Introduction: This is the last lesson in our series on practical
Christianity. What is the final result of our decision to make Jesus
Lord over every aspect of our life? To what do we have to look
forward? What is our glorious hope? How can we be sure we are right
with God? Let’s dive into the Bible and find out!
- The Promise
- Read John 14:1. What kind of things cause you to worry and
have a troubled heart? Or, is this just a description of
life in general? - Jesus’ statement here took place just before His
arrest, torture and death. What do you think about
His statement that His disciples should not be
troubled when He was about to go through the worst
trouble of His life on earth? (God’s love and concern
for us is extraordinary. He knew His disciples were
going to go through a most troublesome time. He cared
about them.) - What is the answer to a troubled heart? (Trust in
God.) - Read John 14:2-3. The King James Version translates the
Greek as “mansions” instead of “rooms.” Which would you
rather have? - If the President of the United States told you that
you could stay in a bedroom of the White House or you
could stay in the mansion across the street, which
would you choose? (I used to be disappointed to learn
that the better Greek translation was not “mansions.”
However, when you think of living with in God’s home,
it makes other considerations pale.) - If you are concerned about the “mansion” issue, my
understanding of this is that the quantity and not
the quality of the dwelling is part of the Greek. If
you want to see how this word is translated in
another context, read John 14:23. (We will make “our
home” with him. The Greek in John 14:2 modifies the
word translated “home” with the word “abundant.” The
result is “many rooms” or an “abundant abode.” I can
see the mansion aspect to this for those concerned
about their mansion.) - Read Acts 1:9-11. Jesus has just left to return to heaven
and the disciples are standing there looking into the sky.
What do you think about the question of the angels? - Why do you think the angels asked the question they
did? - What is the implication of the angels’ question? (He
IS returning. Quit standing around and get to work to
get ready.) - The Method
- I love music, but unfortunately parents snicker and
children generally turn around and look when they hear me
sing. (Frogs love me.) One of my favorite songs has the
theme (as best I can remember) “The next time around there
will be no mistaking my King will wear His crown.” Read
Matthew 24:23-27. Will it be the crown that lets us know
that it is Jesus who is returning, and not an imposter? - I once heard a silly discussion about Jesus’ Second
coming. The group seemed to agree that you could tell
Jesus from any imposters by whether His feet touched
the ground. My concern was that you might not be able
to see His feet. What does Matthew 24:27 tell us
about the “feet” issue? (Jesus’ Second Coming will
leave no doubt. It will be like lightening around the
world! You won’t need to see His feet or His crown.) - Read Matthew 24:30-31. The “secret rapture,” which is a
minority belief among Christians, has gotten a boost with
the popular “Left Behind” series. What does this text tell
us about the nature of the rapture (the Second Coming)?
(If there is anything that will not be a secret, this is
it. Lightning around the world, Jesus coming in the sky, a
loud trumpet, and the saved being gathered up by angels.) - Read 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Instead of watching the
feet, what does this text tell us will be a more obvious
sign of Jesus’ Second Coming? (We will see people coming
up out of their graves! Those who are alive at the Second
Coming will see this before they are personally gathered
up to heaven.) - Read 2 Peter 3:10. A thief is quiet. A thief comes
secretly (if possible). How can Peter say that Jesus’
Second Coming is like a thief and like a roar? (Peter is
saying that Jesus will come unexpectedly for some. The
event is unmistakable, but the timing can be mistaken.) - Let’s back up a couple of texts. Read 2 Peter 3:8-9.
Why is Jesus’ Second Coming thief-like for some? (God
may seem slow, but He is not. He is coming on His own
timetable. Those lulled into thinking His return is
far off will be surprised.) - Read 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12. What else should we expect
before Jesus comes again? (Paul tells us that there will
be at least one major imposter who will perform “all kinds
of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.”) - Who will be deceived by this imposter? (Verse 10
tells us “those who are perishing.”) - Why would verse 11 tell us that God sends a
“delusion” so that the perishing are deceived? I
thought God’s goal for humans was salvation, not
destruction? ( 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 makes this
sound like the final test. Those who love wickedness
instead of the truth will be taken in by this
imposter. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 tells us that Jesus
will destroy this imposter at His Second Coming.) - How Should We Be?
- Read the first half of 2 Peter 3:11. Good question in
light of the Second Coming. What is the answer? (Read the
second half of 2 Peter 3:11 and 2 Peter 3:12.) - What impact can we have on the time of Jesus’ Second
Coming? ( 2 Peter 3:12 has a very interesting note. It
tells us that we can “speed the coming” of Jesus.) - How do you think you can speed the Second
Coming? (By living “holy and godly lives.”) - Read Matthew 7:21-23. What does Matthew 7:21 tell us is
essential for entering heaven? (Doing God’s will. Just
talking (“Lord, Lord”) will not do it.) - If I just stopped there, we would have a very strong
argument for righteousness by works. What is the
argument in Matthew 7:22 of those who are protesting
their failure to enter heaven? (That they had the
works! Notice the phrase “Lord, did we not prophesy
in your name” could properly be understood “did we
not publically teach in your name?”) - How can you explain this apparent contradiction?
Jesus says “Talk and no action” will not get you a
ticket to heaven. Then Jesus tells those who have
plenty of action (teachers who drove out demons and
performed miracles) “I never knew you.” Is this
double-talk? Is heaven a moving target too difficult
to hit? (The Bible Exposition Commentary nails the
truth: “Words are not a substitute for obedience and
neither are religious works.” “Obedience to [God’s]
will is the test of true faith in Christ.” I have
long believed that “Righteousness by attitude” is a
more appropriate description than “righteousness by
faith.” As we read in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11, God
saves those who “love the truth.”) - Friend, read Revelation 19:11-16. The Second Coming of
Jesus will not be like the first. It is time to chose who
you will obey. Have you repented and accepted Jesus’
sacrifice on your behalf? Do you love God and His truth?
Is your hope placed on the Second Coming of the Faithful
and True Warrior riding the white horse? - Next week we start a new series of studies on the book of
Ephesians.
