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Lesson 10 - Jesus Returns to EarthIntroduction: The second coming of Jesus was the great theme of the apostles. It is estimated that one in every 25 verses of the New Testament speaks of this event. But Satan has sought to confuse people so that they will not be ready to meet Him. Before Jesus' first coming in Bethlehem, Satan was sucessful in confusing the Jewish people by causing them to misapply the prophecies of His second coming to His first coming. As a result, few were ready to receive Him. Now He is applying the prophecies of Jesus' first coming-such as the 70th week in Daniel 9-to His second coming. And again it is working effectively to deceive! Let us see what the Bible says about Jesus' second coming. 1. Before Jesus returned to heaven, what did He promise? John 14:13 (John 14:13 NKJV) ""And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." [Note: Jesus promised that He would receive us to Himself WHEN He came again-NOT BEFORE, in some secret rapture, as some people are teaching today. The Further-study verses are Rev. 22:1214; Heb. 9:28; 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Peter 1:13; 5:4; 1 John 2:28; Ps. 50:3] 2. How will Jesus come? Acts 1:9-11 [Matt. 26:64; Mark 13:26; 14:62; Isa. 66:15; Ps. 104:3, 4] (Acts 1:9-11 NKJV) "Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. {10} And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, {11} who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."" 3. Will there be counterfeits of Jesus' second coming? Matt. 24:23-27 [2 Thess. 2:9, 10] (Matthew 24:23-27 NKJV) ""Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. {24} "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. {25} "See, I have told you beforehand. {26} "Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. {27} "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." 4. How can we know when the real Christ has come? Matt. 24:30, 31 (Matthew 24:30-31 NKJV) ""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. {31} "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." [Ans: Everyone will see Him. There are many other identifying characteristics of Jesus' second coming described in the questions and verses below. See if you can list them all. Rev. 1:7] 5. What work of judgment will Jesus do at His coming? Matt. 25:31-34, 41, 46 (Matthew 25:31-34 NKJV) ""When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. {32} "All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. {33} "And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. {34} "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:" (Matthew 25:41 NKJV) ""Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:" (Matthew 25:46 NKJV) ""And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."" [Ans: He will separate the righteous from the wicked and execute judgment upon the inhabitants of the earth. (The chronology of these events will be further detailed in Lesson 20.) Matt. 16:27; Ps. 50:3, 4; Isa. 66:15-17] 6. What historical event did Jesus use to illustrate this separation? Matt. 24:36-41 (Matthew 24:36-41 NKJV) ""But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. {37} "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. {38} "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, {39} "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. {40} "Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. {41} "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left." [Note: In this separation, those who were taken were taken away in death by the flood (verse 39), and the others were left alive in the ark. So will it be at Jesus' second coming. While people are doing common things, Jesus will come suddenly in judgment upon all. 2 Peter 3:37] 7. While we cannot know the hour, can we know when Jesus' coming is near? 1 Thess. 5:1-6 [Matt. 24:32, 33] (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 NKJV) "But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. {2} For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. {3} 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} But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. {5} You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. {6} Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober." 8. Will Christ's coming be secret and silent, as a thief in the night? 2 Peter 3:10-12 (2 Peter 3:10-12 NKJV) "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. {11} Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, {12} looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?" [Ans. No, it will be a surprise as when a thief breaks in, but it will not be secret or silent-it will terrify the wicked as when a thief wreaks sudden carnage with great noise upon the household. Ps. 50:3; Isa. 66:15, 16] 9. See if you can answer these questions from the following passage: (1) At Jesus' second coming, what will happen to the righteous who have previously died? (2) What will happen to the righteous who are still living? (3) Will His coming be silent? 1 Thess. 4:15-18 [John 5:28, 29; 1 Cor. 15:51-55] (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 NKJV) "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. {16} 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. {17} Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. {18} Therefore comfort one another with these words." 10. What will happen to the kingdoms of the world when Jesus comes? Dan. 2:44 [Rev. 6:14-17; 16:19-21] (Daniel 2:44 NKJV) ""And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever." 11. What will happen to the wicked at Jesus' second coming? 2 Thess. 1:7-9 [2 Thess. 2:8; 2 Peter 2:9] (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 NKJV) "and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, {8} in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. {9} These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power," 12. Will everyone who claims to be saved, be taken to heaven when Jesus comes? Matt. 7:21-23 [2 Thess. 2:11, 12] (Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV) ""Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. {22} "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' {23} "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" 13. What should we do to be ready for that day? Titus 2:11-14 [Luke 21:34-36] (Titus 2:11-14 NKJV) "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, {12} teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, {13} looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, {14} who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." Commitment: Jesus' second coming will be a sudden, allencompassing surprise to the world, at which time all will be eternally separated-some for everlasting destruction and some for eternal life. Is the glorious appearing of Jesus your blessed hope? Do you want Jesus to redeem you from every lawless deed, and to write His law of love and righteousness in your heart, so that you will rejoice to see His face?
