When Jesus comes: Why He will come

14 December 2008

Intro: The simple answer to why Jesus will come is to clean up the mess!

A number of reasons are given in Scripture. There are three to be considered here.

1. To bring about Justice on the earth

2 Thess 1:5-7 – the afflictors will be afflicted. Wrongs will be put right and injustices rectified.

Isaiah 11:1-9 – Christ comes to bring justice.

2 Corinthians 4:7 – 5:9 – the troubles we now endure will seem but slight compared with the eternal weight of glory that we anticipate.

This is a primary reason why we believe in the return of Christ and in the existence of heaven. Otherwise, life doesn’t make sense. There are so many unfair things in the world – good people suffer; innocent people are victims; godly people fall ill; evil people prosper; the wicked seem to be trouble-free. There must be a time and place where all this is set right. The return of Christ will usher in the eternal kingdom of God in which justice will prevail.

2. To punish the wicked

2 Thess 1:5-10

Jesus comes to punish the wicked/godless. The punishment will be on those who –

do not know God and
do not obey the gospel.

Note that the wicked are punished before the saints are rewarded.
Punishment will be –

eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord
and from the glory of his might [9]

This is a terrifying prospect. At present, everyone benefits in a measure from the presence of God. All the beauties of creation are ours. Sinners and saints alike enjoy blue skies, sunshine, food, drink, friends and so on. The sun shines on both the evil and the good (Matt 5:45). God gives everyone his blessings (Acts 14:17).

People also rely on god-substitutes: food, alcohol, drugs, sex, entertainment, career, sport, music and so on.

To be separated from the presence of God is to be removed from all this. It is a prospect of endless frustration, isolation and total darkness.

This will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel by putting their faith in Jesus.

Jesus told several parables about this.

1. The wheat and the weeds (Matt 13:24-43)
The weeds are left to grow with the wheat but at harvest time, they are collected first and taken away and burned.

2. The net (Matt 13:47-50).
Good and bad are separated.

3. The sheep and the goats (Matt 25:31-46)
Both are assembled before God and then separated for judgement or reward.

4. Flood and Fire (Matt 24:30-44; Luke 17:22-37)
Note what people were doing in the days of Noah and Lot. Just as the flood took away the wicked and left the godly, so it will be at the day of the Lord. The wicked will be swept away and the godly left in God’s presence.

Jesus presents a bleak picture – those who are taken are like carrion to vultures.

3. To gather the elect

2 Thess 1:10; Matt 24:31; Mark 13:27

Jesus will come to be ‘glorified in his saints’. He will gather his elect from the whole earth. What a glorious gathering that will be! Resurrected bodies and transformed living bodies alike. Myriads of angels. Lightning across the sky. Trumpet sound. Voice of the archangel. Wow!

So we shall ever be with the Lord [1 Thess 4:17f].

There will be no more sorrow, pain or heartache [Rev 21:4].

This is our great hope.

4. Meanwhile

Troubled times will intervene (Luke 21:36; Mk 13:13). The Thessalonians were in affliction/trouble (lit. ‘tribulation’, 2 Thess 1:6).

We need to distinguish between wrath and trouble (tribulation). We are delivered from wrath (Rom 5:9) but not always from trouble (John 16:33; Act 14:22; Rom 5:3; Rev 7:14; 13:10). There is no clear biblical reference to believers being rescued from tribulation before the return of the Lord. (If this were the case, what about people who have in previous ages or even in this age suffered unspeakable tortures for the gospel? Why weren’t they delivered?)

We need strength to endure and to stand firm (Luke 21:36; Rev 2:10). Biblical exhortations like these are meaningless if we do not experience trials.

5. Challenge

What is needed now is determination and grit – a firm commitment to stand regardless of trial or tribulation!

There is a danger that we are too comfortable.

Read 2 Thess 1:11-12; 3:5

6. God’s promise.

Rev 7:9-17

An innumerable multitude (9)
From every nation and people (both of every place and every time)
They shout God’s praise (10)
There is continuing worship (11, 12)
They have come through tribulation (14)
They are clean through the sacrifice of Christ (14)
Rather than being excluded from God’s presence, they are covered by him like a tent (15)
Rather than being eternally tormented by pain and isolation and darkness, they are fully satisfied, living in the light of Christ (16)
There is no more pain or sorrow (17)
Christ is central (17)
This is the outcome of the return of Christ. This is why he will come.

SOMETHING TO THINK OR TALK ABOUT

Remember, you don’t have to answer all the questions: choose those that seem most relevant.
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12; 2:1-12

Biblical
1. What is the primary attribute of God given here? (5, 6). Compare other passages on the same theme (Genesis 18:25; Romans 3:26). Note that the words ‘just’ and ‘righteous’ are synonyms. Why is this attribute of God important for us?
2. Compare other descriptions of the Lord’s return with verse 7 and compile a composite picture. (Matthew 24:29-31; Mark 13:24-27: Luke 17:22-37; 21:25-28).
3. Think further about what it means to be shut out from the presence of the Lord and his glory. (9)
4. What do you think it means for Jesus to be ‘glorified in his saints’? (10)
5. Make a list of the characteristics of the lawless one (2:1-12). Is he one individual person or an institution (i.e. a dynasty or succession of people)? What do you think? Why?

Personal and practical
6. Consider the images Jesus uses of judgement (Matt 13:24-50; 24:30-46; 25:31-46; Luke 17:22-37). Which of these is most relevant today to people in Australia? Why?
7. What would be 21st century equivalents of the behaviour of people in the days of Noah and Lot? (Matt 24:30-44; Luke 17:22-37)
8. What is the biggest distraction for you from anticipating the return of the Lord Jesus Christ? What can you do about it?
9. How would developing a world vision affect our expectation of Christ’s return?
10. On a scale of one (little) to ten (much) how would you describe the level of your anticipation of the return. What could/should you do about this?

Christian Life