#13 I want to begin by telling you a story tonight. My friend H.M.S. Richards, Jr., died exactly three years ago April 11. He was just 70 years old. We were in Brazil together in 1993 when he got typhoid fever. Twice landed in the hospital and almost died. But upon returning home to Los Angeles he never got back on his feet. A litany of life-threatening diseases hounded him and hammered him: Typhoid; leaky heart valve; shingles; Parkinsons; Kidney failure; Cancer. Ameloid deposits on the kidneys. Finally he died of heart failure. Harold Richards was a giant. Huge hands. Huge heart. And a huge passion for Jesus. He dreamed one day of getting back on his feet and preaching. He never did. Then one day a serendipitous moment occurred. I'll never forget. Jeannie and I were at his bedside at the hospital, when Harold hoarsely whispered for me to come closer so he could tell me something. I leaned in tight. He took my hand and whispered, "Lon, you're God's man. God brought you to my side to preach." His breathing came in short spurts. Heavy and laborious. We were both weeping now. I sensed this might be Harold's final statement to me. And it was. "Listen, Lon. If God raises me up, I want to preach again! I've even got a sermon in mind. Got a title for it, too. Wanna' hear it?" Yes, I'd love to. Brightening up, he spoke out loud, 'He's On His Way!' That's the title. Not 'He Might Be Coming' or 'He's Coming Soon,' but 'He's On His Way!' Far out in space, light years behind the Great Nebula and the Pleiades, there's a great stirring and rush of excitement beyond human description. The chariots rumble. Thunder rolls like kettle drums, and lightning shakes it fiery white lances. The trumpets sound! He's On His Way! Past unnumbered universe systems. Down through the corridor of the Orion. Down, down, down toward a blue planet hanging out there in space. See it there? That lonely one. One that spat on Him and crucified Him. But one that He couldn't forget. He's on His Way! He laid back in his bed. With a twinkle in his eye he heaved a sigh. "What do you think, Lon?" I said, "I think it's your finest hour, Harold! Fantastic!" "Well, I think I might be getting a little sleepy now," he said. I leaned in and prayed, "Dear God, please hold Your servant Harold close!" Then I slipped out of the room with Jeannie. We were hardly in the hallway before we held each other and wept like babies. Harold Richards believed in the soon return of Jesus. It defined him. He believed with a passion in the Blessed Hope. In the Jesus who, more than anything else in the world, Harold wishes were your friend, too. Because He's On His Way! Have you ever wondered if the world will end some day? If you have, have you also wondered just HOW it will end? Will it be like the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington on September 11? Some people think the world will end in a nuclear war. Or, that human beings will destroy themselves and all life on earth. Others think the world's population will explode to the place where the earth just can't support so many people, and mass starvation will follow. Still others worry that someday maybe an asteroid or a comet will hit the earth and destroy it. But do you know that long ago, the Bible prophesied exactly how the world will end? And friends, the good news is that the human race is not going to die out because of war or starvation or some plague like SARS, or a mysterious microbe released from a lab in Iraq or from some other enemy, or even by colliding with another object in space. Instead, the Bible says the world will end with the triumphant return of Jesus Christ to this earth! He will return to this same earth that He left almost 2,000 years ago, and He will return to end time as we know it and usher in eternity. It's interesting to discover what people think will happen when asked what they think the return of Jesus will be like. Opinions are interesting. But they're just that. Opinions. I'd rather know what's really going to happen, wouldn't you? And for that, we need to turn to God's Word. The Word that promises that Jesus Christ is going to return to our world to deal with all of the problems we face today. King Jesus is coming soon, and that's a great comfort to me! Because the problems of this world just keep getting worse and worse. It seems that our efforts to make the world a better, safer, healthier place, too often make it worse instead. It's gotten to the point where the problems of this world are beyond human solution. It's going to take divine intervention to set everything right. A few months ago Jeannie and I were on a journey following the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. We ended up in Rome where both Peter and Paul were executed as martyrs. I will never forget the experience of going down into the Mammertine Prison where Paul was imprisoned. Carved out of solid rock. Shaped like a test-tube. The only way in or out was to be let down by a rope. There's an iron grate in the floor with a padlock. When prisoners finally starved or died, a Roman soldier would be let down by a rope. He'd unlock the grate, open the door. Then kick the body into the hole, where it would tumble down a conduit canal into the Tiber River and wash out to sea. (Paul didn't die in that dark, damp Mammertine Prison.) But while waiting for the executioner to behead him, he wrote that he was, <Titus 2:13> Do you ever get to feeling down? Listen to Paul's encouraging letter to Titus. The most talked-about event in the New Testament is the second coming of Christ: One of every 25 verses. Christ spent more time talking about that event than any other topic in the New Testament. Beautiful promises Jesus made shortly before His crucifixion and ascension. Say it with me: <John 14:1-3> Over the centuries, whenever disappointment, hardship, or death have threatened Christ's followers, this star of hope - the promise of His return - has brought courage and strength to endure. When that Roman executioner stood but steps away, Paul triumphantly proclaimed: <2 Timothy
