Promises for Second Coming

The Danish philosopher, Kierkegaard, tells a parable of a theater where a variety show is proceeding. Each show is more fantastic than the last, and is applauded by the audience. Suddenly the manager comes forward. He apologizes for the interruption, but the theater is on fire, and he begs his patrons to leave in an orderly fashion. The audience think this is the most amusing turn of the evening, and cheer thunderously. The manager again implores them to leave the burning building, and he is again applauded vigorously. At last he can do no more. The fire raced through the whole building and the fun-loving audience with it. "And so," concluded Kierkegaard, "will our age, I sometimes think, go down in fiery destruction to the applause of a crowded house of cheering spectators."

Friends, the Bible is quite clear, Jesus is coming again. That is not interpretation, and that is not opinion, that is a fact as formed by the direct words of Jesus, Paul, John, and other Biblical authors. Last week we examined some of Jesus’ promises for those in transition, and I began my sermon by stating that the Bible is a book written in the midst of transition- the transition between Adam’s sin and Jesus’ permanent solution to that sin.

So, today I want to look at some of the promises the Bible offers about the Second Coming of Jesus.

Jesus Promised to Return- John 14:2-3

The first, and maybe the most important promise, Jesus made about the Second coming is that he is, in fact, coming again. I remember having a conversation with some friends a few years ago and someone said “it is going to be this way until Jesus comes back” and another person in the conversation says “whoever said Jesus was going to come back?!?” in a flippant attitude; and immediately I replied “HE DID!”

The idea of the Second Coming of Jesus is not a manmade idea; it is not something conjured up by preachers or theologians, it is not something Paul only talks about, or something hidden inside a obscure prophecy- no Jesus blatantly and openly says “I will come again” \

We do not need to wonder if Jesus will come again- we know that he is going to, because that is what He promised, but we do not know when. Another one of our promises we will look at in a moment has to do with the when, so hold onto that thought. Jesus does not want us to be double minded about his return so he blatantly told his disciples- YES I AM COMING AGAIN.

Also, please understand that Jesus’ commitment to returning is not a threat, it is a promise to give us comfort. To know that we have not been abandoned. Too many times the church has used the Second Coming of Christ in a threatening sort of tone- like a mother telling her kids “wait until your father comes home, he will deal with you!” No, the words that he offered to his disciples were words of comfort and joy; not of threats and oppression. Jesus wanted his promise of return to give them purpose and joy in their walk on this Earth.

Everyone will see our King Jesus! Rev 1:7

Let’s be clear- being a King is a pretty public role- you really have no privacy. We do not have a King, but we have a president, and the president of the US does not just slip in and out of anywhere. I guarantee that no one is going to walk into Walmart and Donald Trump is going to be nonchalantly standing in the frozen food isle. No, even former Presidents like Obama and George W. get secret service protection for the rest of their lives- wherever they go they cause quite a stir.

When Kings show up everyone notices- and there is nothing short of that for the King of Kings. Make no mistake when Jesus comes back to Earth EVERYONE is going to see him. He is coming with all of the Glory of God. That same untouchable glory that caused Saul to become blind; left Peter, James, and John fumbling for thoughts on the Mount of Transfiguration; the same glory that filled the Holy of Holies- that Glory cracks the skies and King Jesus descends for all to see! As Jim Hill so famously wrote:

What a day that will be, When my Jesus I shall see, And I look upon His face, The One who saved me by His grace; When He takes me by the hand, And leads me through the Promised Land, What a day, glorious day that will be.

Years ago Billy Graham was a guest on the Johnny Carson Show. At one point in the conversation Johnny Carson said, “You know what, Billy? I bet if Jesus ever came back to earth, we’d do Him in again” Billy Graham leaned forward in his seat, and said, “In the Bible we read that Jesus promised that He would return to earth again. The first time He came in love. But the next time, He’ll come in power. And no one is going to do Him in

God Knows Exactly When it will Be- Matt 24:36

Remember before I said that would have a promise about when- here it is. Lots of time and energy have been exercised by men and women trying to figure out when Jesus is coming again- or more broadly- when the world is going to be destroyed. People have broken down ancient calendar, decoded prehistoric writings, interpreted dreams and visions- all kinds of stuff to try and predict when Christ is set to return.

