THE SECOND
COMING OF CHRIST – LEADER
Introduction
1. I took Beth Moore’s challenge to “study it for
myself.” 23 of the 25 NT books speak of
the 2nd Coming of Christ.
2. We are in a similar position regarding the Second
Coming as the O.T. saints were as they looked forward to the first coming of
Christ. Read 1 Pt.1:10-13. Faith is what characterizes God’s
people. Heb.11:1 - “Faith is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.”(NLT)
3. The important things are the promises, not the exact
sequence and timing. The fact of his
coming and the gracious gifts that will be ours are what give us strength and
hope.
4. To get a clearer picture, however, there are two
rules I will be following:
(a) The New
Testament reveals the intent and sometimes veiled meaning of the Old
Testament. So the clear teaching of the
epistles should be the foundation of our understanding.
(b) Clear
teaching should take precedence of apocalyptic writings. Apocalypse means revelation or disclosure
concerning the ultimate goal of history.
Apocalyptic literature contains visions, like symbolic movies,
interwoven with promises and warnings.
5. Facts about the 2nd Coming are
accompanied by words of admonition and comfort. They were written in a context. Doctrine always has implications for how we
think and live.
6. Our format will be to look at and list the data,
make observations about the data, and then reflect on what our response should
be to this information.
7. As we go through the material, we will try to place
the events on the charts. (Look at the “millennial”
charts and explain the
Our Blessed Hope, His Appearing (Manifestation), That Day
Heb.9:28 - so Christ, having been
offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal
with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him
Titus 2:13
- waiting for our blessed hope, the
appearing of the glory of our God and Savior Jesus Christ
2 Tim.4:8 - there is laid up for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that
Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing
1 Pt.5:4 - when the chief Shepherd appears, you will
receive the unfading crown of glory
1 Jn.3:2 - we know that when he appears we shall be
like him, because we shall see him as he is
Additional
references: 2 Thess.2:3 - the Lord Jesus will kill [the man of lawlessness]
with the breath of his mouth by the appearance of his coming. Col.3:4 - When
Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
1. What event are we to be anticipating and preparing
for? Christ’s
appearing
2. What are some things that happen when he appears?
stand before Christ the judge; rewarded (crowned) with
righteousness and glory; made like Christ; saved (from sin and God’s wrath…etc);
the man of sin destroyed; we will appear with him in glory
[Chart]
Response: Titus 2:11-14 - while we are
waiting, renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, live self-controlled,
upright and godly lives …be zealous for good works [that’s why Christ died for
us]; Heb.9:28 - wait eagerly; 2 Tim.4:8 - love his appearing; 1 Jn.3:2-3 -
everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure; Col.3:2 – set
your mind on things that are above. The
attitudes of loving and eagerly waiting correspond to setting our minds on
(meditating).
Observations:
Before discussing the next section, talk a little about the Judgment of
Believers.
B. The Revelation (Disclosure)
1 Pt.1:3-5,
7, 13 - he has caused us to be born again
to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an
inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading…a salvation ready to
be revealed in the last time…so that the tested genuineness of your faith…may
be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus
Christ…set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the
revelation of Jesus Christ
3. In the passage above, when will the Revelation of
Christ occur? at the last
time
When will the resurrection occur (Jn.6:40)? on the last day
What else happens on the last day (Jn.12:48)? those who reject Christ are judged
Additional
ref. Mt.13:49 - at the close of the age angels will
separate the evil from the righteous and throw
them in the fiery furnace. What
age?
4. What are some additional “hopes” to look forward to? to receive
an imperishable, undefiled, unfading inheritance - my salvation; my faith will
be proved genuine; receive praise, honor, glory(!); receive God’s grace to the
full extent
[Chart]
5. Read 2 Thess.1:6-10; 2:1-3. In 1:7 “the
Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.” What other
phrases are used to describe his revelation?
the coming of Christ (2:1); the Day of the Lord (2:2); that
Day (1:10; 2:3)
Observations: All these terms are interchangeable. See A, C, D.
The Day of the Lord also connects to the OT, the most common term used
to describe their expectation of Salvation/Judgment
6. List more related events in 2 Thess.1:6-10 and 2:1.
1:6 - repay
those who afflict, grant relief to the afflicted; 1:8,9 - inflict
vengeance on those who do not know God, i.e. eternal punishment; 1:10 - Christ
glorified in his saints and marveled at; 2:1 - saints gathered together to him
[Chart]
Response: 1 Pt.1:6 - rejoice in the midst of
trials because of the salvation/inheritance waiting for us; 1 Pt.1:13-15 -
prepare your minds for action, be sober-minded, set your hope fully on “future
grace,” be holy in all your conduct; 2 Thess.1:11-12 - pray this prayer; 2:2 - don’t
be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed; 2:15 – “stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught,” 2:17 -
another prayer “may Jesus and God our
Father comfort your hearts and establish them.”
C. The Coming of Christ
(Presence, Arrival)
Mt.24:30-31
- Then will appear in heaven the sign of
the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will
see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great
glory. And he will send out his angels
with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds,
from one end of heaven to the other.
1 Thess.4:15-17
- we who are alive, who are left until
the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 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. 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.
