Module 7 - The Second Coming (Events and Expectations)

Bro Koay Kheng Hin

This is the introduction to Module 7.

R«v 22:20

He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly/'

Amen, even so, come, Lord Jesus!

MODULE 7

THE SECOND COMING (EVENTS AND EXPECTATIONS)

Introduction

Recap of past modules

• Doctrine of the Word – God’s Word – infallible 
• The Doctrine of God – The Holy Trinity. One Being three Persons
• The Doctrine of Christ – Substitutionary atonement – Jesus as the Lamb of God slain on the cross for us
• Doctrine of Salvation and Redemption – Salvation is relational in character. We are saved to be in relationship with God
• Doctrine of Man – What exactly happened in the garden of Eden
• Doctrine of the Church

As a disciple of Christ, we need to focus upon spiritual maturity. One basic area of Christian

growth is this particular area of growing in our knowledge of the true meaning of the kingdom

of God, our awareness of the relationship between the present age and the age to come and our expectation of the Second Coming of Christ.

This knowledge refers to both our intellectual understanding of the implications of the Second Coming and our personal experience of the longing for His appearing. Christian maturity can only be attained through this two-fold growth. Faith needs to transform both the head and the heart.        

Module 7        

Lesson 1        The Hope of the Church

Lesson 2        The Rapture and First Resurrection

Lesson 3        The Judgment Seat of Christ

Lesson 4        The Person of the Antichrist

Lesson 5        Signs of the Time

Lesson 6        The Visible kingdom of Christ

Lesson 7        World Ruin and World Judgment

Lesson 8        The New Heaven and the New Earth
Lesson 9        The New Jerusalem

Lesson 10      The Glorified Paradise

Module 7 Lesson 1 - The Hope of the Church

Bro Koay Kheng Hin

The Hope of the Church

Note: The text in grey are notes transcribed by Bro Tommy and is not in the notes given.

End Times – Nearing the end of the world as it is – Beginning of a new world

First Coming – inaugurates the Kingdom of God (Promises)

Are we redeemed?

Ephesians 1: 7 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

(We already have redemption)

Romans 8:23 – Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.

(We await redemption)

Ephesians 4:30 –  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

(The day of redemption is future)

Tension of the first coming – “already/not yet”

Second Coming – consummation of the Kingdom of God (Complete Fulfilment)

Tension removed

The first coming ends with the second coming (our resurrection) – that period is Easter time

Easter time (tension)

Jesus comes back to remove tension

Tension does not bear us down because we have the hope of victory in Christ Jesus

This hope makes Christians joyous

Be a happy Christian but be serious about our faith

The second coming gives us hope! The blessed hope of the church

Colossians 1:27 - To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

The hope of glory (but we first must have the glorified body)

Last words

Acts 1:9-11 – After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

(Jesus is coming again!)

Titus 2:13 – while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

(Blessed hope – Jesus appearing)

2 Timothy 4:8 – Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

(Longing for His appearance)

Conclusion

It is a book of exhortation and hope

Revelation 19: 11-21 – talks about the hope of the second coming of the Lord of lords and King of kings – our blessed hope!

Consummation of the Kingdom of God:

Rapture the church

Judge both believers and unbelievers

Establish the visible kingdom

Usher in the new heaven and new earth

The Hope of the Church

The church today is a body of believers that have varied understandings of the faith. Some

believers are unduly focused on heaven and the age to come while others, on the contrary, are

more interested in the present age. In His Word, God has revealed to us that our Lord Jesus

Christ is coming again. Have you ever asked this question of why the Second Coming?

The First Coming of Christ inaugurates the kingdom of God. At Golgotha, the death and

resurrection of Christ opened the way for the salvation of all who are willing to believe in the

atoning work of Jesus Christ. At the Day of Pentecost the gathered believers became the

church. The present age began from the First Coming. As believers we are redeemed and living

out the promises of God that are found in our salvation. However, we realize that often these

promises seem to be only partially fulfilled.

