The Return of Christ
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We invite you to pray with us:
Our Father,
What a wonderful hope You have given us through the promise of the imminent return of Your
Son, Jesus Christ.
Please help us, by Your Holy Spirit, to understand when, how and why this event will take
place, so that the enemy may not deceive us in the last days.
May Your Word always be our only guide. In the precious name of Jesus we pray.
Amen.
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Revelation 16:12,15
Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great
river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east
might be prepared. (...)
«Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest
he walk naked and they see his shame.»
In our last lesson, we have seen that, when the seven plagues are poured out on
the world, the people of God will go through a period of trouble and distress.
Fortunately, this period of distress will come to an end shortly after, at the return of
Jesus.
What does the Word of God teach about this glorious event?
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John 14:1-3
Let not your heart be troubled; you 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
When Jesus told His disciples that He would leave them soon, they were greatly
saddened.
However, He gave them this wonderful promise: one day, He will come a second time to
gather His people!
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Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man,
that He should repent.
Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
In fact, the first coming of Christ happened exactly as the prophets of the Old
Testament had foretold.
So we can understand why the disciples never doubted the promise of their Master: the
second coming of Jesus is truly as certain as the first one!
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Luke 17:24,25
For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under
heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day.
But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
The Old Testament contains many prophecies about Christ's first coming, marked
by His sufferings and death.
It also contains many prophecies about His second coming, marked by His glorious return.
The Jews did not understand this distinction, believing that at His first coming, Christ
would deliver them from the Roman yoke, and establish His eternal kingdom.
This partly explains why they rejected Him.
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Let's look at a few testimonies about the hope of Jesus' return:
The testimony of Job:
«I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at
last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall
see God.» (JOB 19:25,26)
The testimony of Enoch:
«Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about
these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to
execute judgment on all."» (JUDE verses 14 and 15)
The testimony of the psalmist:
«Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; a fire
shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. He shall call to
the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people: "Gather My
saints together to Me, those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice."» (PSALM
50:3-5)
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Still other testimonies about the hope of Jesus' return:
The testimony of Isaiah:
«The hand of the Lord shall be known to His servants,
and His indignation to His enemies. For behold, the Lord will come with fire and with His
chariots, like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of
fire.» (ISAIAH 66:14,15)
The testimony of Daniel:
«At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince
who stands watch over the sons of your people. (...) And at that time your people shall be
delivered, every one who is found written in the book.» (DANIEL 12:1)
The testimony of the angels:
«Why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same
Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him
go into heaven.» (ACTS 1:11)
The testimony of Paul:
«The Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His
mighty angels, in flaming fire.» (2 THESSALONIANS 1:7,8)
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The disciples were hoping for this return, confirmed by Jesus Himself!
The testimony of James:
«You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the
coming of the Lord is at hand.» (JAMES 5:8)
The testimony of Peter:
«The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the
night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt
with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.» (2
PETER 3:10)
The testimony of John:
«And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He
appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.» (1 JOHN
2:28)
The testimony of Jesus Himself:
«Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in
heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man
coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.» (MATTHEW 24:30)
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And the book of Revelation contains many references to Jesus' return:
«Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will
see Him.» (REVELATION 1:7)
«Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The
kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He
shall reign forever and ever!"» (REVELATION 11:15)
«And I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man,
having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.» (REVELATION 14:14)
«Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called
Faithful and True.» (REVELATION 19:11)
«Behold, I am coming quickly! (...) And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is
with Me, to give to every one according to his work. (...) Surely I am coming quickly.»
(REVELATION 22:7,12,20)
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Matthew 24:3,4
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came
to Him privately, saying,
«Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the
end of the age?»
And Jesus answered and said to them:
«Take heed that no one deceives you.»
So, the Word of God assures us that Jesus will come a second time.
Now, let's try to discover:
- when Jesus will return;
- how He will return;
- and finally, why He will return.
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Daniel 12:12
Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand
three hundred and thirty-five days.
Matthew 24:36,42
But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the
angels of heaven, but My Father only. (...)
Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
As we have seen in the lesson «The 1335
Days», this prophecy from the book of Daniel can reveal the year of Jesus' return.
As for the rest, Jesus was straightforward: the day and hour of this great event will
never be revealed to anyone.
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2 Thessalonians 2:1-3
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or
troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of
Christ had come.
Let no one deceive you by any means...
In the time of the apostle Paul, some people were so anxious to see the day of
Jesus' return that they assumed all the signs of the times had already been fulfilled...
