The Return Of Christ

Introduction

Revelation 22:12–21

12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 

20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

The single most anticipated event that has been looked forward to by Christians for 2000 years is what is spoken of in this passage in Revelation 22, THE RETURN OF CHRIST.

No single event has caused more comfort or consternation than the return of Christ.

No single event in the world ever has generated both greater expectation AND anxiety than the return of Christ.

And no single doctrine in the Bible has both the clarity and the paradoxical confusion than the Bible’s teaching of THE RETERN OF CHRIST. 

       Everything from the denial of his literal return, allegorising it all as if it is limited to him “ruling in our hearts”, to setting dates has been attended to historically and is still happening today by disingenuous, sensationalist ministers.

However, what is most evident of all, is that the time of his coming is nearer than when we first believed. 

The signs of the times we live in is so incredible to witness, that each and every one of us should be living in anticipation that our time to witness for Christ is short, the time to attend to that which is the very purpose of our lives, has an ever-closing window of opportunity.

We will address the topic in four parts this morning.

First, Jesus is coming for his Church: there are no signs required to be fulfilled before this incredible event occurs. Depending how many people in the world are actually born again, will determine how this event is manifest to the world when it occurs. If there be few that be saved, it would barely raise an eyebrow; if many are born again and alive when it occurs, there will be turmoil around the world and an excuse/explanation will be required to restore order.

Again, no sign is necessary for the immanent return of Jesus for his Church.

Second, Jesus is returning to execute his judgement on the kingdoms of this world. When the sinners are come to the full, and this evil world has its desired devil to rule over them, Jesus Christ will literally descend upon the mount of Olives and destroy the Devil with the brightness of his coming. It is a period know through History as The Apocalypse, The Great Unveiling. Satan will then be cast into the pit and bound for a thousand years, after which he is “loosed a little season” (Rev 20:3)

Third, Jesus is coming for his people. He was Crucified as ‘The King of the Jews’ before he had the chance to act as their king. Jesus will literally return for the remnant of Israel and set up his earthly government in Israel, in Jerusalem, on this earth for one thousand years. After which he will cr