The Blessed Hope: Christ's Triumphant Return

 

Summary

The return of Jesus Christ is often referred to as the Blessed Hope, a promise that is certain and assured, unlike the uncertain hopes we often express in everyday life. This hope is rooted in the New Testament's depiction of Christ's return, which is not just a wish but a guaranteed future event. The Apostle Paul, in his letters to the Thessalonians, provides a vivid description of this event, emphasizing that it will be a visible, triumphant return, not a secretive or hidden occurrence. The imagery used by Paul likens this event to a Roman triumphal procession, where the citizens of Rome would join their returning army in a grand celebration of victory. Similarly, when Christ returns, believers, both living and deceased, will be caught up to meet Him and participate in His triumphant return to earth.

Paul also addresses misconceptions about the timing and nature of Christ's return. He warns against the belief in a pre-Tribulation rapture, a concept not supported by Scripture. Instead, he emphasizes that before Christ's return, there will be a great apostasy, a falling away from the faith by those who once professed it. This apostasy will be accompanied by the rise of the Antichrist, a figure who opposes and seeks to replace Christ. The Antichrist will deceive many, but ultimately, he will be destroyed by the power and glory of Christ's return.

This understanding of Christ's return calls believers to remain steadfast in their faith, participating in both the sufferings and the future glory of Christ. It is a call to be vigilant, discerning, and hopeful, knowing that despite the challenges and deceptions of the present age, the ultimate victory belongs to Christ and His followers.

Key Takeaways:

- The Blessed Hope of Christ's return is a certain promise, not a mere wish. Unlike earthly hopes, which are uncertain, the hope of Christ's return is guaranteed by God's promises and will not disappoint. This hope is a source of comfort and assurance for believers, reminding us of the certainty of God's plan. [02:08]

- Christ's return will be a visible and triumphant event, not a secretive rapture. Paul describes it as a public, glorious return, where believers will join Christ in His triumph. This imagery emphasizes the communal and celebratory nature of Christ's return, inviting believers to participate in His victory. [05:01]

- The concept of a pre-Tribulation rapture is not supported by Scripture. Paul warns against this misunderstanding, urging believers to derive their theology from the Bible rather than tradition or popular teachings. This calls for a careful and discerning approach to understanding eschatology. [07:17]

- Before Christ's return, there will be a great apostasy and the rise of the Antichrist. This apostasy involves a falling away from the faith by those who once professed it, and the Antichrist will deceive many. Believers are called to remain vigilant and discerning in the face of these challenges. [18:07]

- The Antichrist will be destroyed by the power and glory of Christ's return. Despite the deception and tribulation brought by the Antichrist, Christ's return will bring ultimate victory and justice. This assurance strengthens believers' hope and encourages perseverance in faith. [21:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:33] - Introduction to the Blessed Hope
- [01:24] - The Certainty of Hope in Christ
- [02:46] - Paul's Teaching on the Return of Christ
- [03:36] - The Rapture and Its Misunderstandings
- [05:01] - The Visible and Triumphant Return
- [06:37] - Misconceptions about the Rapture
- [07:57] - The Public Nature of Christ's Return
- [08:37] - The Purpose of Being Caught Up
- [09:21] - Roman Triumph Imagery
- [10:50] - The Triumphal Return of Christ
- [12:27] - Participating in Christ's Exaltation
- [13:48] - Assurance for Believers
- [14:30] - Misunderstandings in Thessalonica
- [15:53] - The Rise of the Antichrist
- [18:07] - The Great Apostasy
- [19:32] - The Antichrist's Deception
- [21:14] - The Destruction of the Antichrist

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Blessed Hope of Christ's Return

Bible Reading:

1. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
2. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

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Observation Questions:

1. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, what sequence of events does Paul describe regarding the return of Christ? How does this passage provide comfort to believers? [03:36]

2. In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, what are the signs that Paul mentions must occur before the return of Christ? How does he describe the Antichrist? [15:14]

3. How does the sermon describe the nature of Christ's return, and what imagery is used to convey this event? [05:01]

4. What misconceptions about the rapture does the sermon address, and how does it suggest believers should form their understanding of eschatology? [07:17]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of the Blessed Hope differ from the everyday use of the word "hope"? What implications does this have for a believer's faith and outlook on the future? [02:08]

2. What is the significance of the imagery of a Roman triumphal procession in understanding the return of Christ? How does this imagery affect the way believers view their participation in Christ's return? [12:27]

3. How does the sermon suggest believers should respond to the rise of the Antichrist and the great apostasy? What role does vigilance and discernment play in this context? [18:07]

4. In what ways does the sermon challenge the popular belief in a pre-Tribulation rapture, and how does it encourage believers to approach Scripture? [07:17]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the certainty of the Blessed Hope. How does this assurance impact your daily life and decisions? Are there areas where you struggle to trust in God's promises? [02:08]

2. The sermon emphasizes the visible and triumphant nature of Christ's return. How can this understanding influence the way you live out your faith in a communal and celebratory manner? [05:01]