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2 Thessalonians 2:3
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will
not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of
perdition.
... but the apostle Paul cooled down the heated believers by reminding them
that some events still had to take place before the return of Jesus.
Moreover, the signs of the times were far from being completely fulfilled yet.
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2 Peter 3:3,4
Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last
days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying,
«Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things
continue as they were from the beginning of creation.»
At the opposite extreme, the Christian Church sank into an apathetic and
indifferent attitude which will persist until the very last days.
People begin by doubting the reality of Christ's promise to return, and soon no longer
feel the need to prepare themselves for this event.
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Luke 18:8
[Jesus said,] «When the Son of Man comes, will He really
find faith on the earth?»
Here is some food for thought.
Many Christians waited for Christ, but died before His return. Yet now that He is so close
to coming, very few are truly waiting for Him.
And while some Christians imagined the signs of Jesus' coming in Paul's day, now that
these signs surround us, very few seem to see them.
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Luke 21:28-31
«Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift
up your heads, because your redemption draws near.»
And [Jesus] spoke to them a parable:
«Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know
for yourselves that summer is now near.
So you, likewise, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is
near.»
Although we cannot know the day and hour of Christ's return, He invites us to
recognize the signs announcing the imminence of this glorious day.
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Hebrews 10:37
For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come
and will not tarry.
Therefore to the first question: «WHEN will Jesus return?», the Bible
answers:
No one knows the day and hour, but by observing the signs of the times, we know that Jesus
will return very soon.
Now, let's look at our second question: «HOW will Jesus return?»
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Acts 1:11
This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven,
will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.
John 20:27
Then [Jesus] said to Thomas,
«Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into
My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.»
Thomas did not see a ghost, but Jesus in the flesh!
Now, the angels tell us that Jesus will return exactly as He left.
So, the first characteristic of Jesus' return is: a return in the flesh, personally and
bodily.
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Luke 21:26,27
For the powers of heaven will be shaken.
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
2 Thessalonians 1:7,8
The Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty
angels, in flaming fire.
The second characteristic of Jesus Christ's return is: a glorious event, noisy
and spectacular.
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Matthew 24:26,27,30
Therefore if they say to you, «Look, He is in the
desert!» do not go out; or «Look, He is in the inner rooms!» do not believe it.
For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming
of the Son of Man be. (...)
And then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming
on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
The third characteristic of the return of Jesus is: a universally visible
event, not secret or local.
This point is really very important. Let's never forget it.
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Revelation 1:7
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see
Him, and they also who pierced Him.
And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.
Revelation 6:16,17
And [they] said to the mountains and rocks,
«Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of
the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?»
These verses confirm that the return of Jesus will be a universally visible
event.
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1 Thessalonians 4:16,17
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a
shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ
will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to
meet the Lord in the air.
Let's note this: at His return, Jesus won't touch the ground. His people will
be caught up «in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air».
However, when Satan imitates Jesus' return, he will come down on the earth among men.
This point alone would be sufficient to unmask this final deception of Satan.
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Luke 21:34,35
But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed
down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you
unexpectedly.
For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Finally, in addition to being a personal, bodily, glorious, noisy, spectacular
and universally visible return, this great event will happen unexpectedly, suddenly.
This is why Jesus invites us to be always watchful.
And now, let's look at our last question is: «WHY will Christ return?»
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Daniel 2:44
And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set
up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other
people.
It shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
The main goal of Christ's return is the «restoration of
all things» (Acts 3:21).
He will then establish an eternal kingdom which will be based on love and justice, where
evil will be no more.
The day of His return will truly be earth-shattering!
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Matthew 16:27
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father
with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
Revelation 22:12
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with
Me, to give to every one according to his work.
When He returns, Jesus Christ will put an end to the disorder prevailing here
on earth.
To do so, He will reward each one according to his works.
What, exactly, does Jesus mean by «rewarding each according to his
works»?
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Romans 2:6-8
[God] will render to each one according to his deeds:
eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and
immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey
unrighteousness - indignation and wrath.
God is Love, but He is also Justice.
His greatest desire is that each one of us inherit eternal life.
However, He can grant this reward only to those who follow Him with perseverance, and
remain loyal to His will, putting their lives into His hands.
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Mark 13:35-37
Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of
the house is coming - in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in
the morning - lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.
And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!
