Opening Prayer

LESSON 9 THE EXALTED JESUS WILL COME AGAIN

Introduction

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A PERSON DIES?

Ecclesiastes 12:7 7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

What Happens When A Person Dies? 1. Soul and body separate

Luke 16: "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

What Happens When A Person Dies? 1. Soul and body separate 2. The soul goes to either heaven or to hell

John 5: "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his [Jesus] voice 29 and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.

What Happens When A Person Dies? 1. Soul and body separate 2. The soul goes to either heaven or to hell 3. The body remains and decays until Jesus comes again.

Application Questions Evaluate: Some people have their bodies cremated and the ashes scattered far and wide, so that they can never be raised from the dead.

WHEN WILL JESUS COME AGAIN?

Matthew 24:36 36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

When Will Jesus Come Again? 1. No one knows except God Himself;

When Will Jesus Come Again? 1. No one knows except God Himself; unexpectedly 2. As the world draws closer to the end, it will become more and more ungodly (like a clock running down) - in society - in nature - in the church

Matthew 24:6,7,8 4 Jesus answered: “... 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom... 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

When Will Jesus Come Again? 1. No one knows except God Himself; unexpectedly 2. As the world draws closer to the end, it will become more and more ungodly (like a clock running down) - in societywars and rumors of war

Matthew 24:4, 8 4 Jesus answered: “... There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

When Will Jesus Come Again? 1. No one knows except God Himself; unexpectedly 2. As the world draws closer to the end, it will become more and more ungodly (like a clock running down) - in societywars and rumors of war - in nature disturbances like earthquakes, famines

Matthew 24: "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

When Will Jesus Come Again? 1. No one knows except God Himself; unexpectedly 2. As the world draws closer to the end, it will become more and more ungodly (like a clock running down) - in societywars and rumors of war - in nature disturbances like earthquakes, famines - in the church false prophets & persecution, spread of the Gospel

Application Questions Agree or disagree? When Jesus says he will come on a day when we least expect him, he is trying to scare us into being prepared at all times for his coming.

IN WHAT MANNER WILL JESUS COME AGAIN?

Matthew 25:31 31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.

In What Manner Will Jesus Come Again? 1. In all His glory with all His holy angels

Revelation 1:7 7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.

In What Manner Will Jesus Come Again? 1. In all His glory with all His holy angels 2. Visibly, so that every eye will see Him

WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN JESUS COMES AGAIN?

John 5: "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.

What Will Happen When Jesus Comes Again? 1. All of the dead, believers & unbelievers, will be raised up

Acts 17:31 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."

What Will Happen When Jesus Comes Again? 1. All of the dead, believers & unbelievers, will be raised up 2. All of mankind will be judged

WHAT WILL JESUS’ VERDICT BE?

Matthew 25: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

1. He will say,departfrom Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil,” to What Will Jesus’ Verdict Be?

John 3:18 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

1. He will say,departfrom Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil,” to all who rejected Him as Savior and Lord. What Will Jesus’ Verdict Be?

Matthew 25: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 46 "Then they [the unrighteous] will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

2. He will say,Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world,” to What Will Jesus’ Verdict Be?

John 3:18 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

2. He will say,Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world,” to all who trusted Him as Savior. What Will Jesus’ Verdict Be?

Application Questions Your friend’s Christian mother passes away after a short illness. What do you say to your friend that day or the day of the funeral? What do you say to your friend a month later?

Application Questions Your classmate’s older brother dies in a car accident while driving drunk. You know this person had nothing to do with Jesus Christ. What do you say to your classmate that day? What do you say a month later?

Application Questions A person’s faith in Christ Jesus is his most important possession. Why is this true?

Application Questions Agree or Disagree: Those who go to hell can at least take some comfort in being with many of their friends.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN THEN?

2 Peter 3:10 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

What Will Happen Then? 1. The world as we know it will be destroyed

2 Peter 3:13 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

What Will Happen Then? 1. The world as we know it will be destroyed 2. We will receive a perfect new heaven and new earth

Philippians 3:21 21 who, by the power that enables him [Jesus] to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

What Will Happen Then? 1. The world as we know it will be destroyed 2. We will receive a perfect new heaven and new earth 3. We will receive perfect, glorified bodies

WHY JUDGEMENT DAY WILL BE A JOYOUS DAY FOR A BELIEVER

Luke 21: At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Why Judgment Day Will Be A Joyous Day For A Believer 1. This is the day of final redemption, we’ll be free from sin and its effects.

1 Thessalonians 4:13,14,18 13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Why Judgment Day Will Be A Joyous Day For A Believer 1. This is the day of final redemption, we’ll be free from sin and its effects. 2. We will be with Jesus forever.

Psalm 16: Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Why Judgment Day Will Be A Joyous Day For A Believer 2. We will be with Jesus forever. 3. We will have eternal happiness. 1. This is the day of final redemption, we’ll be free from sin and its effects.

AM I READY? IN WHOM DO I TRUST? FOR WHOM DO I LIVE? Why Judgment Day Will Be A Joyous Day For A Believer

Application Questions To which of the following events is a Christian funeral most similar and why? 1. Saying goodbye to a friend who is moving far away. 2.Celebrating a birthday party with a member of the family. 3.Not being able to go on a trip that you had eagerly anticipated.

Application Questions Agree or disagree: The best way to imagine heaven is to remember the happiest moment on earth and multiply that by a million.

Closing Prayer

ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK 1.Study carefully the notes you have taken in class; be sure you understand them. 2.Study questions , in the Catechism. 3.Complete the “Working with God’s Word” section. 4.Memorize these Bible passages: VIP - Matthew 24:36 – “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” John 3:18 – “ Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” 2 Peter 3:13 – “ We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.” 5. Complete Worksheet #9 at home and have your parents correct it.

Key Truths Lesson Nine We don't know when Jesus will return, but we do know the world will become ________________ as the end approaches. When a person dies, his soul and body ________________. When Jesus returns the soul and body will be ________________. He will say "_______________ from me" to all who rejected him. He will say, "____________ to me" to all who believed in him as shown by their lives. This is the final redemption when we will be totally free from ________________, ________________ and Satan's ________________ over us.

Key Truths Lesson Nine We don't know when Jesus will return, but we do know the world will become UNGODLY as the end approaches. When a person dies, his soul and body SEPARATE. When Jesus returns the soul and body will be REUNITED. He will say "DEPART from me" to all who rejected him. He will say, "COME to me" to all who believed in him as shown by their lives. This is the final redemption when we will be totally free from SIN, DEATH and Satan's POWER over us.