Living in Anticipation of Christ's Imminent Return

Devotional

Day 1: Living in Anticipation of Christ's Return

The promise of Christ's imminent return is a call to live in anticipation, aligning our lives with the reality of His coming. This anticipation is not just about knowledge but about a heart posture of readiness and watchfulness. The declaration in Revelation 22:20, "Surely I am coming quickly," serves as a powerful reminder of the imminent return of our Lord. This promise calls us to live with a sense of urgency and expectation, aligning our lives with the reality of His coming. It is not enough to simply know about His return; we must cultivate a heart posture that is ready and watchful, living each day as if it could be the day of His return. This mindset transforms our daily actions and decisions, encouraging us to live in a way that honors Him and reflects His love to those around us. [03:37]

1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 (ESV): "For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'There is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart posture of readiness and watchfulness in your daily life, living each day as if it could be the day of Christ's return?

Day 2: Embracing the Certainty and Uncertainty of Imminence

The concept of imminence combines certainty with uncertainty, urging us to watch and pray. We are certain of His return but uncertain of the exact time, which calls for a life of vigilance and expectation. This duality of certainty and uncertainty is a central theme in the Christian faith. While we are assured of Christ's return, the exact timing remains unknown, prompting us to live in a state of constant readiness. This calls for a life of vigilance, where prayer and watchfulness become integral parts of our daily routine. By embracing this tension, we are encouraged to remain spiritually alert, seeking God's guidance and strength as we navigate the challenges of life. This mindset not only prepares us for His return but also deepens our relationship with Him, as we learn to rely on His presence and promises. [05:42]

Mark 13:32-33 (ESV): "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come."

Reflection: In what ways can you incorporate watchfulness and prayer into your daily routine, embracing the certainty and uncertainty of Christ's imminent return?

Day 3: Trusting in the Fulfillment of God's Promises

The high fulfillment rate of biblical prophecies underscores the reliability of God's Word. Of the 737 events prophesied, 570 have been fulfilled, leaving only 20 yet to occur, emphasizing the certainty of Christ's return. This remarkable fulfillment rate serves as a testament to the reliability and trustworthiness of God's Word. As we reflect on the prophecies that have already come to pass, we are reminded of the certainty of Christ's return and the faithfulness of God to fulfill His promises. This assurance encourages us to place our trust in Him, knowing that His Word is true and His plans are perfect. By grounding our faith in the reliability of Scripture, we can face the uncertainties of life with confidence, knowing that God is in control and His promises will be fulfilled in His perfect timing. [20:19]

Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"

Reflection: How does the fulfillment of biblical prophecies strengthen your trust in God's promises, and how can you apply this trust to areas of uncertainty in your life?

Day 4: Recognizing Prophetic Signs of Christ's Return

The parable of the fig tree and the rebirth of Israel in 1948 serve as prophetic signs of Christ's imminent return. This historical event assures us that His return is near, "at the doors." The rebirth of Israel is seen as a significant fulfillment of biblical prophecy, serving as a tangible sign that Christ's return is drawing near. This event, coupled with the prophetic Word, provides us with a sense of urgency and anticipation as we await His coming. By recognizing these signs, we are reminded of the importance of staying spiritually alert and prepared, living in a way that reflects our hope and expectation of His return. This awareness not only prepares us for His coming but also inspires us to share the message of His love and salvation with others, inviting them to join us in the hope of His return. [08:19]

Luke 21:29-31 (ESV): "And he told them a parable: 'Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.'"

Reflection: How can you remain spiritually alert and prepared, recognizing the prophetic signs of Christ's return in your daily life?

Day 5: Preparing for Christ's Coming with a Heart of Readiness

Prophecies are not for mere curiosity but to prepare us for Christ's coming. They remind us to live with a heart posture of readiness, echoing the cry, "Come, Lord Jesus." The purpose of biblical prophecies is not to satisfy our curiosity but to prepare us for the return of Christ. They serve as reminders to live with a heart posture of readiness, eagerly anticipating His coming and echoing the cry, "Come, Lord Jesus." This readiness involves aligning our lives with His will, seeking His guidance, and living in a way that reflects His love and grace to those around us. By focusing on the hope of His return, we are encouraged to live with purpose and intentionality, making the most of every opportunity to share His message of salvation and love with others. [43:40]

2 Peter 3:11-12 (ESV): "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!"

Reflection: What steps can you take today to prepare your heart for Christ's coming, living with a readiness that echoes the cry, "Come, Lord Jesus"?

Sermon Summary

In Revelation 22:20, we find a profound promise from Jesus: "Surely I am coming quickly." This declaration, found at the very end of the Bible, serves as a powerful reminder of the imminent return of our Lord. As we gather to meditate on this promise, we are called to live in anticipation of His return, aligning our lives with the reality of His coming. The concept of imminence, as defined by scholars, combines certainty with uncertainty—certain that He will return, yet uncertain of the exact time. This calls us to a life of watchfulness and prayer.

