The Advent of the Promised Return

Introduction

One of our most prolific Christmas songs of the day we sing was written in reflection of Psalm 98 by Isaac Watts. Watts is one of our greatest hymn writers, but when he wrote Joy To the World it was not the advent of Jesus’ brith he had in mind.

The song says,

Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let Earth receive her King.

Yet we know that Jesus in His first advent was not received as a King. In fact, He was despised and rejected my most.

The third verse speaks of sins and sorrows being no more. While Christ did bear our sins and by His stripes we are healed; we know that in the incarnation all that took place, sin still has influence over this world. Satan is a defeated foe, but still has the ability to wreak havoc.

Therefore, the advent of the Promised Messiah, Heir, and King came about in the incarnation of Jesus, but we have one more advent to await- the advent of the promised return!

Jesus told of His going away and subsequent return one day. Of course, we don’t know of the time when it will happen.

John 14:27–28 “27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. 28 You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.”

The reality of the second advent is coming, but what are we to do in the meantime? What happens in the return of Jesus? How do we look for the return of Jesus? What does the return of Jesus mean for us and the world?

This is what I want to examine today.

1 Thess. 4:13-17

What happens in the return of Jesus?

The church at Thessolinica was doing well. They were living faithfully and serving expectantly. But it appears from Paul’s address in this letter that there was a driving theological question about death and the second coming of Christ.

Paul seeks to reassure them that while they wait expectantly for Jesus’ return, those who will die and have died that are believers in Jesus prior to this event will not miss out.

So, Paul seeks to answer a little bit on what happens at the second advent.

The resurrection of the dead will take place (v.13-15)

In fulfilling a pastoral role of teaching and leading the people closer to Jesus, he tells them I don’t want you to be uninformed. He is shepherding their hearts and minds.

He tells them that if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, that those who have died will follow in the same manner as Jesus. In essence, when the trumpet blows and the clouds part like a scroll at the return, Jesus will call up those who have died.

We read a euphemism being used by Paul to speak of those who are dead as being asleep. There are some who believe that once we die we enter into a sleep state until the return of Jesus. However, Scriptures like the thief on the cross where Jesus tells him today you will be with me in paradise or the imagery Jesus used of the rich man in hell seeking help from Lazarus in heaven; indicates that we do not simply fall into some sleep state after death.

Application

The reality of death is very much real for us all. We can press the snooze button on it with entertainment, life, mindless scrolling, etc that doesn’t keep it a present reality.

But we trust the words written in v. 13- “We do not grieve like those with no hope.” Death is a doorway into the full presence of God for those who have faith in Jesus Christ.

Even more, we have hope because we believe that life happens after death. Life that is brought forth in a resurrection of our physical bodies that will be remade into a glorified body to dwell with Christ forever.

The Lord will descend, announce His arrival, and take us up with Him. (v.16-18)

It is important to note that Jesus told His disciples (and us) that He will come back for us. Here, Paul reiterates that as Christ is the one who comes back.

He doesn’t send an angel, He doesn’t send Peter or Paul. He, Himself comes to gather us.

This is important to note because of the personal nature of God.

This might be silly, but I think of the movie Taken. A man with a particular set of skills sends his daughter off to France for a trip with friends. She is kidnapped and in the process this man employs his particular set of skills to get her back.

With all his connections as a former spy or whatever he was, he could send in a team. He could call on the government to help. Instead, he makes it his personal mission to gather her up. Why? Because he is her father and that is his child.

So it is with Triune God toward those in Jesus Christ.

Don’t misunderstand what Paul is describing here either. This moment is sudden. It is not preannounced or made clear that it is happening. It will just happen and in that moment all who are saved by the sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ will be united with Him. Those living and those since passed will immediately know the presence of Jesus like they never have.

A question I always had growing up was why in the air? Of course the idea of heaven being above is all throughout Scripture and we speak of it in this way.

First, I think of this and it is hard to imagine how cool this could be. For a moment I get to be a superhero flying high in the sky without any issue.

But the reality is Jesus ascended into the clouds and promised in Acts 1 that in the same way He is going out He will come back. So, the manner is just a fulfillment of His promise of return.

Application

I want to make this very clear. This event is an event of joy for those who are in Jesus Christ. Those who have believed, confessed, repented, and surrendered unto Jesus. They are the ones who should look at this moment as wonderful. Those who are not in Christ Jesus will see this time with trepidation.

Why? Because once it takes place there is no going back. It is done.

If you are here today and you do not know Jesus as the Savior and Lord of your life, today is the day to believe, confess, repent, and surrender to Him. Today is the day to understand that your sin separates you from God and unless you have Jesus give you a new heart for and in the Lord, this second advent of Jesus will not be one of joy for you, but it can be.

1 Thess. 5:1-7

How do we look for this promised return?

There are many Scriptures that speak of the return of Jesus and what to look for. Matthew’s gospel speaks of wars, earthquakes, false christs, famines, etc. But Jesus says those are labor pains, not the event itself. We see the increase of them as signs of the arrival of Jesus.

