Jesus Is Coming Back!

Intro:This message is a continuation of last weeks message. So much chatter on social media!

Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you…I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:2-3)

PRAY!!!!

Jesus is coming again! Then sin will ultimately defeated. Sickness gone, sorrow and death? gone! Wrongs will be made right, justice will be handed down and Christ will rule in love and mercy.

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

Christs return is the “blessed hope” of all Christians past and present.

1 Cor 15:19 “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

It’s more than just optimism and feel good faith, its for his life and the life to come

Jesus promised He’s coming back, but He also said

Matt24:36 ““But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”

And look at this:

Matt 24:44 “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

This is where things get sideways sometimes

We don’t know when Jesus will return, but we know He IS going to return. So when? and what will be the sign?

The gospels of Matt, Mark, Luke record the same answers to this questions: Two events must happen

1. A falling away of the faithful.

2 Thess 2:3 “Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first.

2. The gospel is preached to the ends of the earth.

Matt 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

Being aware of these 2 events to come, the disciples received the great commission to evangelize while there was still time

2nd Timothy chapter 3 gives us a real glimpse into what the last days will look like

2 Tim 3:1-5 “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”

You have to admit, that does sound like the 2023 world we live in

Matt 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

The early church waited expectantly and I would argue impatiently for Christ’s return. History reveals it gave way to some scoffers and doubters. Look at:

2 Pet 3:3-4 “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.””

We also want specific answers about Christ’s return. There are still alot of Self styled preachers who try to exploit every war, natural disaster, famine our or act violence to try to gain credibility as end time prophet.

Don’t believe it! Jesus said

Matthew 24:23–24 ESV

Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

End time fiction takes a little faith and alot of make believe

The Bible says that Christ return will be:

Suddenly

Matt 24:27 “For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

2. Unexpectedly

Matt 24:44 “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

1 Thess 5:2-3 “For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”

3. Personally

Acts 1:11 “and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.””

4. Visibly

Rev 1:7 “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.”

5. Audibly

1 Thess 4:16 “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”

6. Victoriously

1 Cor 15:54 “When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.””

7. Eternally

1 Thess 4:17 “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”

Victory over Death, hell and devil happened at the cross so there's no need to have a great military battle (Armageddon) Armageddon was a spiritual battle already fought and won thanks to Jesus and the cross.

There will be 1 resurrection of the dead when He comes

1 Thess 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”

We believe Christ ushered in His kingdom at His first advent, and at his return he will hand over the kingdom to God the father

Matt 3:2 ““Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.””

Mark 1:15 “and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.””

What you need to do:

1. You must be born again

John 3:5 “Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

2. Don’t compromise

Matthew 6:24 ““No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

3. Don’t conform

Rom 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

4. Fight the good fight

2 Tim 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

5. Wait patiently

James 5:7-9 “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”

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IN CLOSING:

PRAY!!