INTRODUCTION:
The second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is imminent (it could happen at any moment). We believe that there is nothing else that needs to happen before that day when the trumpet sounds and we’ll be taken up to spend eternity with our Saviour. Our text reminds us that His coming will be soon. We read in other places that His coming is going to be “as a thief in the night”—unexpectedly. One of the most fascinating things to me about the coming of the Lord is that it will be “in the twinkling of an eye “ (1 Cor. 15:52). How fast is the twinkling of an eye?. It’s faster than a blink; it’s quicker than a wink. The twinkling of an eye has been “clocked” at 1/300,000th of a second. The question I want to answer tonight is what is going to happen at that time? What’s going to take place during that fraction-of-a-fraction of a second? I want to share several things:
BODY:
I. RECEPTION—JOHN 14:3
A. Jesus has been preparing a place for us for more than 2,000 years.
B. The Taj Mahol in India took only 20 years to erect!
C. Someday He’s going to throw the greatest welcome home party ever!!
II. REFRESHING—ACTS 3:19
A. There’s nothing like a cold glass of water when you’re thirsty.
B. There’s nothing like a nice, hot shower to get you going in the morning.
C. There’s nothing like a gentle spring rain to freshen the air.
D. When the Lord comes it will be like an ice cold glass of water drunk while watching a spring rain after just getting out of a hot shower!
III. RESURRECTION—1 CORINTHIANS 15:52
A. On that day our corruptible bodies will become incorruptible.
B. In that moment the graves of the redeemed will be emptied!
C. At that time death will lose its sting!
IV. REDEMPTION—EPHESIANS 4:30
A. On that day when the Lord comes we’ll be redeemed
B. “Redeem”=ransom, atone for, free from encumbrance
C. We’ll be freed from this old, wicked world
V. RAPTURE—1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18
A. The trumpet will sound.
B. The dead in Christ will rise first (6 feet further to go!)
C. We, who are alive and remain, will join them.
D. Eternity will begin
VI. REVELATION—1 PETER 1:13
A. Every question will be answered.
B. Every mystery will be revealed.
C. Hang on a little longer.
VII. REWARD—REVELATION 22:12
A. We’ll be rewarded according to our work.
B. Wood, hay and stubble will be burned
C. Gold, silver and precious will be purified
D. “Well done…”
CONCLUSION:
What a day that will be! Our journey will be complete and we will take a trip from which we will never return---because we’ll be Home. I’m looking forward to that day with utter anticipation. Are you? If Jesus were to come back right now would you be ready? Would you welcome Him or would you be ashamed? Are you prepared to meet the Lord? Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour? If not, come to Him today.