It's not enough to know when, how and why Jesus will return: we must now
seriously prepare ourselves for this great event.
To do so, studying the Bible is essential, in order to know what is the will of God for
each one of us.
And this is the reason for this Bible prophecy study guide.
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2 Peter 3:11-13
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what
manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening
the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved being on
fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which
righteousness dwells.
The apostle Peter understood the importance of a serious preparation, in order
to be ready for the return of Jesus Christ.
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1 John 2:28
And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He
appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
Conscientiously, prayerfully studying the Word of God, and then putting into
practice what we learn, will keep us safe in Jesus Christ, so that we may not be deceived
by the enemy's snares.
For Satan always tries to lead us away from the truth.
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Luke 19:13
So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten
minas, and said to them,
«Do business till I come.»
In the parable of the minas, Jesus clearly expressed that, as we are waiting
for His return, we must not remain idle.
On the contrary, we must seek to put our talents to use in God's service, to
enthusiastically spread His message of salvation throughout the world.
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Hebrews 9:28
So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.
To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for
salvation.
2 Timothy 4:8
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not
to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
As we are working with perseverance in God's harvest, the Bible invites us to
cherish this glorious hope: the return of our Savior, Redeemer, and Lord, Jesus Christ.
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Matthew 24:44
Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming
at an hour when you do not expect Him.
We want to be ready for the glorious day of the second coming of Jesus Christ.
How about you?
Before closing this section about the last days events, let's draw a chronological table
showing the sequence of these events, based on what we have learned so far in the Bible.
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Let's thank God for guiding us:
Our Lord,
You have given us clear indications about the return of Jesus, so that we may not be
deceived in the last days.
But You also desire that we be ready for that great day: this is why we thank You for
offering us the help we need to properly prepare ourselves, and we know that in You, we
will have victory.
In Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
Source of the Pictures of this Lesson
Screen 1: Picture Collection «Corel Gallery Magic» by Corel,
1997, CD #7, Photo gallery 2, 199023.PCD. Screen 2: STEEL, John. In: «La
Sentinelle» magazine (March 1996), Pacific Press Publishing Association, p.4.
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Moody Press, Chicago, 1956, p.160. Screen 4: In: «Revelation Seminars»,
Seminars Unlimited, 1986, lesson #4 («La Merveilleuse Bonne Nouvelle de l'Apocalypse»),
p.1. Screen 5: In: «The Watchtower» magazine (April 1, 1998), New York,
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, p.17. Table of Screen 5: First
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Stories and Master Paintings» (RACHLEFF, Owen S.), New York, Abradale Press Publishers,
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Ellen G.), Pacific Press Publishing Association and Review and Herald Publishing
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8», Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1956, p.82. Screen 6: In:
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Message with the World»), p.5. Screen 7: In: «The Watchtower» magazine
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9» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1957, p.66. Picture edited
by Cyberspace Ministry. Screen 12: JUSTINEN, Lars. In: «Questionnaire
Adulte de l'Ecole du Sabbat», Pacific Press Publishing Association, Third Quarter, 1996,
front cover. Screen 13: In: «Awake» magazine (April 8, 1987), Watch
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Lars. In: «Questionnaire Adulte de l'Ecole du Sabbat», Pacific Press Publishing
Association, Fourth Quarter, 1998, front cover. Screen 27: REMMEY, Paul.
In: «The Bible Story, volume 8» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), Pacific Press Publishing
Association, 1956, p.188. Screen 28: In: «The Watchtower» magazine
(June 15, 1994), Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, p.10. Screen 29: PROVONSHA,
Clyde N. In: «Votre Bible et Vous» (MAXWELL, Arthur S.), Press Publishing Association,
p.333. Screen 30: ANDERSON, Harry. In: «Votre Bible et Vous» (MAXWELL,
Arthur S.), Press Publishing Association, p.96. Screen 31: In: «La Tour
de Garde» magazine (October 1, 1989), Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, p.9.
Screen 32: In: «Le Moniteur», Pacific Press Publishing Association, Second
Quarter 2000, front cover. Screen 33: In: «Photo Gallery 25,000» by
Media Graphics International, CD #1, AW021.JPG. Screen 34: In: «The
Watchtower» magazine (November 1, 1986), New York, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society,
p.1. Screen 35: In: «Photo Gallery 5,000 volume 2» by Media Graphics
International, 33_131.JPG.
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The test of Lesson 80 is waiting for you!