This experience of partial fulfillment can be seen from the different aspects of our salvation

experience. We already have redemption (Eph 1:7) and we await redemption (Rom 8:23).

Therefore, the "day of redemption' is still future (Eph 4: 30). We are dead (Col 3:3) and we put

to death our members (Col 3:5). Holiness is totally God's work (1 Thess 5:23) and at the same

time totally our work (Heb 12:14). The Christian lives below on earth (John 17:11,15) but at the

same time he is seated with Christ in heaven (Eph 2:6). We are supposed to have eternal life

from the moment of our salvation, but the experience of eternity awaits the future since we are

still living in the temporal world (John 5:11,12).

How are we then to reconcile this tension of the already/not yet perspective of our salvation?

The answer lies in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. In the First Coming of Christ, in ushering

in the kingdom of God, the age to come has already dawned but is not complete. We receive

the promises and experience them partially in this present age on earth. In His Second Coming

is when the consummation of the kingdom of God is accomplished. The promises of God

intrinsic to salvation become completely fulfilled.

Jesus clearly revealed to the disciples that He would come again. During the Ascension of Christ

to heaven, as the disciples were looking intently at Jesus going up into the clouds, two angels

had proclaimed that Jesus will come back again(Acts 1:11). In his epistle addressed to Titus for

the church established in Crete, Paul mentions about the Second Coming (Titus 2:13). The book

of Revelation stands as the clearest and most detailed description of the events that will unfold

prior to and after the Second Coming.

Rev 22:20

He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly'

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Questions

1 What do you think is the purpose of the Second Coming?

2 What is meant by the already/not yet eschatological tension?

3 Are you longing for the Second Coming?

Forgiveness

Rev Jameson Yeo

I want to talk about two things that the Lord spoke to us. When he came, he gave us the Holy Spirit and gave us the most powerful potential here on earth. But how come, we do not see it. The miracles. These things like miracles we should see every day. How come we don't see it? We should be overcomers but we do not see it. Most probably these things hinder us from receiving what God says we should become and be a blessing to others.

How many of you pray and it hits the ceiling and come back down? It does not penetrate the ceiling but your prayers bounce back and laugh at you. We want you to pray and it past the ceiling and your prayers are answered.

Matthew 6:5-8

6:9-13pp – Lk 11:2-4

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

God wants us to pray. Prayer is a means where God so design for you and me to show and demonstrate the power of God. When we pray we should not be hypocrites. Or play acting. When you are sincere in your prayer, led by the Holy Spirit, you pray.

These are Jesus' instructions. If he knows everything why does he need us to pray? He wants our sincere request from him acknowledging that we can do nothing without him.

Matthew 6:9-15

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“ ‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

10 your kingdom come,

your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us today our daily bread.

12 Forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.

14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

When you and I want our prayer to be answered by God, there are certain conditions that needs to be met.

If our prayer is not serious or sincere but only play acting, or it may be sincere but behind the scene there is unforgiveness he will not answer our prayer.

Forgive our debt, which means what we owe. In the Greek it's translated as what we owe, to our fellow man and God, transgression, going against what is right and lawful and sin, when you know what is right and what to do that is lawful and righteous but you refuse to do that.

Another word that you need to know is "as", should be translated as "even as" and not just "as" only. Even as give us the example of comparison. He has set an example for us. Even as the Lord Jesus Christ has set us an example. To forgive, ask for forgiveness and give forgiveness. Ask for forgiveness, receive forgiveness and give out forgiveness.

The privilege to pray is based on how you give out forgiveness, received forgiveness and ask for forgiveness.

How you and I as believers treat forgiveness. That is the basis of our prayer. If we are too proud to ask, receive or give forgiveness, our prayer will not be answered.

I pray that as you and I pray as individuals or the church, let's know what is our sin, our debt. I don't know you except for bro Allan but I pray for God to reveal what I need to preach to you. We never spoke to your pastor except for a room, we never talked.

