Essential Jesus

Introduction: The Return of Jesus

The Return of Christ will be the ultimate and climactic event in the history of this age, regardless of what people believe about it.

I believe the Doctrine (teaching) of the Return of Jesus is one of the most important doctrines (if not the most important) for Christians to hold onto.

Why?

Because it impacts on the living AND the dead through out all history

• Many other doctrines only have relevance while we're living (baptism, marriage, H.S. etc)
• Whether we are a Christian or not, alive or dead, we will all be impacted by the Return of Jesus!

The mess that the world is in today is largely because people don't believe or understand that Jesus is coming back.

• Yes, sin is the root issue....
• But Prov 29:18 says 'where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint'
• A lack of vision produces depravity and despair (even many Christians live distracted, frustrated, hope deferred)

'Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life'. (Prov 13:12)

Conversely, when we know that help is coming, it produces HOPE

• Eg - the Beaconsfield miners Todd Russell and Brant Webb were able to hold on because they knew help was coming.
• Describe the movie about the young boy lost in the African desert. Held onto his fathers words "I love you and I will find you"

This is God's message of hope to all mankind - He loves us and He is coming back for us!

• Christianity isn't just about 'survival skills' in a hostile environment
• It's a message of hope and deliverance and the knowledge that Jesus is coming back to restore everything!

Jesus IS Coming Back!

(and He will be much bigger than the Beatles!)

We don't know exactly HOW that will all look

• Lots of different views from respected theologians
  • Post trib, pre millennial
  • Pre trib, post millennial
  • Mid trib, amillenial etc etc
• But they all agree that HE IS COMING BACK

It's the most sure thing in the whole Bible

It's the only major event spoken of prophetically that is yet to be fulfilled

It's the culmination and the completion of our salvation

It's our source of greatest hope

3 Common Questions about the Return of Jesus.

1. Why is Jesus Returning?

What does he still have to do that he didn't do during his first ministry?

Heb 9:27-28 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

• His first coming was all about satisfying the requirements of the law - he made full payment - He came as the lamb of God. A sacrifice
• His second coming is about ruling and reigning and judgment. Everyone will receive what they deserve. He will come as the Lion (King)

The return of Jesus the restoration of everything that was ever wrong with the world.

Everything that ever ticked you off about the world will be set right again.

2. How will Jesus Return?

Three complimentary descriptions of the return of Jesus.

Acts 1:10-11 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Thes 4:15-17 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Rev 1:7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him

• He will appear bodily, descending from Heaven, in the clouds. (Acts 1:10-11). It appears that Jesus is coming on a cloudy day!
• Every eye shall see this event (Rev 1:7) so do not be fooled by all the false claims of his return.
• All those IN CHRIST will join him in the air. The dead saints shall rise first (1Thes 4:15-18). This is referred to as 'The Rapture'
• The saints shall all be changed in an instant (1Cor 15:52-52) Our resurrection bodies, in which we shall live for eternity.

This event clearly marks the beginning or the rule of Christ on earth, the redemption of the saints and the judgment of the world.

3. When will Jesus Return?

The short answer is......we don't know!

God the Father has cleverly and strategically kept this information from us.

Despite Jesus Himself making it plain that not even HE knows the exact time or day (only the Father knows - Matt 24:36), many still speculate. This is futile.

Jesus takes 2 whole chapters in Matthew 24 and 25 to emphasise this point

• Parable of the 10 virgins - Don't know when the Groom will arrive
• Parable of the talents - Don't know when the Master will arrive

The fact that we don't know when He's coming means we need to live ready!

Bumper sticker - "Jesus is coming - look busy!"

It's not about 'looking busy' but living ready.

• A real relationship with God through Jesus. Jesus said "remain in me" (Jn 15)
• Keeping 'short accounts' with other people
• Bring people with you! ("do the work of an evangelist")
• Living with the hope and anticipation of His return and all that it means - for example, how would you live your life if I told you $10,000,000 was coming in the mail 'soon'?

Conclusion

We need to keep and even keel on this message.

At the mention of the second coming of Jesus many people immediately get caught up in the mark of the beast, 666, bar codes, tribulation, persecution, earth quakes and famine.....

No, the main point is..... JESUS IS COMING BACK!

Let's get excited about that. Like the miners who know that help is near.

• Hear the sound of drilling
• Dirt crumbles
• The earth trembles

It can be scary but it's the sound of deliverance, the sound of rescue.

Live ready

Help others to live ready

As Peter wrote;
'Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have' (1Pet 3:15)

The reason for that hope is that Jesus is coming.

Jesus last words in scripture are found right at the end of Revelation.

"Yes, I am coming soon"