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Back to Sermons Index Back to Home Page 27th January 2008 AMJESUS IS COMING AGAIN ! Pastor Colin Meadows Revelation 1:7-8, 22:7,12-21 Ø Jesus will return! In January 1942, during World War II, US Gen. Douglas Macarthur and his army was in danger of being overwhelmed by a powerful Japanese advance in the Pacific. In response to a direct presidential order he left the Philippines to avoid capture. At that time of great uncertainty he said to the people of the Philippines, "I shall return." He did not say "I might return" or "I'll try to return" or "If all goes well, I'll see if I can get back," but rather he stated "I shall return." Three years later he did just that. The Bible is very clear that Jesus will return. Repeatedly throughout the Bible this truth is made very clear. Nowhere is this said with stronger conviction than in the book of Revelation. Listen to Jesus’ own words… Rev 1:8 “’I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’” Rev 2:25 “Only hold on to what you have until I come.” Rev 3:11 “I am coming soon.” Rev 22:7 “Behold I am coming soon!” Rev 22:12 “Behold I am coming soon!” Rev 22:20 “Yes, I am coming soon.” Jesus thus made it abundantly clear that he will return. When he does he will usher in the final judgment, a time when all will need to give account of their lives. The book of Revelation thus gives us a strong focus on Christ’s pending return. In fact, Christ’s return is the focal point of the big story. Ø Understand the big story The book of Revelation I feel covers the period of time from the first coming of Christ until his second coming. The book was thus relevant for the time when it was written, around 90AD, and is just as relevant for us today. To help us in understanding the meaning of the book, it is important to be aware of its structure. There is present in the book what is called progressive parallelism consisting of seven sections of material that run parallel to each other. The seven sections are: 1. The seven churches 1:1-3:22 2. The seven seals 4:1–8:5 3. The seven trumpets 8:6- 11:19 4. Satan and the woman 12:1-14:20 5. The seven bowls 15:1-17:18 6. The Fall of Babylon 18:1-19:21 7. The final fall of Satan, judgment and the triumph of Christ 20:1-22:21 Each of these sections I feel is a parallel revelation of the one big story and they contain different aspects of what will take place. Satan has been bound during this time, restricted in what he can do to God’s people while the gospel is being proclaimed. His binding has come about due to the work of Christ on the cross. Just before Christ’s return, however, Satan will be released for a short period of time and then the Final Judgment will take place when Christ returns. Satan and his hosts, along with all who have rejected Christ, will then be judged and thrown into the lake of fire. I realize that not all will agree with me on this interpretation of the book but I ask that we accept that different Christians have different understandings of this wonderful revelation. Down through the centuries the church has debated this great doctrine and in the end resolved that the essential truth is that Christ is returning. As Boettner in his book ‘The Millennium’ notes that our motto as Christians should be ‘In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.’ Let us thus explore more about Christ’s second coming, firstly by looking to the Old Testament. Ø Look to the book of Daniel To help guide us to a deeper understanding of Christ’s second coming, we are guided by the Apostle John to go the book of Daniel: 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. So shall it be! Amen.” This is a clear reference to Daniel 7:13. In that chapter we read of four powerful beasts that come up out of the sea and impact our world. The Most High King was reigning as king of heaven and earth but there was continual opposition to his rule from these beasts. These four beasts most likely represent the kingdoms of Babylon, Persia, Greece and then Rome. During the time of the fourth beast, Rome, a little horn came forth, the spirit of the Anti-Christ released into the world. Then when the time was right the Ancient of Days, during the time of this little horn, would take his seat and judgment would begin. God’s kingdom was truly to come on earth as it was in heaven. God Almighty would take his seat in the judgment court and the books will be opened. Then the beast that has been opposing all that God has intended in the world will be totally destroyed. Dan 7:11 “I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.” Then the Son of Man, a title that Jesus took personally upon himself during his time on earth, shall appear. Daniel 7:13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.” The phrase, ‘to come in the clouds’, refers to that which is heavenly and divine. The Son of Man is thus truly God the Son, the only one worthy to be led into the presence of God the Father. He is truly the king of kings and lord of lords. All power and authority will be placed in his hands. Daniel 7:14 “He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” Yes, the prophet Daniel thus gave us a very clear picture of the second coming of Jesus Christ. We can further look to the words of Christ himself in the gospels concerning his return. Ø Look to the words of Christ Matthew, Mark and Luke each have an account of Jesus’ words concerning