Understanding The Second Coming Of Christ Pastor Chuck Bernal
- October 5, 2014
1248, 1306, 1689, 1792, 1836, 1844, 1914, 1936, 1960, 1974, 1981, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994, 2011. Do you have any idea what these dates have in common? They all represent the times in which people predicted that the second coming of Christ would occur. According to a 2006 survey by Pew Research Forum, 79% of Christians in the USA say they believe the return of Christ will happen someday and 20% say it will happen in their lifetime. Many Christians have “rapture fever” – that is, they are obsessed with the second coming of Christ. Various interpretations surrounding the when, where, and how of this incredible event have spawned endless divisions among Jesus’ followers. In fact, some Christians are so fixated on the second coming of Christ that they haven’t given enough time to understand His first coming. (Leonard Sweet) Our Lord Jesus Christ is coming again. We will be gathered together to meet Him. But we ask you, Christian brothers, do not be troubled in mind or worried by the talk you hear . . . Do not let anyone fool you . . . Our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father loves us. Through His loving-favor He gives us comfort and hope that lasts forever. May He give your hearts comfort and strength to say and do every good thing. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 16-17 – NLV)
FACT 1: Christ is _________________ again! (Prom ised return) He was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” (Acts 1:9-11 – NLT) When you eat the bread and drink the cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. (1 Corinthians 11:26 – NIRV) Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:28 – NLT) The Son of Man will come again just as lightning flashes from east to west. (Matthew 24:27 – GWT)
FACT 2: No one knows__________________! (Im m inent return) But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels not even the Son. Only the Father knows. The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah’s. Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as