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Christ's Second Coming

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ stands as the pivotal event in God's plan, marking the great dividing line in all of history. On the Day of Trumpets, which is central among the holy days, His return will signify the beginning of all that the saints have hoped for and been promised—salvation and the wonderful blessings that accompany it. Yet, for the enemies of God, it heralds violent and tragic judgment, the end of all human plans against Him. He will return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to establish His government on the earth, but first, He must fight His enemies and execute great judgments. When Christ returns, it will not be in secret but openly, like lightning striking or the dawn of a new day, visible to every eye. He will come on a cloud with the sound of a great trumpet or shout, sending His angels to gather the saints from the four winds. This return is announced by the Seventh Trumpet in Revelation, proclaiming the reign of God beginning, though severe plagues and judgments, including the Seven Last Plagues, will precede the final establishment of His rule. These plagues soften the earth for His coming, culminating in immense destruction, such as a world-shaking earthquake and hundred-pound hailstones, announcing the arrival of His Son. Upon His return, Christ is first announced as Righteous Judge and Avenger of His servants, coming to make war with a sword and bring great carnage as a long-awaited judgment. He is also proclaimed as God and King, taking up His rule over the earth, and as Husband of the church and Redeemer, the Lamb who saved by His blood. His immediate work will be to subdue His enemies, followed by reestablishing His government, bringing prosperity, peace, and all the good things He desires for His people. At His coming, there will be a resurrection of the dead saints and a change for those alive, transforming them into immortal, incorruptible beings with bodies like His, shining like the Son. Together, they will meet Christ in the air as He descends amid shouting, the voice of an archangel, and a trumpet blast. This event marks the First Resurrection, a time of ultimate salvation and glorification for the saints, who will be healed, freed from sickness and death, and ready to rule alongside Him. The Day of Trumpets, in its fulfillment, embodies both vengeance and comfort, judgment and joy, depending on where one stands before God. For the saints, it is a day of reward and the establishment of a Kingdom over the whole earth, lasting forever, free from rebellion and sin. Christ and His saints will clean up the mess of the world, rebuild, and make it truly wonderful, ruling as immortal beings to perpetuate benevolence and blessings for all generations. Thus, we are called to wait patiently for the Lord's coming to judge, reward, and rule this earth.

Jesus on His Second Coming

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The 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.

What Does Jesus Mean by the Parable of the Fig Tree (Matthew 24:32)?

Bible Questions & Answers

Jesus Christ uses the parable of the fig tree to illustrate a point about His second coming. When the fig tree's branch becomes tender and puts forth leaves, we know summer is near; similarly, when we see the events described in Matthew 24:4-29 begin to occur, we will know that Christ's return is near, at the very doors. However, Jesus warns that only an approximate time of His return will be known, as He states that no one knows the day or hour, not even the angels of heaven, but only His Father. Therefore, we must live as if Christ will come tomorrow, always striving to be prepared for His return.

Where Is the Promise of His Coming?

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

As the first century waned, some in the church grew anxious, wondering why Jesus Christ had not returned to establish His Kingdom. In Thessalonica, concerns arose that the day of His second coming had already passed. Despite apostolic reassurances that certain events must precede His return, many heeded cynics and mockers, leading to a crisis of faith. In our time, scoffers both within and outside the church spread notions that Christ's return as King of kings is far off, causing some members to doubt, lower their guard, and drift away. Believing that the Lord delays His coming exacts a heavy spiritual toll, sapping the motivation to overcome sinful nature and prepare for God's Kingdom. Presently, the world scene does not seem to herald the imminent return of Christ, with many biblical signs of the end not fully in place. Despite global conflicts and issues, secular voices often claim conditions are not dire. Yet, warnings persist in Scripture. The book of Revelation declares that the time is near, proclaiming, "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him." Repeatedly, it emphasizes His swift return, with Jesus Himself warning, "Behold, I am coming quickly!" Jesus instructed His disciples that His physical presence in Judea did not mark the establishment of His Kingdom, promising instead, "I will come again and receive you to Myself." In the Olivet Prophecy, He outlined signs preceding His return and the divine power that will accompany Him. He urged vigilance with three principles: to read the signs to recognize the nearness of His return, to understand that the exact time is known only to the Father, and to continue faithfully in the tasks given, regardless of apparent delays. Believing His return is distant risks straying from righteousness and neglecting transformation into His image. Christ's return will be sudden and surprising to many, akin to a thief's unexpected arrival, when the world is preoccupied with daily life. Christians, however, should not be caught off guard but remain aware of the signs, grow in grace and knowledge, and be prepared to meet Him at any moment. Like His Master, Paul advises to watch and be sober, maintaining clear judgment and seriousness in these times, regardless of claims about the timing of Christ's return. God's plan advances steadily, positioning events and individuals for the most remarkable prophetic fulfillments in history, and we must remain vigilant and ready for His coming.