Further Study VersesQuestion 1 - Further Study (Revelation 22:12-14 NKJV) ""And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. {13} "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." {14} Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city." (Hebrews 9:28 NKJV) "so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." (2 Timothy 4:8 NKJV) "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." (1 Peter 1:13 NKJV) "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;" (1 Peter 5:4 NKJV) "and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away." (1 John 2:28 NKJV) "And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." (Psalms 50:3 NKJV) "Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him." -->Back to Study Question 2 - Further Study (Matthew 26:64 NKJV) "Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven."" (Mark 13:26 NKJV) ""Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." (Mark 14:62 NKJV) "Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."" (Psalms 104:3-4 NKJV) "He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, {4} Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire." (Isaiah 66:15 NKJV) "For behold, the LORD will come with fire And with His chariots, like a whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire." -->Back to Study Question 3 - Further Study (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 NKJV) "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, {10} and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved." -->Back to Study Question 4 - Further Study (Revelation 1:7 NKJV) "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen." -->Back to Study Question 5 - Further Study (Matthew 16:27 NKJV) ""For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works." (Psalms 50:3-4 NKJV) "Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. {4} He shall call to the heavens from above, And to the earth, that He may judge His people:" (Isaiah 66:15-17 NKJV) "For behold, the LORD will come with fire And with His chariots, like a whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire. {16} For by fire and by His sword The LORD will judge all flesh; And the slain of the LORD shall be many. {17} "Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves, To go to the gardens After an idol in the midst, Eating swine's flesh and the abomination and the mouse, Shall be consumed together," says the LORD." -->Back to Study Question 6 - Further Study (2 Peter 3:3-7 NKJV) "knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, {4} and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." {5} For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, {6} by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. {7} But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." -->Back to Study Question 7 - Further Study (Matthew 24:32-33 NKJV) ""Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. {33} "So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near; at the doors!" -->Back to Study Question 8 - Further Study (Psalms 50:3 NKJV) "Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him." (Isaiah 66:15-16 NKJV) "For behold, the LORD will come with fire And with His chariots, like a whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire. {16} For by fire and by His sword The LORD will judge all flesh; And the slain of the LORD shall be many." -->Back to Study Question 9 - Further Study (John 5:28-29 NKJV) ""Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice {29} "and come forth; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation." (1 Corinthians 15:51-55 NKJV) "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed; {52} in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. {53} For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. {54} So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." {55} "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?"" -->Back to Study Question 10 - Further Study (Revelation 6:14-17 NKJV) "Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. {15} And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, {16} and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! {17} "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"" (Revelation 16:19-21 NKJV) "Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. {20} Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. {21} And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great." -->Back to Study Question 11 - Further Study (2 Thessalonians 2:8 NKJV) "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." (2 Peter 2:9 NKJV) "then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment," -->Back to Study Question 12 - Further Study (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 NKJV) "And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, {12} that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." -->Back to Study Question 13 - Further Study (Luke 21:34-36 NKJV) ""But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. {35} "For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. {36} "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."" -->Back to Study
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