ARE YOU READY FOR JESUS 2ND COMING?
Opening Scripture:
1 Thess 4:15-17 NIV “According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
1. God’s Relaunch Plan for your life includes getting you ready for the second coming of Christ when God takes His obedient children home, and finishes His work on earth.
2. The 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ has two parts:
- the secret coming (rapture) when Jesus returns for His church,
- and the public coming when He returns with His church to defeat the antichrist, overthrow evil, and establish His millennial reign.
A. The secret second coming is not to the surface of the earth, but only in the air.
1 Thess 5:2 NKJV “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.”
1 Thess 4:17 NIV “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
“Air” – “Aer” Greek ἀήρ – air, atmosphere
This first coming is often called the “rapture” of the church, a term in English that describes the Greek word used for this event called “harpazo”.
“Caught Up” – “harpazō” Greek ἁρπάζω – to snatch away, take away by force, to catch, steal, carry off, to convey away suddenly, transport hastily.
The “harpazo” is the pre-wrath coming of Christ to take His church home to safety before the coming of the Great Tribulation, which is God’s judgement on the earth for its evil and wickedness. Like the Ark was for Noah’s protection, so the “harpazo” (rapture) will be for the Church.
1 Thess 5:9-10 NIV “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.”
B. The public second coming is to the surface of the earth to set up His Millennial Kingdom. Jesus will rule and reign on earth for a thousand years. Rev 19:11-16
3. Our Prophetic Future: Labor pangs / Rapture / 7 Seals / 7 Trumpets / 7 Bowls / 2nd Coming / Millennial Reign / Great White Throne Judgment / New Heaven & Earth
The world today is in the “labor pains” stage of the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. The future is being born just as surely as a mother with child.
1 Thess 5:3 NKJV “For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.”
4. How can we know we are ready for the “harpazo” (rapture) of the Second Coming of Christ, and will not be LEFT BEHIND?
Matt 25:1-13 NIV “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
A. Am I a virgin? Have I been cleansed in the blood of Jesus and all my sins washed away, leaving me justified – just as if I never sinned.
“the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom”
B. Do I have oil in the lamp of my life? Have I been filled with the Holy Spirit, and am I staying filled (extra oil).
“Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.”
C. Even if Jesus never comes during my lifetime, am I living my life in anticipation of His coming?
“The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’”
Heb 9:28b “To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
D. Am I keeping watch for His second coming and telling others about Him?
“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Amp “Watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come.”
GWB
