Imminence of Christ's Return II Pastor Steven McDowell

Devotional

Day 1: Hiding in the Storm: When Fear Distorts Our Expectation

A child’s panic during a brewing storm mirrors how end-times anxiety twists our vision of Christ’s return. Fear convinces us to arm ourselves with kitchen knives rather than lean into the promise of a coming King. But Scripture invites us to trade dread for clarity: Jesus’ return isn’t a threat to evade but a victory to embrace. The Lamb’s triumph over death means even creation’s groaning will birth eternal joy. What if our readiness isn’t about calculating dates but cultivating longing? [36:40]

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.” (Matthew 24:36-39, NIV)

Reflection: When has fear of the unknown caused you to “hide in the storm” instead of trusting Christ’s promise? How might shifting your focus from “missing out” to “welcoming in” change your daily posture?

Day 2: Eagerly Awaiting: Citizenship in a World of Distractions

Early Christians ached for Christ’s return like parched land craves rain. Persecution sharpened their hunger for a Kingdom unshaken by war or famine. Yet comfort often dulls our longing—we cling to earthly dreams like marriage, careers, or stability. Paul rebukes those whose “god is their stomach,” reminding believers their true home orbits a throne, not temporary comforts. To eagerly await Christ is to live as ambassadors, not tourists, in a world passing away. [50:37]

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Philippians 3:20-21, NIV)

Reflection: What earthly “blessing” do you secretly hope Christ delays His return to enjoy? How might embracing your heavenly citizenship recalibrate your definition of true abundance?

Day 3: Pillars of Salt: Where Our Glances Betray Our Hearts

Lot’s wife didn’t merely glance back at Sodom—she lingered. Her heart clung to a city God condemned, freezing her in a monument of misplaced affection. Similarly, our sideways glances at worldly security, approval, or pleasure can calcify our souls. Christ’s return demands unswerving focus: not on storms or sirens, but the Bridegroom splitting the sky. To follow Him is to walk forward without nostalgia for Egypt. [55:44]

“But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:26, NIV)

Reflection: What “city” do you find yourself glancing back toward? What practical step could help you fix your eyes fully on Christ’s coming rather than the world’s fading offers?

Day 4: The Scroll Unsealed: When Every Tear Finds Its Answer

Humanity groans for someone worthy to fix broken systems, heal diseases, and end injustice. John wept when no one could open the scroll—until the slain Lamb stepped forward. His scars answer every cry, His authority silences every chaos. The end times aren’t about escaping earth but witnessing the Creator reclaim and renew it. Every war, famine, and earthquake points to the moment creation’s Author writes its final, glorious chapter. [58:17]

“Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne… He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy… because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.’” (Revelation 5:6,7,9, NIV)

Reflection: What current global or personal crisis makes you most desperate for the Lamb to open the scroll? How does His past victory assure you of His future reign?

Day 5: The Roar of Hallelujah: Rehearsing the Eternal Wedding Feast

Angels don’t whisper about Christ’s return—they thunder hallelujahs. The marriage supper of the Lamb isn’t a somber ritual but a jubilant roar where every tribe, creature, and star joins the chorus. To dread this moment is to mistake the Groom for a thief. His coming isn’t the end of joy but the death of every counterfeit delight. Practicing “Hallelujah” now prepares our hearts to recognize His voice when the skies split. [01:04:56]

“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude… shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.’” (Revelation 19:6-7, NIV)

Reflection: What mundane moment this week could you reimagine as a “rehearsal” for the wedding feast? How might celebrating Christ’s reign now dissolve lingering fears about His return?

Sermon Summary

Matthew 24 sets the frame by putting Jesus on the Mount of Olives, naming deceit, wars and rumors of wars, famine, earthquake, persecution, and a chilling line that the love of most will grow cold. Yet Jesus refuses panic. He says do not be alarmed and calls these pains the beginning of birth pains, not the finish line. The text presses vigilance. Keep watch. Be ready. Not because the signs give a countdown, but because the Son of Man comes at an hour no one expects. The thief image tightens it. Readiness is about allegiance, not speculation.

