THE CERTAINTY OF CHRIST’S RETURN

March 22, 2026   /   Abundant Life Church

THE CERTAINTY OF CHRIST’S RETURN
CLARITY IN THE CHAOS – Part 5
Vernon Zook
March 22, 2026
 
THE GOOD NEWS:
1. WE CAN BE CERTAIN OF OF JESUS CHRIST.
AS BELIEVERS WE CAN HAVE OF HIS RETURN.
…if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. -John 14:3 (NLT)
Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go. -Acts 1:11 (NLT)
THE NOT-SO GOOD NEWS:
What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”   Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you,   for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.” –Matthew 24:3 (NLT)
THE CONDITION OF THE WORLD BEFORE CHRIST RETURNS
1. …THERE WILL BE .
Don’t let anyone mislead you,   for many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many…For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive,
if possible, even God’s chosen ones. (VS 4-5,24)
2. … THERE WILL BE GREAT .
And you will hear of wars and threats of wars… Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom… (VS 6-7)
 
3. … THERE WILL BE A FROM THE FAITH.
Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. -1 Timothy 4:1 (NLT)
4. … THERE WILL BE MORAL AND SPIRITUAL .
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days… -2 Timothy 3:1
People will be: (VS 2-5)
• Lovers of themselves
• Without natural affection
• Lovers of money
• Slanderers
• Proud, arrogant, abusive
• Without self-control
• Disobedient to parents
• Ungrateful and unholy
• Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
5. …THERE WILL BE HATRED & LAWLESSNESS.
…because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. (12)
HOW SHOULD I RESPOND TO ALL OF THIS?
1. STAND FIRM IN THE TRUTH OF WHAT YOU BELIEVE.
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. -1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)
2. TO CHRIST’S RETURN.
And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. –Titus 2:12-13 (NLT)
 
THE GREAT NEWS:
WHEN JESUS RETURNS .
Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. -Revelation 3:10 (NLT)
May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. -1 Thessalonians 3:13 (NLT)
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