“When Christ Returns”
TEXT: 1 Thess. 4:13- 5:11
1 Thess 4:13-18 (KJV)
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thess 5:1-11 (KJV)
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Introduction:
A. Do you ever get the feeling that the world is spinning out of control?
1) Paul Johnson, an English Statesman, after surveying the chaotic conditions of the world, said, “There are times when I would welcome an invasion from Mars.”
2) Well, an invasion is coming soon!!
a. But not from Mars, but from Heaven!!
B. The N.T. contains over 300 prophecies of the Second Coming of Christ.
1) In fact, 1 out of every 25 verses in the N.T. tells is that Jesus is coming again.
2) A U.S. News poll found that nearly 60 percent of Americans think the world will end sometime in the future; almost one third of those feel the world will end within a few decades.
3) Recent events serve to fuel those beliefs.
a. Recent Events in Iran and Israel
b. Terrorist attacks
c. Mayan Calendar
d. Recent events in North Korea
4) More than 61 percent of those surveyed said they believe in the second coming of Christ.
a. Nearly half believe the anti-christ will arise, and 44 percent believe a Battle of Armageddon will occur.
C. The Bible does not give us every detail about His return, and much of prophecy is shrouded in mystery, sealed up until the time of the end, but one fact is clear;
1) Jesus will return to earth again!!
a. His coming will be a literal, visible, and victorious coming!!
D. The world is becoming noticeably worse and the worse, the closer we draw to the return of Christ.
E. The O.T. Prophets saw it –
Job 19:25-26 (KJV) 25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
1) Christ prophesied it –
Matt 24:27 (KJV) 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be
Matt 24:30-31 (KJV) 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
2) The angels announced it –
Acts 1:9-11 (KJV)
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
3) The apostles anticipated it –
1 Thess 5:1-2 (KJV) 1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
4) John the Revelator envisioned it –
Rev 1:7 (KJV) 7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
I. The Rapture of the Church
A. As we have discussed before, the word “Rapture” does not appear in the Bible, it is a Latin word which means “to catch away suddenly.”
1) So while the word Rapture does not appear in our Bible, the term “Catching away” certainly does.
1 Thess 4:16-18 (KJV)
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another , with these words.
B. Paul tells us “the Lord Himself” I Thess. 4:16, meaning Jesus will come.
1) He won’t send an angel or a messenger, but Christ will come again personally.
2) He came from the Heaven the first time, He went back to Heaven following His resurrection and He is coming again!!
3) He will descend from Heaven where He now reigns as our HIGH PRIEST making intercession for us.
C. He will come with a shout of victory, letting us know that His second coming will not be quite as was His first coming in Bethlehem.
1) He is coming with the voice of the archangel, Michael, and a host of angels.
2) The TRUMPET of GOD is going to sound.
3) The DEAD IN CHRIST will rise from their grave.
4) Their spirits are with God in Heaven now.
2 Cor 5:8-9 (KJV) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Heb 12:23 (KJV) 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
5) They will receive their new resurrection bodies.
Phil 3:21 (KJV) 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
1 Cor 15:51-57 (KJV)51 Behold, I shew 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall 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 shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
D. Then “we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in air.” 1 Thess. 4:17
1) Now that is about as clear as it can get, that there will be a translation of God’s people out of this world.
2) The Rapture of the Church is under attack today as well as many other Biblical Doctrines.
a. Man can say whatever he wants to say, he can call in all the experts he wants to call.
b. Man can turn to the so-called educated of our day for their opinions, but the only TRUTH there is, is found in God’s Word!!
3) Some think the doctrine of the rapture is a bit far-fetched and they ask, “why will there be a rapture?”
a. The Rapture of the church is not just so we can escape the tribulation.
b. This tribulation period will be the most horrific time the world has ever experienced.
c. Things will be happening in the oceans, the rivers and streams, on land and in the sky.
d. The Rapture is the final sign of God that the end is at hand and that this world needs to repent and turn to Him before the dreaded final day of judgment.
2 Peter 3:9 (KJV) 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
E. The last thing Paul says is that we should “comfort or encourage each other with these words.”
1) This world is in a mess, men have messed it all up.
2) Men want to be in power rather than recognizing God as the supreme ruling force.
3) But Jesus is coming to set up His Kingdom and of His Kingdom, there shall be no end!!
II. The Revelation of Christ
A. The Bible describes the return of Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation, during which the antichrist will arise and the Battle of Armageddon will be fought.
1) The Revelator describes His coming as Him being crowned King of kings and Lord of lords.
2) He says, Jesus will have a sharp sword proceeding from His mouth to strike down the nations.
3) He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. (19:11-16)
B. His name is fully displayed for all to see.
1) He comes as the absolute Lord and King, in the fullness of His power and authority.
ILLUSTRATION:
When Queen Elizabeth was crowned by the archbishop Canterbury, he laid the crown on her head with the sure pronouncement, “I give thee, O Sovereign Lady, this crown to wear until He who reserves the right to wear it shall return.”
C. How different the second coming of the Christ will be from His first coming into the world as our savior.
1) When He came the first time, He was meek and lowly of heart, but He will return as Judge of all the earth.
2) When He came the first time, He was born in a manger, when He returns , He will be clothed with glory.
3) When He came the first time, He was given a reed for a scepter, when He returns, He will rule the nations with a rod of iron.
4) When He came the first time, He wore a crown of thorns, when He returns, He will be crowned with many crowns.
5) When He came the first time, He was rejected, mocked and crucified, when He returns, every knee will bow before Him and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
III. The Response of Faith
A. What did the early church believe about the return of Christ
1) They did not have an elaborately developed theology of the last days.
2) But they held firmly to the TRUTH of the imminent return of Christ.
a. They believed that Jesus could come at any time.
b. They believed the DAY OF THE LORD WAS AT HAND.
B. We need to live with the same level of expectant faith and joyful hope.
a. No need to get bogged down in theological debate.
b. We need to be looking for the “blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13
C. Belief in the soon return of Christ will affect us in three ways.
1) Builds our Faith –
Luke 18:8 (KJV) I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
a. Each person has to make their own decision about Christ and put their faith in Him.
b. We need persevering faith that does not give up during the tough times that come to us all.
2) We live in a world of despair – why?
a. Those who have denied the faith are trying to lead us through the trials of life.
b. The only hope they can offer is the intelligence of the human race.
3) Believers have a hope that is steadfast and sure ---
a. We aren’t looking to man to create a utopia here on earth.
b. It was man who created the weapons that could very well end live on earth.
c. Our hope is in the Creator
Sustainer
The Everlasting One
The Alpha and the Omega
The Giver of Life and Life more abundant
The Lamb that was slain
The Slain Lamb that John saw standing before the Throne of
God and in the midst of the 7 golden candle sticks which
represent the church throughout the ages.
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah
The Righteous Judge
The Soon coming King!!
D. Jesus des cribbed the fear that would exist in the last days;
Luke 21:26 (KJV) Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken
1) But believers think differently from the world.
2) So we are not down trodden and living in despair.
3) We are looking up, looking, watching and waiting for that “Blessed Hope.”
a. We keep living for our Lord.
b. We keep our focus on Him.
c. Our faith is renewed in our Worship experiences
d. We wait for the promise of the Lord.
John 14:1-3 (KJV) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
There you have it!!
Jesus said, “I will come again!!”
(I do not remember where I got all my ideas for this sermon.)
