Is Jesus' Return Soon?

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.

Introduction

I have a question to ask this morning? There is no wrong or right answer — it’s just for fun. What is your favorite place to hang out with friends and family or just by yourself?

Hospital didn’t make the cut! Neither did cemetery. And for good reason: cemeteries are sad places because they represent people we have lost — grieving never really goes away. On the other hand, going to a cemetery should be a good reminder of how short this life is.

Hebrews 9:27 NKJV

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

George O. Wood video “The Second Coming” (00.37 — 1:58) https://ag.org/Beliefs/Our-Core-Doctrines/Second-Coming

The world can be discouraging - abuse, brokenness, addiction and all that comes with it, moral depravity, sickness, loneliness, pressure from many sources — hard to deal with, but these are loud reminders that people need Jesus desperately.

When we are made new in Christ we gain hope that we could never have without Him. In addition to being adopted into the family of God, we gain another hope — the Blessed Hope of Christ’s return. Here’s today’s question — Is Jesus’ Return Near? I have a very clear answer for you: “Yes!” or “maybe” “I don’t know” or how about “It depends!” or “Let me get a prophecy expert to explain it.” Who’s opinion or interpretation is correct? What about blood moons? What about Israel? Who is the anti-christ? Those are legitimate questions...

But here’s what we know right now, for sure, without question: Jesus is coming for His church - it’s just a matter of which flight we get on — the one that comes through physical death or the one that snatches us up to meet the Lord in the air.

Prayer

Since Jesus could come at any time - how should we live each day?

Transition: One obvious question pops up immediately when we ask the question, “Is Jesus’ return near?” “What about the signs of the times…prophecy?”

SURROUNDED BY SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Signs serve as reminders and warnings

And warnings

Matthew 24:4–14 NIV

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

We see all these things, in varying degrees, taking place in the world

Signs are reminders, but not specific time-tables

Famine

False Christs and false prophets — many have come…many are in the world today

Wars

Persecution (tribulation)

The Gospel preached everywhere

Signs are reminders, but not specific time-tables

I grew up hearing about signs of the times — the rapture — the judgement seat Christ. One popular song on the radio was about signs of the times — we sang He’s coming soon —

I also grew up hearing a lot of messages or lessons on end-times events, and prophecy. Many over the history of the church tried to predict the time of the coming of the Lord

Many books have been written on the end-times - some great books, some a little out there and unbiblical

Signs are reminders, but not specific time-tables

Many books have been written on the end-times - some great books, some a little out there and unbiblical

Novels, movies, etc.

Throughout history, many people have predicted the time of the coming of the Lord

Matthew 24:36 NIV

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

1 Thessalonians 5:1–2 NIV

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

1 Thessalonians 5:1 NIV

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,

A map of the future would be more destructive than helpful —

Signs give hope

Luke 21:25–28 NIV

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Practical Advice

Many people have written and taught on the subject of end times. Some of them are really good. But there various opinions on the how, when, where, of the last days. The best thing we can do, in the long run?

Always focus on clear statements of scripture regarding end-time events

Leave the speculative aspects of prophecy to those who propose ideas and opinions that cannot be CLEARLY gathered from God’s Word

Transitional: Regardless of when Jesus will return…let us all lift up our heads in joyful expectations because, it will happen

EVERYTHING WILL CHANGE…IN A FLASH!

1 Thessalonians 4:13–17 NIV

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

1 Thessalonians 5:13–17 NIV

Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually,

1 Thessalonians 5

Exposition: Put the context in context here DON’T FORGET

1 Corinthians 15:51–52 NIV

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Titus 2:13 NIV

while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Exposition

In the beginning of chapter 4, Paul reminded the people how important it is to live a live that is pleasing to the Lord - to search their hearts and get rid of moral impurity — to treat one another with the love of the Lord — to lead good, productive lives for the Lord

Why did Paul tell them these things? Was it more than just a pastor badgering his folks to straighten up and fly right? Yes…it was a clear sense of urgency

1 Thessalonians 3:13 NIV

May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–15 NIV

1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 NIV

Titus 2:13

Paul often answered questions in his letters — some of them were obviously confused about what would happen to the believers that had already died —

1 Thess 4:

1 thess 4:13-15

Paul often answered questions in his letters — some of them were obviously confused about what would happen to the believers that had already died —

2 Corinthians 5:8 NIV

We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:4–8 NIV

For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:4 NIV

Philippians 3:21 NIV

who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

reveal 4 elements of Jesus’ return:

Verses 16 and 17 reveal 4 elements of Jesus’ return:

The return

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God,

This is a worldwide event — God is not limited by time and space — the trumpet blast heard round the world!

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God,

The Resurrection

and the dead in Christ will rise first

Those “who sleep in death” — sleep means you will wake up in the morning! “I will meet you in the morning!”

