The Imminent Return of Christ

I ran across a website that collected prophesies of various prophets claiming the end of the world would occur before the end of 2001. Obviously, the prophets were wrong. One prediction set the date for January 31, 2001 and was based on a scroll purported to have been found in Noah's ark.

I also came across another so-called prophet who said Jesus would return to earth on July 7, 2001. Another one said the rapture would definitely take place in 2001, probably on Nov. 21. November 21 was a popular date because another prophet predicted an asteroid would destroy Los Angeles on that date and that the Antichrist, who would go by the name, King David, would appear sometime during 2001. That was 20 years ago and none of their predictions or prophecies came true.

When will the end of the world occur? An Internet search reveals over 400 books on the subject and over 7 million websites concerned with the topic.

I have received messages lately from several people asking about some of the latest predictions that we might be living in the last days and perhaps even now experiencing the Great Tribulation period.

Now let me quickly say yes, we are living in the Last Days. But no, we are not now experiencing the Great Tribulation. And yes, I do believe our Lord could come at any time. To speak about the imminent return of Christ means that our Lord’s return can happen at any time.

Matthew 24 records for us our Lord’s teaching on the subject of the Last Days and the imminent return of Christ.

32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.

42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Matthew 24:32–44 (NKJV)

I. THE RETURN OF CHRIST IS SURE AND SOON, Matthew 24:32-35

Jesus used the illustration of the fig tree or a fig branch to describe the shortness of time before His return, (“puts forth leaves.”) Likewise, in verse 33, He used the illustration of a woman in labor. He said when the final labor pains begin, Christ’s return “is near; it is at the doors!”

The return of the Lord Jesus Christ is mentioned in God's word at least 380 times. One out of every twenty-five verses in the Bible points with eager fingers to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the establishment of His kingdom.

In verse 34, Jesus made reference to “this generation.” This cannot refer to the generation living at that time of Christ, for “all these things”—the abomination of desolation (v. 15), the persecutions and judgments (vv. 17–22), the false prophets (vv. 23–26), the signs in the heavens (vv. 27–29), Christ’s final return (v. 30), and the gathering of the elect (v. 31)—did not “take place” in their lifetime. It seems best to interpret Christ’s words as a reference to the generation alive at the time when those final hard labor pains begin. (John MacArthur)

When Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away,” He may very well have been speaking literally. Listen to what the Apostle Peter had to say about the events that will occur when Christ returns.

2 Peter 3:10–13 (NKJV), 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Malachi 3:1–2 (NKJV), 1 “Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” Says the Lord of hosts.

2 “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears?

This promise is sure, for it would be easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for Christ’s words to fail (cf. 5:18).[1]

T/S—the Bible clearly teaches that return of Christ is sure and soon! But notice secondly,

II. THE RETURN OF CHRIST WILL BE SWIFT AND SUDDEN, Matthew 24:36-39

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Please note what Jesus said about His return in verse 36! Like many in our day, the disciples wanted to fix the precise time, but this was not for them to know, Acts 1:7 (NKJV). And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.

In verse 37, Jesus references “the days of Noah.” Jesus’ emphasis here is not so much on the extreme wickedness of Noah’s day (Gen. 6:5), but on the people’s preoccupation with normal everyday matters of everyday life (“eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage”—v. 38), when judgment fell suddenly. They had received warnings, in the form of Noah’s preaching (2 Pet. 2:5)—and the ark itself, which was a testimony to the judgment that was to come. But they were unconcerned about such matters and therefore were swept away unexpectedly in the midst of their daily activities.

So, what is the Jesus telling us? He is saying that when He does return, the same thing will happen as it did in the days of Noah and the Flood! People will be living their lives, going about their business when Jesus suddenly and without warning comes again.

T/S—Swift and sudden will be the return of Christ! Third, obviously then, …………….

III. THE RETURN OF CHRIST WILL SURPRISE SOME, Matthew 24:40-41

40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.

Verses 40, 41 tell us “one will be taken and the other left.” Some do not see this as an illustration of what will occur on the actual day of the Rapture, but I do. I’m not saying this passage is about the Rapture, but it is similar.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (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. 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.

And the bible teaches that once the Rapture of the Church occurs there will begin a seven-year period known as the Great Tribulation that will occur ending with the final Judgment called the Great White Throne Judgment in which the lost will be judged and then turned away into eternal damnation in hell fire.

Malachi 4:1 (NKJV), 1 “For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” Says the Lord of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch.”

T/S—and many will be surprised. Finally, …………………..

IV. THE RETURN OF CHRIST CHALLENGES US TO BE READY,

Matthew 24:42-44, 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Jesus used the illustration of a thief in verse 43.As no one knows what hour the thief will come, no one knows the hour of the Lord’s return or the Day of the Lord that accompanies His coming. But we are called to be ready at all times. [2]

Verse 44, Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Now listen to me. You do not need to worry about when the day of the Lord is coming. But you do need to know that it is coming and be ready!"

Matthew 25:13 (NKJV), “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

Conclusion: So, what have we learned about the imminent return of Christ? We learned that Jesus’ return is sure and soon. We learned that Christ’s return will be swift and sudden. We learned that His return will surprise some or many. And most importantly, we learned that we are to be ready for His return!

Only those who are living in light of the promise of His return will be ready. Unfortunately, many today are living casually and cavalierly, assuming there is plenty of time to "get ready." Take Jesus' words to heart: He is coming at an unexpected hour. Live a Second Coming-kind of life!

The story is told of a Pentecostal preacher who was a guest at an Episcopal Cathedral. He preached without notes, relying entirely on the Holy Spirit to provide him with words. Now in his home church, he had a receptive audience who responded with shouts of “Amen,” “Glory,” and “Praise God” and those words would fuel his verbosity. This time, however, he was faced with the Anglican ‘stiff upper lip!’ He lost the sources of his inspiration and at the middle of his preaching he was at a loss for words!

He was so embarrassed with that moment of silence. Fortunately, he remembered his mentor’s advice that whenever this type of preacher’s block happens what you need to do was simply shout “I am coming!” and it would come. And so with Pentecostal style, he shouted “I am coming!” Unfortunately, words did not come. He shouted the second time, “I am coming!” Still, it did not come. Terribly embarrassed now, he clenched his fist, pounded the pulpit and shouted, “I am coming!” The pulpit broke and the preacher fell! An elderly lady sprung to her feet and caught him just on time. The preacher said, “I’m sorry, Madam” and the lady replied, “Don’t worry, you warned me three times!”

"Second Coming Type" is the largest type size that will fit in a newspaper's headline, reserved for earthshaking events. In Are We Living in the End Times? Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins explain how "Second Coming Type" got its name: "The reason, of course, is that there IS no bigger event than the second coming of Christ . . . . Ironically, when He comes, Second Coming Type will sit unused on the presses. Why? Because there will be no time to put out a flash edition to announce His return."

[1]Louis A. Barbieri Jr., “Matthew,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 78. [2]John Jr MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible, electronic ed. (Nashville: Word Pub., 1997), Mt 24:32–44.

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