Certainty of Hope in the Second Coming of Christ

Written by Pastor Mitch

DEALING WITH PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

The second coming of Christ is an important doctrine for all of us to understand. It is vital that we seek to exercise great hope in meeting with the Lord Jesus face to face one day at His coming.  And yet, this certainty in the Lord’s return can be adversely affected by problems associated with it.

1. The problem of ignorance

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep,…” 

The Thessalonians were good and outstanding believers. In the text of 1 Thes. 1, Paul commended the Thessalonian Church with regards to their work of faith, labour of love and patience of hope. Their faith had been sounded out to the neighbouring countries.  And yet, their faith in the Lord Jesus was not established. Their doctrinal understanding concerning the Lord Jesus’ return was inadequate. They had not worked out all the aspects of His coming. They were ignorant concerning those who have passed on. “Fallen asleep” is a euphemistic way of stating death. Young people, we must not be ignorant concerning the specifics of the second coming of Christ. Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to the doctrine of Christ’s return.  

2. The problem of misconception

There was also a problem where people had misconceptions concerning Christ’s return. 

a. To think that those who have died have missed the rapture.

- 1 Thes. 4:13

There was a misconception that those who have passed away will miss the rapture.   In other words, those who sleep in Christ would not be at the Lord’s glorious return.   Since they have already passed on, it would seem that they have missed the boat.   If this is the case, then Christians who have lost their loved ones would not see them again.  And it was possible that they would sorrow like the non-believers who have no sense of hope at death.  

b. To think that that Christ has already come

- 2 Thes. 2:2

Another misconception that Paul had to deal with was the false idea that Christ had already come. Some believed that the prophecy of the Lord Jesus coming again had already been fulfilled.  Paul had to instruct the brethren at Thessalonica that they should not be deceived by any form of false teaching.  Their faith should not shaken by “ether spirit or by word or by letter” (2 Thes. 2:2)  Today, there are some Christian circles who believe that Christ has come the second time and now we are living in the Millennial kingdom.  This is not according to the Scriptures.   Young people, we have to ensure that we are not deceived by such false ideas.     The day of Christ has not come yet. 

THE BASIS OF HAVING ABSOLUTE HOPE IN CHRIST’S COMING

Paul established three important foundational truths with reference to having full faith and hope in the promise of Christ coming. 

1. The premise of our Faith in the resurrection of Christ

- 1 Thes. 4:14 

The basis of hope in the second coming of Christ is faith in the powerful resurrection of the Lord Jesus.  If the prophecy concerning Jesus’ death and resurrection came through, then God would also make sure that the prophetic word of Christ’s second coming would also be brought to pass.  The inevitability of Christ’s return is confirmed by the evidential fact of His resurrection.   Our faith in the resurrection of Christ gives us a solid premise of hope for the future victory and reign of our Christ. 

- 1 Cor. 15:20

Christ has indeed risen from the dead and He is now our “firstfruit” of those who have passed on.  The firstfruits of a crop would show to the farmer what kind of crop he would have for that season.  Christ shows us what we would become one day at the point of resurrecting from the dead.  At His coming, we would be like Him.  

2. The premise of the prophetic word of God

- 1 Thes. 4:15

Paul was able to instruct the brethren concerning Christ’s second coming because the word of God was his basis.   Paul had full trust in the word of God.  He taught truths based on the Scriptures. The Scripture has many references concerning the second coming of Christ.   The Lord Jesus taught of His second coming in the text of Matt. 24:30-31.  The world will see great cosmic disturbances before He comes.  The whole world will go into mourning because He would bring righteous judgment on them.  The prophetic word is the infallible foundation upon which we build this exciting and astonishing doctrine of Christ’s imminent return and judgment.

3. The premise of the Lord’s personal involvement

- 1 Thes. 4:16

The Lord Himself will ensure that He would come and bring about the rapture.    He would personally be involved in the gathering of His people.   In the text of John 14, the Lord spoke of how He would personally come and bring us to the Father. 

- John 14:3

The Lord has already prepared us a place in heaven.  He would personally ensure that we would be part of His people to be raptured. 

THE RIGHT SEQUENCE OF EVENTS CONCERNING THE RAPTURE

What are the sequence of events that would happen before and during the rapture?

1. Those who are alive will remain on this earth till Christ’s comes (1 Thes. 4:15)

2. The Lord would descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an angel and with the trumpet and God will bring with Him those who have passed on  (1 Thes. 4:16)

3. The dead in Christ will rise (symbolically)  first  (1 Thes. 4:16)

4. Those who are alive will be caught up with them.  (1 Thes. 4:17)

5. We will all meet the Lord in the sky.  (1 Thes. 4:17)

6. We will be with the Lord forever (1 Thes. 4:17)

What a great encouragement!   The thought of being with the Lord Jesus forever brings a special sense of joy and hope.  Let’s look forward to His coming and being with Him forever.

FINDING A DEEP SENSE OF HOPE AND COMFORT IN HIS COMING

1. Waiting in hope for the Lord’s second coming

- 1 Thes. 1:10

The word “wait” in the Greek is a compound word.   It consists of a preposition which means “again” or “anew”, and the word “abide”.  The idea of “wait” is a strengthened concept of a renewed sense of abiding and patiently waiting till the Lord comes.  The challenge to the Thessalonian Church was to find great hope as they continue in abiding and waiting for the Lord Jesus to come, our Saviour who had been raised from the dead.   He will come and deliver us from the wrath to come.  We would not be part of the judgment that would come on this world. 

2. Comforting each other

- 1 Thes. 4:18

This promise and certainty of Christ’s coming should bring a great sense of comfort to our hearts.  There should be a deep sense of hope and certainty in seeing our departed believing  loved ones again when they come with Christ, although our relationships would not be quite the same as we have on this earth.   It would be far better.   We are to comfort ourselves with this wonderful unrealised fact.  As we comfort ourselves, let’s also seek to comfort others with this truth.   Let’s take time to encourage one another despite what we may go through in life.  Let’s thank God for this comfort we have in His Son’s soon return.