Sun. 16/2/2014
LESSON 12 16/2/2014
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
Suggested Hymns: G.H.B. 21, 190
Devotional Reading: JOHN 14:1-3
Topic For Adults
DON’T JOIN THE SCOFFERS
Topic For Youths
DON’T TAKE GOD’S PATIENCE FOR WEAKNESS
Scripture Lesson
REV. 19:11-21; 20:1-15; 21:1-8; MATT. 25:31-36; REV. 20:1-7, 11-15
Memory Verse: Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worship his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone (Rev. 19:20) NKJV
DAILY BIBLE READING
No More Tears, Death, Or sorrow
Rev. 21:1-8
There is a song that says “Heaven is full of joy 2x, no more sorrow, heaven is full of joy, no more sickness, heaven is full of joy. Beloved, what a wonderful and glorious place is the eternal home of the redeemed. In this eternal home, there will be no more tears, no more death, no more sorrow, no more pain, all things shall become new (verses 4-6). There is neither day nor night. In this eternal home, God will tabernacle with His people and we shall see God and Jesus face to face. We shall live forever in this New heaven and New Earth. We shall drink the water of life free. However, there is a condition to meet, only the overcomers shall inherit all these things. You must overcome sin, the flesh, the devil and all obstacles on your Christian journey before you can partake in this glorious home.
Point of Emphasis: Sinners of all sorts cannot have part in believers’ eternal home.
Prayer Point: Help me Lord to live and reign with You in eternity.
BACKGROUND
It has been stated clearly that the rapture of the saints by Jesus is distinct
from His second coming, but when the rapture happens, and the events in the air and on earth happen, then we can be expecting the second coming of Christ. This week’s lesson examines in brief, some of the events that will happen at Christ’s second coming.
NOTES ON THE TEXT
(A) THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON – REV. 19:11-21.
Immediately after the great tribulation, which coincides with the marriage supper of the lamb, Jesus will gather His saints together for the battle called the battle of Armageddon. Armageddon which means “hill or city of Megiddo” was famous for two great victories (i) that of Barak over the Canaanites (Judges 4:15), and (ii) of Gideon over the Midianites (Judges 7). It was also famous for two great disasters (iii) the death of Saul (1 Sam. 31:8); (iv) the death of king Josiah (2 Kgs. 23:29-30).
At this period, Jesus will gather all His saints, which are called the armies in heaven (Rev. 19:14) to make war. This time Jesus will come as a Man of war. At this period both Satan and the antichrist, with his armies from all countries of the world will come to attack the Israelites, (Zech. 14:3,4), but Jesus will rise up against the antichrist and will destroy them by the breath, fire and sword that will go out of His mouth. This event at the place called Megiddo or the “mount of slaughter”, marks the second coming of Christ. However, it should be borne in mind that only Satan and his gladiators will wage war against Christ and not the whole unbelieving world. The devil and the antichrist will then be cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone while the rest of the antichrist’s armies will be killed with the sword coming from the mouth of Jesus and their carcasses will be food for the birds (Rev. 19:20-21).
(B) THE JUDGMENT OF THE NATIONS – MATT. 25:31-36.
After the armies of the antichrist would have been destroyed, the next event that Christ will do is the judgment of the nations. This will take place at the valley of Jehoshaphat(Joel 3:2). The basis of this judgment is the treatment meted out to the nation of Israel by other nations. This judgment is different from the great white throne judgment of Revelation 20:11-15. As many nations that have rendered assistance to the Jews are the ones Jesus compared with the sheep and would be asked to go to Jesus’ right hand. Those who are regarded as goat are those who refused to assist the Jewish nation and they will not be involved in the state administration of Jesus during the millennial reign. In essence, the judgment of the nations is not based upon salvation, but upon the assistance rendered to Israel and to know those among the unbelieving nations, that will be involved in the theocratic governance of Jesus during the Millennial reign.
