1. SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

2. RECAP OF OUR LAST STUDY
From our last study, entitled “Consistent Christian Living”, we learnt that coldness and inconsistency are characteristic of the end time. We are called to be the likes Enoch by first giving our lives to the Lord, then denying all that would bring us back and responding to God’s call to holy living. It pays to walk with God consistently. The rewards of being God’s peculiar treasure, and other blessings, more than compensate every trial our faith may bring!

3. TODAY’S STUDY: LESSON 741: THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
MEMORY VERSE: …… “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” (Revelation 1:7). TEXT: Matthew 25:29-46; Jude 14, 15; Revelation 1:7; 19:11-21

4. INTRODUCTION
God’s word teaches that the Second Coming of Christ will be just as literal and visible as His going away. At His coming, He will execute judgment upon the ungodly, set up His Kingdom and reign on this present earth for a thousand years. This is the uniform teaching of both the Old and New Testament scriptures. Scriptures abound with evidence that speaks of the certainty of Christ’s second coming.

5. CLARIFICATION OF CHRIST’S SECOND COMING Matthew 24:16-20; Zechariah 14:3,4; Revelation 19:18,19
Christ will return immediately after the Great Tribulation, which will start from the Rapture and last seven years. The persecution of the Jews at the Tribulation will make them cry for their once rejected Messiah, whom they previously rejected. He will return to save penitent Israel from the Antichrist (Matthew 24:16-20,27-30).
QUESTION 1: Explain the scriptural teaching of Christ’s Second Coming – Acts 1:9-11; Matthew 24:29-31
QUESTION 2: What are the differences between the rapture and Christ’s Second Coming? – 1 Thes 4:16,17; Zechariah 14:3,4

6. PROOFS AND CERTAINTY OF CHRIST’S SECOND COMING Matthew 24:30; Mark 14:62; Acts 1:11; Hebrews 9:28; 10:27
Jesus spoke about His second coming. The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24) centred around it, with clear signs: deception, false Christs, wars and rumours of wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, anti- Semitism, offences, betrayals, hatred, false prophets, lawlessness and martyrdom. These things are already being manifested. Angels also affirmed it as He was being taken away (Acts 1:11). Moreover, the Holy Spirit reechoed it through the apostles (Heb 9:28).
QUESTION 3: What are the signs of Christ’s Second Coming? - Matthew 24:4,-11; 24:27,30,37

7. PURPOSE OF CHRIST’S SECOND COMING John 14:1-3; Isaiah 32:18; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:1
Apart from the fulfilment of the prophecies concerning Christ, other divine purposes which the second coming will fulfil include the comfort of the Church, restoration of Israel to her sovereignty as prophesied in the Scripture, the judgment of the earth, the renovation of the earth, and restoration of all things. At His Second Coming, Christ will reward His faithful servants with crowns of glory, praise and honour, and His adversaries with fiery indignation.
QUESTION 4: Why is Christ coming the second time? – John 14:3; 5:22; Revelation 21:1

8. CHRIST’S TRIUMPH AT THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON Isaiah 11:1-9; Revelation 20:1-4; 19:11-21; 17:13,14
At the Battle of Armageddon, Satan and his forces will fight against Christ and His host to frustrate the establishment of His Millennial Reign. Christ will triumph in this battle over Satan and bind him for one thousand years. During that period, Christ will reign on earth with the saints. His rule will be characterised by unprecedented peace, prosperity and blessings on earth.
QUESTION 5: Explain the battle of Armageddon and the predicted losers and Victor. – Revelation 19:11-21; 20:1-4;

9. PREPARATION FOR CHRIST’S SECOND COMING John 3:1-8; 1 John 3:1-3; Ephesians 5:25-27
Sinners and saints are called to prepare for this great event. While sinners are admonished to repent and come to Christ before the day of the Lord, the Church as a bride is called to be ready, holy, spotless, watchful, prayerful and busy preaching His word until He comes.
QUESTION 6: How should sinners and believers prepare for the Second Coming of Christ? – John 3:1-3; 1 John 3:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:1,2

10. CONCLUSION
At the second coming of Christ, He will return with the saints raptured seven years earlier. Whereas the rapture can take place any moment without warning, the Second Coming cannot happen until after the rapture and the Great Tribulation. This imminent return of Christ is the glorious hope of the Church. The world and the church are called to prepare for this great event. “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him” (Revelation 1:7).