He"s Coming Soon

The Bible and Revelation chapter 22 Jesus is coming back and is coming soon is how John puts it in John 22 verse seven, John 22 verse seven and behold, I'm coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.

Verse 12 bold I'm coming soon, bringing my recompense with me to pay everyone for what he has done.

Verse 20 he who testifies to these things says, surely I'm coming soon amen, Lord Jesus. Clearly the Lord Jesus is coming soon is coming quickly at any moment our great God and Savior Jesus Christ our Lord will come again, and when he comes he is coming for those who are saved by his amazing grace. Everyone who knows Christ is been born again by the spirit of God will be caught up to be forever with the Lord. Everyone else, without exception will be left behind after ask you, you're ready for that day that certain day.

That day when the Lord Jesus returns the coming of Jesus Christ is one of the fundamental doctrines of the Christian church and I find it strange that in many churches and many Christian organizations.

This great subject is neglected. In fact, sometimes we who are premillennial in our theology are criticized very strongly and say we put too much emphasis on the coming of the Lord will let you know the Bible with its Old Testament or New Testament. This is one of the dominant themes of Scripture. It is true. All of Scripture speaks to Christ and as you read the Bible you don't need to be a very diligent Bible student to see that all over and over again. The people of God to be looking for the coming of the Lord yes is coming and he's coming soon to say this morning. First of all that the Lord Jesus is coming at any moment. John says he's coming so minorities coming quickly and as we learned as we study the book of Revelation over these last few months. Jesus is coming back prior to the tribulation. In our study of Revelation would learned that Jesus may come at any moment. That is the rapture of the church. The taking off of the people of God, will take place at any time without warning and it will take place prior to the tribulation. What's the next event in terms of God's prophetic calendar.

It is the rapture of the church and then there will happen that will occur on earth.

This terrible. We've been studying it, called the tribulation, described graphically by John with these visions in Revelation chapter 6 through chapter 18 that. Then the end of the tribulation will be followed by the return of Jesus Christ with power and glory to the earth to set up his millennial kingdom.

Therefore, the church will not go through the tribulation. Paul says in first Thessalonians 1. Four Thessalonians 1 verse 10 that the Lord Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come. There those here who disagree with me that's fine. You will be taken up to be with the Lord with your saved in. If you disagree with your pastor, that's okay, but how could you believe that after the study of Revelation, whether your but there are those who believe that Jesus is going to come after the tribulation. That is, that the next event prophetically will be the tribulation period and at the end of that believers will be wrapped church to meet the Lord in the air and then returned to the with the Lord as he comes with power and glory to establish his kingdom, so that post-tribulation view interprets interprets the rapture of the church and the coming of Christ to act with power and glory as one and the same event. In this view, Christ the sense from heaven. He catches up the church and then there's a kind of a U-turn as they come back with him two hours. When you give four reasons why we believe from Scripture that the rapture of the church is before the tribulation. 40s and first Jesus may, at any moment is the clear teaching of Scripture.

According to the teaching of the New Testament. The return of Jesus is eminent that is it make at any moment.

Let's look at some of the Scriptures. Philippians 3 for example, verse 20 Philippians 3 verse 20 is Paul. He says our citizenship is in heaven. Interesting is our citizenship is in heaven is very difficult for my wife and I to become citizens of the US a lot of red tape fingerprints FBI checkups and all the rest of the great to be a citizen of the US.

Great to be a citizen of United Kingdom but here is a far better citizenship or citizenship, says Paul, is in heaven. That's a permanent citizenship, no immigration authorities. You getting in our citizenship is in heaven, and from eight. We await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul is waiting for a Savior from heaven. The Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself and then over to Titus.

First Timothy second Timothy Titus.

Titus two verse 13 waiting, what's Paul saying to Titus, the people of God are to be weighed and waiting for what waiting for our blessed hope of the blessed hope of the believer.

The appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself on us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works, waiting for the blessed hope was the blessed hope of the believers is Paul. It is the appearing of our great God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ and then over to James book of Hebrews right after Hebrews James James chapter 5 James five verse seven is a James is a very practical book. Yes it is very practical because the coming of the Lord is a very practical subject James five verse seven. Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord see how the far the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the art's concept of waiting, being patient about it until it receives nearly in the late range. You also be patient, establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hands. Grumble against one another brothers so that you may not be judge will hold the judge is standing at the door. The Scriptures and others present the imminent return of Jesus. The New Testament is telling us and exalting us that that any Mormons Jesus Christ become other events may take place before the rapture, but no event must take place if Jesus Christ's returns during the tribulation are after the tribulation the rapture can be said to be eminence but it is imminent and may happen at any moment. If Jesus was going to retardant during the tribulation are after the tribulation we would be looking not for Christ but we would be looking for the tribulation.

We would be speculating about the antichrist but the New Testament is full of a sense of expectancy, the blessed hope of Jesus the New Testament writers are saying look up Jesus may, at any moment. His return is imminent coming at any moment and rather than speculating about scions as people go trying to read today's world events into Scripture which I think is a very dangerous pursuit. I realize it sells books and sells videos against people on the prophecy circuit.

But rather than doing that. Let's accept the clear teaching of Scripture which in which instructs us to be looking up to be waiting to have this pleasant hope because at any moment Jesus may come is coming soon so first of all, Jesus may come at any moment is the teaching of the New Testament. Secondly, Jesus is coming for the church, his bride is a what the church will the church began and asked during the great day of Pentecost.

And when Jesus comes. He's coming for his bride is coming for the church. It will be the church which is rapture is recited Revelation we saw in Revelation 2 and three.

John's letters to the seven churches seven actual churches on hearth at the time, but then when we came to Revelation 4 and five that we saw that the church is no longer on the churches in heaven. Why because the church had been rapture and then from Revelation 6.

Revelation 18 with all of the details of the tribulation.

Remember the sales remember the trumpets remember the balls as we worked her way through these incredible chapters. Where is the church. There is no mention of the church because the church is been rapture prior to the tribulation. Today the gospel the message of the good news of Jesus goes to whoever with your Jewish with a Gentile with a real American. Whether your Chinese weather here from Argentina or New Zealand makes no difference. The message is that is that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. The church today comprises Jew and Gentile were all one in Christ. But once the church is rapture. The events of the tribulation unfold. Where is the focus. We saw this over and over again in the study of Revelation. The focus is on Israel. The focus is on the Jewish people. It is referred to the time of Jacob's trouble from Jeremiah 30 verse seven.

It's on the focus is on Israel hundred and 44,000 mentioned in Revelation 7 12,000 says John from every tribe of the sons of Israel.

Revelation 7 verse four. So Jesus may come at any moment. Secondly, he's coming for the church is bride third. Think of this with me is may not be so obvious.

Those coming to faith in Jesus during the tribulation will enter the millennial kingdom. If the rapture is at the end of the tribulation. The some people teach who would populate the millennial kingdom we saw in Revelation 7 that when Jesus returns with power and glory is going to set up his messianic kingdom. Of 1000 years with peace and righteousness going to rain over the yard. Who's going to go into that millennial kingdom. If the church is rapture is at the end of the tribulation and Old Testament saints resurrected to their part for glorious body. The timing of the rapture is after the tribulation there would be no natural bodies. There would be no physical people to enter into the millennial kingdom.

But if the rapture is before the tribulation, as indeed it is those who place their faith in Jesus Christ. During the tribulation is money well money will be monitored. We saw but many people will come to saving faith during the tribulation difficult. Although it may be when Christ returns with power and glory. They are alive. They have natural physical bodies as we have and they will enter into the millennial kingdom. All other believers, those resurrected or caught up at the time of the rapture will rule and reign with Christ as we saw in Revelation 19, forcefully, the coming of Jesus is a great comforting truth. Another reason we believe that the rapture of the church is before the tribulation is that the rapture is described as a truth which brings comfort to the people of God. Jesus is about to leave his disciples in John chapter 14 is going to go always going to return to the father and what does he say to them. Let not your hearts be troubled wise that is going to leave the light on your hearts be troubled you believe in God believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions that were not so I would've told you. I go to prepare a place for you and if I go I'll do what I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am, there you may be also with her tremendously comforting truth. Paul says to the Thessalonians in first Thessalonians 4 is the presents is great truth of the catching up of the people of God would not trumpets signs when the Lord themselves descends from heaven people of God will be caught up to meet one another in the air and the dead in Christ rising first amidst their loved ones in the air and they will be forever with the Lord.

