RCCG Sunday School August 18, 2013 LESSON 51 THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST MEMORY VERSE: Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1: 11 BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18; 5: 6 INTRODUCTION: Acts 1: 10-11 describes the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ as being (i) personal, (ii) bodily, (iii) visible (iv) with power. The second coming of our Lord will be the same. It will be in two stages: (a) The rapture which is secret (1 Thess. 4: 15-17), when the Lord comes for His saints and we meet Him in the air. (b) The revelation that is public (Rev. 1: 7), when the Lord comes with His saints to set up the millennium (1 Thess.3: 13). The time of His coming is a secret that only God knows (Matt. 24: 36). LESSON OUTLINES 1. PROPHECIES OF HIS SECOND COMING 2. PURPOSE OF CHRIST’S COMING AGAIN 3. WHAT IS THE MANNER OF HIS COMING? 4. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF HIS COMING? PROPHECIES OF HIS SECOND COMING The first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ was prophesied and those prophecies came to pass, literally. This gives us great confidence that the prophecies of the Second Advent will also be fulfilled literally. His second coming was foretold: By the prophets (Dan. 7: 13). By Jesus Himself (Matt. 25: 31). By Paul (1 Tim. 6: 14). By angels (Act.1: 10-11). None of these prophecies were fulfilled at His first coming. PURPOSE OF CHRIST’S COMING AGAIN He is coming again: (a) To complete the salvation of saints. He has delivered us from the power and penalty of sin but then He shall deliver us from the presence of sin (Heb. 9: 28). (b) To be glorified in His saints (2 Thess. 1: 10). (c) To bring to light the hidden things of darkness (1 Cor. 4: 5). (d) To judge (2 Tim. 4: 1). (e) To reign (Rev. 11: 15). (f) To receive us to be with Himself (Jn. 14: 3). (g) To destroy death (1 Cor.15: 25-26). WHAT IS THE MANNER OF HIS COMING? He is coming: i. In the clouds (Matt. 24: 30). ii. In the glory of His Father (Matt. 16: 27). iii. In His own glory (Matt. 25: 31). iv. In flaming fire (2 Thess. 1: 8). v. With power and great glory (Matt. 24: 30). vi. Bodily, as He ascended (Acts. 1: 9-11). vii. With a shout and voice of the archangel (1 Thess. 4: 16). viii. With His saints (1 Thess.3: 13) ix. Accompanied by angels (Matt.16: 27). x. Suddenly (Mk.13: 36). At the rapture, we will meet Him in the air (1 Thess.4: 17); at the revelation, we will descend with Him to the earth. Probably, He will land on the Mount of Olives (Zech.14: 4) WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF HIS COMING? 2 Timothy 3: 1-7 lists 23 signs of His coming, most of which are very evident today. Can you list them? Matthew 24: 5-7, 12-38 lists ten signs, which are: i. False Christ. Do you know at least one? ii. Wars and rumours of war. iii. Famines. iv. Pestilences. v. Earthquakes. vi. Iniquity to abound. vii. Love of many will wax cold. viii. Eating. ix. Drinking. x. Merrymaking. Other signs include: the destruction of Jerusalem (Lk.21: 20, 24); the completion of the Church (Rom.11: 25); the Gospel must be preached everywhere (Matt. 24: 14) and the coming of the antichrist (2 Thess. 2: 3-8). The preaching of the Gospel everywhere is one of the things delaying the coming of the Lord. What are you doing about it? CONCLUSION Is the Lord coming again or is He not? Be not deceived, dear friend. His coming is sure and certain (2 Pet.3: 3-12). While we ought to plan and work as if He will not be coming for another century, we must live a holy and pure life all the time as if He will return today (1 Thess. 3: 12-13).This most importantdoctrine mustaffect our lives. It should keep us busy, preaching the Gospel day in, day out, and WATCHING. WATCH AND PRAY. QUESTIONS 1. Name four people who prophesied the second coming of Christ. 2. When will Christ return? 3. How will He return? 4. Where is He coming to? 5. Mention some of the signs of His coming. 6. Which signs are yet to be fulfilled? BLESSED WEEK WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT MON: Matt. 24:44 - Will you be ready for His second coming? TUES: Matt. 24:50 - Christ’s return will be sudden and unexpected. Be prepared. WED: Rev. 22:20 - That Jesus is coming back is good news to those who trust Him but a terrible message to the wicked. THURS: 1 Cor. 16:22 - Do you share Paul’s eager anticipation? FRID: Rev. 1:7 - Behold, He cometh. What a wonderful hope. SAT: Matt. 24:30 - Do you want to be part of the mourners at His second coming? SUN: Matt. 26:64 - What proof do you need again confirming His second coming?
Posted on: Sun, 18 Aug 2013 04:37:06 +0000
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