The debt that you owe could be an apology, or love. Love will not harm the person you know. The debtors are one that has done you wrong, intentionally or unintentionally. It makes no difference. If you have unforgiveness, it is very very real. If there is Unforgiveness  in this church, God's hands are tied and he cannot answer your prayers. You must love one another. If you want your church to grow, love one another.

Forgiveness is deliberate. That you and I make to forgive the offender without terms and conditions. Freely you receive forgiveness, freely you give forgiveness. Love and forgiveness goes together. It's a choice that you and I make from the penalty of his or her debt, without terms or conditions.

The consequences of unforgiveness is that you are a disobedient child of God. A rebellious spirit. Unforgiveness is essentially self righteousness. It is direct disobedience to God and the sin of self righteousness. A sin that is very difficult to detect. If you refuse to forgive, you will possess as self righteousness attitude that will kill you. This curse will remain in you until you die. You ask if you can go to heaven? I'll say yes but you will have no reward.

You will not perform miracles where the sick will be healed and demons tremble, the characteristics of the kingdom of God will not be exhibited if you refuse to forgive.

You will hurt yourself and others and God. How you hurt God? God cannot give what he wants for you. God has feelings. You may say why should I forgive? I have asked myself this question when I was preparing the lesson for the  beatitudes. Do we forgive only if they felt sorry? No.

All those that put Jesus to the cross like Pontius Pilate, the Pharisees that plotted against Jesus, who was jealous that turned to hatred then to murder, were they sorry? Or the soldiers that nailed him to the cross or those that stoned Stephen, were they sorry? No. They were all self righteous yet Jesus and Stephen said God, forgive them for they do not know what they do. Our responsibility is to forgive.

When the Bible say forgive seventy times seventy times. What does it mean? Forgiveness is not about how many times. The quality not the quantity. If you forgive, never bring it up again. That is forgiveness.  

How to make decisions under pressure

Rev Gideon Lee

Our passage this morning is from

Mark 6:14-29. But let us look at a few verses before that. Let's read from verse 6 in the same chapter.

Mark 6:6-13

6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

6:7-11pp – Mt 10:1, 9-14; Lk 9:1, 3-5

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7 Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.

8 These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff–no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.”

12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

Mark 6:14-29

John the Baptist Beheaded

6:14-29pp – Mt 14:1-12 6:14-16pp - Lk 9:7-9

14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

15 Others said, “He is Elijah.”

And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”

16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”

17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married.18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, 20 because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled;yet he liked to listen to him.

21 Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.

The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

24 She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?”

“The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.

25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

26 The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. 27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. 29 On hearing of this, John’s disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Who is Jesus to you? Some back then thought Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead.

We all know the story. We see Herod heard about all the great things Jesus has done. What Jesus had done was almost similar to what John the Baptist had done. That's why he thought Jesus was John the Baptist reincarnated. There are some things we can learn from this passage. I want to talk about how we can handle life's pressure. Or how to make decisions under pressure.

Some of us make decisions easily while some of us grapple with issues. All of us make a decision to come to church this morning. Maybe you feel pressured to come to church. I hope not.

Herod had to make a decision but he had to grapple with outside influence. Herodias's daughter danced before King Herod and Herod made a promise to give this girl up to half his kingdom.

Herodias held a grudge on John the Baptist  because he told Herod he cannot marry his brother's wife. That's why she bear a grudge against John. She tried so hard to get rid of John the Baptist but she couldn't do so. Why? Because King Herod protected him. We know he was a terrible king and not a believer but he knew John the Baptist was a holy man.

Herodias was cunning and devised this by asking the daughter to dance. So when the daughter asked the mother she wanted the head of John the Baptist. He made the promise in haste and because it was made in public he had to fulfill his promise.

This morning I want to talk about making decisions under pressure. I hope all of us can learn from someone's mistake.

