The purpose of His coming:
- To fulfil the purpose of salvation for His saints. He has delivered us from the power and penalty of sins when we were born again and accepted Him as our Personal Saviour. He will deliver us from the presence of sin too. (Herb.9:28).
- The Lord would be glorified along with His saints in His second coming. (2 Thess.1:10).
- To give rewards for believers and judgement to un-believers (2 Tim.4:8; 1 Pet.5:4).
- To reign with His children for a millennium and for eternity (Rev.20:4).
The time of His coming:
- No person knows the date of His coming. (Matt.24:36).
- “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed” (Rev.16:15, 1 Thess.5:2).
- His coming is fixed by the Lord Himself. It is a movable date “the Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet.3:9ff).
- The Gospel should be preached to every person (Matt.24:14).
- “And behold, I am coming quickly Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book” (Rev.22:7ff).
- “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit” (Lk.12:35-40).
- You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near (Jam.5:8-9).
The mode of His personal coming (Rapture):
- He is coming like a thief (Rev.16:15)
- He is coming suddenly lest He find anyone sleeping (Mk.13:36).
- He is coming at a time when people are saying peace and safety (1 Thess.5:1).
- “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be (Matt.24:27).
- For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.
The mode of His public coming (Revelation):
- He is coming in the clouds (Matt.24:30).
- In flaming fire to take vengeance on the sinners (2 Thess.1:8).
- With power and great glory (Matt.24:30).
- With a shout and voice of the archangel (1 Thess.4:16).
- With full of His own glory (Matt.25:31).
- In the same way as He ascended to heaven (Acts.1:9-11).
- He is coming with His saints (1 Thess.3:13).
- He is coming with His angels (Matt.16:27).
Events preceding the Second Coming of Christ (Rapture)::
- Destruction of Jerusalem temple (Lk.21:20,24).
- Gospel would be preached everywhere (Matt.24:14).
- The appearance of antichrist (2 Thess.2:3-8)
- The conversion of full number of Israel (2 Cor.3:15, Rom.11:25-29).