Because He is Coming

Today’s Objective

Resolution for the New Year that we think, prepare and live our lives this year in the

shadow of Second Coming.

Mathew 24:3 Disciples ask three questions

• “When shall these things be?”

• “What shall be the sign of Your coming?”

• “What shall be the sings of the end of the age?”

Probably the most referred to event in the Bible

• Referred to in every New Testament book except Galatians and three "postcard epistles" of Philemon, II John and III John.

• Every 30 verse mentions about the return of Jesus.

• Jesus and every apostolic author refer to second coming.

Eschatology: Study of last things. Key passages are:

• 1 Cor 15 : Resurrection

• 1 Thess 4: Rapture

• Mat 24-25: End of the world

How should a Christian Respond? Look, Wait, Love

• Wait: 1 Cor 1:7 – “…waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

• Look: Titus 2:13 – “Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

• Love: 2 Tim 4:8 -- “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing”.

• Mat 24: 42 -- “Watch…”

• Mat 24: 44 -- “Be ready…”

• Mat 24: 32-35 – “Now learn this parable from the fig tree…”

How should a Christian Respond? Watch, Ready and Learn

Some Questions from the Passage?

Q1: Did Jesus teach that He would return in the lifetime of His hearers?

Q2: Is Rapture and the Second Coming the same event?

Q3: What happens first the rapture or the tribulation (or will we go through tribulation)?

Q 4: Does the gospel have to be preached to the world before Christ can return to the earth?

Three parts of learning

• WORLD SEQUENCE OF HIS COMING (how do we know)

• LORD’S SALVATION AT HIS COMING (what does that mean)

• OUR STEWARDSHIP TOWARD HIS COMING (our response)

I WORLD SEQUENCE OF HIS COMING (Mat 24)

• Vs 4-5 : Time of Deception (know God+ Beat the system= deceived/disaster).

• Vs 6-7 : Time of Dissension (hear of wars)• Vs 7 : Time of Devastation (famines)• Vs 7 : Time of Disease (pestilences)• Vs 7 : Time of Disaster (earthquakes)• Vs 9 : Time of Death (kill you)• Vs10 : Time of Disloyalty (betray one another)• Vs11 : Time of Delusion (many false prophets)• Vs12 : Time of Defection (love of many will grow cold and turn

from God)• Vs14 : Time of Declaration (gospel preached as a witness to all

nations)

Snippets in History

1. Abomination that causes Desolation (Dan 9:27; Mat 24:15; Mk 13:14)

• Antiochus Epiphanes

2. Temple destroyed • Mat 24:2 -- “There shall not be left one stone upon

another…”• Luke 21:20 – “When you see Jerusalem compassed

with armies…”• Mat 24: 16-21 – “…flee to the mountains, ..top of

housetop, … field return, …not in winter, … on the Sabbath day.

Snippets from the present

• Nations• Earthquakes • Pestilence • Persecution

Labor pains do not begin shortly before delivery time and they occur with increasing frequency until the baby is born.

II LORD’S SALVATION AT HIS COMING

• Dead will rise again. • Work is Completed. • Victory of Christ will become unmistakably

apparent • Complete overthrow of evil• Satan will be banished • Unhindered kingdom of Christ • New created order• Christ will reign forever and ever

III OUR STEWARDSHIP TOWARD HIS COMING

• Prepared: 1 Pet 1:13 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

• Purified: 1 Jn 3:1-3 “… but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure”.

• Praising and Giving Honour: 1Pet 1:7 “…might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

• Preparation

• Purification and

• Praising

God Bless!!!

Because He is Coming