Fear often takes the mic. Childhood rapture panic, sirens and silence, empty rooms and storm clouds, all of it can harden into rapture anxiety. But Jesus’s command still holds. Keep watch. A heart that runs from the topic is a heart Jesus calls back to attention.

Peter answers that fear with patience. Second Peter 3 refuses the scoffer’s shrug by naming God’s timetable. A day is like a thousand years. The Lord is not slow. He is patient, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. Peter writes to a suffering church that longs for Jesus to split the sky. Their cry is not delay it Lord, but come Lord. Their persecution turned the return into a blessing.

Paul in Philippians 3 exposes why comfort can cool that longing. Enemies of the cross have a god named stomach, glory in shame, and minds set on earthly things. Citizens of heaven eagerly await a Savior from there who will transform lowly bodies to be like his glorious body. That eagerness diagnoses the heart. Lot’s wife shows it in a flash. Feet can leave a city while the heart still faces it. Looking back turns love of place into a pillar of salt.

Revelation 5 answers the ache with worship. No one can open the scroll until the Lion of Judah who is the slain Lamb steps forward. Worthy is the Lamb. Every creature in heaven, on earth, and under the sea lifts the same song. Revelation 19 turns the horizon into a wedding. Hallelujah rises like thunder. The Bridegroom arrives. The Rider called Faithful and True comes with eyes like fire, a robe dipped in blood, and a name that is the Word of God. King of kings and Lord of lords rides to end evil, wipe away tears, and bring a kingdom where loss dies. His delay was mercy. His coming will be joy. So the church lifts its eyes and stores treasure in heaven, eager for the Blessed Hope.

Key Takeaways

1. Birth pains, not a timeline Jesus names wars, rumors, famine, and earthquakes as the beginning of birth pains, not a date stamp. Speculation breeds alarm, but obedience breeds watchfulness. Readiness lives in loyalty to the Son, not in decoding headlines. The command is clear and simple. Do not be alarmed. Keep watch. [47:37]
2. God’s delay is mercy Peter refuses the idea that God is slow. He calls the delay patience aimed at repentance. The gap between promise and appearing is an altar of mercy where hearts can turn. Treat the time as a gift, not proof of absence. [45:43]
3. Comfort can cool desire Paul exposes a heart captured by appetite and applause. When the stomach becomes a god, the future glory feels like a threat to present pleasures. Citizens of heaven do not fear losing earth. They eagerly await the Savior who remakes even their bodies. [52:55]
4. Lot’s wife warns the heart The body can walk out while the gaze stays back. Attachment disguises itself as prudence until a glance reveals its grip. Set the eyes on Jesus, or the day that heals the world will feel like loss. [55:10]
5. The Lion-Lamb brings joy Revelation shows a throne room where only the slain Lamb can open history, and a Rider who comes to end evil and wipe every tear. His coming does not steal good things, it perfects them and destroys what destroys them. The church has reason to sing now, and even more then. [61:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[29:52] - End Times Introduction
[31:08] - Reading Matthew 24
[34:36] - Prayer for Expectation
[35:12] - A Heavy Text, Honest Fear
[36:40] - Left Behind Panic Story
[40:24] - Rapture Anxiety and Culture
[41:56] - Keep Watch, Be Ready
[44:09] - Reading 2 Peter 3
[46:57] - Longing Instead of Dreading
[47:37] - Birth Pains, Not Timelines
[51:50] - Citizens of Heaven, Not Earth
[55:10] - Lot’s Wife Warning
[57:39] - The Worthy Lion-Lamb
[65:25] - King of Kings Returns

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Matthew 24:4-14 (ESV)
And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

Observation Questions

In Matthew 24:6-8, Jesus calls wars, famines, and earthquakes “the beginning of birth pains.” What does this metaphor imply about the purpose of these events?
The sermon shared a story about childhood fear of being “left behind” during a storm ([36:40]). How did this fear contrast with the disciples’ perspective on Christ’s return in 2 Peter 3:12 (“waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God”)?
According to Philippians 3:18-20, what characterizes those whose “god is their stomach” versus those whose “citizenship is in heaven”?