What does Paul say the in the first Thessalonians 4. Therefore comfort one another with these words, the church of Jesus Christ is to go through the judgments of the tribulation. Or even part of the tribulation is hardly a comforting truth is what Paul says that there is no no condemnation nor laughter. Those who are in Christ Jesus. 21st Thessalonians 1 Scripture teaches that those who are presently trusting in the Savior will be delivered from the coming wrath of God. The tribulation is a period of God's wrath on the art. If your faith is in Jesus Christ. You'll never experience the wrath of God you be delivered from the wrath.

First Thessalonians 1. You following me on this. First Thessalonians 1 verse nine, for they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols that were idolaters determined to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his son from heaven that is waiting for the Lord's son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead. Jesus, what does he do who delivers us from the wrath to come. Wrath is coming.

Paul says about Jesus delivers us from the wrath chapter 5 first Thessalonians 5 verse nine for God has not destined us for wrath prescribed, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep, we might live with them. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you are doing is a tribulation.

It's a time of wrath, a time when God's judgment and God's wrath falls on this evil world.

We saw as we began the study of these six of the seven seals that the seal judgments are opened, drummer opens the seven seals by the alarm of God. It is by our Savior, who opens the seals and remember as the seals fall begin to fall in chapter 6 man and woman desire to hide there would rather die and they call out to the rocks to fall on them try to hide themselves from what John says from the wrath of the Lamb. You don't think of the Lamb is run your view of Jesus Christ gentle Jesus, meek and mild this future day God's judgment is going to fall in the world during the tribulation. His Roth is going to fall on its praise God. Scripture is saying that we who trust Christ will be delivered from the coming wrath the judgment of God to the time of Noah drummer the judgment of God the time of Abraham and Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah before the flood came before the judgment of God fell on Sodom and Gomorrah.

God's provision was provided go into the ark, and if you're in the ark a picture of Christ was saved from the judgment of God. God is about to judge Sodom and Gomorrah because of their gross immorality judgment of God is going to fall on them. But there are a few very very few righteous people still saying in Sodom and Gomorrah and what was ordered to them flee from the wrath to come. Don't look back.

God's wrath was going to fall as it did in Sodom and Gomorrah, but before his judgment came as people were delivered before the wrath of God falls on this earth.

We the people of God will be caught up to be forever with the Lord. Word of great comfort. No wonder Paul said it is the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory about God and of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is coming is coming soon his bride. We love him will be kept from the judgments of the tribulation is coming soon usage on this well and good but what am I to do with that. Well here are three responses three responses for you and me to the Lord soon return is coming soon is coming at any moment when we did the first. Be alert don't lose focus.

Be alert don't lose focus. You know this in first Thessalonians 1 verses nine and 10 abilities are believers in Thessalonica. What were they doing all they turning from that idols to serve the living and the true God and to wait for his son from heaven. They had their priorities right. There were waiting for God's son from heaven, but as they waited they were serving God and as they sat God were waiting for the reader. Jesus is coming at any moment to sit back and say well it's in the hands of God. There's nothing that we can do is going to sit around. No, that's not the response of Scripture we are to be alert.

We are to be focused is coming back there but meantime love and serve God. Don't lose your focus. Be alert Peter says in first Peter four verse seven the end of all things is at hand. Therefore be self-controlled and sober minded for the sake of your prayers. Would you describe yourself as you follow Jesus as a person whose alert a person whose focused someone who just drifts along is going with the flow is no sense of urgency. There's no self-control you're not really alert, there is no focus their life to believe that Jesus can come at any moment.

