THE
FUTURE
The Christian is at a
unique advantage because we have access to knowledge of future events that will
occur. Knowing the future has advantages and consequences. We must be prepared
for events that we know will occur as well as seek to get others prepared. One
thing is for sure we cannot ignore the future. Let’s take a look at the most
important future event that will occur perhaps in our lifetime. Knowing these events will motivate us to shine
now and for all eternity.
I. WAYS PEOPLE ATTEMPT TO KNOW THE FUTURE
People
have always been interested in the future. Here are a few different ways people
seek to know the future followed by the most accurate method for knowing what
will occur.
A.
Horoscope – In America 6 out of 10 men and 7 out
of 10 women read horoscope but they are never more than 5% correct. This is
about equal to the accuracy of a fortune cookie in a Chinese restaurant. There
must be better ways.
B.
Science (Futurology) - Extrapolating the trends
of the past into the future to determine the future. They are never more than
25% correct. I wouldn’t bet my future on 25% accuracy.
C. Scripture – 1 verse in 4 in the Bible has a
prediction about the future.
1.
There
are 735 different predictions about the future in the entire Bible.
2.
596
have already happened. That’s 4 out of 5 have happened perfectly. 80% have
already come true. That means 80% of the bible’s predictions about the future
have been fulfilled with 100% accuracy. The Bible is the only book with this
degree of future accuracy.
3.
The
event the Bible points to from beginning to end concerning the future is the
second coming of Christ. It is mentioned 318 times in the NT and over 1845
times in the Bible. Let’s look at the second coming of Christ.
II. WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURING CHRIST’S RETURN
D.
Who
is coming back? -
Jesus with and in His new resurrection body that He had when he came out of the
tomb.
1. The
body was the same as he had on earth but it was new
Luke
24:36-43
36 Now
as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said
to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and
frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said
to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold
My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for
a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” 40 When
He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But
while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have
you any food here?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and
some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence.
2. He
was able to eat fish and honeycomb
3. He
can only come to one place at a time
4. He
is coming back to Jerusalem where we will all meet Him
Zech
14:4
4
And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be
split in two, From
east to west, Making
a very large valley; Half
of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.
E.
How
will He come back?
– The same way He left. It said he rode up on a cloud.
Acts
1:9-11
9 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.
F.
His
second coming will be different than His first coming
1. First
just one little star; second lightning from the east to the west
Matthew
24:27
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.
2. First
little helpless baby; second as a full grown man
Rev
19:11-15
11 Now
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. 12 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. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood,
and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in
heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
15 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.
G. Three Greek Words that describe His
Coming
1.
parousia – Means to be beside (literal coming); It
was used of royal visits where the important people met them outside the
city and then escorted them into the city. This word means that there is a
royal visit coming and we are going to meet Jesus before His feet touch the
earth. We will accompany Him on the last part of His journey back to earth.
2.
apocalypse – an unveiling (such as a plaque or a
picture) A first glimpse. We will see Him in a new way. God will unveil the
reigning King on the earth.
3.
epiphania – To see someone as they really are.
III. FOUR FACTS OF CHRIST’S RETURN
H.
The
Aerial Meeting –
There will be huge meeting up in the air.
Trumpets blowing and arch Angels shouting etc.
1
Thess. 4:17
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.
This
does not say we will always be in the air or even in heaven We will always be
with the Lord. But the Lord is coming back to earth to reign 1000 years.
I.
The
Promised Marriage –
The Bible is the only romance book that truly ends happily ever after.
Matthew
19:7-9
7 Let
us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has
come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean
and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then
he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are
those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to
me, “These are the true sayings of God.”
J.
The
Meal – The feast,
Banquet, Supper – Jesus himself will be the waiter.
Luke
22:15-18
15 Then
He said to them, “With fervent desire
I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for
I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom
of God.” 17 Then
He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for
I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God
comes.”
K. The Manifestation of His Kingdom
Rev
19:15-16
15 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. 16 And
He has on His robe and on His thigh a
name written: KING
OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
1.
Jesus
will set up His Kingdom. Rev 19:15-16
2.
Saints
will be rewarded for service and given responsibility. Matthew 25:31-34
3.
Satan
will be bound 1000 years. Rev 20:1-3
4.
The
topography and atmosphere will be changed and people will live long again.
Isaiah 65:20
5.
Satan
will be loosed and deceive some of the unredeemed again. Rev 20:7-10
6.
Great
White Throne Judgment. Rev 20:11-15
7.
Earth
and Atmosphere burned by fire then new heaven and earth never to be corrupted
again.
2 Peter 3:12-13
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?
13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new
heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
8.
New
Heaven and New Earth Coming Together. Rev 21-22
IV. HOW CAN WE GET READY FOR IT
L.
Individual
faith – Saved
2
Peter 3:12-14
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?
13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new
heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore,
beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace,
without spot and blameless
M. By Living Everyday as if He is Coming
Today
Matt 25:1-13
“Then
the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and
went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise,
and five were foolish. 3 Those
who were foolish took their lamps and
took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels
with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they
all slumbered and slept. 6 “And
at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold,
the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those
virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said
to the wise, ‘Give us some of your
oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered,
saying, ‘No, lest there should not be
enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for
yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom
came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door
was shut. 11 “Afterward
the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But
he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 “Watch
therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is
coming.
N.
Faithful/Continual
Service
Matthew
24:44-46
44 Therefore
you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 45 “Who
then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his
household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that
servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing
O.
Personal
Holiness – Living
in such a way that we won’t be embarrassed when we see Him. Preparation for a wedding.
Hebrews
12:14
14 Pursue
peace with all people, and
holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking
carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of
bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest
there be any fornicator or profane
person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For
you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was
rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently
with tears.
P.
Evangelism
– We have a job to
do
Dan
12:2-3
2
And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the
firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
Jude
1:17-23
17 But
you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of
our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be
mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These
are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. 20 But
you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the
Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for
the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And
on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others
save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled
by the flesh.
Q.
Social
Action – We must
devote our life to fighting injustice. We must fight for this world to be as
Christ wants it to be.
Matthew
5:16
16 Let
your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify
your Father in heaven.
R.
Endurance
until the End – In
2001 268,000 people died because they were Christians. We will be hated by all nations.
Matthew
10:21-22
22 And
you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end
will be saved
