The Second Coming: Eschatology PDF

8 THE SECOND COMING: ESCHATOLOGY Although this is the last chapter oftheMeat booklet, it is certainly not the least important. It may just be the most encouraging for VOu, for we arenow going to read what the Bible says about the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. For those who have accepte...

8 THE SECOND COMING: ESCHATOLOGY Although this is the last chapter oftheMeat booklet, it is certainly not the least important. It may just be the most encouraging for VOu, for we arenow going to read what the Bible says about the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. For those who have accepted Him, it is thrilling to know that one day He will return to Earth. Maybe you've heard someone say something like this, "Everybody is always talking about Jesus coming. They've been saying that for hundreds of years, and He still hasn't come. I say it's a big joke." The Bible talks about that kindof person. Read 2 Peter 3:3-4. But how do I know that Jesus really will return some day? Turn to Acts 1:8-11. Who is speaking in verse 8? To whom is He saying these things? What happened after He said these things? In verse 11, how did theangels say Christ would return to Earth? So if Jesus' physical body ascended to the sky when He left,how do youbclieve He will return? But will Illecome in the air or return to Barth? TWO PARTS OF HIS SECOND COMING Keep in mind that Christ's second coming is in two parts. First He will come in the air, and later He will return to the earth. The Rapture Turn to 1Thessalonians 4:16-17, and read very care fully. Who are people called the dead in Christ? When will they rise from the dead? What will happen to the living Christians? According to verse 17, Where will these two groups meet the Lord? This part of Christ's return is called the Rapture of the Church. The word rapture comes from the Latin rapiemur, which is how the Vulgate, a 4th century Latin version of the Bible, translated the original Greek word harpadzo, which means "caught up suddenly. Will the unsaved go up as well? Read 1Thessalonians 4:16 again. Who will rise first? Not just the dead, but the dead in Christ. What does that mean? If only the dead in Christ arise, what happens to the dead who are not in Christ? Where are they when all of this happens? What happens to them? 57  Read Luke 16:22-23 and answer the above questions by noting where the rich man was. Sincethe dead in Christ go up at the Rapture while the dead out of Christ stay in hell at the Rapture, we can draw some conclu sions concerning those who are alive at the Rapture. Again, from 1Thessalonians 4:17, what will happen to the living Christians when the Rapture takes place? What can we assume happens to those who are alive at the Rapture, but have not accepted Christ? How could sorneone survive being caught up like this? Read 1Corinthians 15:51-53. According to these verses what will happen to all Christians' bodies? What does it mean to put on immortality? A few basic facts albout the Rapture: According to Matthew 24:44, when will it occur? Read John 14:3 andiThessalonians 4:16-17. Who will be involved? 58  And according to 1Thessalonians 4:17, where will we meet Christ? What willhappen to those left on Earth? They will endure seven horrible years known as the Tribulation. Matthew 24:21-22 describes that period of time. What will it be like? According to 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7, the Holy Spirit will not restrain the work of evil during this period. Satan will be allowed more opportunities to work openly. Sin will completely prevail and God will pour out Hiswrath. This is a time of terrible judgment, when good and evil will becrystal clear for those left on Earth. Match the passage with the event that will occur. 1.Terrible sores upon men A. Revelation 16:2 2. Men scorched with the sun B. Revelation 16:3 3. Sea turned to blood C. Revelation 16:4 4. Darkness on the earth D. Revelation 16:8 5. Rivers turned to blood E. Revelation 16:10 6. Terible carthquakes E Revelation 16:17-20 7. 90 lb. hailstones G. Revelation 16:21 What willhappen when Christ finallycomes back to Earth? 59 The Revelation Keep in mindthat Christ will first come in the air (the Rapture) and will take all the saved, both dead and alive, to be with Him in heaven. Those who are left will endure seven horrible years of judgment (the Tribulation), after which the Lord will then return to Earth (the Revelation). Now note what will happen. Read Matthew 24:3031; Luke 21:27. Who will see Christ coming? Remember who will be on Earth at that time. What will they do when they see Him coming? Keep verse 31 in mind. Read Jude 14 and Zechariah 14:5. Who will come with the Lord at this time? According to Zechariah 14:4, where exactly will Christ return? And in Revelation 20:1-3, what will happen to Satan? For 1,000 years, Christ and His saints will live and rule on the Earth. This is called the Millennial Reign of Christ. Now read Revelation 20:7-10 and state in your own words what will happen. 60  ihat happens to those who are unsaved at the end of the Millennial Reign? Read Revelation 20:1|-15. State in your own words what will happen. What a sad and terrible day for those who have never trusted Christ. They must then spend eternity, forever burning, in the Lake of Fire. How tragic! But in Revelation 21:1-6, what does the Bible say that God has prepared for those who accepted Christ? Complete This Section Without Looking Back at the Lesson 1. Definethe following terms as to what they represent in future wworld events: The Rapture The Tribulation The Millennial Reign TheRevelation 61  2. Put cach of these four events in their proper order of OCcurrence. 3. What are the two aspects of the second coming of Christ? 4. Who will be caught up in the Rapture? 5. Explain what happens to our bodies at the Rapture and give a verse to prove your statement. 6. Name at least three differences between the Rapture and the Revelation of Christ: 7. What will be the final abode of the unsaved? Give a verse to prove your answer. Verses to Mernorize Acts 1:11 1Thessalonians 4:16-17 62