Category: Second Coming
Subject: Second Coming
Sermon: Beloved
The apostle Peter warns his readers of dangers associated with the delay of Christ’s second coming in 2 Peter 3:1-18. He tells them to be mindful; do not forget; be diligent; and beware. Each exhortation is discussed
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Jesus Christ – Done, Doing, Will Do
The lesson examines the ascension of Jesus, His present reign upon His throne, and His promise of a future return. All to benefit you and me!
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Mining the Scriptures: 2 Thessalonians 2:5-12
Our text gives more details concerning the “son of perdition” (3) whose coming predated the final day of judgment. While the passage is a difficult one, the previous teaching that Paul had given to the Thessalonians when he was with them (5) would have made it clearer to them.
For us, it is important to note that the day of the Lord hadn’t come because the “son of perdition” had not yet been revealed. This individual, whoever he was, was to be defeated before the day of judgment. Up to that point, something (we do not know exactly what) had been holding back the revelation of the “son of perdition.” It has been suggested that some power (maybe God, maybe Satan) has held him back, but when revealed, God would defeat him.
Regardless, he would deceive many before his fall. This is the reason Paul wrote his letter. He wanted warn of the danger, and dispossess some of the view that the day of the Lord had come. He was successful on both counts.
Mining the Scriptures: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
This passage is one of the most difficult in the New Testament. The difficulty comes in our not knowing the oral teaching of Paul, who had already spoken to the Thessalonians about the subject (2:5). So, let us instead focus on what we can know.
First, the Thessalonians were challenged in their understanding of Christ’s second coming. Some thought it to be imminent (2:2), though the letter was written at an early date (about 51 AD).
Second, Paul assured them that the day of Christ was not yet present, because two events would have to happen before its occurrence. One, a falling away. (There have been numerous apostasies since the writing of this passage). Second, the revelation of the “man of sin”, the “son of perdition.” (While it is difficult to say who this is, it can again be said that many individuals through the last two centuries can be described in this way). (2:3-4)
So, while it is difficult for us to understand exactly what these two events are, there is no reason to think that the events are still in the future. The Lord has not come, but He could at any time (2 Peter 3:8-13).
Sermon: In My Father’s House are Many Mansions
In lesson 35 of the series, the discussion centers on the first 6 verses of Jesus’ address to His disciples on the night of His betrayal. (John 14:1-6).
Contrasting the 1st and 2nd Advents
A simple definition of the word advent — the arrival of a notable person, thing or event. Typically, in religious discussions, the arrival of Jesus on the earth is described as His advent. This is appropriate in that He is truly a notable person, and His coming was a notable event!
When Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy, he considered putting her away, until an angel of the Lord appeared to him. “But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’ So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:20-23).
The Patternists: What is the Rapture?
The word rapture is used to describe a transformation of believers who will be taken from the earth prior to the millennial reign of Christ. It is a central tenet of Premillennial doctrine. It also is lacking in any scriptural basis.
The problem is not in the idea that at Christ’s second coming the righteous will meet HIm in the air. In fact, this truth is taught clearly in scripture. For example, in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18:
“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
The problem is that many seek to differentiate this event from the resurrection of the wicked to eternal condemnation. The Premillennial view is that the righteous will be snatched away, and the wicked will remain on the earth, to be judged at a later time. This is demonstrably untrue.
First, note the context of Paul’s words to the Thessalonians. His essay was an answer to a question they were asking. They wanted to know what would happen to those who die before Christ’s coming. “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope” (vs. 13).
There is no mention of the wicked in 1 Thessalonians 4 because the question directed to Paul regarded only the righteous. In that day, both the living and dead who are righteous will be caught up together in the air.
Jesus taught about His second coming in judgment in Matthew 25:31-46. There He clearly tells us that the granting of an eternal reward for the righteous will occur on the same occasion that God sentences the wicked to the “everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (vs. 41). His conclusion regarding the wicked, “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” The idea of the wicked being left behind, with tribulation, a physical reign, great battles and another coming of Jesus yet future, is found only in the imaginations of men.
