THE COMING OF CHRIST IS PREDICTED

PROCLAMATION

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of The Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”  Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

The prophet Isaiah predicts that Assyria will destroy Judah. (Isaiah 7:18-25)  He states that Judah will be taken into captivity by the king of Assyria, and that this will occur before his yet unborn son can speak. (Isaiah 8:1-4)  He goes on to describe the dark days which lie ahead for them, (Isaiah 8:5-22) but then states that the darkness will be turned into light and he predicts the coming of The Messiah. (Isaiah 9:1-7) 

APPLICATION

This passage is clearly a prediction of the coming of The Messiah.  There is some debate among Bible scholars whether or not it refers to the first or the second coming of Christ.  The first sentence seems to refer to the first coming with the reference to a child being born.  The second and third sentences, with references to an endless peace and His reign on David’s throne from that time on and forever, clearly refers to His second coming.  The first coming as already occurred and the second coming is probably closer to occurring than we realize.  We need to get ready now because it may be too late for us to get ready later.  When Christ comes the second time, every knee will bow to Him and every tongue will acknowledge that He is Lord over all people. (Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10)  He will be seen coming in the clouds and He will gather all believers to Himself. (Matthew 24:30-31)  Believe in The Lord, confess your sins, accept Him as your personal Savior, and you will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10)  There will soon come a day when it will be too late for you to be saved. (Luke 13:25-27)

THE RAPTURE OF BELIEVERS

Proclamation:

“According to The Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of The Lord, will not certainly precede those who have fallen asleep.  For The Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air.  And so we will be with The Lord forever.”  1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  Paul begins this fourth chapter by urging them to live in order to please God, more than they were already doing.  He told them that it was God’s will for them to avoid sexual immorality, to exercise control over their own body and live holy and honorably. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-5)  He acknowledged that they already demonstrated love for one another, but he encouraged them to mind their own business so that their daily lives would win the respect of non-believers. (Thessalonians 4:9-12)  Then he addressed the rapture and made it clear that the dead in Christ would rise first, and after that those who were still alive would meet them and The Lord in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Application:

This is a comforting thought for those of us who have lost loved ones.  Although they are now asleep in death, we will meet them again when The Lord Jesus, The Christ, returns to rapture all believers.  Unfortunately, there will be some people who will be left behind after the rapture occurs and removes all believers from the earth. (Matthew 24:40-42)  In the twinkling of an eye, all believers will be changed from corruptible mortals to spiritual beings of incorruptible immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)  Woe be unto those who are left behind.

MAY YOUR LOVE INCREASE AND OVERFLOW FOR EACH OTHER

Proclamation:

“May The Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.  May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.”  1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  In this third chapter, Paul expresses his love and concern for the Thessalonians. (1 Thessalonians 3:1-7)  He also tells them of his desire to see them again. (1 Thessalonians 3:9-11)  Then he ends by praying that The Lord God will increase their love for each other and that He will strengthen their hearts.

Application:

Here the word “love” is not an affectionate term.  It implies an active seeking of the welfare of another.  “Love” here has a purpose; it is not an end in itself. (According to Bible scholar J. Vernon McGee)  Paul prays for the believers to have love for all men, and for the purity of their heart.  We would do well to pray this prayer for each other.  We all need God’s help because some of the people we encounter are difficult to love.  Also, it is difficult for us not to think evil and sinful thoughts, and to maintain a pure heart and mind.  We need for God to create within us a clean heart and a right spirit. (Psalm 51:10)  For the pure in heart shall see God. (Psalm 24:4 and Matthew 5:8)  Be reminded of the fact that Jesus, The Christ, is coming again to gather up His own.