(C) THE MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST – REV. 20:1-7
After the judgment of the nations, Jesus will establish the millennial reign. Millennium is a latin word which is divided into two words “mille” meaning a thousand and “annus” meaning year. This has been understood as an age of ‘blessedness’ in this present world. This will last for 1,000 years. Some Bible scholars have thought it to be a literal 1,000 years, foreshadowed as a Sabbath or rest after 6,000 years of man’s history. Other scholars have thought it to mean an indefinitely long time, as in God’s chronology of timing “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and thousands years as one day (2 Pet. 3:8).
The millennial reign is a theocratic government of Christ, and it will happen on this earth before the coming of the New Heaven and New Earth (Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-27; Isa. 2:2-4; 52:7 etc). Christ will rule under God the Father (Isa. 9:6-7; Lk. 1:32-33). David will rule over all Israel under Christ (Jer. 30:9; Ezek. 34:24; 37:24-28); the apostle will rule over one tribe each (Matt. 19:28; Lk. 22:30). Likewise, all the saints shall have part in the government as they will rule as kings and priest (Rev. 5:10). The world capital will be Jerusalem (Isa. 2:2-4; Ezek. 48; Zech. 14), and the kingdom will be world-wide. Note that not all the people on the earth will have part in the kingdom. For example, the wicked who have been judged during the judgment of the nations will not be allowed to partake in this kingdom. Also the wicked who were dead will not be resurrected to witness the millennial reign.
During this reign, Satan will be bound and put in the bottomless pit, but will be released after the millennial reign to deceive the world before he would be permanently cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:7).
(D) THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT – REV. 20:11-15
After the event of the millennial reign, the whole world will be getting ready for the final judgment, which is being referred to as the “great white throne judgment”. Before this, all the dead people, who did not resurrect during the rapture and those who have died after that will be raised to life. This is the second resurrection. All human creatures that have ever lived in this world will be resurrected. All people who are unsaved and whose names are not found in the book of life will be judged, condemned and cast into the lake of fire. This is the final judgment and it is the mother of all judgment.
(E) THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH – REV. 21:1-8
While the sinners, the antichrist, the false prophets and the fallen angels are suffering in the lake of fire, the children of God will be ushered into an eternal dwelling place called the New Heaven and the New Earth. It will descend from God and it is a place of joy and bliss. The righteous will be shinning as the sun and tears and weeping will be wiped away. There will be no more pain and sorrow, all things will become new (Rev. 21:4-6).
CONCLUSION
Beloved, Christ came to the world in His first advent to plead and preach that people should be saved. He died and shed His blood for the salvation of mankind. But He is coming as a man of war in His second coming. He will also come as a judge. It is better you get connected to this merciful Saviour now and continue to do His will so that you will not need to face Him in the final judgment of the world.
QUESTIONS
(1) What do you understand by the battle of Armageddon?
(2) Upon what basis will the judgment of the nations be made?
(3) Give some of the features of the millennial reign of Christ.
(4) Who are those to be judged at the great white throne judgment?
(5) Mention some of the bliss of the new heaven and new earth.
French
DIMANCHE 16/02/2014
PLUS DE LARME, NI MORT, NI DOULEUR
APO. 21 :1-8
Il y a une chanson qui dit : « le ciel est plein de joie 2x, plus de tristesse, le ciel est plein de joie, plus de maladie, le ciel est plein de joie». Bien-aimé, quelle place merveilleuse et glorieuse est la demeure éternelle des rachetés. Dans cette demeure éternelle, il n y aura plus de larme, ni cri, ni deuil, ni douleur et toutes choses seraient faites nouvelles. (versets 4-6). Il n y aura ni jour ni nuit. Dans cette demeure éternelle, Dieu sera en communion avec son peuple et nous verrons Dieu et Jésus face à face. Nous demeurerons à jamais dans ce nouveau ciel et cette nouvelle terre. Nous boirons gratuitement de l’eau de vie. Cependant, il y a une condition à remplir, seulement les vainqueurs hériteront toutes ces choses. Tu dois triompher du péché, de la chair, du diable, et de tous les obstacles sur ton périple chrétien avant que tu n’aies part à cette demeure glorieuse.
Point essentiel : Les pécheurs de toutes sortes ne peuvent pas avoir part à la demeure éternelle des croyants.
Axe de prière : Aide-moi, Seigneur, à vivre et à régner avec toi dans l’éternité.