This is clearly established by Peter, who also wrote about Jesus’ coming. Read 2 Peter 3:10-13:
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
The second coming of Christ is certainly a rapturous event for the righteous. However, the idea of a rapture as a separate event that takes place long before the ending of the physical universe is not true! When Christ comes, that will be the end! Rapture for the Christian. Grief for the wicked. Destruction for the physical universe. That is the event to which Paul refers in 1 Thessalonians 4.
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The Patternists: Proper Preparation for Christ’s Coming
It is common for religious people to try and predict the time when Christ will come again. They seek to correlate current events with Biblical prophecies to determine the day, and even the hour when Christ will return to the earth.
Scripture clearly shows this to be impossible. Paul and Peter both state that the “day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10). The thief depends upon surprise, coming when he is not expected. This phrase clearly indicates that we can’t know when Christ will come.
Continue reading “The Patternists: Proper Preparation for Christ’s Coming”
Will So Come!
In Acts 1, as Jesus’ disciples were looking up to the heavens having followed the ascension of their Lord into the clouds, two angels of God addressed them, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (vs. 11).
There are lessons to be learned from Jesus’ ascension:
- This was God’s exaltation of His Son. After He did the work of the Father, Jesus returned to God’s right hand. It is there where He presently reigns in His kingdom!
- Gazing upward is not truly preparing for Jesus’ second coming. The angels asked, “why do you stand gazing up.” This is a good question to ask today of those who seek to predict Jesus’ second coming. We know He will come “as a thief in the night.” There is no predicting the day. Preparation comes through faith and obedience!
- The promise of His second coming is sure and similar to His departure. This is God’s promise. Jesus will come again. When Jesus comes, those who are His, “shall be caught up together with them [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
We rejoice in the truth revealed in our text. When Jesus left, He promised to return! “I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3).
Click below to…
Sermon: The Lord’s Coming
An exegetical study of the text of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-19, examining the second coming of Jesus.
The Patternists: What is the “therefore” there for?
A question I often ask in Bible class, “What is the ‘therefore’ there for?” When you see the word in the Bible, it typically serves to connect a truth with a proper response. In effect, “This is so, therefore do that.”
Such events in scripture help to flesh out the proper response of a child of God to circumstances, scenarios, provocations and blessings. Let me give you a few examples from scripture.
Continue reading “The Patternists: What is the “therefore” there for?”
The Patternists: The Day of the Lord
A popular religious past time of every generation is discerning “the times and the seasons” in an attempt to ascertain the date of the Lord’s coming.
Hal Lindsey was a big time author in the 1970’s and 1980’s writing books like, “The Late Great Planet Earth”, “There’s a New World Coming”, and “The 1980’s: Countdown to Armageddon”. His reputation was built upon interpreting the socio-political climate of the day, so as to determine when the Lord would come.
Date setters have been common in the last few centuries. The Jehovah Witnesses set dates of 1874, 1914 and 1975 in seeking to predict the second coming of the Lord.
Sermon: The Coming of the Lord
The apostle Paul sought to comfort the Thessalonians by explaining what would happen to the righteous dead when the Lord comes again. His words show first, the comfort that comes with our hope; and second, the need to be steadfast in our walk as Christians, that we might be prepared for that day. (1 Thessalonians 4 & 5).
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
The book of Revelation, among all the New Testament books and letters, is unique in style. The use of imagery and apocalyptic symbols is arresting, serving as a perfect vehicle to establish its central theme, “the Lamb will overcome…for He is Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14).
The message of the book was relevant to those who first read it. John wrote the book in the midst of persecution, offering hope to the afflicted. It is unfortunate that interpretations of the book have appeared that do violence to the immediacy of the message. Any who believe that the book details physical battles and earthly conflicts yet to occur fail to understand its message and purpose.
Sermon: Have a Blessed Day
In the last day, the only way to have a good day is if you are an obedient believer of Jesus Christ.
