Reading: 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 verses 13-18.
Ill:
When General Douglas MacArthur was at Army training college, he tells this story:
• The first section was studying the time-space relationship;
• Later formulated by Einstein as his Theory of Relativity.
• The text was complex and, being unable to comprehend it,
• I committed the pages to memory.
• When I was called upon to recite,
• I solemnly reeled off almost word for word what the book said.
• Our instructor, Colonel Fieberger, looked at me somewhat quizzically and asked,
• “Do you understand this theory?”
• It was a bad moment for me, but I did not hesitate in replying, “No, sir.”
• You could have heard a pin drop. I braced myself and waited.
• And then the slow words of the professor:
• “Neither do I, Mr. MacArthur. Section dismissed.”
• Gen. Douglas MacArthur in Reminiscences;
• Recalling a stratagem he carried out while at West Point.
Well tonight I am not out to confuse you with complicated theories:
• But we are going to look at an important New Testament teaching;
• That is ‘The Second Coming’.
• ‘The 2nd Coming’ is a term applied to the literal return of Jesus Christ to planet earth.
• If there is a second coming, it follows that there must have been a first.
• The first coming of Christ was His incarnation when He was born.
• And in a few weeks time virtually the whole world will celebrate this event.
• But what about his second coming?
• Will there be a second coming and if so how and why?
Question 1: Will he come again?
Answer 1: The answer to that first question is yes, he will come again!
• If you believe the Bible, then the second coming of Jesus is a fact in future history;
• It is not a question of ‘WILL HE’ but ‘WHEN WILL HE’ come again!
Ill:
Biblical prophecy:
• Just as the Old Testament is saturated with prophecies concerning Christ’s first advent,
• So both testaments are filled with references to the second coming of Christ.
• One scholar has estimated that there are 1,845 references to Christ’s second coming in the Old Testament, where 17 books give it prominence.
• In the 260 chapters of the New Testament,
• There are 318 references to the second advent of Christ;
• An amazing 1 out of every 30 verses.
• Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event.
• For every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ’s first advent,
• There are 8 which look forward to His second!
If we take this book seriously:
• And I hope we do!
• Then we can be confident, certain that the Lord is coming again!
Quote: In fact even the very last words of the Bible say:
“He who testifies to these things says, Yes, I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus”.
2nd Question: How will he come?
• In the gospels;
• Jesus tells us 4 general things regarding his second coming:
(1). A wide-ranging description
(1). He will return personally (John 14 vs 3):
"If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself"
• Jesus makes it clear to his disciples that he will not send an messenger or angel;
• He himself will come in person.
Throughout the New Testament the emphasis as always on Christ coming back himself:
Quote: Acts chapter 1 verse 11:
“Men of Galilee, they said, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven”.
THREE THINGS TO NOTICE IN THIS VERSE:
• (1). They used the human name ‘Jesus’ and not one or more of his divine titles.
• (2). They emphasised that he will not have changed in the meantime.
• (3). The verse tells us how he will come back.
• “In the same way you have seen him go”.
Ill:
• In other words if one of the disciples had a camcorder;
• And made a video of his departure and disappearance,
• This could be used to portray his return.,
• Just by showing it backwards!
• The one event is a simple reverse of the other,
• Though one is past and the other future.
Quote 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 verse 16:
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven”.
By examining these verses:
• Both Jesus and the New Testament writers makes the point;
• That his return to earth will be personal!
(2). He will return unexpectedly (Matthew 24
vs 44):
"Therefore you also be ready,
for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him”
• In fact earlier in that chapter (verse 36) Jesus had been even more descriptive:
• “No-one knows about the day or hour”.
• In the same chapter Jesus describes his coming;
• Like a thief coming to someone’s house in the middle of the night.
• A thief is unexpected and turns up when you least expect him;
• Surprise is the very essence of burglary.
Ill:
• 1 in 10 houses are burgled each year.
• That happens because a burglar uses the element of surprise.
• Otherwise the householder would stay in or make sure the police were there;
• To catch him/her or them.
By using this analogy:
• Jesus makes the point;
• That his return to earth will be when people least expect it.
(3). He will return suddenly (Matthew 24 vs
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"
• His first coming to earth was a slow affair;
• He entered the world after a full term pregnancy.
• He was hidden in the womb of Mary for nine months;
• Before he was born on earth.
• In contrast;
• His return to earth will be like lightening in the sky.
Question: What is the speed of lightning?
Answer: According to the book, "It's Raining Frogs and Fishes," by Jerry Dennis,
• Lightning bolts travel at speeds up to 93,000 miles per second.
• That's pretty fast.
• What we see as a single lightning flash is actually several lightning bolts;
• That follow each other so rapidly that our eyes see only a single flash.
By using this analogy:
• Jesus makes the point;
• That his return to earth will be quick and sudden!
