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Jesus on His Second Coming
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe return of Jesus Christ in great power and glory is a central hope and a pivotal event in history. We yearn for His coming to defeat His enemies and establish His Kingdom on earth, transforming a world of disaster into the blessed rule of God over humanity. This second coming, anticipated since the founding of the church, marks a dramatic shift where repentance for the majority becomes possible, leading to the second resurrection and the New Heavens and New Earth. The Feast of Trumpets prefigures this return, acting as a hinge of history and prophecy, signaling a time when the balance tips toward God. This holy day, identified by the blowing of trumpets or the shout of a shofar, demands attention, urging readiness and preparation for a loud, unmistakable proclamation that reaches every corner of the earth. The return of Jesus Christ will not be a quiet event but a front-and-center, explosive, and magnificent occurrence, impossible to ignore. Jesus Himself described His return as a time of great opposites—war bringing peace, death opening the way for better life, dread ushering in hope, gloom ending in light, destruction concluding with restoration, and chaos giving way to order under God's wisdom. It will motivate everyone, positively or negatively, forcing a reaction from all. He will come in astonishing glory, accompanied by a multitude of angels, to reward His people according to their works and to punish His enemies. His face will shine like the sun, His clothes white as light, displaying the full glory of His Father. At His return, termed the regeneration or new beginning, Jesus will sit on the throne of His glory, with the apostles judging Israel as kings under Him, while all followers receive abundant rewards, including eternal life, spirit bodies, and positions in a great Family. He will receive His saints into His Father's house, where many permanent dwellings await, ensuring they remain with Him forever. His current work as High Priest prepares us for these positions, making us holy and blameless to dwell in God's house. The second coming will occur at the end of a time of great tribulation and war, marked by suddenness, loudness, and brightness like a lightning strike, with heavenly signs and the universe seemingly collapsing. Most of the world will mourn, aware of the judgment He brings with a rod of iron, while His people rejoice. A great trumpet blast will sound, and angels will gather God's elect to meet Him in the air, returning with Him in great glory. Jesus warns that His return may seem delayed, though it will happen at the appointed time. He stresses the importance of readiness, watching, and vigilance, as no one knows the exact moment. Our focus must remain on spiritual growth and producing good fruit, ensuring we are always prepared for His arrival, diligently applying ourselves to God's way of life with hope as the Day approaches.
Christ's Second Coming
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Feast of Trumpets memorializes God's deliverance of Israel beginning with Joseph, and looks forward to Christ's return when God will deliver His people.
What Does Jesus Mean by the Parable of the Fig Tree (Matthew 24:32)?
Bible Questions & AnswersWe will know Christ's return is near when we see the events He mentions earlier in the chapter begin to occur. Verse 33 provides the key to His parable.
Where Is the Promise of His Coming?
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughAs this world keeps on turning, more people become skeptical about the return of Jesus. The Bible, however, insists that He will come again and quickly.
Where is the Promise of His Coming?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsDoubting that Christ will return has always been problematic for the faithful weak as well as a tool of the heretics denying the second coming of Christ.
Psalms: Book Four: He Is Coming!
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Feast of Trumpets is like the opening salvo of the fall feasts, beginning with a blast of the trumpet or shofar, reminiscent of the event on Mount Sinai.
When Our Change Comes
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRepentance and conversion leading to transforming into Christ's image depend on change. Christianity is a force for personal change, leading to universal change.
Preparations For Christ's Return
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBecause of its intractability, the earth will require softening up through earth-shaking events before Christ's return, symbolized by the Feast of Trumpets.
Recognizing the Second Witness
Article by Charles WhitakerJesus Christ has and will make a witness in His two advents. Will we devoutly accept Him or reject Him because He does not fit our preconceptions?
Caught Up in the Rapture
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughIs the rapture biblical? If so, when will it occur? Is it different from the promised resurrection? Here is what the Bible teaches, without the traditions of men.
How Much Longer Do We Have?
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeHow often have we heard—or cried ourselves—'How long, O Lord?' Our great hope is in Christ's return, but it seems as if that time is delayed.
The End Is Not Yet
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must make sure that our understanding and interpretation of natural disasters and heavenly spectacles align with what the Bible says about them.
The Rapture and Trumpets
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe delusion of the pre-Tribulation 'rapture' concept, made popular by the Left Behind books and movies, hopelessly messes up the timing of Bible prophecy.
Don't Be a Prudent Agnostic
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSome of us, facing the stress of the times, may simply be going through the motions but losing every vestige of faith. We must strengthen our convictions.
Shock and Awe - and Speed
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe world will experience the ultimate 'shock and awe campaign' at the second coming of Christ. When these events start, they will occur at meteoric speed.
What Is the Book of Revelation?
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeThough the book of Revelation speaks of the end of the world using strange and fearsome symbols, the real subject of Revelation is readily apparent.
Watch and Vigilantly Prepare
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe are ambassadors in a foreign land, awaiting the return of Christ, when we will help our Warrior King subdue all the rebellious nations of the earth.
Trumpets Is a Day of Hope
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe are on the threshold of the greatest period of testing ever to come upon mankind. We need a sense of hope and faith to stay focused on our calling.
Would Our God Do That?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe distorted perception of Jesus as an effeminate and ineffective Savior fails to understand that He is the so-called stern God of the Old Testament.
Basic Doctrines: The First Resurrection
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsThe doctrine of resurrection is a chief teachings of Christianity. For those called and chosen in this age, the first resurrection is especially vital.
Famine (Part Three): The Abundance of God's Salvation
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAfter Christ's return, famine will be the penalty for not keeping His Feast of Tabernacles. God will establish conditions in which famine will never occur again.