SEMESTER 5
166 – The Return of Christ – A Physical Appearance
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: THEOLOGY V LESSON # 66
ESCHATOLOGY – THE KINGDOM OF GOD – THE RETURN OF CHRIST, A PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
Read: Acts 1:1-11
INTRODUCTION:
1. The most visible issue of kingdom doctrine is probably the return of Christ.
2. Certainly this will be the most sensational event of all time past. (Mat. 24:29-31)
3. Because of the sensationalism of it, we often fail to assimilate the basic facts.
4. In this message we shall attempt to view the return of Christ as simply and factually as possible.
I. IT IS A LITERAL APPEARANCE – (ACTS 1:1
)
1. Some modernists have suggested it speaks of death or of calling.
2. Let us not carelessly denominate Post, A, or Pre, Millennialists. They all have modernists and they all have fundamentalists in their ranks.
3. Scripture definitely depicts this as a literal appearance. (Acts 1:11, Job 19:25, Lk. 21:27, Col. 3:4, Titus 2:13, Phil. 3:20-21)
4. We are talking about a real, physical, bodily appearance of Christ.
II. IT IS A FUTURE APPEARANCE – (I COR. 1:7)
1. Paul continually put the coming of the Lord in the future. (I Cor. 4:5, I Cor. 11:26, Phil. 3:20)
2. He told Christians to look forward to it. (Titus 2:13)
3. The angel cited the future nature of it. (Acts 1:11)
III. IT WILL BE A SUDDEN AND AN OBVIOUS APPEARANCE
1. I am not, at this point, addressing the rapture question, but referring to the advent as a whole.
2. May we consider that it was fulfilled in 70 A.D., or quietly and secretly in time past?
3. The Lord Himself puts to rest this idea. (Mk. 14:62, Mat. 24:23-27)
4. John makes this clear in Rev. 1:7, the world will be jolted, indeed, devastated by it.
5. Whether or not this event is preceded by a secret rapture, his revelation will be traumatic.
IV. IT WILL BE WITH MILITANT CHRISTOLOGICAL ACTION
1. There are those who feel He will return peacefully to a world essentially made ready – interpretation of Psalm 110:1 and Acts 2:33-35.
2. Does this mean that Christ will remain at God’s right hand until restoration is complete?
3. No! It means until that time or season (chronos) for it to be done.
4. Paul says in II Thessalonians 1:7 and 8 that the Lord Jesus shall come taking vengeance.
5. He will display His mighty power. (I Tim. 6:14-15)
6. He will come in militant judgment. (II Tim. 4:1)
7. He will then reward His saints. (II Tim. 4:8, I Pet. 1:7, 5:4, Col. 3:4)
8. There is much we do not know, and wild speculation is profane, but we know to watch!
9. Are you ready for His return?