He is Coming Back Again
Notes
Transcript
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”
19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
When Does the Second Coming Take Place?
When Does the Second Coming Take Place?
Before we unpack today’s scripture first I want to review with you when the Second Coming will take place. At times the end of days timeline can be confusing for some people and it is important to understanding the Second coming.
Currently, we live in the present church age or the age of grace as some would call it.
The next prophetic event to take place is the Rapture of the Church. This means those Christians who have already passed away as well as those Christians still living will meet Jesus in the clouds.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
When we are called to meet Jesus in the clouds we all will have transformed immortal bodies. Those who have already died and whose spirit is in heaven will return with Christ and their physical bodies will be resurrected to meet their spirits and be changed into their new bodies. Those of us who are still alive will be transformed in a moment into our new bodies and meet Jesus and the other saints in the air.
50 What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.
51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
After we are raptured we as believers will appear before the Judgement Seat of Christ known as the Bema.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
This event is not a matter of salvation because we are saved by our faith in Jesus Christ not by our works. However, we are still accountable for how we live the new life we have been given in Christ. Said simply we are not judged on our sin because that was settled in Christ but rather for our faithfulness. If we do our best there are rewards for us and if we do not use or new lives well then we will suffer loss of rewards but not of our salvation. Paul writes about this in
14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Then after the Bema or Judgement Seat of Christ the church meaning the saints or all Christians will begin a seven year celebration in heaven known as the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven with Jesus.
6 Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:
“Praise the Lord!
For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
7 Let us be glad and rejoice,
and let us give honor to him.
For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb,
and his bride has prepared herself.
8 She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.”
For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.
9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”
So while the world is being judged for rejecting Jesus we will be celebrating in heaven with Jesus. So remember no matter how bad things seem here on earth as believers Jesus is preparing a place for us to escape the judgment coming to a wicked world. Somebody give Him praise!
Next either just before or just after the rapture of the church will be the Gog and Magog war. My thoughts are that it will be just before as I spoke about in a previous message.
Next, Israel signs a seven year peace treaty with the antichrist and rebuilds the temple in Jerusalem. The antichrist which is a satanically empowered world ruler then breaks the treaty 3 1/2 years later and sits himself in the rebuilt temple claiming to be the Lord. This act is the abomination of desolation described in Daniel chapter 9.
This act of blasphemy begins the great tribulation which is the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation in which the wrath of God is poured out on the world more severely for three reasons. First is because the antichrist has blasphemed the name of the Lord and He will not tolerate it. Secondly the world at that time is full of sin, wickedness and rejection of God and following the beast which is the antichrist. Thirdly, the judgments are poured out so that as many people as possible may repent and be saved prior to the Second Coming of Christ.
While we can study the specific judgments as related to the seven seals, the seven trumpets and the seven bowls in the future as a study of the book of Revelation at this point realize that the wrath of God is being poured out on the evil beast who is the antichrist, the false prophet who performs signs and wonders to deceive people to worship the beast and a sinful world that rejects the Lord and is full of wickedness many of whom will follow the beast. In short the tribulation is the worst time in human history.
The only good events happening during the tribulation are that the elect and the two witnesses will share the Gospel and many people will repent and be saved. Unfortunately, in addition to living in horrible conditions most will be martyred because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
Simply put the Second Coming of Christ will occur immediately after the seven year tribulation time period but before the Millennial Reign of Christ, the Final Judgement or the eternal state which I will speak about in future sermons.
Jesus Returns as The Righteous Judge and Warrior King
Jesus Returns as The Righteous Judge and Warrior King
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
Clearly from this description we know the rider of the white horse is our Lord Jesus Christ. Many people in our modern church age identify with Jesus as the suffering servant but they struggle with the idea of Him as a warrior king. I have had several people tell me they do not believe in the judgement aspect of the Bible or make it seem like it is just an outdated concept preached by fire and brimstone preachers but this could not be further from the truth.
Jesus did live His life serving others and did give His life for the sins of the world. He is the word of God personified and as we know God is love. But brothers and sisters let me tell you something God is also holy and righteous and does not take sin lightly. If sin was something to be taken lightly then there would not have been the need for His son to suffer and die and be tortured on the cross for the sins of you and me and the rest of humanity. Sin is not casual as some today would treat it but sin is an offense to the Lord and where there is sin there will be a judgement for that sin. The only way to escape the penalty of sin is to put your faith in Jesus Christ and repent from your sins and that is a fact! And while yes we all make mistakes that we must ask forgiveness for they should be few and far between and not a lifestyle.
