If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
Introduction
One day Jesus will return. His return will bring to an end the current order of the world. He will judge the world sending everyone to their reward whether for good or evil.
Bible Zone
- Return Unexpected - The day comes like a thief in the night..
- Being Ready - Christians don’t know the time, but they must be ready.
- Man of Lawlessness - Before Jesus returns an enemy will attempt a rebellion.
- The Final Battle - When Jesus returns He puts down the rebellion.
- All Rise - When Christ returns all Christians will be raised to Him in heaven.
When Jesus comes, he will not be expected.
- What will be the expectation of Jesus’ return when He comes?
- What will be the consequence for people who are surprised?
- If the day comes like a thief, what significance is there to this allusion?
1 Thessalonians 5: 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.3 When people are saying, "Everything is peaceful and secure," then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman's labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.
4 But you aren't in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won't be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.
Whereas it will not be possible to predict the time of the coming, there are those who will be ready through a life time of preparation.
- What are the qualities of people who will not be taken unawares by the day?
- What spiritual state do people need to have in order to be prepared?
1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 4 But you aren't in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won't be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.*5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night.6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.
Before Jesus returns a person will arise who will test everyone through counterfeit spirituality.
- What events will come before Christ’s return?
- How will the man of lawlessness behave?
- What is the end of the man of lawlessness?
2 Thessalonians 2: 2 Don't be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don't believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.3 Don't be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness* is revealed—the one who brings destruction.*4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.
5 Don't you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you?6 And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes.7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.8 Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will kill him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming.
When Christ returns it will be to defeat all who stand for evil. This passage contains symbolism (White linen = righteous life. Sword = Word of God.)
- What will happen when Jesus, the rider on the white horse returns?
- Who will be against Jesus?
- What will the outcome of the battle be?
Revelation 19: 11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself.13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God.14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses.15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress.16 On his robe at his thigh* was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky: "Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared.18 Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great."
19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army.20 And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.21 Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.
When Jesus returns there those who are dead and those alive will meet Him.
- What events will herald Christ’s return?
- What will be the outcome for Christians?
1 Thessalonians 4: 13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died* so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.
15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.*16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died* will rise from their graves.17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.18 So encourage each other with these words.
CHRIST’S RETURN