A SECOND REASON FOR SINGING JOY TO THE WORLD

Proclamation:

“Sing to The Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things … The Lord has made His salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations.”  Psalm 98:1-2 (NIV)

Explanation:

This psalm is thought to have been written by King David under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God as a prophecy of the coming Messiah.  He presents the celebration of His second arrival (Psalm 98:4-8) and the purpose of His coming, which is to judge the people of the world. (Psalm 98:9)

Application:

The second coming of Christ gives us a second reason to sing the song, “Joy To The World.”  When The Lord comes we will enjoy new benefits, new blessings, and a new complete salvation, and therefore we will sing a new song unto The Lord.   Everyone in heaven will not sing the same song because everyone will not go through the same thing to get there.  The angels will not sing the same songs that the tribulation saints will sing. (Revelation 7:9-14)  The Lord has made His salvation known through the gospel, and through the ministers who preach it.  However, it is The Holy Spirit of God convicts, convinces, and converts the hearts of those who hear The Word of God.  Salvation is available to all, but only those who believe will be saved. (John 3:16 and Romans 10:9)

The Return Of Christ And The Rapture

"For The Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air.  And so we will be with The Lord forever."  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul, the human writer of almost half (thirteen of the twenty-seven Books) of The New Testament of The Bible, recorded in his letter to the believers in Thessaloniki that those who died believing in Christ would be raised from the dead, and they would meet The Lord in the air.  Those of us who are alive when Christ returns, will meet up with them in the air.  This meeting in the clouds in the air is referred to as the rapture of The Church.  

The first time that Christ came to earth, He came as The Sacrificial Lamb, to die in our place, to pay the price for our sins for our salvation. (John 1:29, John 18:37, 1 Corinthians 15:3, and Galatians 1:4)   Jesus said that He would come to earth a second time. (John 14:2-3)  Also an angel appeared to His disciples after He ascended to heaven and told them that He would return. (Acts 1:11)  When He comes to earth the second time, He will be coming to translate and rapture His Church. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)  He is coming to gather all believers unto Himself.  Get ready, no one knows the hour or the day of His return. (Matthew 24:44, Matthew 25:13, Mark 13:32, and Luke 12:40)  He may return sooner than we think. (James 5:8)  

Beware We Are In The Last Days

"But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, 'In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.' These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have The Spirit. But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in The Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." Jude 1:17-23 (NIV)

Jude, the half brother of Jesus, warns the people that just before the second coming of Christ, men would mock The Word of God, try to turn you away from God, and tell you to follow them and their ungodly lustful desires. Christians are encouraged to stay faithful and pray, help those who have doubts by sharing God's Word with them so that they might be saved.

Don't be led astray by listening to and following the ungodly. We need to not only avoid that which is sinful and wrong, but we need to cling to that which is Godly and right. We are to share the gospel with those who are lost. Our goal is to pull them from the fire, not to fall into the fire with them. Through Bible reading, Bible study, and prayer, we have God's help to be a help to others. Don't hate the sinner, have mercy on him, but hate the sin.

The End Of The World

A lot of people are worried about the end of the world, which they think is coming later this year. As Christians we don't have to worry about that.

"We believe that Jesus died and rose again ... we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of The Lord ... The Lord Himself will come down from heaven ... and the dead in Christ will rise first ... After that, we who are still alive, who are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air. And so we will be with The Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV)

So don't worry about the end of the world according to the Mayan calender. When armageddon does come, the rapture will have all ready occurred. We won't be here to see the things which are predicted for the end of the world in the Bible in Revelation, chapter nine.

Jesus Is Coming Back

"After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into the heaven.'" Acts 1:9-11 (NIV)

"... I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am..." John 14:1-4 (NIV)

"For The Lord Himself will come down from heaven ... we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air ..." (the rapture) 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV)

One day Jesus Christ will return to earth in the same manner as He ascended into the clouds. This is referred to as "The Second Coming of Christ". We all better get ready.

Live Soberly, Righteously, And Godly

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ..." Titus 2:11-13

As Christians we are to live righteously and to provide witness that brings God's plan and purpose to fulfillment. Salvation brings about a transformation within us and produces a 'new creature' who is free from the controlling power of worldly lusts. Giving us the ability to say not to sin and yes to godliness.

We are eagerly awaiting, with joyous anticipation, "that blessed hope" which is the second coming of Jesus, The Christ. This is a reference to the rapture, when all believers will meet Christ "in the air." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 When that day comes, don't be left behind.