When Will Jesus Return?

Tough Questions. Real Answers.
When Will Jesus Return?

I. Introduction

A. The failure rate of all of these predictions about Jesus’ return is !

B. Matthew 24:36 (NLT) “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.”

C. Matthew 24:42 (NLT) “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.”

II. When Will Jesus Return?

A. Matthew 24:1-3 (NLT) ¹As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. ²But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” ³Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”

B. Mark 13:1-2 (NLT) ¹As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of his disciples said, “Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings! Look at the impressive stones in the walls.” ²Jesus replied, “Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”

1. Jesus is not by the same things we are!

C. Mark 12:41-44 (NLT) ⁴¹Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. ⁴²Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. ⁴³Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. ⁴⁴For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

1. After Jesus came—the meeting place on earth—between God and man—was no longer the Temple! Now it was !

2. is the meeting place between God and man!

D. Matthew 24:3 (NLT) Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”

1. As a follower of Jesus—our security—our trust, our life, and our joy—are found in alone!

E. Matthew 24:3 (NLT) Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”

F. Matthew 24:4-8 (NLT) ⁴Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, ⁵for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. ⁶And 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. ⁷Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. ⁸But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.”

G. Matthew 24:6 (NLT) “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.”

H. Matthew 24:4-5 (NLT) ⁴Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, ⁵for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many.”

I. II Thessalonians 2:10 (CEV) Lost people will be fooled by his evil deeds. They could be saved, but they will refuse to love the truth and accept it.

1. We’re protected from being deceived by the truth—and the truth!

J. Matthew 24:14 (NLT) “And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”

K. Matthew 24:15-21 (NLT) ¹⁵“The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place. ¹⁶Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. ¹⁷A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. ¹⁸A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. ¹⁹How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. ²⁰And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. ²¹For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again.”

L. Matthew 24:16 (NLT) “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills.”

M. Matthew 24:22 (NLT) “In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.”

1. No matter what happens, is in !

N. You can tell whether or not you believe in the control and sovereignty of God by asking yourself two things:

1. Is there anything other than God that ultimately determines my ?

2. Is there anything other than God that I ultimately ?

O. Focus on these two things:

1. is returning!

2. is in control!

III. Conclusion