4:7, 8> Paul could valiantly face the executioner's sword on that fateful day because he had faith in Christ's promise that Jesus WILL return! And friend, Jesus' promise to His disciples belongs to all of us. Jesus will come again! But how? When? What does prophecy tell us? Will it be soon? When the disciples asked Jesus to tell them what the signs of His coming and the end of the world would be, Jesus gave a detailed account of events that would take place just before His return. I want you to carefully read what Jesus Himself tells us. He says there's a lot of theories out there about how and when He will return - the event some refer to as "the rapture" even though that's not a word you'll find in your King James or New King James or New American Standard or New International Version Bible. The dictionary defines "rapture" as "a state or experience of being carried away by overwhelming emotion." But it's come be used by many Christians as a synonym for Jesus' return to "carry away" the redeemed from this earth. We won't worry about terminology tonight because we want to focus on what Jesus taught His disciples about how and when He would return. He knew there would be many incorrect, dangerous ideas - some deceptive - and even frauds! So He warned them: <Matthew
24:4, 5> In verse 24, Jesus elaborates on this issue. <Matthew
24:24> If we don't know how to tell the difference - how to spot a counterfeit - we may attach ourselves to an imposter, thinking he is Christ! Jesus warned it could happen! And He wasn't talking about a few clumsy deceptions. He was speaking about incredible impersonations - even about the rapture - so carefully planned and executed that almost the whole world will be deceived! Preachers working miracles - healing the sick and giving supernatural demonstrations to back up their claims! Preachers doing this in church with hymn singing! But Jesus says they'll be imposters! You say, "Well, how can we know the difference?" That's why these meetings! The Bible is very clear so you need not be confused about the Second Coming. <2 Corinthians
11:13, 14> Every now and then someone appears on the scene claiming to be Christ. They wear clothing like Christ might have worn. They speak in a kind, melodious voice. They quote Scripture - a lot. They seem very wise. Attract large followings of people. When my folks moved to California, a man appeared near Palm Springs claiming to be the Messiah. Such persons may look like what you'd expect Jesus to look. They may talk as you'd expect Jesus to talk. He might even heal people and do marvelous signs and wonders, and the temptation may be overwhelming to doubt what the Bible says. But we dare not trust our senses - what we hear, what we see, how we feel! In Matthew 7 when Jesus separates the sheep and goats, some people are put over on the left with the lost and they protest: "Lord! Didn't we prophecy in Your name? Cast out demons? And do many wonderful miracles in your name?" And he will say to these religious people: "Depart from me. I never knew you. You workers of iniquity." Listen friend, there is only one safe guide for determining whether someone is genuine or an imposter - the Bible. Are they preaching the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Tonight from the Voice of Prophecy, please notice some careful details unique to Christ's second coming so we won't be deceived! Number one, Christ's Second Coming is a Visible Coming. There are sincere Christians who believe in the "Secret Rapture." So secret, that the dedicated pilot of a 747 will disappear through the cockpit walls while the terrified passengers plunge screaming to a fiery death. My friend, there's not a word of that in the Bible! The "Secret Rapture" is a man-made theory that has developed only in the last couple of centuries. The apostles did not believe in it. Martin Luther did not believe in it. John Calvin did not believe in it. The Wesley brothers, John and Charles, never heard of it. The founding fathers of America - George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin - never heard of it. Because it hadn't been invented yet when they were alive. No one had ever thought of it. It's not a scriptural interpretation that's obvious in the Bible. It doesn't just jump out at you as you read. In fact the first people to believe in it didn't discover it by studying their Bibles. It came to them by what they considered a "special revelation." Now, my friends, may I issue just a little word of caution here? If someone comes to you and says they have a "special revelation" about how the Bible should be interpreted - what should you do? Do you just accept it without question? Or, do you go back to the Scriptures and study it out carefully to see whether it agrees with the teachings of the Bible? Let's take this "special revelation" - the idea that Jesus is going to come back to earth quietly and spirit away His followers without anybody seeing Him - to the Bible, and see just how biblical it is: <Matthew
