[Originally preached 4 April, 2004]
Revelation 22.6-7
We are just about finished with the book of Revelation, and yet we haven’t really discussed Jesus’ second coming. Most folk would probably find that odd since they think that Revelation is about the end of the world, the high point of which is the return of Christ. I hope that you see that Revelation is about more than the end. It’s about today as it leads up to the end. It seemed apt, though, before we finish with this book, to talk about Jesus’ return. It is, after all, one of the key doctrines of the faith. And, sad to say, many of even the key doctrines of the faith are not well known within the Church. In our text we have another of the precious promises of our Lord Jesus. In this one, He promises to return. Let’s take some time to look at what that’s about.
Let’s, first, look at the basic facts about Jesus’ return. For one thing, Jesus’ return is going to be a physical and visible event. There are some who deny this, claiming that His return is a spiritual thing, by which they mean an invisible event. They are just wrong. Listen.
And when [Jesus] had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." Acts 1:9-11
The eleven saw Jesus physically rise. They watched Him go up until they could see Him no more. The message of the angels was clear. Jesus will return in the very same way. So, one day this same Jesus will float down from the skies. He won’t be alone. There will also be angels and those saints who have already died floating down with Him. And whoever is alive then will be able to see Him. Jesus’ return will be a physical and visible event.
Let’s move on. When Jesus does return, that will be the end of history as we know it. At that time there will be the resurrection of the dead. All those who previously died, whose spirits were separated from their bodies, will have resurrection bodies joined again to their spirits. This will be true of everyone, the saints and the lost. Those who, at that time, are still alive will have their bodies instantly transformed into resurrection bodies. After that, everyone will be evaluated by God. Then the saints will enter an eternity of bliss in the New Jerusalem while the lost will endure an eternity of torment. And so, Jesus’ return is the last event in the redemption of the people of God. It brings to a successful close God’s work of delivering His people from sin and death.
Next, the Scriptures are clear that the time of Jesus’ return is not known by any living person. Jesus is quite unmistakable about this.
But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. Mark 13:32-33
Through the ages there have been those who have thought that they know better and have tried to fix the date of our Lord’s return. They know about the verses that I just read, and they try to get around them by saying that the verses only say that we won’t know the day or hour. They claim that the verses say nothing about the year. And so, every so often, we hear about some new book that claims to know the year of Jesus’ return. If you ever encounter something like this just ignore it. Jesus is clear enough. No one on this earth knows when He is returning.
There are, though, some signs of His coming. We saw in Revelation 20 that Satan will be loosed from his prison right before the end. At that time he will be able to deceive the nations just as he was able to do before Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus also warns us about the rise of false prophets and the falling away of many in the Church right before He returns. The situation for the Church will get quite difficult because of what is going on within the Church as well as outside of it. But these signs are not offered to help anyone’s guessing game. They are given to encourage the saints. When we see these indicators we can know that the end is near. Yes, life for the saints will get especially difficult then, but we will be encouraged to persevere since it will be clear that Jesus’ return is soon.
Those are the basic points: Jesus’ return will be physical and visible. It will be the last event of God’s work of redemption, bringing in eternity. We don’t know when Jesus will return, but when the signs of His coming become clear we can be encouraged to hold on for just a little longer.
Now, let me raise a few related thoughts to develop these basic considerations. The first one is based on something that the Apostle Paul wrote.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ … Titus 2:11-13
Paul describes us as ‘waiting for our blessed hope’. He uses language that describes someone who is so very eager for something to happen. And what is this blessed hope that we are eagerly awaiting? Some within the Church are not eagerly awaiting anything. They define themselves in terms of the things of this world and want to be enjoy those things for as long as possible. These have foolishly tied themselves to the fading pleasures of this fallen world. But then there are those who do better. They are eagerly awaiting the day when they will die and be able to get to heaven. These do better, but they have missed important teaching of the Scriptures. Before I wrote this sermon, I fit into this category. But think about it. The Scriptures never hold up dying and arriving in heaven as the goal. That isn’t the ‘blessed hope’. Paul tells us what it is. It’s the ‘appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ’. The blessed hope is the return of Christ. Consider when the Thessalonian Christians asked Paul about those saints who had died. What comfort did Paul offer? Did he say, ‘You’ll see them in heaven’? No.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Paul points them to second coming. Getting to heaven isn’t the goal. Jesus’ return is the goal. Even though we will see the departed saints when we leave this place and enter heaven, that’s still not the goal. Now, why is that?
