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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 one's 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
9. What awesome event takes place at the second coming?
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
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
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
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.