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Scripture Reading:  1 Thessalonians 5:1-6

THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST

Intro.
1.  Many speculations & false doctrines about the return of Jesus Christ.

2.  Early Christians needed guidance & guarding (2 Ths. 2:1-3).

3.  Some scoffed at His return; some still do, 2 Pet. 3:1-4.

4.  Will Jesus actually return?  What is the nature, purposes & events of His return?  What affect should this have on us?

I.  THE RETURN OF JESUS IS PROMISED.

  A.  By the Word of God, 2 Pet. 3:1-4.

    1.  Jesus promised to return to receive disciples, Jno. 14:1-3.

    2.  His personal return testified of by angels, Acts 1:9-11.

    3.  Promise has been made; we look for its fulfillment, 2 Pet. 3:13.

  B.  The Return of Jesus Rests on the Authority of God’s Word, 1Ths.4:15-16.

II.   THE RETURN OF JESUS WILL BE PERSONAL, Acts 1:9-11.

  A.  The Actual (Personal) Return of Jesus, 1 Ths. 4:16.

  B.  The Visible Return of Jesus, Heb. 9:28.

    1.  A second time (first was personal, visible); second of the same nature.

    2.  Shall see Him, 1 Jno. 3:2.

  C.  Jesus Will Return from Heaven, 2 Ths. 1:7; Phil. 3:20.

    1.  We wait for His coming from heaven, 1 Ths. 1:10.

    2.  We will be in His presence at His coming, 1 Ths. 2:19 (glory, Col. 3:4).

      a.  Coming with all His saints, 1 Ths. 3:13.

      b.  Descend from heaven, 1 Ths. 4:16.

      c.  We will gather together with Him at His coming, 2 Ths. 2:1.

  D.  The Coming (Day) of the Lord: A Day of Judgment, Zeph. 1:14-15.

    1.  Jesus came in judgment:

      a.  Against Jerusalem in A.D. 70, Matt. 26:64; 24:30.

      b.  Against Rome, Rev. 1:1, 7 (14:14; 17:1; 19:1-2, 11-21).

    2.  These “comings” do not prevent a personal, actual return of Christ in the future.

    3.  Jesus will come in judgment against the world at end of time, Acts 17:30-31.

III.  THE RETURN OF JESUS WILL BE POWERFUL.

  A.  To Resurrect All the Dead, Jno. 5:28-29; 11:23-26; 1 Cor. 15:20-26.

  B.  To Judge all People (Jno. 5:27), Acts 17:30-31; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 2:16; Matt. 25:31-33.

    1.  To reward the faithful with en eternal dwelling, Matt. 25:34 (Jno. 14:3).

      a.  With eternal salvation, Heb. 9:28.

      b.  New heavens & a new earth, 2 Pet. 3:13.

      c.  Delivery of kingdom to God the Father, 1 Cor. 15:24.

    2.  To punish the disobedient, Matt. 25:41; Rom. 2:5-9; 2 Ths. 1:8-9.

  C.  To Destroy the Material Universe, 2 Pet. 3:10-12.

    1.  Old material world, 2 Pet. 3:4-6.  Perish (apollumi): “to destroy, to put out of the way entirely, abolish, put an end to, ruin, render useless” (Online Bible Greek Lexicon).

    2.  Present material world, 2 Pet. 3:7, 10-12.

      a.  Heavens (3:10):  Pass away, perish.

      b.  Elements (“the earth & its works,” 3:10):  “any first thing…the elements from which all things have come, the material causes of the universe” (OBGL).

      c.  Burned up (3:10):  Consumed by fire.

      d.  Dissolved (3:11, 12):  luo – “to loose what is compacted or built together, to break up, demolish, destroy” (OBGL); cf. Col. 1:17.

      e.  Melt (3:12) teko:  “to make liquid…to perish or become destroyed by melting.”

IV.  WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE SHOULD WE BE?  2 Pet. 3:11

  A.  Purified People, 2 Pet. 3:11; 1 Jno. 3:2-3; Titus 2:11-13.

  B.  Prepared People, 2 Pet. 3:12.

    1.  Looking for, eager for the arrival of the Lord, 3:12.

    2.  Prepared (Matt. 24:42-44):

      a.  By serving (doing the Master’s will), 24:45-47.

      b.  In heart, 24:48.

      c.  By moral purity, 24:49

  C.  Patient People, 2 Pet. 3:13; cf. Jas. 5:7-11 (Matt. 24:48).

    1.  Look for (expectantly wait for) fulfillment of His promise, 3:13.

    2.  The truth of His coming combines with our faith to assure our hearts as we patiently for Him.

Conclusion

1.  Jesus will appear a second time, Heb. 9:28.

2.  Day of His return should not overtake us as a thief; Watch, be sober & live in faith, love & the hope of salvation, 1 Ths. 5:1-11.