1. Don't forget the real issue

There was once two brothers both Christians. One was a lawyer and the other younger brother was involved in civil rights. This was when the churches have opened up for the blacks. There was liberty and no more segregation. This brother was fighting for the rights for anyone to go to any church.

He wanted some legal help and asked his brother to help him. The brother was not concerned about all this. He says I will follow Jesus to the cross but it is his cross and he must carry it. The younger brother said you are an admirer of Jesus but not his disciples.

The real issue was that the younger brother was someone he could trust but his brother was just an admirer and not a disciple. We are not admirers. We are his disciples.

What was the real issue with King Herod? What was his problem?

He married his brother's wife. Instead of correcting the issue what did he do? The real issue was that Herodias held a grudge against John the Baptist. The real issue was his wife. An innocent man's life was lost. He was pressured into making a wrong decision.

He should have dealt with his wife and not about John the Baptist. We are talking about something called peer pressure.

What is peer pressure? Doing something you didn't want because of peer pressure. Like drinking when your friends pressure you.

2. Don't promise something you can't keep

King Herod made an oath. He didn't want John the Baptist dead. By putting him in prison, it was one of the ways to keep him alive. He doesn't want to kill him. Some scholars said she probably danced a very provocative dance. He may not even know this was his step daughter.

How many of you met a salesman that promises you heaven and earth? Only to find out he can't deliver heaven or earth.

In Malaysia we have what we call rubber time. Maybe because we produce rubber. If I tell Joshua I'll be there at 9, what do we say? I should be there by 9 right? We always say we're on the way. So now I always ask exactly where are you? Sometimes we over commit. This is a simple example.

Often we take the easy way out without thinking of the consequences. Like we sometimes ask what do you want for lunch, we often say anything. But we cannot do that with some important decisions.

3. Don't be pressured by others

There was once a pastor and someone was interviewing him. And he was asked how was his week. And he said in that week he heard these. A mother said his son put him under tremendous pressure because he cannot satisfy him. Really reminds me of a son who demands the latest smartphone, or playstation.

Or like a parent who pressured their child to take on their parent's business. Or this example I saw from an advertisement. A father asked her daughter why she dropped out of medical college because she wanted to pursue the arts. The father asked her he thought she wanted to pursue medicine. She said that’s not me, that's what you wanted. Or a college boy who wants his girlfriend to move in with him.

In a week this was what the pastor faced. All these people have one thing in common. They were all pressured by someone.

Certain amount of encouragement is good. But when encouragement becomes insist, it becomes negative pressure.

The word transform in the Bible is metamorphosis. When a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. Before we accepted Jesus, we're like that caterpillar, not beautiful. Allow God to shape us and be transformed into something beautiful.

There was this lady who has many beautiful garden. She cared for her garden and many creatures goes to the garden. Like butterflies and they lay some eggs and become caterpillars. And they only have two jobs. Eat and poop. They started to infest a pot of plants. And what did the lady did? We would have killed them. But she let the caterpillars grow because she knows they'll be beautiful one day.

The day came and they became butterflies. She watched the process. The shriveled wings took some time to open up. So she tried to help the butterfly and cut a slit so that the butterfly can come out but those she helped the wings remained shriveled up. She learnt an important lesson.

God intended the butterfly to struggle coming out so that blood will go into the wings and they open up. What I'm saying is that sometimes we go through struggles so that our faith is strengthened and our wings will open up.

So if you are under pressure in making decisions remember these few points.

1. Don't forget the real issue
2. Don't promise something you can't keep
3. Don't be pressured by others

How to turn our weaknesses into strength

Rev Gideon Lee

I want to look at a familiar passage of scripture.

