The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
“…I will come again.”
Daniel 12:1-4; John 14:1-4; Matt. 24:3-44
INTRODUCTION:
Biblical prophecy provides some of the greatest encouragement and hope available to us today. 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!
Acts 1:10,11 describes the ascension of Jesus as being…
1. personal
2. bodily
3. visible
4. power (glory)
1st coming of Jesus, the Savior, was in humiliation – SERVANT (in humility).
2nd coming of Jesus, the King, will be glorious – KING (in glory & majesty).
In theology, the study of the last things to happen to earth is called ESCATHOLOGY… Greek eschatos (last) and logos (study).
Now Jesus Christ is in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father, as our exalted PROPHET, PRIEST and KING, waiting for the time appointed by the Father to return to earth.
3 Greek words used of this event in the NT:
1. parousia (presence) 1 Thess. 3:13
2. apokalysis (revelation) 2 Thess. 1:7-8
3. epiphaneia (appearance) 2 Thess 2:8; Titus 2:13
The coming of Jesus will be nothing less than His ascension into heaven: Acts 1:11
It will be an event of which everyone on earth will be abruptly aware, for it will mean the end things as they are and the universal recognition of the true identity of Jesus of Nazareth: Matt. 24:27; Rev. 1:7
In the study of the return or Second Coming of Christ, scholars hold that Jesus Christ will come in 2 Stages:
1. secretly to gather His faithful people –
1 Thess. 4:15-17
2. then, (seven) years later openly to be seen by all – Rev.1:7
A. Prophecies of Christ’s Second Coming
Jesus Christ coming was prophesied and those prophecies came to pass literally. This gives us great confidence that the prophecies of His 2nd coming will also be fulfilled literally… not figuratively or in a spiritual sense. It was foretold by:
1. The prophets – Daniel 7:13
2. Jesus Himself – Matt. 25:31
3. Angels – Acts 1:10,11
None of these prophecies were fulfilled in His 1st coming because they are meant to be fulfilled in His 2nd coming.
Promise of Christ’s return…
John 14:1-3 - Christ Himself promised His return
2 Pet. 3:9,10-13 - a disciple’s witness of Christ’s promise
B. Purpose of Jesus Christ’s 2nd Coming (Why?)
1. To complete the salvation of saints – Heb. 9:28
He has delivered us from the power and penalty of sin but then He shall deliver us from the presence of sin.
2. To be glorified in His saints – 2 Thess. 1:10
3. To bring to light the hidden things of darkness – 1 Cor. 4:5; 5:10 “… make manifest the counsel of the heart.”
An examination of the motives and the deeds of everyone, believer and unbeliever, together with judgment based on this evidence.
4. Judge – Jesus Christ will be the judge of the nations and every person who has ever lived. 2 Tmothy 4:1 “judge the quick and the dead.”
5. Reign – Revelation 11:15 “… He shall reign forever & ever.”
6. Receive us to be with Himself – John 14:3 “… where I am, there you may be also.” Revelation 21-22 – God Himself is presented dwelling with His people in the new Heaven and Earth, in eternal happiness and new order of existence.
7. Destroy Death – 1 Cor. 15:25,26 “… the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
The resurrection (Grk. anastasis) of each and every person who has ever lived is part of God’s plan for the human race. (Dan. 12:2, John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15); but the resurrection of the wicked will be the beginning of God’s judgment on them, while the resurrection of the righteous will be the beginning of their life in Christ in the fullness of the kingdom of God.
C. Time of His Coming (When?)
1. Only the Father knows – Matt. 24:36-44; 1 Thess. 5:2
Jesus Christ as God is omniscient and certainly knows the exact moment when it will occur.
Hour unknown – He comes like a thief in the night
One is taken, the other left
2. It is a movable date (2 Pet. 3:12) that can be advanced or retarded depending on the speed or slowness of taking the Gospel to every tribe (Matt. 24:14)
D. Signs of His Coming
The Danish philosopher, Kierkegaard, tells a parable of a theater where a variety show is proceeding. Each show is more fantastic than the last, and is applauded by the audience. Suddenly the manager comes forward. He apologizes for the interruption, but the theater is on fire, and he begs his patrons to leave in an orderly fashion. The audience think this is the most amusing turn of the evening, and cheer thunderously. The manager again implores them to leave the burning building, and he is again applauded vigorously. At last he can do no more. The fire raced through the whole building and the fun-loving audience with it. "And so," concluded Kierkegaard, "will our age, I sometimes think, go down in fiery destruction to the applause of a crowded house of cheering spectators."
• 2 Tim. 3:1-7 - 23 signs evident today
• Mt. 24:5-7 - 10 signs evident today
• Other signs:
Luke 21:20,24- destruction of Jerusalem
Rom. 11:25 - completion of the church
Mt. 24:14- Gospel preached everywhere
2 Thess. 2:3-8- coming of the anti-Christ
Matt. 24:15 – lawless one will be revealed
E. What is this to us?
1. Be not a scoffer like those in 2 Pet. 3:3 for His coming is sure and certain.
2. Plan and work and live a holy life – 1 Thess. 3:12,13
3. Keep busy in evangelism – John 9:4 and keep watching - Luke 12:37
4. Comfort one another/Love one another (Mt. 24:12-love of many will grow cold) with the fact of the soon return of the Lord J.C. – 1 Thess. 4:18
5. Look forward to Jesus Christ’s coming – Rev. 22:20
CONCLUSION:
Satan hates this doctrine of Christ’s coming because it is a purifying doctrine.
The fact of Jesus Christ return leads us to live a life of watchfulness, loyalty, wisdom, activity, simplicity, self-restraint, prayer and abiding in Christ. (2 Pet. 3:11)
Story: The Ten Virgins – Matthew 25:1-13