(4). He will return in the glory of His Father with
His angels (Matthew 16 vs 27 and 25 vs31)
His second coming to earth, will be very different to his first coming/
• He will not return as a baby; but as a mature man.
• Not with a single star; but with lightening from the eastern horizon to the west.
• Not in weakness but in power;
• Not in humility; but in glory.
• Not in meekness; but in glory.
Ill:
The most common Greek word used to convey the return of Christ to earth:
• Is the Greek word ‘Parousia’.
• It occurs 24 times in the New Testament.
• It was generally used to describe the arrival of somebody who was expected.
• It also had royal connections.
• Ill: It was used when a foreign king arrived at the border of a country;
• He intended to invade, conquer and occupy.
• Ill: The other use of the word;
• Was when a native king ‘arrived’ with his court to visit one of his cities;
• In this case; the leading citizens would go outside the city wall,
• So that they might honour him, by leading him through the gates in a procession.
These two pictures perfectly combine the dual aspects of Jesus’ return:
• Unbelievers will see him as an alien invader,
• Believers will welcome and honour him as their sovereign!
(2). More detailed description:
• Reading: 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 verse 13-18.
• You can summarise Paul’s responses under 3 headings:
Ill:
Imagine you have just received an invitation to a reception at Buckingham Palace.
• Eagerly you plan what you will wear;
• And then off you go on a spending spree to buy your new outfit.
• You arrange for transport and check and double check all the details.
• In a thrill of anticipation you let your mind turn over all that could happen.
• Then tragedy strikes. The day before you are due to go;
• You slip over and somehow manage to break your hip.
• The news from the hospital is not good;
• They want you to stay in over night, this means that you are confined to a hospital bed.
• The red-letter day arrives,
• When you should have been at the palace;
• All the celebrations go ahead,
• But unfortunately for you, you miss out because you are not there.
When he was with them:
• Paul had taught these new believers at Thessalonica;
• About the certainty of Christ's return to earth.
• It was a subject dear to his heart and often on his lips.
• His converts had enthusiastically taken to heart this teaching.
• As they thought of the future, the prospect of Christ's coming filled their horizon.
• And they expected it to take place at almost any day.
But when Timothy (who helped Paul in Acts chapter 17 start the Church):
• Returned to Thessalonica;
• He found some of the Christians there deeply distressed.
• The cause of the sadness was that a number of Christians in the Church had died;
• And this caused a problem for them.
• They did not know if this meant that those who had died;
• Would miss out on the celebrations when Christ returned.
Ill:
• Remember before they came to faith in Christ;
• These believers had been pagans.
• And for pagans death comes with a fearful finality.
• A common inscription on the gravestone in the pagan world was:
‘I was not
I became
I am not
I care not’
So the Christians at Thessalonica had a problem:
• They did not know if those who had died;
• Would miss out on the celebrations when Christ returned.
• No doubt Timothy (his travelling partner) was able to help clear up their misunderstanding.
• Yet Paul wants to make absolutely sure.
The subject is too important to leave to chance.
• So just in case any of the Thessalonians are still uncertain or muddled in their thinking,
• He puts on record some clear teaching about the believers who have died.
• He writes to reassure them.
• Those who have died before Christ's return will not miss out.
• No calamity will rob the Thessalonians of their seats at the Lord's victory celebrations.
• There will be no broken hips there.
• So in these verses Paul the apostle will answer their questions;
• And in doing so he gives us some important insights regarding the 2nd coming of Christ.
(1). THE SLEEPERS (verse 13-15).
“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.
14 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.
15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep”.
I love the way the New Testament talks about those who have died in Christ:
Ill:
• In Luke chapter 8 verse 52, Jesus got himself laughed at;
• When he went into the bedroom of Jairus’ 12 year old daughter;
• And in the face of expert opinion, and the evidence lying there before him;
• Pronounced the girl as ‘not dead but asleep’.
• Question: Who was right Jesus or the houseful of mourners;
• Answer is both were right.
• To the mourners he girl was medically dead, past the point of no return;
• There was nothing more humanly speaking that could be done for her!
• “But what is impossible for man is not impossible for God!”
• To Jesus the Son of God she was not dead but sleeping, he had the power to awaken her!
“Sleep” – Sleep of course is a pleasant experience:
• Ill: Lye in, afternoon nap or an early night.
• Sleep brings refreshment & restoration to our bodies and minds, it’s a positive experience!
• Sleep is natural and holds no terror.
• When the body is tired and worn, rest is welcome.
Paul is able to remind the Christians at Thessalonica:
• That Jesus himself taught us regarding death and resurrection;
• Se we do not need to listen to human speculation, for us we have divine revelation.
• The words of Jesus and the teaching of the New Testament;
• Replaces superstition and hearsay with facts and surety regarding death.
