Living in Expectation: Christ's Return and Our Readiness
Summary
Tonight’s focus was on the reality and significance of Christ’s return, the end times, and how these truths should shape our lives today. Throughout history, people have speculated about the identity of the Antichrist and the timing of the end, often influenced by the events and figures of their own era. Yet, the central call is not to get lost in speculation or sensationalism, but to be ready for Christ’s coming, living with a sense of urgency and faithfulness.
The early church lived in constant expectation of Jesus’ return, even though it did not happen in their lifetime. Today, with technological advances and global communication, some prophecies that once seemed impossible are now conceivable, though the supernatural remains at the heart of God’s work. The Old Testament prophets, the teachings of Jesus, and the book of Revelation all point to a future where God’s justice and Christ’s victory are fully revealed. Revelation, at its core, is not about decoding mysteries, but about the revelation of Jesus Christ—His supremacy, His justice, and His ultimate return.
John, exiled on Patmos, received this revelation in a time of suffering, reminding us that God often reveals Himself most profoundly in our hardest moments. The first four chapters of Revelation, which address the seven churches, challenge us to examine our own lives: only two of the seven churches truly pleased God. The call is to be overcomers, living with integrity and faithfulness, not just outwardly but in the depths of our hearts.
There are different views on the sequence of end-time events—pre-tribulation, post-tribulation, and mid-tribulation rapture—but the essential truth is that Jesus is coming back. The millennium, a thousand-year reign of Christ, will demonstrate God’s perfect rule, and the final judgment will reveal the truth of every life. The reality of judgment and reward should not drive us by fear, but by love and a desire to please God.
In a world of confusion and “fake news,” the call is to live with anticipation, to prepare for opposition, and to be uncompromising in our devotion to Christ. Our lives should be marked by daring faith, genuine care for others, and a longing to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Heaven is not a place of passive existence, but of purposeful, God-given responsibility, shaped by how we have lived for Christ on earth. The challenge is clear: live for the truth, be ready, and let your life count for eternity.
Key Takeaways
- Readiness Over Speculation: Rather than getting caught up in endless debates about the identity of the Antichrist or the exact sequence of end-time events, the real call is to be spiritually ready for Christ’s return. The early church lived with this expectation, and so should we, focusing on faithfulness rather than fear or curiosity. Our preparation is not about having all the answers, but about living in a way that honors Christ daily. [08:08]
- God’s Justice and the Reality of Judgment: God’s justice is not delayed or absent; it is certain and will be revealed in His timing. Every person will stand before God, not with family or friends, but alone, accountable for how they have lived. The world’s confusion and shifting standards do not change the unchanging truth of God’s Word, and in the end, only His verdict will matter. [10:59]
- Suffering as a Place of Revelation: John received the vision of Revelation while exiled and suffering, showing that God often reveals Himself most powerfully in our hardest seasons. Suffering is not something to be avoided at all costs, but can be a crucible where faith is refined and God’s purposes are made clear. The call is to embrace difficulty as a means of growing stronger and glorifying God. [14:33]
- The Call to Overcome and Live with Integrity: The letters to the seven churches remind us that only a minority truly pleased God, and the challenge is to examine our own hearts. Overcoming is not about outward success, but about inward submission and faithfulness to Christ, refusing to live a double life. The promise is that those who overcome will share in Christ’s victory and receive eternal rewards. [18:29]
- Living for Eternal Reward, Not Earthly Approval: The reality of the final judgment and the distribution of rewards in heaven should shape how we live now. Heaven is not a place of passive rest, but of active, purposeful responsibility, given according to how we have lived for Christ. Our aim should be to live for the “well done” of God, not the applause of people, knowing that our choices now echo into eternity. [34:16]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[05:39] - End Times Speculation Through History
[07:01] - Lessons from “A Thief in the Night”
[08:08] - The Urgency of Readiness
[10:59] - God’s Justice and Final Judgment
[12:24] - Suffering, Persecution, and the Early Church
[14:33] - John’s Revelation on Patmos
[17:17] - The Seven Churches: A Call to Overcome
[18:29] - Examining Our Own Lives
[20:26] - Understanding the Millennium
[22:06] - Three Views on the Rapture and Tribulation
[24:26] - The Rapture and Resurrection
[25:39] - The Last Judgment and Hell
[27:22] - The Collision of Good and Evil
[29:04] - Living in Uncertainty: Preparation and Anticipation
[33:01] - Living for the “Well Done”
[34:16] - Rewards and Responsibility in Heaven
[35:58] - Final Encouragement and Challenge
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living Ready for Christ’s Return
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### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 1:1-3 (ESV)
> The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
2. Matthew 24:42-44 (ESV)
> Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
3. Revelation 2:10-11 (ESV)
> Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Revelation 1:1-3, what is the main purpose of the book of Revelation? What blessing is promised to those who read and keep its words?
