The Return of Christ 

Foundations of Faith – The Return of Christ

One of the most fascinating and talked about themes in the Bible is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. People’s interests gravitate to this because we live in a “broken” world. So many of us long for a change. Only Jesus can make all these wonderful changes happen.

Is Jesus Really Coming Back?

The answer is “Yes!”. Jesus Himself promised He would.

(John 14:1-3), “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

The angels proclaimed it as Jesus ascended back to heaven.

(Acts 1:10-11), “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 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.”

The promising theme of His return echoes throughout the entire Bible. This gives us great hope in the wonderful changes the world so desperately needs!

When Will He Come Back?

You will find in God’s Word that there are two ways to know when Christ will return;

By what “watch” (approximate time) He will return

By the “signs of the time” (Bible prophecies concerning the last days and Christ’s coming) 

The “Watch”

God’s Word teaches that no one knows the day or the hour.

(Matthew 24:36), ““But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”

No one knows the day or the hour, but God’s Word tells us we should not be unaware of the approximate time He will return. 

(Matthew 24:43-44kjv), “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

A “watch” refers to observing attentively over a period of time. The people of Israel would set soldiers on the walls of Jerusalem to keep an eye out for coming invaders, day and night. The night watch was often divided up into 3-hour periods. From 6pm to 9pm was the first watch. These soldiers where then relieved from their duty, and the next set of soldiers, or watchmen, would begin the next 3-hour watch. This pattern continued on throughout the night and day. The reason they changed every 3 hours was so that these soldiers would stay at peak alert and attentiveness.

The idea behind Matthew 24 is that no one can know the day or hour Jesus will return, but we should know what “watch” (approximate time) He will come again.  In this lesson, we are going to see undisputable proof when this “watch” will occur. 

 The Signs of the Times

Jesus explains in Matthew that one of the ways to know the time of the Lord’s coming is by recognizing the “signs of the times”.  

(Matthew 16:1-3), “Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.”

This simply means that there are going to be Biblical prophetical events that will occur before He returns. The following are signs of the times that absolutely will be completed prior to the time of Christ’s return.

1. The Rebirth of the Nation of Israel 

Because of their rebellion against God, Israel ceased to be a nation around 600BC at the time the Book of Jeremiah was written. But the Bible stated that this would not be the end of Israel.

(Jeremiah 30:18-24), “Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will bring back the captivity of Jacob’s tents, And have mercy on his dwelling places; The city shall be built upon its own mound…Their nobles shall be from among them, And their governor shall come from their midst…You shall be My people, And I will be your God…In the latter days you will consider it.”

For about 2,600 years this prophecy remained unfulfilled. The children of Israel were scattered all across the world with no land to call their own, no central government, no military or economic might. As the world observed this over the millenniums, we could only come to one conclusion; it would take a miracle from God Almighty Himself to bring the battered children of Israel back to the land and establish them as a nation once again. And so, a miracle happened;

In 1948, Israel was declared a nation once again by the Balfour Declaration signed by the major world powers of that time.

2. The Peace Covenant Between Israel and Her Arab Neighbors 

Just before Christ returns, first there will be a time of peace and safety in the Middle East. But then, sudden and unavoidable destruction will come.

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-3), “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 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.”

One of the most talked about topics in our headline news today is the peace that is trying to be established between Israel and her Arab neighbors. The Bible tells us that when this happens, we will be one step closer to the return of Christ. When you have time, you can also read more about this in (Daniel 8: 23-25; 9: 26-27). 

3. Can’t Buy or Sell Unless Approved

When Christ returns, there must exist the capability for a single entity (the beast) to have worldwide ability to instantly control and enforce the approval of all buy and sell transactions.  

(Revelation 13:16-17), “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

Today we now have a worldwide web of communication called the internet. We have digital (non-physical) based currencies such as credit cards and online banking. We now have the technology that could enable a single entity to approve or decline any buy or sell transaction, from any place in the world, at any time.

4. The Ability to Destroy All Human Life 

When Christ returns, there must also be the ability to destroy all life on earth.   

(Matthew 24:22), “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

From the time of Adam up till just a few generations ago, mankind has never had the ability to destroy all flesh. However, with the invention of nuclear and biological weapons, man does now have that ability.

5. The Ability for All Nations to See a Single Event at the Same Time 

There must also be the ability for all the world to see one event.

(Revelation 11:8-10), “And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them.…”

Today, with television, the satellite systems, and the internet, we now have this ability to broadcast a single event worldwide to every “people, kindreds, tongues and nations” to witness.

6. Gospel Preached Around the World

Before Jesus Comes, His gospel will be preached around the entire world.

(Matthew 24:14), “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

By means of the distribution of printed Bibles, worldwide missionary and evangelistic endeavors, multitudes of worldwide television and radio broadcasts and worldwide means through the global internet, the gospel has been preached and is available throughout the world.

7. Before Christ Returns, the Jewish Temple Must Be Rebuilt

The Jewish Temple was destroyed 2000 years ago shortly after the crucifixion of Christ. At the time of the return of Christ, the Jewish temple (“the holy place”) must be rebuilt in Jerusalem.

(Matthew 24:15-21), “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place…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.”

The Jewish people are now back in the land of Israel as we saw in point #1. It has been reported that they could start rebuilding their Temple any day now!

When you have time, read (Isaiah 30-31) which refers to the last days. The scattered people of Israel will not only be back in their own land, but all the Arab nations surrounding them will hate Israel and want her completely eliminated.  All of them, except ONE. The Book of Isaiah tells us that it will be Egypt. In recent times Israel and Egypt did in fact sign a peace treaty on March 26, 1979, following the 1978 Camp David Accords.

When you have time, read (Ezekiel 38:1-19), that tells us that in the last days, not only will the countries of Russia, Germany, Ethiopia, Libya and Iran exist, but all of them will be against Israel.   

TODAY, that is exactly what we have. 

When you have time, read (Daniel 2) that shows us in the final days before Jesus comes back, the area of the old Roman empire will revive to be a world power once again.  And that is EXACTLY what we have TODAY!

What Will Jesus Do When He Gets Here?

• He will defeat all His enemies and bind Satan (Revelation 19-20)
• He will establish His kingdom on this earth for 1000 years (Revelation 20)
• He will judge all, and those who truly love Him will enter His kingdom (Matthew 25:31-46)

What Do We Do Until Then?

• Stay busy for the Lord but also be ready for His coming (1 Thessalonians 4:16 – 5:11)
• Be a faithful part and blessing to God’s church (His Bride) (Hebrews 10:24-25)
• Be diligent caring for your needs and the needs of others (1 Timothy 5:8)
• Be an active part in proclaiming the gospel (Matthew 5:14-16) (Matthew 24:14)

The Return of Christ

BUILDING A FOUNDATION THAT WILL NEVER CRACK!