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus emphasize not being alarmed by global crises (Matthew 24:6) while still commanding vigilance? How does this balance guard against both panic and complacency?
The sermon described Lot’s wife as a warning about divided loyalty ([55:10]). How does looking “back” at earthly comforts undermine readiness for Christ’s return?
In Revelation 5, only the slain Lamb is worthy to open the scroll. Why is Jesus’ sacrificial death central to His authority over history’s culmination?

Application Questions

Jesus’ command to “keep watch” (Matthew 24:42) isn’t about predicting dates but allegiance. What daily habits could help you focus more on faithfulness to Christ than decoding world events?
The sermon warned that comfort can cool our longing for Christ’s return ([52:55]). What earthly desires or comforts might be dulling your eagerness for His coming? How could you reorient your heart?
Lot’s wife’s story challenges us to release attachments. Is there a “city” (relationship, ambition, or security) you’re still gazing back at? What step could you take to fix your eyes forward?
Revelation 19 depicts Christ’s return as a joyful wedding. How might viewing His coming as a celebration, not a catastrophe, change the way you pray or share hope with others?
The early church saw persecution as a reason to cry, “Come, Lord!” ([49:39]). How could embracing hardship as a reminder of Christ’s promise deepen your faith today?

Sermon Clips

38s

#KeepWatch

“``So there's gonna be a coming time where Jesus comes and Christ is very specific. He instructs us, you need to be paying attention. Right? Keep watch. Which means that as a Christian, no matter what kind of anxiety that you might have felt that I had felt in the past, you can't run away from this. This is something that you have to confront. This is something that you have to face. And so funny enough, what I've noticed is that I've noticed that people outside the church also have this sense that the end is coming.”

38s

#ReturnIsABlessing

“``And so what I I say all that to say that that this suffering and this persecution that that they endured caused them to see the return of Christ not as a burden, but as a a blessing. They saw it as a good thing. Now let me contrast it with the way that I I in the past I felt. You see, I always felt, Lord God, I please, give me a few more years. I still I I wanna get married first, then you can come. Lord Jesus,”

35s

#ReadyNotDelay

“don't come right now because I I just wanna I'm gonna have kids first. Lord Jesus, don't come until my career progressed a little bit. Lord, wait until I'm a little bit older and I kept telling God, just push it off, push it off, push it off. Meanwhile, that persecution that we mentioned that was dealt with by the early apostles and early Christians never ceased. And there are Christians today who are persecuted and killed for their faith even now as we speak.”

39s

#DontLookBack

“``God's getting ready to judge Sodom and Gomorrah because Sodom and Gomorrah has become corrupt with sin. It's filthy and there's there's evil things happening and and and he instructs Lot to leave. And so he tells Lot to go and he tells Lot to bring his family, And he gives them an instruction. He says, do not turn back and look at the city. Don't even look at it. And so as Lot and his his wife and their family, they're leaving the city. And I believe that the the flame of God comes down judging the city.”

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Imminence of Christ's Return II Pastor Steven McDowell

Devotional

Day 1: Hiding in the Storm: When Fear Distorts Our Expectation

Day 2: Eagerly Awaiting: Citizenship in a World of Distractions

Day 3: Pillars of Salt: Where Our Glances Betray Our Hearts

Day 4: The Scroll Unsealed: When Every Tear Finds Its Answer

Day 5: The Roar of Hallelujah: Rehearsing the Eternal Wedding Feast

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Imminence of Christ's Return II Pastor Steven McDowell

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