Living in the Last Days – Second Coming – Part 1

James Weidner III   -   September 18, 2022

Introduction: The earth has been in groaning for the sons of God to be revealed and the Second coming is the event when this will take place. To call it only historical would be a gross understatement… as the second coming of Christ will set in motion the final events of Church history and enter us into a new time clock of 1000 before it is all wrapped up *down here*.

Second Coming of Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (ESV) 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Introduction:

  • For the next few weeks we will begin to work on our Eschatology with a specific focus on the Coming of Jesus or the Return of the King.
  • Eschatology is the study of the final events of this present age into the transition into eternity.
  • The second coming of Christ is the culmination of God’s redemption plan for mankind.
  • The earth has been in groaning for the sons of God to be revealed and the Second coming isthe event when this will take place.
  • To call it only historical would be a gross understatement… as the second coming of Christwill set in motion the final events of Church history and enter us into a new time clock of 1000 before it is all wrapped up *down here*.

1. We are living in the last days…!

Acts 2:17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;

Hebrews 1: 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

  • In these last days God speaks through Jesus…
  • On the day Jesus ascended an Angel declared:Acts 1:11 … This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven.

• So it quickly began to circulate that Jesus would be returning very soon perhaps even the same generation.

2 Timothy 3:1 (ESV) But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

  • In 2 Timothy 3:1 … The last days will be marked by difficult days, people will be obsessed with self, no regard for authority wether of parents or other, godless while calling things that are evil good and good evil, yet having an appearance of godliness without transformation.
  • Scoffers will increase in the last days.2 Peter 3:3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.
  • derider, a false teacher: mocker

The final chapters of the Bible begin to unveil the mystery and beauty of redemption. The Bible begins with creation and the devastating fall of man. The conclusion is a wedding and a great celebration. We have been claimed by Christ to be washed from our sins in His blood and to enjoy an amazing and eternal intimacy with Him. The marriage supper of the Lamb may be the closing chapters of the Bible but it is only the opening chapter of an eternal celebration of joy with our Lord. Bailey

2. Looking for the Blessed Hope…

Titus 2:13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

  • The blessed hope is the unique hope for the people of God to look towards…
  • The joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation.
  • “Jesus promised to return for us. Every generation of Christians has looked for His return as their greatest hope. Part of this great hope is what will happen to us when He returns. In an atomic instant we will be like Him. Spiritually and physically we will become perfect. We will have immortal bodies and sin will no longer be part of who we are. Today, we taste a portion of heavenly bliss by outpourings of the Spirit. At His coming, the enjoyment of God will be our portion. Today, we joyfully hope for His coming. One day soon we will enter the full enjoyment found in OUR BLESSED HOPE.” – Bailey
  • The blessed hope is that day when Christ returns for all who have put their trust in Jesus, have their lamp filled, have persevered through every trail and seeming set back, have not submitted to the mark of the beast, and endured to the end.

3. Comforted By Christ’s Coming…

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

  • Do not be uniformed.
  • Do not be without hope.
    1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
    1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
    1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
    1 Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
  • There is nothing to be afraid of.
  • We should not be ignorant of these things.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed (ignorant), brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

• We do not grieve or have need to be afraid like those with no hope.

4. No One Knows That Day And Hour…

Matthew 24:36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

Matthew 24:42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

Matthew 24:43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

  • Ela… like a parent awaiting the birth of their child. You never really know the hour but the signs are all there when the time is drawing near. As a father you have to be ready.
  • Ela… As new parents and Abby’s birth was soon approaching… I was in a nearby city, took a boat, Bataan… came back false alarm.
  • We may not know the hour but we certainly are suppose to recognize the times.1 Thessalonians 5:4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

5. The Lord’s coming is personal.

John 14:2-4 (ESV) 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.

• Jesus has gone to prepare a place.

  • Ela… Like preparing your house when guest are coming over. You clean and organize. Everything you can do to fool who ever is coming over to think your house is soooo well kept. Right? Ha.
  • Take you to myself.
  • That we may be with Him.

6. Get Ready, Be Ready!

Luke 19:11-15 (NKJV) 11 Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. 12 Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’ 15 “And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

  • We are to be ready for an any moment, unexpected return.
  • We are looking and awaiting His return
  • But not just daily gazing into Heaven
  • We need to be occupying until He comes.
  • Doing our businessConclusion: Watch & Pray

    Mark 13:33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

    Mark 13:35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”