First, you need to see that getting to heaven is only part way to what God intends for you. Listen again to Paul.
For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened--not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 2 Corinthians 5:1-4
One day our present physical bodies, our ‘tent’, will be destroyed. We will die. We will then go to be with Christ. But at that point it’s as if we were naked. We don’t have a body. All will be right, though, when instead of being unclothed we are ‘further clothed’, when we receive our new body. Then we will have reached the final goal. Getting to heaven is only a way station. The goal isn’t heaven after we die. The goal is the New Jerusalem after Jesus comes back. Then we will be fully redeemed, both body and soul.
There’s another reason why our blessed hope isn’t just heaven. Thinking about dying and getting there actually can be quite selfish. It’s too individualistic. It is saying, ‘At least then I will get clear of this mess.’ But that isn’t the Gospel. That’s just thinking about yourself. The Gospel also calls us to corporate concerns. Right now part of the Church is in heaven. Their labors are over. But part of the Church is still on this earth in the midst of their labors, dealing with the warfare and the suffering. Imagine you and your family taking a boat ride across Lake Erie. On the way, in the middle of the lake, some catastrophe occurs and you all end up in the water. Here comes a Coast Guard helicopter. You happen to be the first they hoist up out of the water. What are your thoughts? Do you say to yourself, ‘Well, at least I’m safe and sound’? I hope not. I can’t help but think that you’d be wondering about the others. Are they okay? Will they be safely hoisted up and out of the water? The goal isn’t that I make it safely to heaven. The goal is that we all make it to the New Jerusalem. And that isn’t going to happen until Jesus returns. The goal isn’t just heaven for me.
But then there is a third reason why getting to heaven isn’t the goal. And this is the most important. Whatever the issue confronting us, the key concern is always that Jesus receive the glory. That applies here as well. When will Jesus receive the glory that is His due? It’s when He comes back. It’s only then that ‘every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord’. For us Christians, all of life is our striving to bring glory to our faithful Savior. My getting to heaven is insufficient for that goal. But His returning here to the happy cheers of the saints and even the reluctant praises of the wicked, that is the time when He will receive His due. Jesus’ return is the goal. that is the blessed hope, not just getting to heaven.
All of that leads to this. You have a role to play in the return of our Lord. What you do matters here.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God… 2 Peter 3:11-12
We can hasten the day of the Lord’s return. I know that it sounds very odd. After all, the day of His return is set already, isn’t it? How can we make any difference in that? But that’s what some say about evangelism and election. ‘The number of the elect is already set. Why bother doing evangelism? It won’t make any difference.’ But as you know, doing evangelism does make a difference. Likewise, what you do affects the timing of Jesus’ return. You can hasten His coming. That fits with some other things in the Scriptures. Remember when we looked at the seven trumpets in Revelation 8? I told you that what started those trumpets sounding was the angel taking the censer filled with incense and throwing it on the earth. And what was the incense? The text even told us. It is the prayers of the saints. I told you then, as I tell you now, that your prayers make a world of difference in what happens on this earth. They can even hasten the day of His coming. At the end of his second letter to the Corinthians Paul writes, ‘Maranatha’. That’s Aramaic for ‘Come, Lord’. John writes the same thing at the end of Revelation. ‘Come, Lord Jesus!’ Is this wasted ink, a useless prayer, pointless sentiment? I think not! What you do – including your prayers – makes a difference even when it comes to the return of Jesus. This week I’ve added this request, ‘Maranatha’, to my prayer list. Maybe this is something you should do, too.
One last thought about Jesus’ return. So, often when the Scriptures point to the Lord’s return there is the exhortation to be ready. Jesus is coming back. Be prepared. It may happen in your lifetime. So, be ready. But how do you do that. It isn’t complicated, though many make it so. Being ready simply means fulfilling your calling according to the will of God. For those of you who have been called to be mothers, pursue it vigorously, invest your time wisely, so that you can raise up a Godly seed to take your place. For those of you out in the workplace, work hard to do a good job, confident that in this way you will bring honor to your Lord. To those of you who are students, hit the books. Right now that is your calling. Learn what you need to so that you can use that knowledge in the service of Christ. For all of you, continue in the ongoing work of growing in your understanding of God’s Word so that you can grow in all of your roles. Be diligent in these things so that when Jesus comes back you might not be ashamed of how you spent your life. Be ready so that you might receive Jesus’ praise.
