Pastors' Help - The returns of Christ

THE RETURNS OF CHRIST

Frequently on my face book page I read messages regarding the second coming of Jesus. Or that Jesus is coming back. These messages can be confusing and misleading. Scripture clearly teaches that Jesus is coming back but for good reason God has chosen not to disclose when or on what mission. It should be noted that the words "second coming" are not recorded in the KJV, NKJ, AS, or the YLT versions of the bible. When we say that Jesus is coming back we open the door to many possibilities.

If we are familiar with the doctrine of the Trinity we understand that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the same person, Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created, John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Colossians 1:16-17 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. Acts 5:4 "While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." Matthew 3:16-17 Then Jesus, when He had been baptized, came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Understanding the concept of the doctrine of the Trinity helps us to understand that Jesus' return is by some, grossly misunderstood. Since Jesus has risen from the dead He has returned several times.

John 20:11-18 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him." Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.' " Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

After His death burial and resurrection Jesus returned to His followers as the resurrected Christ.

Act 2:1-4 Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

After His death burial and resurrection Jesus returned to His followers as the Holy Spirit.

Jesus returned from the dead: Matthew 28:5-7 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.

After His death burial and resurrection Jesus returned and appeared to an angel and to the woman that came to His tomb.

Jesus returned to visit His disciples: Matthew 28:9-10 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" And they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then, Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."

John 20:19-21 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." Now when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Then Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."
John 20:25-29 The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
After His death burial and resurrection Jesus returned and appeared to to confront Thomas as to who He is.

Luke 24:13-15 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.

After His death burial and resurrection Jesus returned and appeared to two travelers on the road to Emmaus.

ACT 9:1-5 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. And as he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."
After His death burial and resurrection Jesus returned to speak with Paul as he traveled to Damascus and gave him direction for his life.

These are just a few of past documented returns of Christ after He was crucified, buried and raised from the dead.

Jesus future returns:

The future returns of Christ in one that His followers are patiently waiting for.

1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep [died in Christ], lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, (emphasis mine) even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. (emphasis mine) And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

2TH 2:3-17 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, (emphasis mine) and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, (emphasis mine) [1st John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (emphasis mine) [John14:16-17 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, "even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.] [John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.](emphasis mine) that he may be revealed in his own time [?]. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains [The Holy Spirit who indwells the believer] will do so until He is taken out of the way [When the believers are taken out of the world the Tabernacle of the Holy Spirit leaves with them.] And then the lawless one will be revealed, [After the believers are taken out of the world THEN the lawless on will be reveled] whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming (Revelation 19:11-16). The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (emphasis mine) Scripture teaches that anyone who does not receive Christ as Savior before the rapture of the church will not believe the truth during the tribulation period and will be condemned to hell forever.

The future return of Christ in which His followers will participate as spectators.

As we learned in our review of the rapture of the church, immediately following the removal of the church from the earth the "the lawless one will be revealed". This will mark the beginning of the tribulation period of seven years.

~The Abomination of Desolation~

Matthew 24:15-21 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. "Let him who is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house. "And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those with nursing babies in those days!" And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Daniel 9:27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. and on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate."

Daniel 12:1 "At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. and at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book.

Daniel 12:11 "And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.

At the end of the tribulation period Christ will return with the Saints to win the battle of Armageddon.

Mathew 24:30-31 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. "And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Relation 19:11-14 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.

At this future return of Christ, His followers will return with Him and participate as spectators at the battle of Armageddon.

2nd Thessalonians 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

Revelation 19:15-16 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

The words "second coming of Christ," is not to be found in the Scripture. When preachers, teachers, Christians, theologians, commentaries, or others refer to the second coming of Christ which coming are they referring to?

As believers we should not be as concerned as to the coming of Christ, as are we ready for His coming?

1. Do we meet the qualifications that Jesus as put forward for one to qualify as one of His disciples? Luke 14:26-33

2. Are we obedient to the great commission? John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Mark 16:15-16 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

3. Do we understand how important it is to obey the great commission? Ezekiel 3:18-19 "When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. "Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.

For we must all appear before the

judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the

things done in the body, according to what he has done,

whether good or bad.

2nd Corinthians 5:10