Second Coming Chapter 26 Lesson 1

Read Acts 1:1-12 What did the angel tell us about the second coming of Christ? The angel told us that Christ would come in glory! How might the second coming of Christ appear?

We do not know the day or the hour that our Lord will return We do not know the day or the hour that our Lord will return. He told us to watch for signs.

Read Mark 13:1-37 What are the signs of the second coming? Temple destroyed Many come saying they are Christ or a prophet Wars: nation against nation Earthquakes Famines Christians delivered to councils, beaten, and tortured on behalf of Christ: family members will turn against each other Gospel must first be preached to all nations People will flee, leaving everything Stars fall from heaven Sun dark, moon gives no light Son of Man (Jesus) coming on the clouds; angels gather the elect

Many of these signs have occurred throughout history. Some people have expected the Second Coming and it did not happen. Should we pretend the Second Coming will never happen? Should we prepare ourselves for this to happen at any time?

Do we know how the world will come to an end? No. We do not know if this will be a man-made end or if God will directly bring the world to an end. We know that the end of the world will not occur until God wills it.

The awe and magic of the Second Coming of Christ. Are you ready? Are you excited for this great event?

Watch and Pray After explaining the signs that will come before the Second Coming, Jesus says: “But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, not the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on watch.

Watch therefore-for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning-lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Watch (Mk 13:32-37).

We are the servants our Master left in charge We are the servants our Master left in charge. We cannot predict when he will return, so we must always be ready. Our Lord’s exhortation to “watch and pray: foreshadows his words to the apostles in Gethsemane (Mk 14:38). We know that trials and temptations will come, but we do not know when they will come or when we will be delivered from them. We must always pray and keep watch, anxiously awaiting the moment when we will meet our Lord, be it at the particular judgment with our death, or the General Judgment of the Second Coming.

Apostle’s Creed I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.