Is Jesus Coming Back Again?

Last Sunday we looked at the subject of the second coming of Jesus Christ.  I am always nervous preaching on this because in every room there are those who deny the second coming and those who are obsessed with the second coming.  There are two facts we must wrestle with: 1) there are crazy ideas out there about the end of the world and 2) Jesus truly believed that He would return.  We dealt with a number of issues on this subject.

1) Jesus did believe He would return (see Matthew 24).  Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies about an inner work in believers but He still must bring about the final end of evil.  When Jesus spoke of Himself as the 'Son of Man,' He was speaking of Himself as the end-time judge found in Daniel's vision.  Jesus did not know when He was returning and we should not claim to know either.

2) Many people believe in a specific seven year period of time known as the tribulation that will precede Jesus' return.  However literal the seven is, the clear biblical picture is that things will get worse before Jesus returns.

3) The word 'rapture' does not appear in the Bible but the concept is there.  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 speaks of the meeting of believers with Jesus in the clouds.  The image is that of a liberated city going beyond the walls to meet their returning king.

4) The heart of the return of Jesus is in the general resurrection.  Believers will not spend eternity as floating spirits but will receive resurrection bodies like the one Jesus emerged from the tomb with.  This will take place at the second coming.

This is not science fiction or fantasy.  This is our assurance that Jesus has not abandoned us to evil or to death.  For the next couple of weeks you can get the audio of this sermon at www.meafordbaptist.ca.