Sermon Central
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Jesus Said; "I Will Come Again"
Contributed by Ray Ellis on Apr 27, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: Historic Christianity teaches that Jesus was born of a virgin, he suffered and died on the cross, he rose again, and Jesus will return as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Jesus Said, “I Will Come Again”
Are You Ready?
Historic Christianity teaches that Jesus was born of a virgin, he suffered and died on the cross, he rose again, and Jesus will return as King of kings and Lord of lords.
I’m not going to give you a time-line of the end times prior to the second coming of Christ. I’m not going to argue for any certain rapture view or millennial view. But I am going to challenge you to be ready for the second coming of Christ. Jesus is coming again.
There is a great contrast between the first and second Advent of Christ.
In His first coming Jesus was in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes. In His second coming He will be clothed royally in a robe of glory.
In His first coming He was surrounded with cattle and common shepherds. In His second coming He will be accompanied by the massive armies of angels.
In His first coming the door of the inn was closed to Him. In His second coming the door of the heavens will be opened to Him.
In His first coming His voice was the tiny cry of a baby. In His second coming His voice will thunder as the sound of many waterfalls.
In His first coming, He was the Lamb of God who came bringing salvation. In His second coming, He will be the Lion of the tribe of Judah who comes bringing righteous judgment.
When Jesus ascended into heaven his ascension was witness only by his disciples. When Jesus returns His second coming will be witnessed around the world. “Every eye shall see Him.” Revelation 1:7
The Angels announced to the disciples the second coming of Jesus: They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken form you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
Jesus announced His second coming in Matthew 24:27,29-30:
“For as the lightening comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be…Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 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.”
We find in the scriptures the signs and purpose of Christ’s return to earth.
I. Signs of His Coming
The scriptures give several signs that will take place before Jesus returns:
Age of tribulation
Rise of False Teachings
World Evangelization
Cataclysmic Events
1. Age of Tribulation
As Jesus was teaching his disciples on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him and asked: “Tell us, …what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
Jesus answered: Matthew 24:4-13
False prophets will come claiming to be Christ
Nation will rise against nation
Believers will be persecuted and put to death
Most of us living in America don’t comprehend the meaning of tribulation and persecution for having faith in Jesus.
The Jewish people with their faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Joseph understand what it means to be a persecuted people. Jewish people make up less than 1% of the world population. 13 million Jews are currently living in a world with a population of 6 billion. Currently it’s estimated that 5.4 million Jews live in Israel and 5 million in the United States.
Moses predicted that because of Israel’s unfaithfulness and turning to idol worship, “The Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord will drive you.” (Deuteronomy 4:27.)
Jews have been scattered across the world. God promised that He would gather the Jews and bring them back to their homeland. “I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.” (Ezekiel 36:24)
1948 was a historic year for the Jewish nation. On May 14, 1948 the United Nations recognized the new state of Israel. Never had a decimated ancient people managed to retain their individual identity through almost twenty centuries and reestablish their nation in their original homeland.
Last year when we had the Jews for Jesus music team at our church they told me that more and more Jews in Israel are turning to Jesus as their Messiah. According to Jeremiah 32:37-38 a day is coming when there will be a national revival in Israel. Behold, I will gather them out of all countries where I have driven them…I will bring them back to the place, I will cause them to dwell safely. They shall be My people, and I will be their God.”
