"THE SOUNDS OF HIS COMING"
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
3/11/2003
By: Larry L. Schoonover
INTRODUCTION:
[Read text] - Spend a minute in explanation: The coming of Jesus is:
1. IMMANENT
(Rev. 4:1)
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it
were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must
be hereafter.
(1 Thess. 5:9-10)
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.
2. Sudden - "in the twinkling of an eye" (52)
(1 Thess. 5:1-2)
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
10 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3. The last opportunity for those who have previously rejected Jesus as Savior
a) Some people are actually foolish enough to think or say, "But when Jesus comes, I’ll know what is happening and I’ll get saved during the tribulation period". No you won’t! I say this for 2 reasons:
i) If you will not take a stand for Jesus now, during the very best of times - don’t even entertain the idea that you will somehow find courage to do so during times of great tribulation - times when to confess Christ will cost you your life - times when you will either choose allegiance to the antichrist or watch your family starve because no one will be able to eat (buy, sell, or hold a job) without receiving the mark of the beast.
ii) I believe the scripture teaches that those who reject the grace of God now will not have opportunity in that day! You cannot be saved unless the Holy Spirit of God draws you, and in that day those who had previous opportunity but rejected the Son of God will not be drawn but will rather be deceived by a lying spirit sent by God’s own hand!
(2 Thess. 2:6-12)
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
b) Does this make you feel depressed? - It shouldn’t! Why? Because of the hope we have in Jesus Christ, that if anyone will give their life to Him they will find life, hope, and peace now and throughout eternity!
(Rev. 3: 20-21a)
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne,.
(Jhn. 14:2-3)
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.
Take heart - rejoice! The return of Jesus for His Church is the day we anxiously await!
Therefore, I believe God would have me to ask 1 question of you today - "Are you ready?"
When Jesus comes again there will be some distinctive sounds. What will be the "Sounds of His Coming?"
I. THE SOUNDS OF EARTH
(Luke 17:34-36)
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
As you think upon this soon-to-be event, there can be no question about the horrendous after-effects of untold millions of believers suddenly caught up to meet Jesus in the air.
I think that if you listen closely, you can hear the sound of.
1. Crying
a) For a missing spouse
b) For a missing child
c) For a missing parent
2. Hysteria
a) Out of total confusion
b) At empty graveyards
c) At empty hospital and nursing home beds
d) At empty classrooms at schools
e) As planes drop into the sea - unmanned factories explode - automobiles pile up on the freeways
f) Suspicious governments about to "push the button"
3. Lies
a) Denying the coming of Christ - explaining it away as:
b) Government(s) plot
c) Alien invasion (it’s amazing the number of people who believe in such things the world over!)
II. THE SOUNDS OF HEAVEN
1. Judgment
(2 Timothy 4:1)
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
b) (Romans 14:10-12)
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
2. Reward / Blessing
(Matthew 25:20-23)
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
(Revelation 22:12)
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
? Aren’t you glad that "judgment" is not just condemnation for the wrong - but also blessing for that which is right!
3. Worship
(Revelation 19:1-7)
1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
II. THE SOUNDS OF HELL
(Luke 16:22-31)
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
1. Cry for mercy (v24)
2. Sound of wailing as the tormented "remember" (v25)
3. Pleas for an evangelist (v27-31)
CONCLUSION:
The last word we have from the Lord records a three-fold warning to prepare and He extends an invitation to accept eternal life!
(Revelation 22:7, 12, 20) - Warning to prepare
7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
(Revelation 22:17) - Invitation to life
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Copyright (c) Larry L. Schoonover, 2003
All Rights Reserved
