The Second Coming

This morning we are going to be talking about the Second Coming of Christ. It needs to be said that there is a great deal of controversy surrounding this end time event.

The main misconception is when people get the Rapture mixed up with the Second coming or the Second coming mixed up with the Rapture.

These are two separate events, but it is easy to be confused which is which when the Bible is speaking about the coming of Christ.

In eschatology, it is important to remember that almost all Christians agree on these three things: 1) there is coming a time of great tribulation such as the world has never seen, 2) after the Tribulation, Christ will return to establish His kingdom on earth, and, 3) there will be a Rapture—a translation from mortality to immortality—for believers (John 14:1-3;1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). The question is when does the Rapture occur in relation to the Tribulation and the Second Coming of Christ?

As we stated before when we began this series, the Rapture of the church is unknown within the time frame of Christ Second Coming.

That is way it is important to try to separate the scriptures that talk about the gathering together or the being Caught Up together to meet Him in the air with the scripture that refers to the DAY of the LORD.

They are two different events and really what makes them seem similar is because both happen relatively close to one another. We are talking only within a 7 year gap. Micro seconds in the mind of God.

The most popular view about the rapture of the church happens just before the final 7 years of this world as we know it. Which the Bible describes as the Great Tribulation period, or as Daniel prophesied would the last week of the total 70 weeks left for God’s dealing with Israel.

However, there are other views about when the rapture will take place. And because our text this morning alludes to one of those other views we will consider it meaning this morning.

As I said when we started this series, “Keep an open mind, don't be so dogmatic about where you may stand in regards to the Rapture.” Because there are passages that lead people to believe in certain points of time where the rapture could take place.

The question will still remain, does the rapture of the church happen before the tribulation, does it happen at the middle, or does it happen just before Christ’s second coming.

As we will see in our text today, it will allude to a post tribulation view.

So this morning as explore the words of Jesus about His second coming let us consider the scripture and allow God to speak to us with hope and assurance that one day in perhaps in a not so distant future that Christ is COMING AGAIN. And it is that fact that we should be excited to know that He is coming to gather us together to meet Him in the air and we will be with Him forever more.

Let us begin where we left off last week...

Matthew 24:27 NKJV

27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Christ’s Second Coming will be Sudden

It will be unexpected by the majority of those on the earth. It will be so swift that it caught everyone off guard.

Christ’s Second Coming will be with Intense and Vivid Splendor

All of creation will announce His arrival. Flashes of lighting, the row of thunder.

Holman New Testament Commentary: Matthew B. The King Foretells His Second Coming (24:23–31)

The picture is that of a bolt of lightning, flashing all the way across the sky, from horizon to horizon, in an instant. Jesus was about to tell us more about his coming (24:29–31), but this alone distinguished him from all the imposters at the end of the age. They would be mere men, lingering about in one place or another, while he would come suddenly and visibly, and he would not be limited to a single location.

But it doesn't stop there.

Christ’s Second coming will usher in Darkness

Matthew 24:29 NKJV

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Have you ever been to a concert and just before the band comes out the entire stage and arena goes dark?

Imagine this happening just before the arrival of Christ but on a Universal scale.

Even the heavens declare His arrival.

The OT Prophets saw this day and spoke of it...

from Isaiah, Joel, Ezek, Amos....

Isaiah 13:10 NKJV

10 For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not give their light; The sun will be darkened in its going forth, And the moon will not cause its light to shine.

What Jesus said even reflex what John saw in his vision on the Isle of Patmos...

Revelation 6:12–17 NKJV

12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Christ’s Second Coming will be with Clouds of Glory

Matthew 24:30 NKJV

30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

What sign is the SIGN of the Son of Man?

Jesus doesn't say but it is believe to be His Glory Cloud.

Daniel 7:13 NKJV

13 “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.

Christ’s Second Coming will bring with it all the tribes of the earth mourning

Matthew 24:30 NKJV

30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

“all the tribes of the earth will mourn.”

“and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Again the OT prophets spoke of this day...

Zechariah 12:10 NKJV

10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

This passage parallels with Rev. 1:7 found in the NT.

Revelation 1:7 NKJV

7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

Zechariah 12:12–14 NKJV

12 And the land shall mourn, every family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; 13 the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of Shimei by itself, and their wives by themselves; 14 all the families that remain, every family by itself, and their wives by themselves.

And now we come the next verse which sounds alot like the Rapture of the church/saints.

Christ’s Second Coming will usher in a Gathering of His Saints

Matthew 24:31 NKJV

31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

the key word in this passage is the word “Trumpet” we know from other passages that the trumpet sound is what come first them the calling up to be with Christ...

1 Thessalonians 4:16 NKJV

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.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 NKJV

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.

1 Corinthians 15:50–54 NKJV

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Notice what it says in v. 52

1 Corinthians 15:52 NKJV

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

The Last trumpet…what does Rev. say about the the last trumpet that is sounded.

Revelation 11:15 NKJV

15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

Luke records what Matthew 24 says but listen to how he records Jesus’ words

Luke 21:10–18 NKJV

10 Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost.

Luke 21:25–28 NKJV

25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”