2. In Matthew 24:42-44, what does Jesus say about the timing of His return and how should His followers respond?
3. From the sermon, how many of the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2-3 did God say were truly pleasing to Him? What was the main difference between those churches and the others? [18:29]
4. What does the sermon say about the connection between suffering and God’s revelation to John on Patmos? [14:33]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the early church lived with such a strong expectation of Jesus’ return, even though it didn’t happen in their lifetime? How might that expectation have shaped their daily lives? [08:08]
2. The sermon mentions that only two of the seven churches in Revelation were truly pleasing to God. What does this suggest about the challenges of living faithfully for Christ, even among believers? [18:29]
3. The speaker says that suffering can be a place where God reveals Himself most powerfully. How does this perspective challenge common attitudes toward hardship and comfort in the Christian life? [14:33]
4. The sermon highlights that the reality of judgment and reward should motivate us by love, not fear. How does this change the way we think about living for Christ and preparing for His return? [25:39]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon warns against getting caught up in endless speculation about the end times and the identity of the Antichrist. Are there ways you’ve been distracted by these debates or by “fake news” in the world? How can you shift your focus to being spiritually ready for Christ’s return? [08:08]
2. The early church lived with a sense of urgency and expectation for Jesus’ return. What would it look like for you to live with that same urgency today? Are there specific habits or attitudes you need to change? [08:08]
3. The letters to the seven churches challenge us to examine our own hearts. Is there an area of your life where you are living a “double life” or lacking integrity? What is one step you can take this week to be more faithful and authentic in that area? [18:29]
4. The sermon says that suffering can be a place of revelation and growth. Can you think of a difficult season in your life where you experienced God in a new way? How might you approach current or future hardships differently in light of this truth? [14:33]
5. The reality of judgment and reward means our choices now echo into eternity. Are there areas where you are seeking the approval of people more than the “well done” of God? What is one practical way you can shift your motivation this week? [33:01]
6. The speaker encourages us to be daring, uncompromising, and caring in our devotion to Christ. Is there a relationship or situation where you need to take a bolder stand for your faith or show more genuine care for others? What would that look like? [33:01]
7. Heaven is described not as a place of passive rest, but of purposeful responsibility. How does this view of eternity affect the way you think about your work, service, or relationships now? [34:16]
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Devotional
Day 1: Be Ready for Christ’s Return
The call to readiness is central to the Christian life, especially in light of Christ’s promised return. The reality is that no one knows the day or the hour, and the world is full of distractions, confusion, and even skepticism about whether Jesus will come again. Yet, the message is clear: you must live each day prepared, not in fear, but in anticipation and hope. This readiness is not about predicting dates or being swayed by every new theory, but about living in a way that, if Christ were to return today, you would be found faithful and devoted to Him. [08:08]
Matthew 24:42-44 (ESV)
“Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are “asleep” spiritually—how can you intentionally wake up and prepare your heart for Christ’s return today?
Day 2: Overcoming Through Submission to Christ
True victory in the Christian life comes not from avoiding hardship, but from submitting fully to Jesus, the One who overcame. The early church faced persecution, suffering, and even martyrdom, yet they were called to be overcomers by remaining faithful and pure. The challenge is not to live a double life—one way at church and another in the world—but to be wholly devoted, daring, and uncompromising in your faith. Overcoming is possible only when you surrender your will to Christ and allow His strength to work in you, especially in times of trial. [18:29]
Revelation 2:10-11 (ESV)
“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.”
Reflection: Where are you tempted to compromise your faith, and what would it look like to submit that area to Jesus today?
Day 3: God’s Justice and the Final Judgment
God is perfectly just, and every person will one day stand before Him to give an account for their life. The world is full of confusion, fake news, and shifting standards, but God’s truth remains unchanged. At the final judgment, it will not matter how society defined right and wrong; only God’s standard will stand. Each person will stand alone before God, and the only foundation that will matter is whether you lived for His truth. This sobering reality calls you to examine your life and align it with God’s unchanging Word. [10:59]
Revelation 20:11-12 (ESV)
“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.”
Reflection: If you were to stand before God today, what would He see as the “truth” you lived for—and what needs to change?
Day 4: The Reality of Rewards in Heaven
Heaven is not a place of passive existence, but a realm where God rewards His people according to how they lived for Christ on earth. While salvation is by grace, the way you live as a believer matters for eternity. Some will be given greater responsibility and honor, while others may enter heaven with little to show for their lives. This truth should motivate you to live purposefully, seeking to please God in all things, knowing that your faithfulness now echoes into eternity. [34:16]
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (ESV)
“Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”
Reflection: What is one way you can invest in “gold, silver, precious stones” for eternity rather than living for what will not last?
Day 5: Living with Love and Boldness in a Confused World
In a world marked by confusion, fear, and compromise, Christians are called to live with daring love and uncompromising truth. The goal is not to criticize or withdraw from the world, but to show an alternative—a life marked by care, honesty, and hope. Preparing for Christ’s return means preparing not just for your own sake, but to love others to life, offering them the hope and reality of Jesus. Let your life be a frank, caring, and bold witness that points others to the truth. [33:01]
Philippians 2:14-16 (ESV)
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”
Reflection: Who in your life needs to see the love and hope of Christ through you today, and how can you practically show them an alternative to the confusion of the world?
Quotes
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