Jesus is Coming Again

By William R. Shively
Bible Book: 2 Peter  3 : 3-4
Subject: Return of Jesus; Rapture; Jesus Coming Again
Introduction

2 Peter 3:3-4

The Bible clearly teaches the second coming of Jesus Christ. He will return to the earth in the same way as He left. (Acts 1:10-11) At Christ's Second Coming, He will fulfill the remaining prophecies found in Scriptures. Jesus came the first time to suffer on the cross so we can be saved. He will return the second time to be the conquering King.

Peter wanted the people of Asia Minor to "remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets." In 2 Peter 1:16-21, Peter reminded the believers that the prophets had predicted Jesus' second coming. In chapter three, he reminded them again of Christ's coming regardless of the scoffer’s denials.

I. SCOFFERS OF HIS COMING

These scoffers Peter was referring to are the apostate teachers in 2 Peter 2:1-2. Their false teachings included their denial of the Second Coming of Christ.

A. THEIR RIDICULE.

God's people have always been ridiculed by the ungodly. Peter wrote that scoffers would increase in the "last days." Their question "Where is the promise of His coming?" implies that the thing asked for does not exist. Their argument was that since the promise of His coming has not been fulfilled, God does not keep His Word.

 These mockers denied the physical appearance of Christ on earth as was predicted. They ridiculed the Word of God. They had no fear of God.  They questioned the integrity of Christ by attacking His promise that He would come again. (John 14:1-3)

We are witnessing the increase of scoffers in our day. They laugh and mock Christians for believing in the return of Christ. They belittle the Word of God by saying it is outdated and without any relevance.

We need to keep in mind that Peter was referring to people who were familiar with Scripture and judgment. Scoffers are people who show willful contempt for God.

B. THEIR REASONING.

They reasoned that "all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." These scoffers insisted that nothing changes. Since Creation, everything had continued the same year after year. There was no reason for them to believe Jesus would return.

Scoffers rejected the Second Coming of Christ out of a sense of unbelief. They were consumed with their own lust. They wanted to live their lives as they pleased and to be answerable to no one. They had no fear of God or His judgment. People who want to live in their sin will deny the truth of Christ's coming.

II. SIGNS OF HIS COMING

The signs of Christ's coming are numerous. Some have already been fulfilled such as Israel being recognized as a nation in 1948. This is one of the major signs.

A. PREDICTIONS OF THE LORD.

In Matthew 24 and 25, we have what is known as the Olivet Discourse. Jesus responded to the disciples' questions: "Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the signs of thy coming, and of the end of the world."

Jesus said: "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers’ places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." (Matt. 24:5-8)

Notice, all these things are the beginning of sorrows. These things will be taking place before the beginning of the Great Tribulation.

News will continue to report of wars and rumors of wars. There are currently 10 wars ongoing in the world.  Conflicts around the world will intensify as the return of Christ draws near.

Famines have already occurred in Africa due to drought and war. Starvation and death will take place around the world as we get closer to the end.

"In 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning that infectious diseases are emerging more quickly and spreading faster around the globe than ever before, and they are becoming increasingly difficult to treat." We have heard much about aids in the last few years. Now we hear about the deadly Ebola virus.

We hear of earthquakes regularly today. They too will increase as we near Christ's return.

Jesus said it would be a time of lawlessness, the love of many shall grow cold, and spiritual deception will lead many into error.

B. PREACHING OF THE APOSTLES.

The New Testament writers proclaimed the return of the Lord Jesus. In 2 Timothy 3:1-7, Paul gave a description of the moral break down in the last days. "This know, also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." "Men shall be lovers of their own selves." He then described their attitude and actions. They are only concerned with that which makes them happy with no regard for others. Since men love themselves, it is understandable when Paul wrote they are also "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God."

Paul, Peter, and Jude warned of the false teachers and preachers increasing as the last days approach. (Acts 20:29-30; 2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 4, 8-19)

III. SIGNIFICANCE OF HIS COMING

A. COMFORT FOR THE SAINTS.

The promise of Christ's return for His people is a great comfort. The thought of living with God in His heaven is beyond our comprehension.

Jesus gave His disciples great comfort when He said unto them: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:1-3)

The Second Coming of Christ is that blessed hope only enjoyed by believers. (Titus 2:13-14) "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

B. CONDEMNATION FOR THE SINNERS.

God will judge His enemies and assign them to their eternal judgment. The devil will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone to be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Rev. 20:10) All the rebellious angels who sinned against God will experience their "judgment of the great day." (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6)

Jesus said that those who do not believe in Him are condemned already. (John 3:18) Their final judgment will occur when they stand at the Great White Throne Judgment. (Rev. 20:11-15) They too will be cast into the lake of fire.

C. CONSUMMATION OF ALL THINGS.

In Matthew 24:29-30, Jesus spoke of His coming in power and great glory.

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

The Second Coming of Christ is explained in Revelation 19:11-16.

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."  

The Second Coming of Christ will validate the Word of God, confirm the promises of Christ, and declare His Sovereignty.

The Second Coming of Christ is the consummation of all things.  The Lord will reward all the redeemed and judge all the wicked.

In the consummation, He will "make all things new." (Rev. 21:5)

All the redeemed will have new bodies. They shall live in their new mansion which was built by Christ. There will be a new heaven and a new earth and a New Jerusalem. (Rev. 21:1-2) There will be no more sin for we shall live in righteousness. (2 Pet. 3:13)

Jesus shall be seated upon the throne of His glory. "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory." (Matt. 25:31)

LESSONS FOR LIFE:

1. The presence of scoffers is a fulfillment of Scripture and proof that indeed we are living in the last days.

2. Jesus is alive. Jesus is coming again.

3. Many people will die before Christ's return.

Others will be alive at Christ's Second Coming. Everyone will give an account to the Lord. Only those saved by Christ will spend eternity with Him. Are you saved?

"World conditions may wax worse and worse, and the outlook grow increasingly ominous; but we who know Christ have the blessed hope that as the darkness of this midnight age becomes blacker, the coming of Christ, as the Bright and Morning Star shines even brighter!"