John 14:1-3 ¹ “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

As the Lord allows, this coming Lord’s Day I will bring another sermon in my series entitled “Survey of Bible Doctrines” on the Return of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are very few subjects in the Bible that so captivate the attention and thinking of people as does this one!

This will be the final sermon in this series on “Christology” as I will next bring a few sermons on “Ecclesiology” (The Doctrine of the Church).

On the subject of the return of Jesus Christ, there is a lot to think about…

The very next event on God’s prophetic clock is “The Rapture.” This is the removal of God’s people from the earth prior to the beginning of the great period of judgment on this earth that is called in the Bible, “The Tribulation.” This is, of course, one of the most controversial of Bible teachings; but, it is not as unclear as some like to make it. It is next!

The “Tribulation” is a period lasting seven years that is divided into two parts of 3 ½ years each. This will be an unprecedented time of suffering and anguish as the antichrist is allowed to have great power and influence on earth.

Following these difficult days, Jesus will return as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” and set up the promised Kingdom of His father David on earth, which will last for 1,000 years.

At the end of that time, Satan will be temporarily loosed on earth to lead one final rebellion against God that will end in his ultimate and final destruction at the “Battle of Gog and Magog.”

Following that, all of the unsaved of all ages will stand before God at the “Great White Throne” judgment and begin their eternal suffering that is the price for their rejection of God.

But, as we think about these things, I am mindful of a great quote on this subject that Bobby Boyles said here a few years ago – “The Second Coming of Christ is two-fold and it takes seven years to unfold!”

I want to give you some questions and verses to think about this week as you prepare your spirit to hear the Word of God:

What will happen when Jesus returns in the air to take His chosen people out of this world? Cf. 1^st Thessalonians 4:13-18

What will be the key differences in this event and His physical return to the Mount of Olives seven years later? Cf. Revelation 19:11-21

What will He (and we) do for the next 1,000 years? Cf. Revelation 20:1-6

Following the final judgment, where will He (and we) be and what will He (and we) be doing for all of eternity? Cf. Revelation 20:7 – 22:21

I hope you will read over and pray over these verses and come to church Sunday ready to learn what God has promised that He will do in the days to come.

I hope to see you here Sunday with a smile on your face, your Bible in your hand, and your family and friends by your side!