Sermon Notes for Sunday Service on 12 February 2023 By Ps Justin
Introduction
Today’s sermon is the second part of the series “I am coming soon”. No one knows the exact time Jesus will return; we do not need to focus on that. But we know He is coming soon. So we need to –
1. Remain truthful and don’t be deceived.
2. Remain faithful as disciples of Christ.
3. Remain prayerful for revival.
4. Remain fruitful in drawing people to Christ, even in the most vehement opposition.
Message
And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. THEN THEY WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” – Luke 21:24
Two appearances of Jesus
Matthew 24 tells us about the early signs of Jesus’ second coming – famines, earthquakes. Jesus’ first appearance will be in the sky and only a few shepherds will see. His second appearance will be on earth.
1. Jesus in the sky – rapture of the church (sky)
After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. – - 1 Thessalonians 4:17
2. Jesus reign on earth and remain as King for 1,000 years
At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. - Luke 21:27
It is not only about the tribe of Israel. It is about all the people of the earth.
Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen. - Revelation 1:7
Events that foreshadow the coming of the Lord
God is communicating to us in the sky all the time (Psalm 19:1-4). The sun, the moon, and the stars are devices of Jesus’ communication. Jesus’ first coming on earth was forecasted in the stars 2,000 years ago (Matthew 2:1-12). Jesus’ second coming on earth was also forecasted in the sun, the moon, and the stars, today (Matthew 24:29).
Immediately after the tribulations, there will be four cosmic events that foreshadow the coming of the Lord.
1. the sun will turn dark
2. the moon will turn red
3. the stars will fall
4. the powers of heaven will be shaken
The sun, the moon and the stars
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. - Matthew 24:29
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. - Joel 2:31
A total lunar eclipse is called a “blood moon”. A blood moon is also called a “tetrad”. Appearances of the blood moon coincided with major events of Israel:
(1) 1492 - 1493 : Re-gathering
(2) 1949 - 1950 (rebirth of Israel as a nation) : Re-born
(3) 1967 – 1968 (six-day war): Re-gain
(4) 2014 – 2015 (third temple): Re-build
The powers of heaven will be shaken
At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire”. – Hebrews 12:26-28
Then Jesus will appear
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. - Matthew 24:30-31
More signs to come
#1-The Son Of Man Will Come On Clouds Of Heaven (Acts 1:9-11)
#2- There Will Be Angelic Trumpeting (Matthew 24:31a)
#3- He Will Gather The Elect (Isaiah 27:13)
Jesus’ signs in the sky are followed by three warnings.
#1- Those Who Are Not Looking Will Not Be Ready – (Matt 24:39)
#2 - We Should Be Constantly Watching For Him – (Matt24:42)
#3 - He Told Us To Be Ready – (Matt 24:44)
For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” – Luke 21:35-36
Closing
God has given us all the signs in the sky and all the unprecedented events that are happening around the world. God is calling us to be read like a wise virgin (Matthew 25:10). Our job is to be a faithful servant and a steward of God to live purposefully in our calling. Live purposefully so that there is greater harvesting of souls (Matthew 24:14) as we await the second coming. Let us grow deeper maturity spiritually.
Comments