2. The Last Days We believe… “ The Lord Jesus Christ will return in glory. He will raise the dead and judge the world in righteousness. The wicked will be sent to eternal punishment and the righteous will be welcomed into a life of eternal joy in fellowship with God. God will make all things new and will be glorified forever.” So tonight we are going to look at… The return of Christ The final judgement The new heavens and the new earth

3. The Last Days In groups… Look together at Matthew 24:26-33 and 42-44 where Jesus speaks about his own return (‘Son of Man’) and see what you can find out. What will Christ’s return be like? How will it be different from his first coming? What should we be doing while we wait? The Return of Christ

4. The Last Days The Return of Christ Christ’s return will be: Personal – he will come himself (Matthew 24:44) Visible – no-one will miss it! (Matthew 24:27) Sudden and unpredictable – so we can’t know exactly when (Matthew 24:42, 44) Majestic – unlike his first coming (Matthew 24:30) The prelude to judgement (Matthew 24:31)

5. The Last Days After Christ returns: The Final Judgement In groups… Look together at Revelation 20:11-15, describing the judgement by God at the end of the age, and think about these questions: Who is going to be judged? What are the two kinds of books mentioned here? What happens to people whose names are not found in the book of life?

6. The Last Days The Final Judgement Includes everyone For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due to him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10) Is about God’s perfect justice After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: ‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgements.’ (Revelation 19:1-2) Believers’ names are in the book of life – no-one is saved by what they have done (Revelation 3:5)

7. The Last Days What will hell be like? The Bible tells us that hell will be a place of eternal, conscious punishment Then he [the King] will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’ (Matthew 25:41) And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:11) This is a hard and painful subject, but that does not mean we can ignore it

8. The Last Days The new heavens and the new earth Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new! Then he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. (Revelation 21:1-5)

9. The Last Days The new heavens and the new earth Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new! Then he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. (Revelation 21:1-5)

10. The Last Days The new heavens and the new earth But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. (2 Peter 3:10-13)

11. The Last Days Some of this evening’s material is difficult to cope with. You may find helpful:

12. Questions to discuss Ask about anything you found hard to follow What will our lives actually look like if we are ready for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ? How does the reality of a final judgement of believers and unbelievers make you feel? What will it be like to live in the heavenly city in the permanent presence of Christ? The Last Days