Introduction: Last week we discussed the end times and ended with
Jesus’ Second Coming. This week we continue with our look at the
Second Coming. How can we be sure Jesus is coming again? Why does He
delay? What will it be like when He comes? Let’s jump into our study
and find out!

  1. Delay


    1. Read 2 Peter 3:1 Why does Peter say he has been writing
      letters to his friends? (To stimulate wholesome thinking.
      Let’s see if we can do some of that too!)


    2. Read 2 Peter 3:2-4. What are the arguments against Jesus
      coming again?


      1. What is your answer to those who scoff at the idea
        that Jesus is coming again?


    3. Read 2 Peter 3:5-7. To answer the scoffers, Peter refers
      to things we know from the Bible. What are these things
      and how do they specifically answer the scoffers? Let’s
      list and discuss these.


        1. Creation: How does the Creation tend to prove
          that Jesus is coming again? (In at least two
          ways. First, it shows that God has the power to
          do it. If a word of God (v.5) can create the
          world, then a word (v.7) can take it apart.
          Second, it shows that God has an ownership
          interest in the earth. Why would He just walk
          away from His creation?)


        2. The Flood: How does the Flood tend to prove that
          Jesus is coming again? (It shows that God if
          fully willing and able to execute judgment. I
          once taught a class where some of the members
          were very uneasy about the idea that God sent
          the flood. They preferred to think of it as a
          “water accident.” It was no accident, it shows
          that judgment is part of God’s love. He will end
          the sin problem.)


      1. How does Peter say the world will end? (In fire!)


    4. Read 2 Peter 3:8-9. What other reasons does God have for
      delaying? (First, His sense of time is not like ours. Have
      you ever gone on a trip with small children? Their sense
      of time is quite different than yours. God tells us His
      sense of time is quite different than ours. Second, He
      delays because He wants everyone to repent and be saved.)



        1. How does God’s waiting for our repentance work?
          If we live 70 years, shouldn’t the wait be
          around that long? (This statement makes no sense
          if God is speaking about individuals. Therefore,
          He must be talking about humankind in general.
          He is looking for a general turning to Him.)


          1. Does this suggest a general revival before
            the end of time?


  1. The Event


    1. Read 2 Peter 3:10. Last week we discussed whether Jesus’
      Second Coming would be a private event. Some refer to it
      being a “secret” coming. What does this suggest about
      whether or not we will notice His Second Coming? (First,
      we will be surprised. This is another text which precludes
      the date setting we discussed last week. Second, our earth
      is going to go out with a “roar.” No private or secret
      event is pictured here!)


    2. Let’s step outside of Peter for a minute to review another
      text about the Second Coming. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:14-15. On what do we base our belief that Jesus is coming
      again? (Paul tells us that because Jesus died and rose
      again we can have faith that we can rise from the dead.
      Further, this is a promise straight from God (“according
      to the Lord’s own word”)about how this will happen.)


      1. Let’s read how it will happen. Read 1 Thessalonians
        4:16-18. Last week one of my class members suggested
        that if we are in doubt about whether this is the
        Second Coming, we should go to a cemetery. Does this
        support his idea?


        1. Does this sound like a secret event?


        2. What do you understand from this “caught up
          together to meet the Lord in the air” language?
          (When Jesus comes again He is not giving any
          press conferences. He does not even “land.” The
          dead rise, and then we rise in the air to meet
          Him.)


        3. Friend, verse 18 tells us to encourage each
          other with these words. Does this encourage you?


  2. Our Reaction


    1. Read 2 Peter 3:11-12. What is the answer to Peter’s

      question? As we consider Jesus’ Second Coming, what
      impact should that have on our lives? (Peter says the
      logical impact is to cause us to live holy and godly
      lives.)



      1. Is this the way that we should present the gospel: if
        you don’t want to be barbecue, you need to live holy
        and godly lives? (I don’t think this is Peter’s
        message. He is saying that if we hold the earth and
        our possessions dear, they are going to be destroyed
        by fire. So, why not hold on to something that is
        eternal – our relationship to God?)


      2. Notice verse 12 contains the phrase “and speed its
        coming.” Can you affect the time of the Second
        Coming? (Yes! Living holy and godly lives will help
        to speed the coming of Jesus. I can’t explain exactly
        how this works, but Peter clearly says this.)


    2. Let’s jump back to 1 Thessalonians for a minute. Read 1
      Thessalonians 5:1-6. I have been arguing, based on the
      texts we discussed last week and this week that we cannot
      set a date for Jesus’ Second Coming. Verse 4 says there is
      a way for the godly to avoid being surprised. Is this by
      determining the date of the Second Coming? (These verses
      say several things. First, they say (v.3)we cannot depend
      on the view of the world. Second, they say that the godly
      have an advantage, they can avoid surprise. However, the
      way to avoid surprise (v.6) is to be constantly ready!
      Being constantly ready shows they do not have a date in
      mind.)


      1. What kind of people should we be in light of these
        verses? (A consistent, steady, alert attitude of
        obedience to God is what is called for. 2 Peter 3:14
        says “make every effort to be spotless, blameless and
        at peace with Him.”)


  3. Our Destination


    1. Read 2 Peter 3:13. What is the destination of the
      righteous at the Second Coming? (God will take us to
      heaven. However, this verse also suggests that ultimately
      our new home will be the earth made new.)


    2. Read Revelation 21:1-5. What do these verses teach us
      about living in the earth made new? (Jesus brings the “New
      Jerusalem,” His “Holy City” down from heaven to the earth
      made new! Friend, this suggests that Jesus is going to
      make the earth made new the capital of the universe! God
      is going to come down and live with us!)


      1. What kind of life will we live in the earth made new?
        (Verse 4 promises us “no more death or mourning or
        crying or pain, for the old order of things has
        passed away.”)


    3. Friend, is that what you want for your future? If so, I
      invite you today to make every effort to constantly,
      alertly, walk with God.


    4. Next Week we start a new quarter on the book of Amos.