Return Of The King (1)

(Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11)

Acts 1:11
"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."


Return of Christ

How many times is Christ going to come back? eschatological yeah? Pastor Tiak explained there are simply two returns of Jesus. The first time Jesus is going to return is one that is going to catch us by surprise, like a thief in the night. The first return will be the meeting of the bride with our bridegroom, Jesus Christ. The catchphrase today is “It may be today”. And the second return of Jesus is when restoration has taken place, and He will return with the church of Jesus Christ in order for a new earth and glory. So what happens when Jesus returns?

Let us look at Joel 2:30 for His dramatic return..
“I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke.”

Matthew 24:6
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

Matthew 24:33
Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.

Matthew 24:44
So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

1 Thessalonians 5:4
But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

Even so, it is impossible for any human being to be able to predict when Jesus is coming, and after all, the Bible is for us to build a character but not to conjure a calendar.

With that, there will be a Resurrection of dead bodies.

Matthew 27:50
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

When Jesus let out a loud cry, dead bodies of His believers rose.

John 11:25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;

So let us not be like the Thessalonians who were worried about their fellow brothers who were already “asleep”.

With that he closes with Rapture of all believers (there will not be dead believers anymore)
Rapture is a moment of ecstasy, and it means literally “caught up” and so we will all rise up into the sky of glory with our Lord Jesus when he comes again. (1 Thess. 4: 17)

Matthew 24:40
Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.

Luke 17:34
I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left.

Implication: do not ever ever consummate with a non believer.

And of course, the application of what we have learnt today about Jesus’s coming:

1)Be alert and self controlled (So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.1 Thess 5:6)

2) Build each other up, we are in this together in eternity (Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 Thess 5:12-14)

3) Share with those who have no hope. Pastor Tiak highlighted the stark contrast between the non believers and believers with hope and without hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.
Colossians 1:27
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.