The Importance of the 2nd Advent of God’s Only Begotten Son

Psalm 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

Psalm 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

Psalm 2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

Psalm 2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Psalm 2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Psalm 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

Psalm 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Psalm 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Psalm 2: 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

Psalm 2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

Psalm 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Psalm 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

 

I Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

I Thessalonians 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

I Thessalonians 4:15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them

 

I Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

I Corinthians 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

I Corinthians 15:53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

I Corinthians 15:54  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory….

I Corinthians 15:57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Revelation 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

Revelation 19:13 And he was clothed with vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Revelation 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Revelation 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Revelation 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

 

 

The Importance of the Second Advent of God’s Only Begotten Son

If we are not looking for Christ’s return, we are not in obedience to the Word of God

 

End time prophecy carries with it a lot of curiosity, by the lost and God’s people alike, but we seem to find that there is much confusion also.  Therefore in many professing Christian groups the Doctrine of the 2nd Advent and end time prophecy is often just ignored, even though the Bible says much on end times? 8500 verses in the Bible are directed toward end time prophecy.

 

This lesson attempts to answer the question, “Why should we study ‘end time prophecy’ and what is the significance of the most important event of that time period, the 2nd Advent of Jesus Christ”

 

Text: II Peter 3:1-14

 

II Peter 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

II Peter 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

II Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

II Peter 3:4 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 the creation.

II Peter 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

II Peter 3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

II Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

II Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

II Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

II Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

II Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

II Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

II Peter 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

 

The text gives an accurate account of the attitude among most people in the “last days”.  Although the prophets in the Old Testament and Apostles in the New wrote many, many prophecies with details of the 2nd Advent, we still have scoffers today saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” At the same time, they are walking after their own lusts. By the way, do you remember when the “Last Days” begins?

(Acts 2 with Peter quoting Joel 2)

We Can Divide the Text into Four Main Parts Concerning the Doctrine of the 2nd Advent:

 

I. Ignored Doctrine – We see the attitude in the “Last Days”

A.      Peter tells us we should be mindful of the scoffing in the last days – Vs. 3

1.       Where is the promise of His coming – Vs. 4

2.       Walking after their own lusts – Vs. 3

B.      They are willingly ignorant – Vs. 5

C.      Peter instructs not to be ignorant – Vs. 8

 

II.      Important Doctrine – We must be knowledgeable

A.      We must stir up our minds – Vs. 1

B.      Be mindful – Vs. 2

C.      Don’t be ignorant – Vs. 8

 

III.    Inevitable Doctrine – God always keeps His promises

A.      God is not slack concerning His promises – Vs. 9

B.      Day of the Lord will come – You can bank on it – Vs. 10

 

IV.    Instrumental Doctrine – Useful and practical – teaching Sanctification

A.      What manner of persons ought we to be – Vs. 11

1.       Holy conversation – Vs. 11

2.       Godliness – Vs. 11

B.      Looking for and hastening unto the “Day of God” – Vs. 12

C.      Looking for a new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness – Vs. 13

D.      Be found of Him in peace, without spot and blameless – Vs. 14

 

In other words if we believe literally that Christ will return, we will clean our lives up.

This same message comes through over and over again so there would be no doubt.  Because of this, there are many verses about the importance of the 2nd Advent – Too many to dwell upon, so I’ll just list them here.  I think the message will come through “loud and clear”:

 

I Corinthians 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

 

Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

 

Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

 

Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

 

I Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

I Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

 

II Thessalonians 3: 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

 

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 

James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

James 5:9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

 

I Peter 1: 7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

Remember Christ’s last Words to John at Patmos? And Peter’s Amen?

 

Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

 

If we are not looking for Christ’s return, we are not in obedience to the Word of God

 

Have you noticed a sense of globalism strengthening around us?  I have, but this is nothing new.  It started with Nimrod, and the global disobedience and hatred toward God.  Throughout history, God has used Gentile nations to carry out judgement and then God judges those nations

 

1.       Islam invading Europe – God Stopped them by “Charlie the Hammer”

2.       Babylon used by God to judge Judah in Babylonian Captivity, and then judged Babylon

3.       Persia – God used the Medes and Persians to conquer Babylon and then used Cyrus to send Nehemiah back to Jerusalem to build the wall.

4.       Greece – God used Alexander to overthrow Persia and perfect the Greek language for the New Testament to be written with it.

5.       God used Rome to overthrow Greece, they crucified Christ after His own people rejected their Messiah, and God used Rome to “scatter the Jews” in AD 70.  They have been scattered throughout the world for 2,000 years.  They had really no nation or real sense of National unity until 1948.  What will bring all the Jews back?

 

What will it take to bring the Jews back to Israel and finely bring peace to the Middle East?

 

1.       It will take the 2nd Advent to bring Israel into their rightful, exalted place among the Nations and back to God.  God is certainly not finished with Israel.

2.       The Doctrine of the 2nd Advent is a literal Doctrine and literal coming event.  It is ridiculous for professing Christians to climb back into the “slime pits” of Agustin and Calvin allegorizing the 2nd Advent.  If a person does not believe the 2nd Advent is literal, why would you study it?

How could you allegorize prophesies like the Abrahamic Covenant anyway (That will be fulfilled at or right after the 2nd Advent) about Land – literal land, the Seed – a literal Seed, and a world-wide blessing - a world-wide blessing that we are enjoying now?  How could that be allegorized?  It is all literal!

 

3.       It will take the 2nd Advent for God’s Only Begotten Son to take His rightful place among the Gentile Nations, which He will conquer, and “Rule with a rod of Iron” as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Can you imagine the joy in the Father’s heart, the One who had begotten the Son?

4.       One out of every 30 verses in the New Testament have been said to concern the 2nd Advent. There are 20 times more references to the 2nd Advent in the Old Testament then there are about the 1st Advent.(Clarence Larkin)

5.       God’s promises concerning Christ’s first advent were completely true to minute detail, and His prophesies concerning His Only Begotten Son literally ruling Earth will all come to pass exactly as He stated them.

 

If we are not looking for Christ’s return, we are not in obedience to the Word of God

 

There are Five Crowns (Stephanos) given at the Judgment Seat of Christ for work done by the Bride of Christ here on this earth.  (There is a chart of the crowns on the last page). Can you believe one of them is yours if you look for Christ’s return?

 

II Timothy 4:6  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

II Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

II Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

 

Isn’t it interesting it is called the Crown of Righteousness

 

Two More Verses and We Will Stop:

 

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 

I John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

I John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

I John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

I John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

I John 3:3  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

 

 

 

 

Judgment Seat of Christ – (Bema) – Receive Crowns or Suffer Loss

II Corinthians 5:1-11; Romans 14; I Corinthians 3:5-23

Stephanos – (Victors) Crowns

Christ Meeting The Church In The Air

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Incorruptible Crown

Crown of Life

Crown of Glory

Crown of Righteousness

Crown of Rejoicing

Christ and the Wife Return

To Earth

 

 

 

 

 

↓

Mastering The Old Man

Enduring Temptation – Being a Martyr for Christ

Feeding The Flock

Loving His Appearing

Making Disciples

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible…But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Revelation 2:10...behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

1 Peter 5:3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

 

1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

II Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

 

Ancient Olympic Crown

Stephanos - The crown awarded at the games; it was made of olive and laurel and soon faded

1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

1 Thessalonians 2:20 For ye are our glory and joy.

Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Revelation 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

Revelation 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

Revelation 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Revelation 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God…

Revelation 4:10  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Rapture of the Church

7 Year Tribulation Period

Marriage Supper of the Lamb