THE PROMISE OF HIS RETURN Lesson 13 for March 31, 2012

That’s just what the Scriptures teach. ORIGIN DESTINATION If you believe the world began by chance, you most likely believe it will end that way, as well. If you believe we were created by God’s hands, you most likely believe our destination is to meet with our Creator again, as well. That’s just what the Scriptures teach.   “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last” (Revelation, 22: 13)

This is a promise that Jesus made: “I will come again” (John, 14: 3) THE BLESSED HOPE Which is the hope that encourages us that it is implicit in our name as church and that means that we will arrive to our destination? “Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus, 2: 13) This is a promise that Jesus made: “I will come again” (John, 14: 3) We will see our Savior face to face. What else will we receive when He’ll come again? An incorruptible body (1 Corinthians, 15: 42-54) An everlasting kingdom (Daniel, 7: 18) A new Earth (2 Peter, 3: 13) A life free of pain, illness and death (Revelation, 21: 4)

THE ASSURANCE OF HIS COMING Jesus promised that He would come again, but is it going to be a real coming or a spiritual one? The Bible teaches that no one can praise God once he/she is dead (Psalm, 6: 5), but he/she remains in the grave until hearing the voice of Jesus (John, 5: 28). Then, we cannot accept that the Second Coming is going to be a “spiritual” event, but a real, physical and visible one (Revelation, 1: 7). It involves the end of life in this world and the beginning of a sinless eternal life. The second coming of Jesus is not a spiritual event. He literally ascended and, as the angels said, He will return in the same way (Acts, 1: 11) “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians, 15: 19 NIV)

THE ASSURANCE OF HIS COMING Besides the promise of His coming, which evidences can we find in the Bible of his second coming? “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him” (1 Corinthians, 15: 22-23) In His first coming, Christ resurrected. In His second coming, everyone who died believing in Him will resurrect. “So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews, 9: 28) In His second coming, Christ carried our sins. In His second coming, he will save those who wait for Him. In His Second Coming, Jesus will come to end what He started at the cross; collecting those who He paid a price for.

THE DELAY “Behold, I am coming quickly!” (Revelation, 22: 7). How soon is “quickly” for Jesus? The Savior that God promised Adam and Eve was not their firstborn as they expected, but it took 4,000 years for Him to be born. The heroes of the faith died without receiving the promise (Hebrews, 11: 39) With the Lord one day is a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Peter, 3: 8)

Which could be the reasons for this delay? THE DELAY Which could be the reasons for this delay? “Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition” (2 Thessalonians, 2: 1-3) Some signs must be fulfilled. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew, 24: 14) The Church must accomplish its mission. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter, 3: 9) The apparent delay is an act of divine mercy.

BOTH ADAM AND I WILL SEE JESUS AT THE SAME TIME!! THE DELAY This delay is not excuse to be indolent (Luke, 12: 42-48) The longest delay of His Coming for me is the time of my own life. Except for those who will be alive when Jesus will come back, those who die believing in Him close eyes and will open them in the resurrection. They will felt it like a second, but it will be like days, years or even centuries. BOTH ADAM AND I WILL SEE JESUS AT THE SAME TIME!!

“Now is the time to prepare for the coming of our Lord “Now is the time to prepare for the coming of our Lord. Readiness to meet Him cannot be attained in a moment’s time. Preparatory to that solemn scene there must be vigilant waiting and watching, combined with earnest work. So God’s children glorify Him. Amid the busy scenes of life their voices will be heard speaking words of encouragement, faith, and hope. All they have and are is consecrated to the Master’s service” E.G.W. (Our Father cares, August 29)