Ever since Jesus ascended from earth to Heaven, His disciples have been instructed about, and therefore have been looking for, His second coming.
Acts 1:9–11 (ESV) — 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
As the apostle Paul wrote in one of his earliest letters, 1Thessalonians, you can find the theme of the second coming in every chapter. As Paul came to the close of his life, the book of 2nd Timothy includes Paul’s expectation of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 4:7–8 (ESV) — 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing.
Given the importance of the subject and the frequency of its priority in Scripture, let’s take a brief look at Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians and how it’s seen in every chapter.
In chapter one, Paul rehearses the evidence of the election of the people based upon their response to the Gospel. So great was that response that they became devoted followers and the word spread far and wide about the change in their lives and their driving hope of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:9–10 (ESV) — 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
In the second chapter, Paul brings up again the response of the people to his preaching and how dear they are to him. Even his praise includes a reminder to be looking for the return of the Savior.
1 Thessalonians 2:19 (ESV) — 19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
In chapter three, Paul again commends the church for their faith and good works, even as Timothy had brought a report to Paul. As he closes out further admonitions, he brings a doxological benediction in which he points to the ever abiding hope in the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 3:11–13 (ESV) — 11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
The fourth chapter is rich with the teaching of the second coming. Evidently someone had preached false doctrine to the church convincing many that when Christ returns, those who have died will be hindered by those alive. Therefore, when you read of Paul’s response, you can’t help but be encouraged by what is described in the second coming.
1 Thessalonians 4:13–17 (ESV) — 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
Finally, in chapter five, Paul closes out a book of great teaching with a benediction with several reminders, including the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice as we await the second coming, God, who is the God of peace is the one who will sanctify us completely. We can count on it. We can count on His bringing us peace in the process. We can also count on the completeness of the sanctification process to include everything about us. Notice that this process of sanctification is a part of the big picture of God keeping us blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. And to all this, Paul reminds his readers that God is faithful so He will surely do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (ESV) — 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
Although written later in Paul’s life, a similar admonition is found in Philippians.
Philippians 1:6 (ESV) — 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
The teaching of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is found over and over in the Scriptures because therein lies our hope. This world is not paradise but there’s coming a day in which this world will pass away as the new heavens and earth are ushered in with the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we look forward to His return, many who are not looking forward in expectation will be looking upon the scene with great trepidation.
Revelation 1:7 (ESV) — 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
Check out the PowerBreak Podcast wherever you download podcasts or from Bob’s website: www.bobbrubaker.com