As we just read the character of Jesus is faithful and true and it is in His righteousness that He comes back to judge sin and to make war with those who reject Him and indulge in sin.
Verse 13 tells us that the rider of the white horse is clothed in a robe dipped in blood and His name is the word of God so there is no doubt at all that this is in fact Jesus Christ for only His blood atones for sin and He alone is the Word became flesh.
Do not be deceived brother sisters their is one God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit and there is no other name under heaven and earth that a person can be saved other than Jesus Christ! Amen!
14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
Verse 14 tells us that the armies in heaven come back with Jesus and that they are clothed in fine linen and have been cleaned. We just read earlier in verse 8 that during the marriage supper of the Lamb that the bride of Christ which is the church was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright and that the linen was the righteous acts of the saints. Therefore we the church will follow Jesus as part of the armies of heaven to rule and reign with Him clothed in righteousness.
So the next time you don’t feel good enough or that you have little to offer realize those are lies from the devil intended to destroy you. Because as we just read Jesus loves you so much that He gave His life for you, is preparing a place for you, cleaned you up from sin, made you righteous and is allowing you to come back with Him to establish His earthly kingdom. That should make you feel special and of the highest value glory to God!
15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. 16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
The sword which comes from the mouth of Christ is the word of God.
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
Jesus who is coming to judge the world knows every thought, desire and choice a person makes and the motivation behind making that choice. When He comes back he declares to the world the truth about who they are and what they have done. The time for repentance has passed and now those who rebelled against the Lord will have be held accountable and God’s wrath is fierce and will be poured out in a pulverizing fashion as one would smash grapes into wine.
Verse 16 concludes by telling us on his thigh is a name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This is a public declaration of the authority of Jesus Christ.
Again this side of Jesus is difficult for some people to imagine because He is complete love, mercy and grace to us a believers. So I would remind people that there is a real devil on the loose and real evil in the world and real people doing horrible things to babies, children, women and to one another that is in addition to rejecting God and instead living in a self destructive state. Much like a parent who loves their child will be loving to them but will defend them fiercely against any who wish to harm them the Lord who loves us beyond measure will also fiercely act on those who seek to harm or who have harmed His people unless they repent and seek Him.
19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
Verses 19-21 show us the battle of Armageddon where the beast along with the political leaders of the earth and their armies make war with Jesus and the armies of heaven which again includes us the church.
Needless to say that does not go well for satan and the beast and the false prophet are captured and thrown alive into the lake of burning fire with brimstone.
Then the rest of those who made war will be killed with the sword of the mouth of Jesus. Said differently God spoke the word and it was so and they were killed and all the birds were filled on the flesh of their dead bodies.
Rapture vs Second Coming
Rapture vs Second Coming
Lastly, I know we have been covering a lot of information in this end of days sermon series so I just wanted to quickly highlight some of the major differences between the Rapture and the Second Coming to help solidify the teaching.
First off the Rapture gives seven years for the Marriage of the Lamb while the Second Coming has no time for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Secondly, the Rapture is for believers only while the Second Coming is going to effect all of humanity.
The Rapture is a time of joy and the Second Coming is a time of mourning.
The Rapture is a time of rewards while the Second Coming is a time of judgement.
The Rapture is imminent and can happen at any time while the Second Coming can’t occur for seven years after the Tribulation begins
Lastly after the Rapture the Tribulation begins and after the Second Coming the Millennial Reign of Christ Begins
Jesus is Coming Back Soon
Jesus is Coming Back Soon
In closing, we have all been hurt on some level and we have all had to endure the evil ways of this world in some way. Most of us can recognize that we are living in the last days and that things more likely than not will only get worse.
But hear me today God is still on the throne and Jesus has still commissioned us with the work of sharing the Gospel with others and helping the saints so we don’t loose any fellow believers along the way.
So when we read the second coming of Christ and the judgments coming on the world not only are we to be encouraged that Jesus is making a way for us to escape but we should also have an urgent compassion on those who are not saved or those who are struggling with their faith because the wrath of God is a real thing and if our hearts truly are Christlike then we should not wish that any be left behind but that as many as can be saved would be saved. Amen!
While the Bible tells us not to live in a fearful state it does tell us in several places that a healthy reverent fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. This means we are accountable for putting our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior but also as the Lord of our lives. So that not only will we escape the wrath that is to come but that we can share the Good News and the very real warning of not following the Lord with the world around us.
PRAYER