17 December 2023: When will Jesus return? (part 7)

Bethel Baptist Church
Worship Service @ Home

17 December 2023

Welcome

“Angels rejoice at the good news of great joy; the baby Jesus is born, who is the King of kings, the Saviour of the world, and many will put their trust in Him and become children of God.”

Stella

Worship

Lyricist: Martin Luther – Lyrics Date: 1529/1528 – Translator: Frederick H. Hedge

Word

When will Jesus Return?

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

This man of lawlessness, (referred to as the man of sin, or the antichrist in other Scriptures), will go hand-in-hand with the rebellion against God and His ways. This person sounds a fearful character but let us remember he is doomed to destruction. This man of lawlessness will oppose and exalt himself over everything that is called God and will even set himself up in God’s temple proclaiming himself to be God.

Over the centuries believers have tried to identify this person, including Roman Emperors, especially Nero and Domitian, who along with other Emperors, claimed deity for themselves and dictated that they be worshipped by their subjects. These two especially were guilty of the severest persecutions of Christians. Others, according to some, have qualified for the title, over the centuries, including Hitler, Stalin, even Popes.

However, it seems Scripture teaches us that in the last hour, the man of lawlessness, the man of sin, the antichrist, will be revealed and this man will still be alive at the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

1 John 2:18

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendour of His coming.

2 Thessalonians 2:8

The mention of this man of lawlessness being destroyed by the breath of the Lord’s mouth brings to mind the words from the above hymn at the end of the third verse, “one little word shall fell him”, Amen, and this is where our focus should be, on the Lord, and the glory and splendour of His Second Coming, Amen.

Quote of the week

Until that hour, there will be conflict, distress and war among the nations. We will hear of suffering and terror and fear and failure. But the God who has promised a better world is the God who cannot lie. He will shake loose Satan’s hold on this world and its society and systems. Our heavenly Father will put this world into the hands that were once nailed to a cross for our race of proud and alienated sinners. It is a fact. Jesus Christ is returning to earth … “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”.

A. W. Tozer

Verse of the week

For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Matt. 24:27

Let’s Pray

Come soon, Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.