The Lord Himself Shall Descend With a Shout
Bible Nugget 0319 [1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 KJV]
15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
How prepared are you for the second coming of Christ? This is not a fairy tale. The Bible Prophesied that he was coming the first time and he did. Just as he came the first time unannounced and not accepted that he came, the second coming though more spectacular, will catch a lot of people by surprise. Even believer’s who are not watchful will be left behind. Let us review his first coming briefly. John 1 v 10-12 summarizes his first coming, how he was received, and the few people who received his first coming, then and even now. He did not disguise himself. He told everyone who he was and yet they did not and many people today do not accept who he is that he is the Son of God sent to restore their relationship back to God.
John 1: 10-12
10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
After Jesus died and resurrected, the bible says the disciples saw him intermittently and fellowshipped with him before he ascended to heaven. These included over 500 brethren who saw him at the same time, so it is not just individual visits. Except for Paul who saw him after ascension, all other visits to the disciples was before his ascension. Paul writing in
1 Corinthians 15:3-9
3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
A time came when he must leave back to heaven and he did. Recall, angels are ministering Spirits. They ushered him back to heaven with pomp and fanfare, because he as the Captain of the Lord of host had come and conquered all the enemies including the devil (Lucifer), the principalities, powers and rulers of darkness of this world. Even the last enemy (death) could not stop him. He went back to heaven, and is right now seated at the Right Hand of God. Two angels who stood by the disciples as the disciples watched him go to heaven told them not to marvel that Jesus was surely coming again.
Acts 1:9-10
9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11Which 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.
He came with carrot the first time. This second coming will be with a stick. He came as a lamb the first time. The second coming will be as the king of kings ready to render justice and vengeance. To believers his second coming will be to reward them. To unbelievers who will be alive when he comes, it is to give them a final chance to repent but that time not by Grace but by their own works. It will literarily be like pulling chestnuts out of the fire to be saved and qualify for heaven. Many people will not be able to bear the wrath of the devil as it unleashes evil because he knows its time is short. They will take the mark of the beast. It will not be pleasant to live on the earth then because all the candle lights (believers) are gone to heaven.
Rev 13: 15-18
15And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
16And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
The mark of the beast is 6 6 6, (v15). This is revelation teaching and we will not get into it, but the bible advises that be wise and avoid that time when only that mark will grant you the opportunity to make choices of your own for living. The easiest way to do this is to be prepared for Jesus’ return now. So today do not take your preparedness lightly. The night is far spent. Accept Jesus today as Lord and Saviour if you have not, and if you have, be prayerful and watchful like the five wise virgins who had their lamps ready for the bridegroom’s arrival. In closing this sermon nugget, lets hear the words of Jesus himself concerning his second coming. The story is in Matthew 25:1-13.
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Prayer Nugget 0319
- Oh Lord let me be found righteous at your return in the name of Jesus. I plead the blood of Jesus over my body, soul and spirit. My soul shall be redeemed at the end of time in Jesus Name.
- I purify myself because I have the hope of resurrection in the name of Jesus. Lord keep this hope alive in my heart always in Jesus name.
- I shall be prepared with my garments spotless in the name of Jesus. I shall be like the five wise virgins in the name of Jesus.
- Lord preserve my soul from all evil. Every power wishing for my spiritual downfall, receive the stones of fire and be disgraced in Jesus Name. Amen.
- Lord give me visions and raptures of heaven always in Jesus name. I set my affections on the things of heaven in Jesus name. Amen.
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