24:27> In fact, in Revelation 1:7 we read, "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him." Does that seem like something secret that would leave those who were left behind puzzled, wondering what on earth happened? It doesn't to me. And let me tell you, there's a very good reason why Jesus plans to come back in such a public, visible way. It's because He knew there would be imposters who would claim to be Him. But believe me. No imposter can come in the clouds of heaven so every eye can see Him! Jesus told His disciples exactly how He would come, so that they wouldn't be deceived. And so that we wouldn't be deceived. Listen very carefully. After Jesus' death on Calvary's cross, He rose from the grave. Just before He ascended to heaven to begin His work as our Intercessor before His Father, first He took His closest followers out to the Mount of Olives. He gave some final instructions to His disciples and said His last farewell. But then suddenly He slowly began to lift up into the sky and was taken up into the heavens. Please notice what the Bible says about this event: <Acts 1:9-11> Notice: it was a visible event! You could see it. And there were clouds involved. Continue with me, "...And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus who was taken up into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.'" You can see Him. It will involve clouds. Two angels from God assured those flabbergasted disciples the promise Jesus had given them would be fulfilled. Jesus had said plainly what they would SEE Him come: "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." Friend, this is so important! No one will have to tell you when Jesus comes. You will see Him coming on the clouds. Christ is not going to suddenly appear in some remote place or step out of a flying saucer. Remember, Number 1: His coming will be visible. (You'll see Him. And clouds will be involved!) And that's the sign the devil cannot duplicate. Number 2: It will be glorious! Jesus will not be coming back alone. Jesus said, <Matthew
25:31> Why does Jesus bring all the holy angels with Him? He gives the answer: <Matthew
24:31> All the holy angels accompany Jesus - filling the sky with glory indescribable. Now you know why these people who claim to be Christ CAN'T possibly be! They'd have an impossible time trying to duplicate Jesus' return! Not even with "virtual reality." No one can! It will be stupendous and glorious! But there are more events connected with the coming of Jesus. Number 3: It will be an audible coming! Everyone will be able to HEAR it! <1 Thessalonians
4:16> Christ's coming will not only be visible, not only be glorious, but it will also be audible - heard by everyone. In fact, Number 4: So penetrating will be the call of God, so awesome the fanfare of Gabriel's trumpet that the dead in Christ will be awakened and come forth from their graves. Can you imagine the joy when the graves are opened and families are reunited? Do you know what the happiest place on earth will be? Cemeteries! Do you see how impossible it would be for Satan to counterfeit the real coming of Christ? But there's still more good news. Number 5: The righteous living are caught up to meet Jesus. Notice what happens to the righteous living at Christ's second coming: <1 Thessalonians
4:17> The faithful followers of Jesus still living are caught up with the resurrected dead to meet the Lord in the air. What a happy reunion that will be for many families. Number 6: All of the saved will be changed! Paul gives explicit details of what happens when Jesus returns: <1 Corinthians
15:51-53> Number 7: God will give every follower of Jesus His ultimate gift of love - life everlasting. All other gifts are meaningless without this gift of immortality. But Number 8: And there is something else God will give His people: <Philippians
3:20, 21> A perfect new body like Christ's. No more aches or pains - or disease. Cancer. AVM. Jeannie's wrist broken. What news could be more welcome? Number 9, something else happens: There will be a great earthquake. <Revelation
6:14-17> <Revelation
16:18> An earthquake so powerful it shakes every city on the earth. No one could possibly miss an earthquake like this. For it ushers in the second coming of Christ! But now here's where the secret part comes in: Jesus warned that His coming would also be at a time when no one expected it. In that one sense it IS a secret rapture. But the secret is in the TIMING, not in the EVENT. In Matthew 24:30, Jesus told us when He returns, "...all the tribes of the earth will mourn..." That's the reaction, of course, for all those who aren't ready for that day! They are lost - and they know it! Talk about shock and awe! Talk about a sad, sad picture! When it could have been so different. Friend, that day will be real! There will be no waking up to find it was only a dream! That's why nothing - absolutely nothing - is more important on earth tonight than being ready to meet Jesus when He comes! The tinsel and "stuff" and our prized earthly treasures are garbage compared to heaven! One earthquake, and it will all be gone! I wonder where you'll be; and what you'll be doing, when Jesus comes. Where will I be? Jesus warned He'd come at a time when no one was expecting it. People would be busy wasting their lives in wanton pleasure. Wine, women, and song. Marrying and giving in marriage. Living it up! <Luke 21:36> So we don't miss the "great ecape," let's review quickly what we've learned as we've studied the Bible together about the Second Coming. False prophets and christs will try to deceive everyone. The devil will try to impersonate an angel of light. The second coming will not be secret. Every eye will see Jesus coming. All the holy angels will come with Jesus. He will come with the blast of a trumpet. He will come with a shout of the Archangel. The righteous dead will be resurrected. The righteous living will be translated without seeing death. All the righteous will be given immortality. All of earth's ungodly people will mourn