The hymn by Emmy Barbour, which speaks of meeting the Lord "just beyond the bend," captures the essence of living in expectation. It reminds us that our lives should be oriented towards welcoming Christ at any moment. This anticipation is not just about knowledge but about a heart posture, as exemplified by figures like Campbell Morgan, who lived with the constant awareness that Christ could return at any moment.

The Bible is rich with prophecies, with a significant portion dedicated to the return of Christ. Of the 737 events prophesied, 570 have already been fulfilled, leaving only 20 yet to occur. This high fulfillment rate underscores the reliability of God's Word. Among these prophecies, the rapture of the saints is the next major event, emphasizing that we are not waiting for the Antichrist but for Christ Himself.

The parable of the fig tree in Matthew 24:32-33 serves as a prophetic sign. The rebirth of Israel in 1948 is seen as a fulfillment of this prophecy, indicating that the return of Christ is near, "at the doors." This historical event, coupled with the prophetic Word, assures us that His return is imminent. As we study these prophecies, we are reminded that they are not for mere curiosity but to prepare us for His coming.

Key Takeaways

1. The promise of Christ's imminent return is a call to live in anticipation, aligning our lives with the reality of His coming. This anticipation is not just about knowledge but about a heart posture of readiness and watchfulness. [03:37]
2. The concept of imminence combines certainty with uncertainty, urging us to watch and pray. We are certain of His return but uncertain of the exact time, which calls for a life of vigilance and expectation. [05:42]
3. The high fulfillment rate of biblical prophecies underscores the reliability of God's Word. Of the 737 events prophesied, 570 have been fulfilled, leaving only 20 yet to occur, emphasizing the certainty of Christ's return. [20:19]
4. The parable of the fig tree and the rebirth of Israel in 1948 serve as prophetic signs of Christ's imminent return. This historical event assures us that His return is near, "at the doors." [08:19]
5. Prophecies are not for mere curiosity but to prepare us for Christ's coming. They remind us to live with a heart posture of readiness, echoing the cry, "Come, Lord Jesus." [43:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:41] - Opening Prayer
[01:31] - The Imminent Return of Christ
[02:18] - Testimony of Revelation
[03:37] - Our Response to His Coming
[04:54] - Definition of Imminence
[06:16] - Hymn of Anticipation
[09:12] - Campbell Morgan's Expectation
[11:21] - Certainty of His Return
[17:43] - Prophecies Fulfilled
[22:04] - The Rapture of the Saints
[29:13] - The Ascension and Return
[34:34] - John's Revelation
[42:12] - The Two Focal Points
[48:29] - Prophecies of First and Second Coming
[56:35] - The Parable of the Fig Tree
[68:19] - Israel's Rebirth and Prophecy
[76:50] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Revelation 22:20 - "He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"
Matthew 24:32-33 - "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!"

---

Observation Questions:

What is the significance of Jesus' promise, "Surely I am coming quickly," as mentioned in Revelation 22:20? How does this promise serve as a conclusion to the Bible? [01:55]
According to the sermon, what does the concept of imminence mean, and how does it combine certainty with uncertainty? [05:42]
How does the parable of the fig tree in Matthew 24:32-33 relate to the rebirth of Israel in 1948, and why is this considered a prophetic sign of Christ's return? [08:19]
What role do fulfilled prophecies play in affirming the reliability of God's Word, as discussed in the sermon? [20:19]

---

Interpretation Questions:

How does the anticipation of Christ's return influence the way believers are called to live their lives, according to the sermon? [03:37]
In what ways does the high fulfillment rate of biblical prophecies provide assurance of Christ's imminent return? How should this impact a believer's faith? [20:19]
How does the sermon suggest believers should respond to the uncertainty of the exact timing of Christ's return? What practical steps can be taken to live a life of watchfulness and prayer? [05:42]
How does the historical event of Israel's rebirth in 1948 serve as a confirmation of biblical prophecy, and what implications does this have for understanding the times we live in? [08:19]

---

Application Questions:

Reflect on your daily life. How can you cultivate a heart posture of readiness and anticipation for Christ's return? What changes might you need to make to align your life with this expectation? [03:37]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of watchfulness and prayer. What specific practices can you incorporate into your routine to remain vigilant and prayerful about Christ's return? [05:42]
Considering the high fulfillment rate of biblical prophecies, how can you use this knowledge to strengthen your faith and share the reliability of God's Word with others? [20:19]
The rebirth of Israel is seen as a significant prophetic sign. How does this historical event impact your understanding of current world events and your role as a believer? [08:19]
The sermon mentions living with the constant awareness that Christ could return at any moment. How can you remind yourself of this truth in your daily interactions and decisions? [09:12]
How can you encourage others in your community to live in anticipation of Christ's return? What role can you play in fostering a culture of readiness and expectation within your church or small group? [43:40]
Reflect on the hymn by Emmy Barbour mentioned in the sermon. How does the imagery of meeting the Lord "just beyond the bend" inspire you to live with hope and expectation? [06:16]

