The King Is Coming: Following Jesus in the Light of His Return
The Foursquare Gospel – Jesus, The Coming King
Introduction: Living Between the Crowns
We live in the tension of the already and the not yet.
Jesus has already come as Saviour. He has already conquered sin and death. He already reigns at the right hand of the Father.
And yet—He is still coming again as King.
The early Church didn’t treat the return of Christ as a side issue. It was central. It shaped how they suffered, how they worshipped, how they lived, and how they followed Jesus when it was costly.
The Foursquare Gospel declares four unshakeable truths:
Jesus the Saviour
Jesus the Baptiser in the Holy Spirit
Jesus the Healer
Jesus the Coming King
Today, we fix our eyes on that final declaration. Not speculation. Not fear-mongering. But hope-filled discipleship.
If Jesus really is the Coming King, then it changes everything about how we follow Him now.
Revelation 22:12–13 (NLT): “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
The book of Revelation was written to persecuted believers under Roman rule. Caesar claimed to be lord. Rome claimed to be eternal.
Revelation boldly declares: Jesus alone is King.
The Greek word for “coming” here is ????µa? (erchomai) — not merely arriving, but appearing with purpose. This is not Jesus sneaking back quietly. This is the victorious King returning to reign.
“Alpha and Omega” places Jesus outside of time. He is not reacting to history—He rules it.
The Second Coming is not an appendix to the Gospel; it is its climax. The cross secures salvation. The resurrection guarantees victory. The return completes redemption.
John Piper: “The gospel is not only the good news that Jesus died for our sins, but that He will reign forever as our treasure and King.”
That’s discipleship gold right there. We don’t just follow Jesus to escape hell—we follow Him because He is worthy to rule our lives now and the world forever.
Acts 1:9–11 (NLT): “After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him… ‘Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!’”
The disciples are standing on the Mount of Olives—a place loaded with Messianic expectation (Zechariah 14). Jesus ascends, and angels remind them: This isn’t the end of the story.
“Return” comes from ??e?seta? (eleusetai) — a decisive arrival. This is royal language. The King returns visibly, bodily, gloriously.
The same Jesus who saved you is coming back for you. Christianity is not wishful thinking—it is anchored in promise.
It’s like watching a loved one board a train, knowing they’ve promised to come back for you. You don’t live aimlessly—you live expectantly.
Charles Stanley: “The hope of Christ’s return is not meant to make us idle, but faithful.”
If waiting for Jesus makes us lazy, we’ve misunderstood Him. True hope fuels holy living.
Matthew 24:30 (NLT): “Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with power and great glory.”
Jesus draws directly from Daniel 7. This is not weakness—it is authority. Not a suffering servant, but a reigning King.
“Power” – d??aµ?? (dynamis): unstoppable authority.
“Glory” – d??a (doxa): weight, splendour, divine majesty.
We live in a world obsessed with power and image. Jesus redefines both. His glory is holy. His power is righteous.
Tim Keller: “If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that He said.”
Including this: He is coming again. You can’t cherry-pick Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (NLT): “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout… Then we who are still alive… will be caught up… to meet the Lord in the air.”
Paul writes to grieving believers. The return of Christ is meant to comfort, not confuse.
“Commanding shout” – ???e?sµa (keleusma): a military command. The King summons His people.
Suffering is temporary. Jesus has the final word.
R.T. Kendall: “The Second Coming is the ultimate vindication of Jesus Christ.”
Every insult, every injustice, every unanswered prayer—vindicated when the King returns.
Titus 2:11–13 (NLT): “We look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.”
Grace trains us to live differently now because glory is coming then.
Holiness is not legalism—it’s preparation for a Kingdom.
The Gospel at the Centre - Church, let’s be clear:
This Coming King is the same Jesus who:
Died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3)
Was buried
Rose again on the third day
Ascended in victory
Will return in glory
The cross proves His love.
The resurrection proves His power.
The Second Coming proves His authority.
To follow Jesus is to repent—turn from sin—and trust fully in Him as Saviour and Lord.
In many European cities, thrones are locked behind glass—symbols of authority with no power.
But Jesus’ throne is occupied. And one day, the rightful King will rule openly.
Call to Action: How Shall We Live?
Live Ready – Examine your heart
Live Holy – Reject compromise
Live on Mission – Tell others the King is coming
Live Hopeful – Suffering will not win
Invitation to Salvation:
If Jesus returned tonight, would you be ready?
You don’t prepare by being religious—you prepare by being redeemed.
Today, repent. Turn from sin. Trust in Jesus Christ.
Make Him your Saviour. Bow to Him as your King.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13, NLT)
Conclusion & Benediction:
Church, lift your eyes.
History is not spiralling—it is marching.
The King is coming.
“May the Lord bless you and protect you… and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24–26, NLT)
Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
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Communion Reflection: “Proclaiming the King Until He Comes”
As we come to the Lord’s Table, we are standing at the crossroads of time—looking back to the cross and looking forward to the crown.
The apostle Paul reminds us:
“For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.”
(1 Corinthians 11:26, NLT)
Communion is not only remembrance—it is anticipation.
We remember a broken body and shed blood.
And we proclaim a risen Saviour and a returning King.
The bread reminds us that Jesus’ body was given for us—fully, willingly, lovingly. The cup reminds us that His blood was poured out to establish a New Covenant, securing our forgiveness and our future.
When we take communion, we declare:
The cross was enough
The tomb is empty
The throne is occupied
And the King is coming
So let us examine our hearts—not with fear, but with faith. If there is sin to confess, confess it. If there is gratitude to express, offer it freely. If there is hope that feels weary, let it be renewed.
As we eat and drink today, we are saying together: “Jesus, You are our Saviour now—and our King forever.”
Let us come to the Table with reverence, with joy, and with expectation—
until He comes.
