THE IMMINENT RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST

1 Th. 4:13-18

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Recently, on a Facebook page I manage with over 2800 followers, I posted this quote:

 

“Christ's coming is imminent. That means Jesus may come at any moment. That means there is no other prophesied event which must occur before Christ's coming. Nothing else needs to happen before Jesus may come. No signs need to precede it. Jesus may come today. He could come at any time since Pentecost. It is a glad event hanging over us for which we should expectantly await. The coming of Christ is imminent.” - John R. Rice

 

Someone commented on the quote by saying, “This is partially false. Their (sic) is prophesy (sic) that has not taken place yet.” There is prophecy that has not taken place yet but NOT in relation to the Rapture. The commentator is wrong, Dr. Rice is right. Let me read Dr. Rice’s quote again. [see above] Biblical, solid, sensible, reasonable, rational and 100% true.

 

I. WE ARE COMMANDED TO WATCH ALWAYS FOR CHRIST’S IMMINENT COMING

 

1. The Definite Commands of Jesus [Mt. 24:42-44, 25:1-13,  Mk. 13:33-37]

 

2. Scripture Commands Us to Look for Christ Not Signs [1 Th. 4:13-18]

 

Phil. 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

1 Th. 1:9-10 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; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Tm. 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Titus 2:11-13  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly , righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

3. Paul’s Expectation [1 Cor. 15: 51-54. 1 Th. 4:16-17]

 

II. NO ONE KNOWS, OR CAN KNOW, WHEN CHRIST WILL RETURN

 

1. Jesus said No One, even He on earth, Knew the Time of His Coming [Mt. 24:36, 43-44, Mk. 13:32-33]

 

2. The Risen Saviour Warned the Apostles [Acts 1:4-7]

 

3. The Secret Things belong Unto God [Deuteronomy 29:29]

 

The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

 

III. SIGNS OF CHRIST’S COMING ARE NOT FOR THE RAPTURE BUT FOR THE TOUCH-DOWN COMING

 

We must rightly divide the Word of Truth. Think about it, once the Rapture hits the clock starts ticking again.

 

1. The 70th Week of Daniel [Dan. 9:24-27]

 

2. The Tribulation and the Touchdown Coming [Mt. 24:29-30]

 

3. Signs of the Whole Age [Mt. 24:3-7] note the end of verse 6