Where is the Promise of His Coming?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Feast of Trumpets heralds a profound shift in world history, marking the transition from the age of man, darkness, and satan to the age of God, the Millennium, and the Kingdom of God. Jesus Christ returns as the conquering King of kings and Lord of lords, intervening to halt humanity's path to self-destruction. In Matthew 24, Jesus warns of the great tribulation preceding His coming as the Son of Man, a worldwide crisis of unprecedented suffering, from which only God's intervention through His Son can save humanity. Our Holy Father sends His Son to prevent the annihilation of His people amidst this catastrophic threat to all life on earth. In II Peter 3, the apostle Peter addresses scoffers who deny the promise of Christ's triumphant return in the final judgment. He asserts that just as God once destroyed the earth with water, He will one day destroy it with fire. Peter counters the scoffers' arguments that the promise of the second coming has been delayed so long it will never happen, and that the world remains stable without such upheavals. He responds that the universe is not stable, having been destroyed by water in the Flood, and a second destruction by fire awaits. Peter explains that God's apparent delay is not negligence but mercy, giving sinners time to repent, as with the Lord, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as a day. Peter warns that the second coming will arrive suddenly with terror and destruction, dissolving the universe in melting heat. He urges believers to live holy, godly lives in preparation for this terrible day, emphasizing that the second coming is a powerful motive to correct character flaws and be ready to meet our God. He describes the Day of the Lord as a time of universal upheaval, with the heavens passing away with a great noise and the elements melting with fervent heat, echoing Old Testament prophecies of a fiery crisis when God comes. Peter encourages looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells, motivating believers to live righteously now in anticipation of this renewal. He stresses that God's patience before Christ's return allows time for His people to prepare, and that time is an opportunity for repentance and growth. The second coming, as depicted in I Thessalonians 4, will see Christ descend from heaven, with the trumpet of God awakening the dead saints to rise, and both the dead and living saints being caught up to meet Him, uniting with Him forever in great hope and comfort.

Jerusalem's Fall and Christ's Return

'Prophecy Watch' by Charles Whitaker

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is intricately linked to the Day of the Lord, a year-long period of great wrath during which He takes vengeance on His enemies. This time of divine judgment, as understood in the prophetic timeline, culminates at the end of the Day of the Lord when Christ returns to rule, His wrath spent. At this revealing, He will assume the throne of David and set His hand to establishing Jerusalem as a city of worldwide acclaim, regathering scattered Israel, drawing all peoples to Himself, and teaching the law from Zion. His reward is with Him, and His work is before Him upon His return, marking the beginning of the Millennium, a time distinct from the destruction that characterizes the Day of the Lord. In the Olivet Prophecy, Christ speaks of the Son of Man coming in a context of intense apocalyptic rhetoric, focusing on clouds and days of vengeance that point to the year of the Lord's vengeance, not the historical destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. He emphasizes that these are the days of vengeance when all things written must be fulfilled, aligning with the Day of the Lord. Furthermore, in various prophetic passages, the formulaic phrase "coming of the Son of Man" is tied to the day of God's vengeance, underscoring a future event of divine judgment and redemption far beyond past historical events.

Psalms: Book Four: He Is Coming!

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The 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. Ritenbaugh

Repentance 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. Ritenbaugh

Because 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 Whitaker

Jesus 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. Ritenbaugh

Is 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.

The End Is Not Yet

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We 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. Ritenbaugh

The delusion of the pre-Tribulation 'rapture' concept, made popular by the Left Behind books and movies, hopelessly messes up the timing of Bible prophecy.

How Much Longer Do We Have?

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

How 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.

Shock and Awe - and Speed

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The 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.

Don't Be a Prudent Agnostic

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Some 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.

What Is the Book of Revelation?

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

Though 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. Collins

We 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. Ritenbaugh

We 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. Ritenbaugh

The 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. Collins

The 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 Two): Behold, a Black Horse

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Various famines in the last century were caused by the despicable cruelty, greed, and corruption of human beings, bringing about large scale death.

Famine (Part Three): The Abundance of God's Salvation

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

After 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.