Sermons
The Second Coming of Jesus
The Second Coming of Jesus
The Lord’s second coming is a prominent theme throughout the New Testament. It was and should still be the hope that all Christians looked to for strength and encouragement. However, today it is either largely not talked about or individuals are so confused on the matter they cannot speak or teach truthfully on it (e.g., A.D. 70 Theory, Pre-Millennialism, etc.). As I was studying for this, I came across an article by Wayne Jackson titled “Facts About the Second Coming of Christ.” The article’s points were really well done, and I want to share them with you this morning.
The Second Coming is Certain:
We want to begin with the fact that Jesus will indeed return. Jesus before His betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion said this to His disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you. If I go to prepare place for you, I will come again” (John 14:2-3). He said earlier in v.2 “if it were not so, I would have told you.” We also read that throughout the New Testament that Jesus return is spoken of as a definitive day (1 Corinthians 1:8). That it is set, and it will arrive just as God has planned it.
The Time of the Second Coming Has Not Been Revealed:
People and groups including Sir Isaac Newton, The Mormon church, Jehovah Witnesses, and the Seventh Day Adventist church have all put forward predictions as to when Jesus was to return and all of them failed. Why is that? It is because the specific time of Christ second coming has not been revealed.
Scripture is clear that Christ return will come suddenly and unannounced like a thief in the night. Consider these two Scriptures Matthew 24:42-44 and 1 Thessalonians 5:2.
Even while Jesus was on this earth He did not know when He would return. We read in Mark 13:32-33 “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.” The exact day in which Christ will return is not for us to know. What God chose for us to know is that Christ will return, and we need to be ready for that day.
The Second Coming will be Literal:
When some of the predictions of Christ returning did not come true it did not take long before individuals “revised” their predictions and said that Christ did come but not literally. Now while there are Scriptures that speak of Christ coming in a representative way (e.g., Revelation 2:5 coming in a disciplinary way), the Bible teaches that Jesus will come back personally.
Note 1 Thessalonians 4:16 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will raise first.” The Lord Himself will descend. Not representatively, not invisibly, not metaphorically, but literally and personally. This is what the angel told the Apostles after Jesus had ascended into heaven in Acts 1:11, “They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watch Him go into heaven.”
The Second Coming will be Visible:
Implied in the above point is that the second coming will be a visible coming. Paul writing about the second coming said in 2 Thessalonians 1:7, “when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heave with His mighty angels in flaming fire.” At the second coming Jesus will be revealed to all living and all the resurrected. This revealing will be an appearing of Christ at the end of time. Consider these points:
- “until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Timothy 6:14.
- “Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom” 2 Timothy 4:1.
- “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus” Titus 2:13.
Therefore, we can say confidently that when Jesus comes again it will not be some invisible secrete coming as some have argued. Rather it will be a visible bodily return for the end of all things.
The Second Coming will be Final:
Which leads us to our next point. When Jesus comes again it will be the end of all things. Note what Paul says will happen when Jesus comes again in 1 Corinthians 15:23-28:
- The resurrection happens when Christ returns v.23.
- This marks the end of all things v.24.
- All of God’s enemies and death will be abolished vv.25-27.
- God’s rule and authority will be clearly seen by all v.28.
In that day, this creation and all its works will be destroyed. There will be no earthly reign of Christ or a tribulation. This because as Peter said in 2 Peter 3:10 “the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements swill be destroyed with intense heat and the earth and its works will be burned up.”
Come Lord Jesus:
Why does the second coming give hope to the Christian? Some might be thinking if when Jesus returns everything is destroyed how is that comforting? We do not eagerly anticipate His coming because of the destruction but because of the promise. The promise to right all wrongs, to abolish death, pain, suffering and sorrow, and for God to dwell with His people forever Revelation 21:1-6.
Therefore, the Christian hopes and waits patiently for Christ return. Because when Christ comes again God’s redemptive work will be done. Sin and death which afflict us every day will be destroyed, and creation will be as God created it to be.
Perhaps we can understand Paul a little better now when he said in Philippians 1:22-23 “But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.” To depart and be with Christ is far better, as we have seen in this past year, better than life on this earth. But while we remain in this body, I have opportunity to save others, so they too one day have a home in heaven.
“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
Will you be saved this day? Will you give your live to Christ and be united with Him in the waters of baptism for the salvation of your soul? The Lord is patient and desires you to be saved so you can be one of the few that hears “well done, enter in” on that day.