Sermon Clips

The concept of imminence combines certainty with uncertainty by an imminent event we mean one which is certain to occur at some time uncertain at what time that's why we ought to watch and pray let me call a very important phrase actually we have just son now you know we have just under him actually it's one of the 43 hymns written by Emmy Barbour. [00:05:42]

Now we know that the immediately the one who wrote down this wonderful book a wonderful book of Revelation says even so come Lord Jesus so this ought to be offered because we are here not only knowing not only we not only reckon not only recognizing the fact that he's coming back but actually we shall live a life according to this light. [00:03:37]

Now if you turn to the whole Bible you will find we have 30 1124 verses among this many verses we will find 8350 2 verses all about prophecies in other words 27 six twenty seven twenty seven percent of the pages in the Word of God belong to the Prophet word now if you really want to count how many prophecies roughly eighteen hundred and seventy something like that. [00:17:43]

Now if we read the Word of God correctly if you really go through these 20 prophecies you will find the first one the first one is rapture of the Saints then you have many others so in another words before the Lord's return before the law come back and steals us away take us away you don't have to wait for any other prophecies to be fulfilled yes there will be Antichrist but we are waiting for Christ we are not waiting for Antichrist. [00:22:04]

So brothers sisters in another word the way he ascends to heaven is the same way he will come back John no the way of his ascension from Mandeville live to the cloud that's all in you he go from his very naked eyes now this ascension is public one everybody see his ascension not secret one so that party understand from Mount Olive to the cloud then theoretically he should suppose that from the cloud the Lord definitely reach reach the throne yes and especially on the day of Pentecost. [00:29:13]

So brothers sisters thank God because of coming back because of because of the sending of the Holy Spirit on the day on Pentecost these disciples I were all open but somehow brothers sisters the one who has been at the breast of our Lord Jesus has leaned upon the breast of our Lord he loved the lost so much he mister lost so much he has follow his Lord three years and half day and night wherever the lamb goes he go brother sisters he cannot live without the present of his master. [00:34:34]

So brothers sisters now you can understand when we when you go through this whole book of Revelation now John not only heard the testimony of two witnesses now from his spirit he is able to penetrate into that wonderful mystery he is able to give us there all the details not for you our curiosity now just to stimulate still stimulate us just try to try to awaken us such that we may be like John we may be say with John come could come Lord Jesus. [00:43:40]

So brothers sisters thank God in our very eyes we see the rise of a nation of Israel in 1948 may 14 when that happened remember verse 33 so you also why you see all these things know that it is near at the doors now student of prophecy reminds us at the doors that doors in greek is plural what does that mean today in western house you know why you when you knock the door you already enter the living room. [00:56:35]

So brothers sisters one thing for sure do we those who live in the time in the time who experienced 1948 or after 1948 when we won with definitely from the Word of God he can come back any moment because he's at the doors any door so brothers are you ready to hear the hear the knocking of our lord knocking door of our lord so that means it is very very near today we studied this pie bible this portion of the bible we problem be very surprised. [01:08:19]

So brothers sisters thank God and because when our Lord says when our Lord says when our law says it is added or enemies and the doors so if we talk about the eminency of the low return I cannot find any other better or more more I don't know a better burst just like what our law has said it Edda doors that's enough how do you define the imminency of the Lord's return I know there's a big fighting in Nara and many other places you see they told how do you define it I don't care I only know that how our laws how what our Lord said it is at the doors. [01:16:50]

So brothers sisters thank God our Lord was crucified for us now he's going to enter into holy place then he's going to the holiest of holy what does that mean after his crucifixion he ascends to heaven and from chapter 1 to chapter 3 of Revelation we knew that the enter into a holy place when you come to chapter 4 and chapter 5 then we see that he is in the holiest of holy so brother sisters do you see that now John is able to understand how our Lord was from the cloud to the throne. [00:48:29]

So brothers sisters thank God the only two focal point can summarize all the Bible prophecies now what are these two focal points if you study all these prophecies you find that there are only two classes of prophecies you can classify them one is about the laws first coming another class about the law second coming in other words you will find a group of prophecies surrounding with that focal point the laws first coming for example and leave 333 prophecies about the laws first coming accurately. [00:42:12]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?

Living in Anticipation of Christ's Imminent Return

Devotional

Day 1: Living in Anticipation of Christ's Return

Day 2: Embracing the Certainty and Uncertainty of Imminence

Day 3: Trusting in the Fulfillment of God's Promises

Day 4: Recognizing Prophetic Signs of Christ's Return

Day 5: Preparing for Christ's Coming with a Heart of Readiness

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Living in Anticipation of Christ's Imminent Return

Share