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The second coming of the Lord has
been in all ages the hope of His true followers. The Savior's
parting promise that He would come again, lighted up the future for
His disciples, filling their hearts with joy and hope. Even sorrow
and trials could not quench this hope.
From the dungeon to the stake saints
and martyrs witnessed for the truth. Down through the centuries
come the utterance of their faith and hope. They looked for the
Lord to come from heaven in the clouds with the glory of His Father,
this blessed hope burned within their hearts.
The Reformers of old longed for this
day. “This aged world is not far from its end,” said Melanchthon.
John Calvin urged Christians, “We must hunger after Christ, we must
seek Him with the whole heart, till the dawning of that great day,
when our Lord will return in all of His glory.”
If death is the last enemy to be
destroyed at the resurrection, we may learn how earnestly believers
should long and pray for the second coming of Christ, when this full
and final victory will take place. This is the day that all
believers should hope, and wait for, because it is the fulfillment
of all the work of their redemption. May the blessed day of the
Lord come quickly!
1. At Jesus’ trial, just before His
crucifixion, what did He predict?
Matthew 26:63-64
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Note: Jesus predicted His coming again which would be in
power. His power is the message of the cross which has freed the
captives of this world from the slavery of sin.
2. What is God’s promise to us?
John 14:1-3
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Note: The Second Coming of Christ is the great promise for
every Christian. Our home is in heaven. Until then we must
realize, and constantly keep reminding ourselves, that we are
pilgrims here waiting for the day when He returns.
3. Who is going to come again the
same way he was taken up into heaven?
Acts 1:9-11
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Note: This same Jesus, who was crucified for our sin will
return in like manner. This same Jesus who was buried and
resurrected will come to redeem His children from earth, to live and
reign with Him forever.
4. What are Christ’s followers to
continue to proclaim until He comes?
1 Corinthians 11:25-26
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Note: Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection is the power
for all Christians who live in this sinful world. “Always carrying
about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of
Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
5. What will God’s end time people
be looking for?
Titus 2:13-14
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Note: All heaven is busily engaged in preparing for the day
of the Lord. The time of waiting is almost over. The pilgrims and
strangers on earth who have been seeking a better country are almost
home. It makes you feel like crying out, Homeward bound! Rapidly we
are nearing the time when Jesus will come to gather His redeemed.
6. What influence does this hope
have on the life?
1 John 3:2-3
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Note: With the realization of Christ’s soon return, the
Christian will seek Jesus to cleanse his life from all things that
would cause separation.
7. Who will see Jesus come?
Revelation 1:7
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Note: Here are the very men who placed upon Jesus the purple
robe, who placed a thorny crown upon His head, and bowed before him
in blasphemous mockery. The men who struck and spit upon the Prince
of Life, now turn from His piercing gaze, and seek to flee from the
overpowering glory of His presence. The unrepentant ones who drove
the nails through His hands and feet, behold these marks with terror
and flee.
8. What influence does the second
coming have on those who reject it?
Revelation 6:14-17
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9. What awesome event takes place at
the second coming?
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
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Note: Then Jesus' silver trumpet sounded, as He descended on
the cloud, wrapped in flames of fire. He gazed on the graves of the
sleeping saints, then raised His eyes and hands to heaven, and
cried, “Awake! Awake! You that sleep in the dust, and arise.” The
graves opened, and the righteous dead come up clothed with
everlasting life. They shout "Halleluiah!" as they recognized their
friends and family who had been torn from them by death.
10. When Jesus comes again what will
the redeemed say?
Isaiah 25:9
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Note: With such a glorious hope before us, with a redemption
that Christ has purchased for us with His own blood, can we be
silent? We should praise God with a loud voice. We have tasted the
power of the world to come, and long for more.
11. How many need to make a decision
for Christ now?
Joel 3:14
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Note: Our attention must be focused on Jesus. Multitudes
are in the valley of decision. Before the second coming of our Lord
a voice is crying out "If the Lord is God, follow Him: but if Baal,
then follow him."
12. When will the end of the world
come?
Matthew
24:14_________________________________________________
Note: “Prepare to meet your God.” The Gospel will prepare
the world to meet Jesus. It is the message of the cross the total
destruction of sin that will prepare the believers to meet their
God. |