Here, Paul says the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. Again, the suddenness of it is expressed, but more is presented with this analogy too.

It comes at an unexpected time, but with anticipation.

Paul tells believers to know that it will come at a time that cannot be anticipated but to wait with anticipation.

I remember a bad snow storm we had in KC growing up that resulted in us losing power. Some friends in a nearby neighborhood did have power and we stayed with them for several nights. Dad was worried about leaving because our sliding glass door didn’t lock well and there were some issue in our area of people trying to break in.

So, dad stayed the night with our dog at our house. He kept kerosene heaters on and sure enough someone tried to get into the house thinking no one was home since we were without power. They were quick to find a dog and a man there and left promptly.

Dad couldn’t know a burglar would attempt something, but he waited in anticipation of someone given the present circumstances.

So, we look at the signs and know any day it could happen, but we must also wait with anticipation and readiness for the time to come.

1 Thess. 4:13, 18, 5:6-11

What do we do in the meantime as we wait with anticipation?

Paul doesn’t want us to simply wait with eagerness and be so heavenly focused that we are no good here. There is life to live and work to be done for the kingdom. So here are the things we do in the meantime.

Be informed (v.13)

We cannot have all the answers to this event, but we cannot remain ignorant on what we can learn. Too many Christians lose sight of the gospel, of Christ, of salvation, or Christian living, and of the return of Jesus simply because they are uninformed.

Study the Word, be a part of the church’s discipleship process, learn from good biblical teachers.

Maintain and build hope (v.13)

A favorite show of mine growing up (I won’t say because I’ll get made fun of) has a beautiful quote: The hardest thing to do in this world is to live in it.

For the believer, we have hope in the salvation of Jesus that results in our eternal hope of resurrection and life with God. Death is scary, but as we immerse ourselves with the truth of what awaits us as presented in Scripture it leads us to maintain and build hope.

Encourage one another (v.18, 5:11)

Twice Paul tells his readers/hearers to encourage one another. The reality of eternity with Jesus is an encouragement to the person facing terminal illness or hardship. The reality of the promises of God being fulfilled over and over again brings encouragement to each other as we remind one another of these promises.

As we traverse the hardship of life- loss, financial strain, the brokenness of the world, loneliness, changes in life, etc; we are charged to encourage one another to the hope we have.

Be ready (5:6-7)

Paul uses sleep again, but instead of referring to death he speaks of laziness or apathy as sleep. We are not to remain in the dark or in a place of spiritual apathy that leaves us unprepared.

Instead seek to be self-controlled in your life and ready for the day you will see Jesus face to face. The day when you and I will give an account for the life we have lived under the banner of Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Far too many are simply drunk Christians- perhaps in the literal sense, but more so in the spiritual sense. In a stupor they stumble around through life unable to persevere as they are called because their hope is built on something less.

As Paul said in another letter, wake up o sleeper and rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you!

Live the life Christ called you to (v.8-10)

“Get busy living or get busy dying” as Andy Dufrense spoke to Red Morgan in the Shawshank Redemption. The idea was that you can live life full or you can slowly die until you die.

Paul wants believers in Jesus to get busy living until either they die or Jesus comes back. He tells them to live by being self-controlled, put on the armor [of God], and live for the salvation that is appointed unto you.

I’ve often heard it said the most important inscription on a tombstone is the dash between the dates of birth and death. The dash is representative of your life lived. It can’t be captured on a tombstone, but it certainly can be remembered by your loved ones and the people your bring with you in the name of Christ.

Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty recently passed. I listened to their podcast speaking of Phil and his dash mattered deeply to him. His goal in life was to lead his family to Jesus and bring as many others with him as he could.

What about you? Are you a Christian who is busy living or dying?

We have a new year ahead of us. Is now the time to evaluate your dash to build a legacy for Jesus?

Conclusion

The return of Jesus is hard to imagine. It is hard to imagine what will take place and what is to come. I love Jesus, but I also love many things of this world.

Part of the reason for that comes from what I know and experienced in this life. So, it is hard to imagine experiencing what I’m about to read in Revelation 21. If I’m honest, its a little scary because it is unknown and foreign to life now.

Revelation 21:1–8 CSB

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. 5 Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. 7 The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son. 8 But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Clearly those separated from God by rejecting Jesus as Savior and Lord cannot anticipate this with any joy. What awaits them is terrible.

But, for those who are in Jesus listen to what John describes: God will dwell with us, take up residency. Imagine in the new heaven and earth walking in it’s perfection and sitting under a tree. Up walks Jesus in the flesh and sits next to you. The fullness of His presence.

In the Chosen series there is a moment that makes me cry where Jesus is before Mary Magdalene and essential reveals who He is. In her brokenness and plight, she embraces Him and He her. I cry because in my hardest moments, in the loss of loved ones, in the battle for the hearts of people, in the trenches of ministry that weight heavy on my soul I like to imagine that one day that will be me.

Guess what, if you are in Jesus Christ it will be you one day too. If you are not in Jesus, covered by His salvation; you could one day have the same as many of us will have one day.

Come and respond as the Lord leads you today.