LOOK FOR HIM

HEBREWS 9:28

Pastor Rick Jackson

In the Bradford Baptist Church Confession of Faith it reads, “We believe in the visible, personal and premillennial return of Jesus Christ,” but what exactly does that mean? The first coming of Jesus, God incarnate, covered a period of approximately 33 years. The second coming will cover approximately 7 years or 1007 years if you include the millennium as part of that coming. Of the 7 years there are 2 major parts- the Rapture and the Touch-down Coming. Seven years separate these two events but both will be visible, personal and premillennial.

I. THE RAPTURE

 – Rapture is not a Biblical word but it is a Biblical teaching (much like “Trinity”, “local church,” and “vicarious death”.

1. The Rapture is Visible but to Christians Only [Titus 2:13, 1 Jn. 3:2]

- Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

-Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

2. The Rapture is Personal – Christ Himself will return, not a representative [Acts 1:9-11, 1 Th. 4:14-17, 1 Jn. 3:2]

-And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up , behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

3. The Rapture is Premillennial [1 Th. 4:18-5:11]

-premillennial means before “the Millennium” [1000 year reign of Christ on earth]

-postmillennialists believe the Rapture is after the Millennium which they think the church will usher in as things get better and better [2 Tm. 3:1-13]

-amillennialists don’t believe in a millennium [Rev. 20:2-7] “aww- there ain’t going be no millennium”

II. THE TOUCHDOWN COMING [Zech. 14:1-4]

Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

1. The Touchdown Coming is Visible [Mt. 24:21-31, Rev. 1:7]

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

2. The Touchdown Coming is Personal [Rev. 19:11-16]

3. The Touchdown Coming is Premillennial [Rev. 19:17-20:6]

 

III. THE IMPACT OF THE TRUTH OF THE SECOND COMING

1. We Should Be Ready [Mt. 24:44]

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

 2. We Should Be Right [1 Jn. 2:28]

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

 3. We Should Be Real [2 Tm. 4:8]

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.