Introduction
The most remarkable and glorious incident that is going to take place soon on this earth is the Second Coming of Christ. Out of the 260 chapters in the New Testament, the Second Coming of Christ is mentioned 318 times. The last promise and the last prayer in the Bible is also related to the Second Coming of Christ.
Witnesses of Christ’s Coming
1. THE WITNESS OF THE O. T. PROPHETS. “Enoch. . . prophesied. . .the Lord is coming with thousands. . . .” Jude
1:14; Job19:25
2. THE WITNESS OF THE N. T. APOSTLES. “The Lord himself will come down. . .” 1 Thess. 4:16. “He is coming with clouds. . .” Rev. 1:7.
3. THE WITNESS OF THE ANGELS. “This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way. . . .” Acts 1:11
4. THE WITNESS OF THE CREATION. “The creation waits in
eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. . .in hope.” Rom. 8:19–20
5. THE WITNESS OF CHRIST HIMSELF. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come and take you to be with me. . . .” Jn. 14:3
Signs of Christ’s Coming
These are some of the major signs of Christ’s coming:
1. DECEITFULNESS. “. . .Many will come. . .and will deceive many. . . .” Mt. 24:5,11–24
2. WARS—“You will hear of wars and rumors of war. . . .” Mt. 24:6
3. NATURAL CALAMITIES. “There will be famines and earthquakes in various places” Mt.24:7.
4. PERSECUTION—“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death.” Mt. 24:9
5. BETRAYAL—“. . .many will turn away from the faith and will”
betray. . . .” Mt. 24:10
6. INDIFFERENCE—“. . .the love of most will grow cold. . . .” Mt. 24:12
7. GOSPEL PREACHING—“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached. . . .” Mt. 24:14
8. ABOMINATION IN THE TEMPLE—“. . .in the holy place the abomination. . . .” Mt. 24:15
9. GREAT TRIBULATION— “There will be great distress. . . .” Mt. 24:21
10. SIGNS AND MIRACLES—“. . .great signs and miracles to deceive. . . .” Mt. 24:24
Manner of Christ’s Coming
1. “As lightning. . .from the east is visible even in the west. . . .” Mt. 24:27
2. “They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky. . . .” Mt. 24:30
3. “They will see the Son of Man coming with power. . . .” Mt. 24:30
4. “They will see the Son of Man coming with. . .great glory. . . .” Mt. 24:30
5. “When the Lord Jesus is revealed in. . .blazing fire.” 2 Thess. 1:7
6. “When the Lord Jesus is revealed with. . .his powerful angels.”
2 Thess.1:7
7. “For the Lord himself will come. . .with the trumpet call of God.”
1Thess. 4:16
Purpose of Christ’s Coming
1. To pay back those who troubled us. 2 Thess. 1:6
2. To give relief to the troubled. 2 Thess. 1:7
3. To be glorified in his people. 2 Thess. 2:10
4. To be marveled by believers. 2 Thess. 1:10
5. To prove our faith with glory. 1 Pet. 1:7
6. To give us an imperishable body. 1 Cor. 15:52
7. To Judge the hidden motives. 1 Cor. 4:5
Preparations for Christ’s Coming
1. LIFE OF PURITY. “Everyone who has this hope. . .purifies. . . as he is” 1 Jn. 3:3
2. LIFE OF PRAYER. “Pray. . .to escape. . .to stand before the Son of Man” Lk. 21:36
3. LIFE OF FAITH. “He. . .will come. . .live by faith” Heb. 10:37,
38
4. LIFE OF FELLOWSHIP. “Meeting together as. . .the Day approaching” Heb. 10:25.
5. LIFE OF PERSEVERANCE. “You need to persevere. . .he. . .is coming. . .” Heb. 10:36, 37
6. LIFE OF READINESS. “Be ready, because the Son of Man. . . will come” Mt. 24:44.
7. LIFE OF OBEDIENCE. “Servant whose Master finds him
Doing. . .” Mt. 24:46
Application
Campbell Morgan used to say, “I never begin my work in the morning thinking that perhaps, he may interrupt my work and begin his. I am not looking for death. I am looking for him.” Are we constantly anticipating the return of our Lord Jesus? Perhaps today?