(2). THE SORROWFUL (verse 13 and 14):
“My friends, we want you to understand how it will be for those followers who have already died. Then you won't grieve over them and be like people who don't have any hope”.
To those who mourn, Paul offers comfort:
• He explains that death for the Christian is no terrifying leap into a black pit,
• But a gentle step into eternity.
Ill:
• Motto for Spain: “Nee plus ultra” means “More beyond”.
• The Spaniards thought that Spain was the end of the world, nothing beyond.
• But of course Columbus proved that belief to be wrong;
• Monument; lion eating the words “Nee” so it reads “More beyond”.
• Death for the believer is not the end; not even to be feared;
• There is more beyond “Life everlasting and heaven assured!”
The apostle Paul encourages those Christians who have heavy hearts:
• Those who are mourning;
• That their loved ones who have died will not miss out at the second coming:
• Their bodies may be buried in the ground;
• And they may well be a grave that you can go and visit.
• But as for the spirit, the soul of that Christian, it is not there!
• They have gone into the presence of Jesus (verse 14).
14 “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.”
Ill:
• Elsewhere in the New Testament (2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 8).Paul put it this way;
• “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”.
Ill:
• Warren Wiersbe tells the story;
• He said to a friend; “I hear you recently lost your wife, I’m very sorry”
• The friend replied: “No, I didn’t lose her.
• You can’t lose something when you know where it is – and I know where she is!”
Paul reminds the Thessalonians:
• On the authority of God’s word;
• Jesus Christ will return and bring with him all Christians who have already died!
(3). THE SURVIVORS (verses 15-17):
“According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 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.
17 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 for ever”.
Paul now turns his attention on those who are alive at the time of Christ's coming.
• Paul says, 'we who are alive'.
• He longed for Jesus to come soon, even in his lifetime.
• He cannot give any date, because he just does not know.
• But every day he was ready and prepared.
So he tells the survivors (Christians still alive) will have to wait their turn:
• Those who have died believing in Christ will rise to life first.
• Christians who have died will be first in the queue!
• Those who have died believing in Christ are with him now,
• And are awake to the fact.
• But they too await the great day of Christ's return to earth,
• Because then they will receive their ‘resurrection’ bodies.
• There old bodies will be changed like Christ’s resurrection body;
• It was the same yet very different, it was very different yet the same.
Verse 17:
“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 for ever”.
• Talks about the greatest of all reunion;
• Notice it will take place in the clouds; I guess that’s the only place big enough to house everyone!
• Notice: they will “Meet the Lord”
• The Greek word used here carries with it the idea of meeting a royal person.
The technical term for this event is the word ‘Rapture’:
• This word is not used in this section;
• Because the word ‘Rapture’ is an English word that comes from the Latin word ‘Rapto’
• ‘Rapto’ means ‘to seize, to carry off, caught up’.
• And that is the description Paul uses in verse 17: “Caught up”.
Questions:
• Will non-Christians be aware of what is happening?
• Will they hear the shout, the voice, and the trumpet?
Answer:
• 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 51-52 indicates;
• That this will take place so suddenly that it will be over in the twinkling of an eye.
“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--
52 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.”
Question: Will the non-Christian hear the shout, the voice and the trumpet?
Answer:
• Probably not, as this event and these signs apply to Christians;
• There is no reason to believe that the unsaved masses will hear them!
• If they do; they may hear sounds without meaning;
• Ill: When God spoke about his Son Jesus (they thought it was thunder)
As I understand it:
• Millions of people will vanish instantly,
• And there will no doubt be incredible chaos and great concern.
• And for those who have gone;
• Verse 17 tell us they will be; “Forever with the Lord!”
Thus fulfilling the words and promise of Jesus in John chapter 14:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
In summary:
The return of the Lord will be in two parts:
Part 1:
• Jesus is coming to the clouds to receive Christians to himself.
• 1 Thessalonians makes it clear that it is ‘the clouds’.
• This will be secretly in the sense that no-one will see it happen;
• People will know something has happened by the disappearance of all genuine Christians.
• The Bible teaches there will then be seven years of tribulation;
• At the end of those seven years, part 2 takes place.
Part 2:
• Notice this is time that the Lord will return back to the earth;
• And according to Zechariah the prophet (chapter 14 verse 4):
• His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives.
• In other words he is returning to the very same spot he left 2,000 years ago.
Notice:
• That this second part will be visible;
• This is where verses like Revelation chapter 1 verse 7 fit in:
“Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.”
Ill:
• Robert Murray McCheyne; the godly Presbyterian preacher, used to ask people:
• "Do you think Jesus Christ will return today?"
• Most of them would reply, "No, not today."
• Then McCheyne would say,
• "Then, my friend, you had better be ready;
• For He is coming at such an hour as ye think not" (Luke 12:40).
Final Quote:
“Those who leave these things to the eleventh hour,
normally die at ten-thirty!”
