Part 3 - The Certainty Of The Second Coming Series

View this sermon https://youtu.be/TqkIXqz7n3c

The Certainty of the Second Coming

May 3, 2020

Pastor Brad Reaves

Grace Community Church

Revelation 1:7-8

Before we go on to looking at the letters Jesus sent to the seven church in Asia Minor, I want to circle back around to verses 7 & 8 of chapter 1. We read in these two verses:

7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:7-8)

There is probably more speculation about the second coming of Christ than any other future event of this world. Any there is probably more certainty of this event, even by non-Christians than most people will admit; or want to admit. It is important that before we dig into the heart of this series that we fully understand the certainty and imminence of Christ’s return.

The Apostles in the first century lived under the imminent return of Jesus. They fully believed that Christ was returning before they died. The distance of time has not created any distance in that imminence; if anything, it’s made it more certain than ever. Prophetically, there is more certainty than ever. In fact, the Old Testament spoke more of the Second Advent of Christ than the First. Of the 46 Old Testament Prophets, 10 of them spoke of Jesus first arrival; 36 speak of his second coming. There are over 1,500Old Testament passages that refer to the Second Coming. 1 in 25 New Testament verses directly refer to it. Jesus refers to His second coming 21 times and admonishes us to be ready for His return 50 times.

It is a major theme of Scripture and surprisingly in recent years has lost its place of significance on Sunday, mornings. This is to the detriment of the church, I believe, and speaks to the apostacy of the modern church, not to the weight of what is about to happen. So this morning, we’re going to break down these two verse and open deep into Scripture and unveil the prophetic events around Christ’s return. Given our current state of the world, this is probably timelier than ever.

I. His Imminent Return

“Behold” (v.7)

In theater, there is a practice known as upstaging. It is when the supporting characters turn their backs on the audience, forcing their gaze on the lead actor who has entered the stage. John is doing something like this in the opening section of Revelation, drawing all our attention to the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is giving us our only instructions on what we are to do: “Behold.” “EE-thoo” is a prompter to get the reader’s attention. “Pay close attention to what is being said!”

Our expectation of Christ’s coming is to be the most prevalent part of our faith. Let me say that again. The Bible promises it, God demands it, the hope of the world demands it, and our eternity is dependent on it. Without the Second Coming of Christ, there is not bodily resurrection of the dead. We’re not just looking for heaven, we’re constantly looking for Christ. Those of us who are witnesses to the coming of Christ will be witnesses of the greatest event of the age, promised by God to Adam and Eve after the fall of man.

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (Titus 2:11-13)

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8)

Jesus admonished his disciples and us repeatedly, over 50 times, as I mentioned earlier to be ever watchful for his return: 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:44)

The timing of Christ return is described as unexpected (1 Thess 5:1-2; Matt 24:30-34), imminent (John 21:22, Rom 13:11-12; James 5:8-9; Rev 3:11; Rev 22:20), Not even Christ knew the day or hour he would be coming back, only the Father (Matt 24:36). But there are signs and these signs are all around us. The pandemic is not the sign, but it is a sign that Jesus mentions specifically. What other signs?