his return. I will focus on Mark’s account as it is recorded in Mark 13. The disciples at that point in the discourse were fascinated by the size and splendor of the new temple which was nearing completion in Jerusalem. They loved the sense of power and security that it brought. Jesus sought to deflect their attention away from the temple for it was an earthly structure that was about to be destroyed by Titus in 70AD. Rather, Jesus wanted his disciples to focus on the temple that was in heaven. To paraphrase his words from Mark 13, ‘Don’t be distracted by the snake oil salesmen, the religious zealots, the doomsday deceivers that you hear. Times of turmoil must come first, along with earthquakes, family battles, and savage persecutions. These days of trouble will intensify towards the end and must run their course until God’s appointed time has come. Until that time comes however, be on your guard and be ready!’ The heavens will then be darkened just before the end. Mark 13:26 “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” While we await that amazing day, let us thus... Ø Be ready for His coming Mark 13:33 “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” Keep focused on what God has called you to do. Don’t fall asleep at the wheel. Only God the Father knows when the Son will return. Be prepared, for false Christ’s will appear. Ignore them. William Miller, founder of the Millerite Movement, proclaimed Christ would return between March 21, 1842 and March 21, 1843. When that year passed uneventfully, the date of Christ’s return was changed to October 22, 1844. Russell, the founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, calculated Christ would return in 1874. He later changed the date to 1914. More recently there have been other doomsday prophets. In 1978 a Jewish rabbi predicted the end of the world in October of that year. Another man wrote a book entitled ‘88 Reasons why Jesus will come in 1988’. It is an act of foolishness to try to predict when Christ will return. Instead we are to keep watch, keep alert, and stay focused. How alert are you as you await Christ’s return? During World War 2, the US naval base at Pearl Harbor was strategic to the defense of the whole region and several warnings had been received of the likelihood of an imminent Japanese attack. Yet when the base was heavily bombed by the Japanese in an early dawn raid December 7th, 1941, the air force staff was caught largely unprepared. When a post mortem was conducted, the consensus was that those responsible for the defense of the base had not been expecting the attack. In the days leading up, it was found, repeated warnings had been given but the United States military leadership in general was basically asleep to the danger. They did not believe such a surprise attack could happen. They believed the United States Navy was invulnerable to such an attack. A destruction far worse than the bombing of Pearl Harbor is coming, a time which will lead to the end of the heavens and the earth. This destruction will be swift and complete. We cannot afford to be asleep spiritually when it occurs. God’s Word urges us: “Stay Alert! Jesus is coming.” At this point in the discourse in Mark’s gospel Jesus told a story of a man who left his servants in charge of his home. Each person had a task to do, while the one at the door was to watch. The owner may return at any time of the day so they were to be always alert. Mark 13:36-37 “If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Are we alert and ready for Christ’s return, seeking each day to be the kind of people Jesus wants us to be? Are we living the kind of lifestyle that honors God? Or do we have a few things stashed away in our hearts that we need to sort out? Do we have some unfinished business with God, some things that need to be resolved? Do we have issues with other people that we need to put right? The big question from the book of Revelation is this - are we living in the light of the imminent return of Jesus? The story is told of an old janitor at a US college who had the task of waiting patiently each day for the last student to leave the campus. He sat there one day, as was his habit, reading his Bible. A student came up to him and asked, “What are you reading?’ The man said, “The Book of Revelation.” The student was surprised and asked, “Do you understand it?” “Oh, yes,” the man assured him. “I understand it.” “You mean you understand the Book of Revelation! Man, People tell me it’s quite complicated. What does it mean?” Very quietly the old man answered, “It means that Jesus is gonna win.” Yes, Jesus is gonna win. He is coming back soon to finish off what he started. Are you ready for his return? Have you sorted things out with Him now, clearing the decks and living a life of purpose? As you prepare, be patient. James 5:7-9 “Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!” St Bernard of Clairvaux said ‘There are three distinct comings of the Lord of which I know; His coming to men; His coming into men; and His coming against men.” Jesus came to earth to be with men and women some two thousand years ago. Since then he has been coming into men’s and women’s hearts, one heart at a time. Soon however he will come against men. Don’t waste another moment. Submit now to Jesus as your Lord and Master and then you will truly be ready when he comes again. Remember, he is coming back and he is gonna win! |