Series: Now Showing

A survey of some of the relevant passages reveals a broad outline of the events that will precede, accompany, and follow Christ’s final return, while at the same time room is left for some surprises.

A. Four characteristics of the manner of Christ’s final coming:

1. Christ’s final coming will be visible. (Rev. 1:7;

Acts 1:11; Titus 2:13)

2. Christ will come suddenly and unexpectedly. (Matt. 24:44;

1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10)

3. Christ’s coming has universal significance. (Rev. 6:12;

2 Pet. 3:10)

4. Christ’s coming will be in splendor. (Col. 3:3-4;

Titus 2:13)

B. The purpose of Christ’s final coming:

1. Christ’s victory will be revealed to those who deny or

ignore his Lordship. (Rev. 6:16)

2. The servants of God will be disclosed as being

victorious, obedient, and trustworthy. (Rev. 7:9;

Rom.8:19; Col. 3:3)

3. Judgment of Christians and unbelievers will be

rendered at his coming. (Rev. 20:12; Rev. 22:12;

John 3:16, 18, 36; Col. 3:3)

4. There will be the resurrection of the body and the

establishment of the new heaven and new earth.

(Rev. 21:3; 1 Cor. 15:35; Phil. 3:20; 1 Thess. 4:13)

C. The signs and the imminent return of Christ:

1. The signs must never be viewed as history in advance so that we can predict his coming; signs are given as a call to vigilance and faithfulness. (Matt. 24:42; 1 Cor. 15:52 1 Thess. 5:1)

2. The New Testament is consistent in its warning about any attempt to calculate the time of the return of Christ.

(Matt. 24:36; 1 Thess. 5:2)

3. The Church has been called upon to continually proclaim

Christ’s near return. (Rom. 13:12; Phil. 4:5; 2 Pet. 3:14)

Notes taken from “Moving from Mystery to Meaning—How to Read the Book of Revelation” prepared by Robert Lowery, Lincoln Christian College,

spring 2005.

Revelation 6:10 (New International Version) 10They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" There is coming a day when the power of love will overcome the love of power. God's punishment of the wicked will match God's love for you! Hold on! Help is on the way! Kimba Phim! Hebrews 12:1-3 (New International Version God Disciplines His Sons 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Historical Notes: -The city of Sardis -The church of Sardis Revelation 3:1-6 To the Church in Sardis 1"To the angel[a] of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b]of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.