyr (a.d. 150) said, “I and all others who are orthodox Christians, on all points, know there will be a thousand years in Jerusalem … as Isaiah and Ezekiel declared.”

Irenaeus (a.d. 175), Bishop of Lyons, commenting on Jesus’ promise to drink again of the fruit of the vine in His Father’s kingdom, argues: “That this … can only be fulfilled upon our Lord’s personal return to earth.”

Tertullian (a.d. 200) said, “We do indeed confess that a kingdom is promised on earth.”

Martin Luther said, “Let us not think that the coming of Christ is far off.”

John Calvin, in his third book of Institutes, wrote: “Scripture uniformly enjoins us to look with expectation for the advent of Christ.”[1]

1.   LOOKING                                   

Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

2.   LIVING                                         

Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

3.   LONGING

Psalms 107:9  For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the  hungry soul with goodness.

What A Day That Will Be

4. Sinful

2 Peter 3:4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

 5.  Selfish

           2 Timothy 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves,          covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

 6. SLothful

Proverbs 6:9  How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?

Revelation 3:11  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Revelation 16:15  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Revelation 22:7  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book

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Revelation 22:12  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Revelation 22:20  20 ¶  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

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[1] McGee, J. V. (1997). Thru the Bible commentary (electronic ed.) (Jud 25). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.