As I believe he can win. That means that we reassess our priorities and actually getting ready for the contest is disciplined and focused. Someone the beginning of the service instead of talking about the Lord asked me what I thought about the Portugal Mexico game later today. While I really don't know who's going to win, but I do know this kickoff is in 30 minutes away from your iPhone's. If you notice Gordon Tollett. Thus, but I do know this that these athletes are focused their alert they are prepared � huge game commander. The camera and they are prepared and they are alert member. When I lived in Pittsburgh being invited to speak to the Steelers before the game and the breakfast we go into the tile room and there they are, and you never ever's have to say to them, man. Listen up there. It's quite intimidating that the huge manner. I feel small I feel puny and there they are in the sort of staring at your professional athletes.

They know about focus.

They know alert their trains there ready to go. How different it is sometimes for us who follow Jesus what's important to what you come to value Jesus is coming and you're just drifting along know these Thessalonians were we got rid of that idols are most serving and loving the true God. Paul is amazed that although they been Christians for such a short time they are spreading the gospel in the whole region there busy there alert the focus they know Jesus didn't come at any moment is the time to reassess your priorities in life. CS Lewis said were living each day. He says were living each day as though it were our last.

But planning as though our world might last 100 years. I don't know when Jesus is coming. I believe in common anymore and I believe could come right now. I mean we just sit and do nothing, absolutely not.

CS Lewis's rights. We live this day out as if it were last, but we plan as if were going to be here for 100 years people need Christ. The blood lost were to be alert to be disciplined is coming soon lose focus. This is serious business number one.

Be alert don't lose focus. Number two, the holy don't compromise this these to be said. Today, doesn't it be holy.

Don't compromise today is Father's Day some of your were really relieved I was to come up and beat up on his father's to hear what you've had 100 times before was that you know what that is to be a godly father.

You really don't need me to tell you.

The question is are you doing this I thought of this man.

Do you know the greatest gift you could give your family, your children, and within this to be a holy man, you know, the greatest gift that I am the other pastors could give this congregation that we are holy man, Jesus is coming to sing to us. I can come at any moment.

Therefore be holy. Don't compromise the world don't compromise with sin when we read again to you. Titus, Paul puts it beautifully. Titus two we read from verse 11. Listen carefully since the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people and notices training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, eliciting men self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Notice how Paul takes this so beautifully. Yes, we are waiting for the appearing that blessed hope, the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ as true as Paul. Because of that train yourself to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age. Jesus is coming soon with his bright Paul anticipates that great day when the church, the bride will be presented to Christ as he says in Ephesians 527 and splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and blameless.

If you believe as I do, that the Lord Jesus can come at any moment that motivates you to live a clean holy consecrated life today. This moment this day might say. Well tomorrow I'll clean up my life. I'll confess my sins. The Lord know today. No were missing to be holy and compromise to use Paul's words here. What are you to renounce men were once, and godly in your life, and he worldly passions as Paul would put it what what you personally to renounce and answer the question before the Lord, what is there in your life that is the filing that is unholy manner as is the spiritual leaders of your home is your responsibility to make sure that there's no trash coming into your to your home, you would be appalled. Wouldn't you if you find your wife watching some junk literature.

Find your 13-year-old daughter son watching some junk but were but you would would you junk in your life. Ungodliness worldly passions, things that would define the Christ is coming a holy God. Peter says we love him we don't see them but we love him. And if you love someone you long to be with them. The spent time with them under Savior is coming coming at any moment solely his blameless is coming soon is coming quickly.

Therefore, live a holy, godly life was into John first John one first epistle of John's, sorry chapter 3.

First John three verse one John says what kind of love the father is given to us is talking about the manner of the love what what kind of love is this, that God loves us as I could say to you as a dad in what way do you love your children in what way does God love us is the perfect heavenly father. See what kind of love the father has given us that we should be called children of God. That's great. Love is not the God not only forgives us, adopts RC brings us into his eternal family that we are children of God. And so we are the reason why the world doesn't know us is that I didn't know him. Beloved, we are God's children know and what we will be has not yet appeared but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is, and everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself, even as he is pure appeared Christ is coming where will in this family. God is our father is forgiving our sins would bring clans by the blood of Jesus Christ. Therefore, an authentic follower of Jesus, and these coming and were going to be perfectly like him therefore mean time, purify yourself as he is pure with the point that future day that day, which will certainly take place that future day impacts today for good and I were married. She went back to the federal islands to get ready for the wedding and I was in in Scotland's and we were separated from sometime.