The Rapture

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up...

The return

Harpazo — to seize — catch away, pluck,, take by force — specifically: by a swift, resistless, divine energy

1 Corinthians 15:51–52 NIV

A TWINK (twinkle) is a reflected particle of light seen in the eye. Most of us have noticed a twinkle in someone’s eye . . . that reflected light we observed traveled at 186,000 miles per second (speed of light). That little ray of light entering the eye and then being reflected occurs in about a billionth of a second. (www.discoveryworld.us)

The Reunion

together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever

We will enjoy fellowship that is beyond our ability to understand —

Luke 20:34–36 ESV

And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

Matthew 22

Practical Advice

It is vital that we keep this part of God’s plan at the forefront of our thoughts, prayers, meditations — otherwise we can become complacent, apathetic, etc.

God is right on track with His plan…are we watching, listening and obeying because it could happen at any time

CHALLENGE

At some point, these events will also occur:

Tribulation (-27; )

Second Coming (,; chs. 16 and 20)

A time period when the Lord will accomplish at least two aspects of His plan: 1) He will complete His discipline of the nation Israel (), and 2) He will judge the unbelieving, godless inhabitants of the earth (). The length of the Tribulation is seven years. This is determined by an understanding of the seventy weeks of Daniel (;

Second Coming: After the marriage between the raptured saints and the Lamb in heaven (during the Tribulation), Christ rides on a white horse (,) to reclaim that which Satan has temporarily ruled. The ensuing conflict iis called the Battle of Armageddon (). At the conclusion of the battle, defeated Satan is bound and cast into the bottomless pit for 1,000 years ().

The visible, bodily appearance of Christ as He returns to the Mount of Olives from which He ascended back to heaven after His resurrection. After the marriage between the raptured saints and the Lamb in heaven (during the Tribulation), Christ, the Groom, goes forth to claim all of His kingdom. He rides on a white horse, followed by the saints, also on white horses (,). He will come to reclaim that which Satan has temporarily ruled. The ensuing conflict between the world of righteousness and the world of darkness is called the Battle of Armageddon (). At the conclusion of the battle, defeated Satan is bound and cast into the bottomless pit for 1,000 years ().

The Millennium: Lasting 1000 years, a time of unsurpassed glory and perfect relationships

Lasting 1000 years, the Millennium will be a time of unsurpassed glory and perfect relationships. References to this future time of perfection are found throughout Scripture

The Great White Throne Judgement ()

The New Jerusalem (Holy City)(; )

After the judgment fire physically destroys those deceived by Satan at the end of the Millennium, all the wicked who have ever lived on the face of the earth will be dead. Then will follow the resurrection of the wicked dead to stand before the austere Judge "from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away" (). Books are opened and the wicked are judged according to their works. Then, like Satan, they will be consigned to the lake of fire to be tormented day and night forever.

The New Jerusalem (Holy City): begins with John’s view of new heavens, a new earth, and the holy city. Peter tells us, "The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare" (), thus making way for the new heavens and earth.

CHALLENGE

begins with John’s view of new heavens, a new earth, and the holy city (the new Jerusalem that comes down from God out of the new heavens to rest on the new earth). Peter tells us, "The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare" (), thus making way for the new heavens and earth.

CHALLENGE

Jesus could come at any time — that’s a fact

You or I could die at any time — that’s a fact

So, no matter how you look at it…Jesus’ return is indeed near.

Since Jesus could come at any time - how should we live each day?

How can we be prepared?

Illustration: Should we turn into preppers? Quit our jobs, stockpile food, guns, ammos, generators, fuel, etc. and go live in the wilderness…waiting for the end? I don’t think so…we need to be a different kind of prepper…we definitely need to be prepared for Jesus’ return or our death — but instead of storing up a bunker full of stuff...

Store up treasures in Heaven!

Bring people the light of Jesus

Lead them to know Jesus as you share your own story and life with them

Love them with the love of Jesus

He will enable each of us to do that as we yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit

Friends, family, strangers, enemies, people that don’t seem to be worthy, etc.

Why the delay?

Jesus could come at any time — that’s a fact

2 Peter 3:3–4 NIV

Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”

2 Peter 3:8–9 NIV

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

George O. Wood video “The Second Coming” (2:45-4:57) https://ag.org/Beliefs/Our-Core-Doctrines/Second-Coming

You or I could die at any time — that’s a fact

So, no matter how you look at it…Jesus’ return is indeed near.

Since Jesus could come at any time - how should we live each day?

Titus 2:11–14 NIV

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Titus 2:11-13

Knowing Jesus and living for Him with an expectancy means we don’t have to fear death — it will be swallowed up by life

We only see things dimly right now — but in His presence we will discover the fullness of life, not just a partial view of it.

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