Jesus is clear- no person knows, none of the angels know, not even HE knows- God knows and that it is. End of list- but hold tight- remember GOD KNOWS.

The time has already been decided and figured out and we are just waiting for that time to get here. God is not sitting in heaven waiting for the other shoe to drop, or for any one specific thing to trigger his plan- God is fully in control and already knows.

Do you have anyone in your life that says they are going to do something, but they never seem to get around to doing anything? Or that just run through life on wimms just doing whatever they feel like doing in the moment? Sounds like a fun way to live, but if we are honest, it can get a little annoying, can’t it? You can never count on them doing anything, or showing up for anything.

I took a trip with someone like that years ago. It was like all week we would make plans and he was never quite ready to do anything. All of the rest of us would be dressed, ready to go, shoes on, ready to head to the car and he would be sitting on the couch watching TV, and as soon as we were all frustrated and ready to move on, he would stand up for no rhyme or reason and just walk out the door announcing “Ok, I’m ready now”

God is not flying by the seat of his pants, friends. He is not waiting for things to get worse, or for the world to dictate what he is going to do- the world does not dictate God, God always dictates what happens in the world.

Because God knows exactly when it will happen and how it will happen, we should be reminded that nothing in this life is random- it all has a meaning in the end, and it all points to the day when Jesus comes back. As one commentary I read this week put it “History is going somewhere” NOTHING is random.

I have been asked by quite a few people if I think COVID 19 is a sign of Jesus’ return. Broadly, I will tell you that I think EVERY trial and EVERY tribulation is pointing to Jesus’ return.

Not everyone will make it- Matt 25:31-46

There are a lot of comparisons in the Bible that should call us to self reflection. When Jesus calls us to be salt and light; when Jesus compared the Pharisees to white washed tombs; when Paul compared the church to a body; and then there is Jesus’ comparison to sheep and goats in Matt 25.

Jesus talks about putting the sheep that lived their lives with his Kingdom values on the right side, and the goats who rejected his Kingdom’s values on the left side. The sheep on the right are welcomed it his Kingdom and the goats on the left are cursed into the eternal fire. Now, there is a whole sermon to be preached on how one determines if they will be a sheep or a goat, that is not the goal of this sermon today- the goal today is to remember that not everyone inherits the Kingdom of God.

Friends, for followers of Christ the second coming of Jesus is a celebration- a culmination, if you will, of their live’s work, and their greatest desire- but it is not a party for all. For some it will be the realization that they have rejected the truth, and that they are now destined for destruction and they will be separated from God for eternity.

Before we leave today, I just want to offer one more thought about the Second Coming of Christ, and these promises. Friends, the point of studying and understanding Jesus’ return is not to scare us or beat us into submission.

In the days before Connecticut became a state, the colonial legislature was in session when a thick black cloud blocked out the sunlight. Someone shouted, "It is the Day of Judgment Let’s go home and get ready"

But one member of the legislature, who happened to be an old church deacon, stood up and said, "Brethren, it may be The Day of Judgment--I do not know. The Lord may come. But when He does, I want Him to find me at my post, doing my duty up to the very last moment. Mr. Speaker, I move that candles be brought in and that we get on with the business of the colony."

Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house

Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.

Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care

In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed,

Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.

And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap

Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter,

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.

With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray

I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head

It was Jesus returning just like He said

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,

I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in his hand,

Was written the name of every saved man.

He spoke not a word as he searched for my name;

When he said, “It’s not here” my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love,

He gathered to take to His Father above.

With those who were ready He rose without a sound

While all the rest of us were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was to late;

I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;

Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;

The coming of Jesus is drawing near.

There’s only one life and when comes the last call,

We’ll find that the bible was true after all!