How does a couple who engage conduct themselves when they are separated from each other. I would have been appalled, astonished if I thought my wife was dating men and Pharaoh. During that time never went through my mind for a second that I would date another woman. I meant Gage to this beautiful woman that day, the day of our wedding impacts how we live today and did get give me some instructions and never been married before. Certainly never been married and the federal islands and so she gave me instructions which I listen to. Of course some of it was good news. There is no best mind. There is no wedding party and Pharaoh islands are like that. Let's keep it simple little strange, but there we are, what my going to where the word of a kilt. Okay I want you to wear nice suits and a bow tie like bowties or mannerism a room with eyes of the intensity of the best-known thing only billable time for wearing a kilt that was when I killed at the nonwaivable time, but whatever the wedding you're right. I will report tie.

I was listening why because someone I loved was making some requests and where I was living today in Scotland.

In light of that day that day of my marriage is. The point is Jesus is coming is coming soon.

Therefore live today in the light of that day man woman be holy and compromise is coming soon. Thirdly, be ready.

Don't be left behind.

The alert don't lose focus second would be holy.

Don't compromise third and be ready. Don't be left behind. John 14 verse four. Jesus said I'm going to assess. He says verse for you know the way what I'm going Thomas said to him, Lord, we don't know where you're going. Can we know the way generally know the way to the father's house. Jesus says to him, I am way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the father except through me is coming he's coming soon be ready. Don't be left behind is Jesus coming 40s coming Verizon is coming for his disciples those you love and those who belong to him. Those who are saved by his grace I have to ask you do you know Christ you belong to Christ. Are you saved by the grace of God.

If you don't, long to Christ you don't know him to be left behind C comes with a warning comes like a thief in the night is coming soon. One day, one death and the glories they are Lord Jesus Christ will come for us and all who love it will be caught up to be forever with him. How can you be ready. There's only one way, Jesus is on the way he's prepared the way through his death is brittle and resurrection is alive the living Christ and he will save you.

He'll cleanse you all of that said all of the junk of your life will constantly be gone will be, new creature in Christ and begin to do what the Thessalonians that there time and from all of the past and to love and to serve our Savior and to wait a great day when you are with all of the redeemed will caught up to be forever with the Lord.

The stage is set for the return of Jesus.

Be ready be watching for his son from heaven is coming soon. Don't be left behind. He will come surely come quickly, and this phrase will rise from lips no longer dumb for the weeping in the night off because their immune division bright, but he'll come. Yes, you will come quickly, thought we had a slight for that. Maybe not.

We will wait timely weights.

Watch and wait with the eye of faith alight with prospects great weight amidst the gloom of fine for the bright and morning star. We will wait yes will wait timely weights told me soon, very soon, truly certain in the more medieval midnight out at noon. Soon will see that blessed face one so marred for us in grace will be soon.

Just be soon, very soon. I had a very short message which at three points .1 the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all seven the preacher said, that's my sin away .2 are not five sparrows sold for a penny, said Jesus is not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your father. You have more value than many sparrows. The preacher said that's my second point. My cares away my sin away .1 .2. My cares away .3. I shall be called up to meet the Lord in the air. Preacher said that's myself away .1 my sin away .2. My cares away .3 myself away ready is coming soon. God has shown his great love and mercy and grace to what you he offers you salvation in Jesus. Christ comes to seek and to save the lost. If you don't know Christ trusted you are a follower of Christ, be alert be holy. Be ready be waiting and watching for that great day. In the meantime, Paul says, as we prepare our hearts for communion he says is often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until plan until he comes. Know this might be the last time we break bread together no communion in heaven. We don't need that faith will get place the sites but meantime we proclaim the Lord's day, and we do it in the light of his soon return we do it until he comes. John writes, he who testifies to these things say, surely I'm coming soon a man so calm purchases, father, prepare our hearts know as we break bread. Thank you for your grace.

Thank you for the magnificent Savior help us to live each day as if there were glass, looking and waiting for a blessed Savior. Thank you for this blessed hope we have. Thank you for Christ not only loves us and died for us and rose again, but is coming for us and we eagerly anticipate that day when we shall be forever with the Lord we thank you in his name