SHINE – LIVING A LIFE THAT MATTERS IN ETERNITY Part I. The Future

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