7. List, circle or highlight the parallel words and
phrases in these two passages.
trumpet, clouds, coming, caught up/gathered together, appear in
heaven/descend from heaven, Son of Man/the Lord, his elect/in Christ
8. What suggests that this is a public event?
cry of command, sound of the trumpet, voice of an archangel (1 Thess.4:16); all the tribes of
the earth will mourn (Mt.24:30)
Observations: Do these two accounts seem like the
same event to you? According to the
Dispensational teaching these passages are referring to two different events. (see Ryrie study Bible)
9. Read 1 Cor.15:21-28; 50-55. Again, make a list of all the events
associated with Christ’s Coming?
Made alive i.e. resurrected (v.22), end comes,
Christ destroys every other rule, authority, power Christ delivers the kingdom
to God (v.24), Christ puts all his enemies under his feet (v.25), Christ subjects
himself and everything under him to God (v.28), we are changed, made
imperishable, the trumpet sounds, death is swallowed up (51-54)
Observations: Our new bodies will be
imperishable, glorified, having “power” (as opposed to weakness), be spiritual
(not natural), bearing the image of Christ, immortal. It will happen at the last trumpet. Why? Because “flesh and blood cannot inherit the
10. What is Christ doing until all his
enemies are defeated (v.25)? reigning
Observation: In Peter’s sermon at Pentecost (Acts
2) he spoke of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension and quotes Ps.110 - “sit at my
right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” -
which says to me that Christ is going to remain in heaven until all enemies are
defeated.)
11. What is the last enemy to be
destroyed (vs.26)? death
12. What announces the resurrection
(v.52)? sound of the
trumpet
[Chart] These passages become very difficult to
reconcile to Dis. Chart.
Response: 1 Thess.4:13 - teaching on the 2nd
Coming is for our information so that we won’t grieve and to give up hope; 4:18
- use this to encourage each other; 1 Cor.15:34 - wake up…do not go on sinning;
15:58 - be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing
that in the Lord, your labor is not in vain
D. Day of the Lord
1 Thess.5:2-4,
9 - For you yourselves are fully aware
that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and
security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them…and they will not
escape. But you are not in darkness,
brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief…For God has not destined us
for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
13. What two contrasting events happen
on this Day?
salvation; wrath and sudden destruction
Response: 1 Thess.5:6 - don’t sleep, keep
awake and be sober; 5:8 - put on faith, love and hope, 5:11 - encourage and
build one another up
14. Read 2 Pt. 3:1-13. What happens on the Day of the Lord? (v.4 calls it his
coming) judgment and destruction of the ungodly; heavens
and earth are burned up; works of human beings brought into judgment
15. For what are we to be waiting (v.12-13)? See also question #1 above.
Christ’s appearing;
the coming of the day of God; new heavens and a new earth (which is
characterizes by righteousness!); 1 Cor.1:7 - the
revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ; Titus
2:13 - appearing of the GLORY of Christ;
Phil.3:20-21 - for a Savior and the transformation
of our bodies, i.e. the resurrection; Rom.8:23 - adoption as sons and redemption of our bodies; Add Jude 21 - eternal life
(Notice that all of our terms show up in these verses: the coming,
appearing, revealing, the day of God, i.e. they are all the same event.)
Observations: For what event have you been
waiting? According to the left behind
novels and movies, what are Christians waiting for? (Look at chart.) Are there any N.T. Scriptures that tell us to
be waiting for a utopia, commonly called the Millennium? – (Read Beth Moore’s
description from Daniel workbook p.226)
Response: 2 Pt.3:11 - live lives of holiness and godliness; v.14 - be diligent to be found without spot or blemish, and at peace; v.17
- take care not to be carried away by the
culture of lawlessness, thus losing your stability; v.18 - grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord
1 Cor.1:7 –
be encouraged, Christ will sustain you to
the end, guiltless; Titus 2:13 - renounce
ungodliness and worldly passions, live self-controlled, upright and godly lives
in the present age (while we are waiting for the next age), zealous for good
works (because he died to redeem us from lawlessness and to make us his very
own people; Phil.3:14 - press on
toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God
16. Read about our inheritance and
future glory in Rom.8:11-25. What
happens to the earth when we are resurrected (v.11, 23), glorified (v.17),
revealed to the world (v.19), our adoption finalized (v.23), and our hope is
fully realized (v.24)? See vv.19-21. The earth is
released from the curse of sin.
17. What do your answers to questions 11and
16 tell you about the age which follows the resurrection? No death; earth
no longer under the curse
Conclusion: Just like “The Last Days” began
with the Christ’s first coming and ends with his second coming, the Day of the
Lord will be a series of events that we can’t put a time frame on. Having a chart creates more problems than it
solves.
Observations: Discuss problems with Dis. Premil model.
Response: Rom.8:18 - “I consider that the sufferings of
this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed
to us.”
Our suffering is made purposeful and
bearable.
Read benedictions
1
Thess.5:23 - Now may the God of peace
himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be
kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will do it.
Jude 24-25
– Now to him who is able to keep you from
stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with
great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be
glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and
forevermore. Amen.
Rev.22:20 -
He who testifies to these things says,
“Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come Lord Jesus!