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

The Vision of Paradise

​1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

The Thorn in the Flesh

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

There was once a man who had a large sum of money. He thought he would invest his money but he didn't know how to go about it. He sought out someone who knew how. A financial planner. If I want to know about advertising or media, I'd go to bro Kenny. We go to the person who is expert in their field for advice. So he went to this financial planner and asked how and the more he talked, the more he realised he didn't know much. There was so much he didn't know.

1. Confront your weaknesses

The key to understanding is to know what our weaknesses are. To confront our weaknesses. All of us have weaknesses. Something we didn't know. We cannot know everything. So we need to seek out people who are experts on those areas.

How many of you are aware of your weaknesses? Not to let it cripple us but to confront it so that it can become our strength. Paul was talking about himself. He could have boasts about what he knew but he also knew God allowed a thorn in his fresh to keep him humble.

Many debated on what was this thorn in the flesh. We don't know but we know it vexed Paul so much he asked God to remove it from him. But what was God's reply? My grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in you.

We need to confront our weaknesses. What is it we need to work on? Is it our devotion? To wake up early and study the Bible? I know my weaknesses. Leaders in ministry, you will know sometimes you will give your best message and people will response at the altar call and many will be touched and God moved mightily. And one of my weakness is that I think I have arrived. Walk also gaya. We are so caught up that we forget it's not about us. We need to know what's our weaknesses and we must confront them.

Paul studied amongst the best teachers. He had pedigree. But he had weaknesses and had to confront them.

Those of you who are married will know what I mean. We must set perimeters. Pastors also have emotions. We are not made of wood. Billy Graham for example, we have not heard any scandals. He set perimeters. He never go to a hotel room alone. His assistant will check the room before he goes in. All of us have to set perimeters. Like I don't counsel a lady one on one. And not outside. If you want to see me come to my office. We all have our weaknesses and one of it is to set perimeters. I don't even fetch one of the opposite sex. If I have to you sit behind. Confront your weaknesses. 

Singles, set perimeters. Don't ask them to come or go to their homes when parents are not in. Don't say you are only wanting to study the bible.

2. Confess the truth

For example you may say you're suffering from cancer this morning, that's your weakness,  but you say God is your healer, that's the truth. You may say you have no money, that's your weakness but God is your provider, that's the truth.

What is God's truth? You may say your didn't come from a good family but now the truth is you can call him Abba Father. The weakness is that once we were all in sin. We gave in to our sinful desires. But the truth is he has set us free. Our weaknesses becomes the strength.

Do you have a friend who knows everything? He talk about everything he'll know. Sometimes it's difficult to be with people like them but until we learn that we have weaknesses and things we don't know that's how we'll grow.

There was this student who was a genius and seems to know everything. His professor invited him to his home,for tea. As the professor poured tea for him, he continued to pour and didn't stop until it reached the brim and continued to pour until it spilled onto the floor. The professor then told him he is like that. As long as he is not teachable, he will never learn new things and it'll just be like that cup where it'll just spill.

3. Commit it to God

God also wants to use you in your strength. If you can play the guitar God will use you. God can use both your strength and weakness. Work on your weaknesses to turn it into your strength. God will help you when you commit it to the Lord. Surrender to him. Be vulnerable.

If I want to be close to my wife, I'll know her inside out. And that's being vulnerable. How many of us like our weaknesses to be known? In order to have that relationship we have to trust God and know what he's doing. That's being vulnerable. In our weaknesses as we surrender to him, we can do all things. To be vulnerable means you're saying we need help.

Sometimes we think we have things under our control that we forget about God. We need to come to God and admit we need him. God love you. Ask God to help you and he wants to help you.

What is your weakness? Is it durians? I heard it's a bumper crop. The price is like the stock market but it's going down.

What's your weakness? Confront it. Confess the truth and commit it to God. If you want God's grace you must know how to surrender. I'm going to close by saying this.

The first president of USA, Abraham Lincoln felt he was inadequate to become president. He said often he was driven to his knees because he had nowhere else to go to as president. I pray that at the end of the day I can say I did it because his grace was sufficient for me.