Revelation 22.6-7
We are just about finished with the book of Revelation, and yet we haven’t really discussed Jesus’ second coming. Most folk would probably find that odd since they think that Revelation is about the end of the world, the high point of which is the return of Christ. I hope that you see that Revelation is about more than the end. It’s about today as it leads up to the end. It seemed apt, though, before we finish with this book, to talk about Jesus’ return. It is, after all, one of the key doctrines of the faith. And, sad to say, many of even the key doctrines of the faith are not well known within the Church. In our text we have another of the precious promises of our Lord Jesus. In this one, He promises to return. Let’s take some time to look at what that’s about.
Let’s, first, look at the basic facts about Jesus’ return. For one thing, Jesus’ return is going to be a physical and visible event. There are some who deny this, claiming that His return is a spiritual thing, by which they mean an invisible event. They are just wrong. Listen.
And when [Jesus] had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." Acts 1:9-11
The eleven saw Jesus physically rise. They watched Him go up until they could see Him no more. The message of the angels was clear. Jesus will return in the very same way. So, one day this same Jesus will float down from the skies. He won’t be alone. There will also be angels and those saints who have already died floating down with Him. And whoever is alive then will be able to see Him. Jesus’ return will be a physical and visible event.
Let’s move on. When Jesus does return, that will be the end of history as we know it. At that time there will be the resurrection of the dead. All those who previously died, whose spirits were separated from their bodies, will have resurrection bodies joined again to their spirits. This will be true of everyone, the saints and the lost. Those who, at that time, are still alive will have their bodies instantly transformed into resurrection bodies. After that, everyone will be evaluated by God. Then the saints will enter an eternity of bliss in the New Jerusalem while the lost will endure an eternity of torment. And so, Jesus’ return is the last event in the redemption of the people of God. It brings to a successful close God’s work of delivering His people from sin and death.
Next, the Scriptures are clear that the time of Jesus’ return is not known by any living person. Jesus is quite unmistakable about this.
But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. Mark 13:32-33
Through the ages there have been those who have thought that they know better and have tried to fix the date of our Lord’s return. They know about the verses that I just read, and they try to get around them by saying that the verses only say that we won’t know the day or hour. They claim that the verses say nothing about the year. And so, every so often, we hear about some new book that claims to know the year of Jesus’ return. If you ever encounter something like this just ignore it. Jesus is clear enough. No one on this earth knows when He is returning.
There are, though, some signs of His coming. We saw in Revelation 20 that Satan will be loosed from his prison right before the end. At that time he will be able to deceive the nations just as he was able to do before Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus also warns us about the rise of false prophets and the falling away of many in the Church right before He returns. The situation for the Church will get quite difficult because of what is going on within the Church as well as outside of it. But these signs are not offered to help anyone’s guessing game. They are given to encourage the saints. When we see these indicators we can know that the end is near. Yes, life for the saints will get especially difficult then, but we will be encouraged to persevere since it will be clear that Jesus’ return is soon.
Those are the basic points: Jesus’ return will be physical and visible. It will be the last event of God’s work of redemption, bringing in eternity. We don’t know when Jesus will return, but when the signs of His coming become clear we can be encouraged to hold on for just a little longer.
Now, let me raise a few related thoughts to develop these basic considerations. The first one is based on something that the Apostle Paul wrote.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ … Titus 2:11-13
Paul describes us as ‘waiting for our blessed hope’. He uses language that describes someone who is so very eager for something to happen. And what is this blessed hope that we are eagerly awaiting? Some within the Church are not eagerly awaiting anything. They define themselves in terms of the things of this world and want to be enjoy those things for as long as possible. These have foolishly tied themselves to the fading pleasures of this fallen world. But then there are those who do better. They are eagerly awaiting the day when they will die and be able to get to heaven. These do better, but they have missed important teaching of the Scriptures. Before I wrote this sermon, I fit into this category. But think about it. The Scriptures never hold up dying and arriving in heaven as the goal. That isn’t the ‘blessed hope’. Paul tells us what it is. It’s the ‘appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ’. The blessed hope is the return of Christ. Consider when the Thessalonian Christians asked Paul about those saints who had died. What comfort did Paul offer? Did he say, ‘You’ll see them in heaven’? No.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Paul points them to second coming. Getting to heaven isn’t the goal. Jesus’ return is the goal. Even though we will see the departed saints when we leave this place and enter heaven, that’s still not the goal. Now, why is that?