when they see Jesus. A great earthquake will shake the earth. All sinners will be slain. No mortal mind can conceive the splendor and glory of Christ's majestic second coming! The Bible says no one will expect it! Suddenly, the heavens roll together as a scroll, the earth trembles before Him, and every mountain and island is moved out of its place. (That used to really terrify me when I lived in the islands of Bermuda!) Soon there appears in the east a small black cloud, about half the size of a man's hand. As the cloud draws nearer earth it becomes brighter and greater and more glorious until it becomes a huge cloud with a rainbow above it. In silence the people of God gaze at the scene, speechless. It's breathtaking! The sky is filled with radiant forms, ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands of angels surrounding Jesus on His throne! The splendor of it all covers the heavens and as they come nearer and nearer to earth, "every eye" beholds the coming King! No crown of thorns mars that sacred head. A crown of glory rests on His holy brow. And on His vesture and His thigh the name is written, 'King of kings and Lord of lords.' And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every freeman, cried for the rocks and the mountains to fall on them and hide them from the presence of the Lamb. The Bible tell us about a special resurrection when Jesus comes. Those who persecuted and killed God's people and those who ridiculed and rejected Christ as the son of God, who shouted, 'Crucify Him,' 'Crucify Him,' are raised to stand before Jesus. Their hearts melt, their knees knock together, and with an awful, despairing wail call out, 'HE IS THE SON OF GOD, HE IS THE TRUE MESSIAH.' Now they behold Him in all His glory. Now they see Him sitting on the right hand of power. Now those who derided His claim to be the Son of God are speechless. There is haughty Herod who jeered at His royal title and commanded the mocking soldiers, "Crown Jesus as king!" There are the very soldiers whose impious hands placed upon His form the purple robe, smashed upon His sacred brow the thorny crown, and shoved into in His unresisting hand the mimic scepter. Then bowed before Him in blasphemous mockery. The men who smote Him. Who spat upon His face - the Prince of Life - now they turn from His piercing gaze and try to escape. Flee from the overpowering glory of His presence. Those who drove the nails through His hands and feet, the soldier who pierced His side - now they behold these scars and wounds with terror and remorse. With shuddering horror priests and rulers remember how, wagging their heads in Satanic exultation, they exclaimed: <Matthew
27:42> I want you to notice something: Those who would have destroyed Christ and His faithful people then, now witness the glory which rests upon them. In the midst of their terror they hear the voices of the saints in joy exclaiming, <Isaiah 25:9> Amid the reeling of the earth, the flashing of lightning, and the roar of thunder, the voice of the Son of God calls forth the sleeping saints. He looks upon the graves of the righteous, then, raising His hands to heaven, He cries: "Awake, awake, awake, you that sleep in the dust, and arise!" Throughout the whole earth the dead shall hear His voice, and they that hear shall live. And the whole earth shall ring with the tread of the exceeding great army of every nation, kindred, tongue and people. From the prison house of death they come, clothed with immortal glory, crying: <1 Corinthians
15:55> And the living righteous and the risen saints unite their voices in a long, glad shout of victory. All blemishes and deformities are left in the grave. Oh, what wonderful redemption! Long talked of, long hoped for, contemplated with eager anticipation, but never fully understood. Changed "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." Made immortal and caught up to meet their Lord in the air. Angels gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heaven to the other. Little children are carried by holy angels (no doubt their guardian angel) to their mother's arms. Friends long separated by death are united, nevermore to part, and with songs of gladness ascend together to the City of God. And as they ascend to heaven, the retinue of angels cry, 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.' And the redeemed shout, 'Alleluia' as they move toward the Holy City. Throughout the unnumbered host of the redeemed every glance is fixed upon Him. Every eye beholds Him. His glory. Whose… <Isaiah 52:14> And then, can you imagine it? Upon the heads of the overcomers, Jesus with His own right hand places our crown of glory. For each of us there's a crown bearing our own 'new name' and the inscription 'Holiness to the Lord.' Unutterable joy fills every heart, and each voice is raised in grateful praise. Before the ransomed throng is the Holy City. Jesus opens wide the pearly gates, and the nations that have kept the commandments and patience of Jesus enter in. There they behold the Paradise of God, the home of Adam before he sinned. Then that voice, richer than any music that ever fell on mortal ear, is heard, saying: "Your conflict is ended." "...Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Dear hearts and gentle people, this is our hope. This is our destiny! We CAN LIVE FOREVER! And if we miss eternity, we've missed everything. If we're not prepared for Christ's soon return, we will miss the greatest event in history. Jesus says "Come - Come tonight to forgiveness. Come tonight for mercy. Come to eternity. Come enter the kingdom prepared for you. But friend, the choice is up to you! God forces nobody. Will you choose to say "Yes" to Jesus?
|