When a hurricane is headed in our direction, we all want to be prepared. It would be costly and even life threatening if we were caught off guard. The same is true concerning the return of Christ. Everybody needs to be prepared; for Christ’s coming will signal the beginning of a time of tribulation for the earth.
Why the second coming? When Jesus came the first time he:
- Announced the arrival of the kingdom of God
- Showed us what God the Father is like
- He died for our sins to restore our relationship with God the Father
- He established his church
Then Jesus departed for heaven and assigned the task of world evangelism to the body of believers, the church, which is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Then, at the proper time, Christ will return in bodily and physical form to set up his kingdom on the earth. The Bible also teaches that Christ will come for his people. This is known as the rapture of the church that is based on 1 Thessalonians 4:17- “Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord!” The Amplified Bible.
Jesus Christ is coming back. Everybody will see him. It will be the greatest event in human history! Let us see what the Bible have to say about this event.
The Bible uses three different Greek words to describe Jesus’ return:
- Parousia-presence
- Apokalypsis-revelation
- Epiphaneia-appearance
Let’s look at the references in the Bible concerning the Christ return.
Parousia-presence
Read 1 Thessalonians 3:13. Who will Christ return with?
Read 2 Peter 3:1-10. What will people be saying during the last days?
What delays the Lord’s return?
What will the arrival of the day of the Lord be like?
Read Matthew 24:1-35. Who does Christ say will come before his return?
What are other signs of Christ return?
What will happen to some Christians during this time?
Will the gospel of Christ continue to be preached?
Who will be performing great signs and miracles?
But, Christ return will be like what?
Who will Christ send his angles to gather when he returns?
Does anyone know the time of Christ return?
Since we do not know when, what must we do?
In verses 45, 46 & 47, what does Jesus tell us should be our focus while we are waiting for his return?
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11. Who does Paul say Jesus bring with him?
And what will people be saying before Christ return?
According to 1 Thessalonians 5:11 what should be our aim during these times?
Apokalypsis-revelation
Revelation means to unveil.
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10. What will happen to those who do not know God when Christ returns?
But, what does Paul say God will do through his holy people?
Read 1 Peter 1:13. What does Peter say will be given to us when Christ is revealed?
Epiphaneia-appearance
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:8. Who will be revealed before the appearance of Christ?
Read Jude 1:14, 15. According to Jude, what will Christ will do when he comes?
Read Matthew 16:27. What can we expect from Christ when we comes?
Read John 14:2-3. Where is Christ going to take us when we comes?
Read Acts 1:9-11. Who did Jesus say is going to return with him?
In what manner will Jesus return?
The Day of the Lord and the Day of Christ
The Day of the Lord and the Day of Christ-refers to the consummation of God’s kingdom, God’s triumph over his foes and the deliverance of his people. It begins with the second coming of Christ includes the final judgment and culminate in the new heaven and the new earth. This is described in detail in Revelation 4:1-21:5.
Read 1 Corinthians 1:8. What does Paul say Jesus will do for us till he comes?
Read Luke 17:37. What does it say people of the earht will be doing before Christ’s return?
Read Isaiah 2:12-21. What will happen to those who have exalted themselves when the day of the Lord comes?
Read 2 Peter 3:11-13. What does Peter say will happen to the heavens and the earth?
Read Isaiah 65:17. What does Isaiah say will happen to the memory of the world that existed before Christ return?
Other Scripture References
Read Luke 12:35-40. When does it say the Lord come?
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:19. What does Paul say will be bring us joy and hope when Jesus comes?
Read Revelation 1:7. Who does the Apostle John say will see Christ when he returns?
Read Daniel 7:13-14. What does Daniel tell us about the kingdom that Christ will set up?
Read Matthew 26:64. What does Jesus say about himself concerning his return?
Read Philippians 3:20-21. What does Paul say will happen to our bodies when Christ returns?
Read Revelation 22:10. How soon is Christ arrival?
What about times, dates and signs?
Read Deuteronomy 29:29. Secret things belong to whom?
Read Acts 1:7. It is for us to know when Christ will return?
Read Matthew 24:36 Does anybody know?
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4. Will we be caught unaware by Christ return?
Read Luke 21:25-32, Matthew 24:3-15 & 1 John 2:18. Will there be signs?
What events that have taken place in your live time are likely to be signs of Christ return?
Read Luke 21:28. What should be our response to these signs?
We need to be ready!
Christ’s return is near therefore we need to be ready! Read each of the passages below and write what we are commanded to do:
Matthew 24:42-51:
Matthew 25:1-13:
Matthew 25:14-30:
Matthew 25:31-46:
Luke 12:42-44:
Luke 17:30-33:
Luke 21:34-48:
Romans 13:11-14:
1 Thessalonians 5:8-11:
James 5:7-11:
1 Peter 1:13:
1 Peter 4:7-16:
2 Peter 3:11-12:
Revelation 2:25, 3:11:
Revelation 22:7:
Revelation 22:20:
What are your feelings about Christ return?
When considering Christ return, do you feel fear or joy? Are you dreading it or looking forward to his arrival?
If you felt that Jesus’ return was about to take place, would you drop everything and camp out on a mountain top to wait for him or would you keep doing the task he has assigned you?
What can you do to hasten Christ return?
Copyright © 2009-2011 by Alan Pasho, www.disciplepedia.org. All rights reserved.
Scriptures taken from the Word English Bible (WEB)