First, you need to see that getting to heaven is only part way to what God intends for you. Listen again to Paul.
For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened--not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 2 Corinthians 5:1-4
One day our present physical bodies, our ‘tent’, will be destroyed. We will die. We will then go to be with Christ. But at that point it’s as if we were naked. We don’t have a body. All will be right, though, when instead of being unclothed we are ‘further clothed’, when we receive our new body. Then we will have reached the final goal. Getting to heaven is only a way station. The goal isn’t heaven after we die. The goal is the New Jerusalem after Jesus comes back. Then we will be fully redeemed, both body and soul.
There’s another reason why our blessed hope isn’t just heaven. Thinking about dying and getting there actually can be quite selfish. It’s too individualistic. It is saying, ‘At least then I will get clear of this mess.’ But that isn’t the Gospel. That’s just thinking about yourself. The Gospel also calls us to corporate concerns. Right now part of the Church is in heaven. Their labors are over. But part of the Church is still on this earth in the midst of their labors, dealing with the warfare and the suffering. Imagine you and your family taking a boat ride across Lake Erie. On the way, in the middle of the lake, some catastrophe occurs and you all end up in the water. Here comes a Coast Guard helicopter. You happen to be the first they hoist up out of the water. What are your thoughts? Do you say to yourself, ‘Well, at least I’m safe and sound’? I hope not. I can’t help but think that you’d be wondering about the others. Are they okay? Will they be safely hoisted up and out of the water? The goal isn’t that I make it safely to heaven. The goal is that we all make it to the New Jerusalem. And that isn’t going to happen until Jesus returns. The goal isn’t just heaven for me.
But then there is a third reason why getting to heaven isn’t the goal. And this is the most important. Whatever the issue confronting us, the key concern is always that Jesus receive the glory. That applies here as well. When will Jesus receive the glory that is His due? It’s when He comes back. It’s only then that ‘every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord’. For us Christians, all of life is our striving to bring glory to our faithful Savior. My getting to heaven is insufficient for that goal. But His returning here to the happy cheers of the saints and even the reluctant praises of the wicked, that is the time when He will receive His due. Jesus’ return is the goal. that is the blessed hope, not just getting to heaven.
All of that leads to this. You have a role to play in the return of our Lord. What you do matters here.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God… 2 Peter 3:11-12
We can hasten the day of the Lord’s return. I know that it sounds very odd. After all, the day of His return is set already, isn’t it? How can we make any difference in that? But that’s what some say about evangelism and election. ‘The number of the elect is already set. Why bother doing evangelism? It won’t make any difference.’ But as you know, doing evangelism does make a difference. Likewise, what you do affects the timing of Jesus’ return. You can hasten His coming. That fits with some other things in the Scriptures. Remember when we looked at the seven trumpets in Revelation 8? I told you that what started those trumpets sounding was the angel taking the censer filled with incense and throwing it on the earth. And what was the incense? The text even told us. It is the prayers of the saints. I told you then, as I tell you now, that your prayers make a world of difference in what happens on this earth. They can even hasten the day of His coming. At the end of his second letter to the Corinthians Paul writes, ‘Maranatha’. That’s Aramaic for ‘Come, Lord’. John writes the same thing at the end of Revelation. ‘Come, Lord Jesus!’ Is this wasted ink, a useless prayer, pointless sentiment? I think not! What you do – including your prayers – makes a difference even when it comes to the return of Jesus. This week I’ve added this request, ‘Maranatha’, to my prayer list. Maybe this is something you should do, too.
One last thought about Jesus’ return. So, often when the Scriptures point to the Lord’s return there is the exhortation to be ready. Jesus is coming back. Be prepared. It may happen in your lifetime. So, be ready. But how do you do that. It isn’t complicated, though many make it so. Being ready simply means fulfilling your calling according to the will of God. For those of you who have been called to be mothers, pursue it vigorously, invest your time wisely, so that you can raise up a Godly seed to take your place. For those of you out in the workplace, work hard to do a good job, confident that in this way you will bring honor to your Lord. To those of you who are students, hit the books. Right now that is your calling. Learn what you need to so that you can use that knowledge in the service of Christ. For all of you, continue in the ongoing work of growing in your understanding of God’s Word so that you can grow in all of your roles. Be diligent in these things so that when Jesus comes back you might not be ashamed of how you spent your life. Be ready so that you might receive Jesus’ praise.
No comments:
Post a Comment