3. Considering the warning against a pre-Tribulation rapture, how can you ensure that your beliefs are grounded in Scripture rather than tradition or popular teachings? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of eschatology? [07:17]

4. In light of the great apostasy and the rise of the Antichrist, how can you remain vigilant and discerning in your faith? Are there specific practices or habits you can adopt to strengthen your spiritual resilience? [18:07]

5. The sermon calls believers to participate in both the sufferings and future glory of Christ. How can you embrace this call in your current circumstances? Are there specific challenges or sufferings you are facing that you can view through the lens of future glory? [13:10]

6. How does the assurance of Christ's ultimate victory over the Antichrist encourage you to persevere in your faith? Are there areas in your life where you need to be reminded of this victory? [21:14]

7. Reflect on the communal aspect of Christ's return as described in the sermon. How can you foster a sense of community and shared hope within your small group or church? [12:27]

Devotional

Day 1: The Certainty of Christ's Return
The Blessed Hope of Christ's return is a promise that stands firm and unshakeable, unlike the fleeting hopes of this world. This hope is rooted in the New Testament's assurance of Christ's return, which is not merely a wish but a guaranteed future event. The Apostle Paul, in his letters to the Thessalonians, vividly describes this event as a visible and triumphant return, not a secretive or hidden occurrence. This hope serves as a source of comfort and assurance for believers, reminding them of the certainty of God's plan and the ultimate victory that awaits. [02:08]

Titus 2:13-14 (ESV): "Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."

Reflection: In what ways can you anchor your daily life in the certainty of Christ's return, allowing it to shape your decisions and priorities today?


Day 2: The Public and Triumphant Return of Christ
Christ's return will be a visible and triumphant event, not a secretive rapture. Paul describes it as a public, glorious return, where believers will join Christ in His triumph. This imagery emphasizes the communal and celebratory nature of Christ's return, inviting believers to participate in His victory. The anticipation of this event encourages believers to live in a way that reflects the hope and joy of being part of Christ's triumphal procession. [05:01]

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (ESV): "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord."

Reflection: How can you live today in a way that reflects the joy and anticipation of participating in Christ's triumphant return?


Day 3: Discernment in Eschatology
The concept of a pre-Tribulation rapture is not supported by Scripture. Paul warns against this misunderstanding, urging believers to derive their theology from the Bible rather than tradition or popular teachings. This calls for a careful and discerning approach to understanding eschatology, encouraging believers to study Scripture diligently and seek the truth with an open heart. [07:17]

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 (ESV): "Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction."

Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that your understanding of eschatology is rooted in Scripture rather than tradition or popular opinion?


Day 4: Vigilance Against Apostasy
Before Christ's return, there will be a great apostasy and the rise of the Antichrist. This apostasy involves a falling away from the faith by those who once professed it, and the Antichrist will deceive many. Believers are called to remain vigilant and discerning in the face of these challenges, holding fast to their faith and being aware of the deceptions that may arise. [18:07]

1 Timothy 4:1-2 (ESV): "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared."

Reflection: How can you guard your heart and mind against the deceptions and challenges that may lead to a falling away from the faith?


Day 5: The Ultimate Victory of Christ
The Antichrist will be destroyed by the power and glory of Christ's return. Despite the deception and tribulation brought by the Antichrist, Christ's return will bring ultimate victory and justice. This assurance strengthens believers' hope and encourages perseverance in faith, knowing that the ultimate victory belongs to Christ and His followers. [21:14]

Revelation 19:11-16 (ESV): "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses."

Reflection: In what ways can you draw strength and encouragement from the assurance of Christ's ultimate victory as you face challenges in your life today?

Quotes


Now, for centuries the church has referred to the return of Jesus as the Blessed Hope. Now, I want to comment on that briefly. The return of Jesus is our hope. It's something that we long to see, can't wait to experience. The last words of the New Testament were the words, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." [00:00:46]

The hope of which the New Testament speaks refers to those promises in the future that God has made, whose fulfillment is absolutely certain. There is no doubt about it. And so we have this hope, and this hope that we have been given by God and by the Holy Spirit is a hope that will never disappoint, is a hope that will never make us ashamed. [00:01:52]

For the Lord will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first, and then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clothes to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. [00:03:44]

The first thing is that Jesus' return will be visible. It will be bodily, and it will be in triumph, that He will not come in lowliness and meekness as He did in His first advent, but in this advent He comes in triumph, in power, in glory, on the clouds of glory, and His coming will not be secret, but will be visible. [00:04:41]

Well, if Paul's not talking about a secret rapture here. I mean, it would be the worst kept secret in history because here he describes the descent of Jesus to the sound of the great trumpet and all these clouds of glory, and all the dead in Christ rising up. I mean, and every eye shall see Him, we are told. [00:07:53]

The purpose of the dead rising and our being raptured up into the sky is not to go away but to meet Jesus as He is returning. He's not taking us out of the world to stay out of the world. He's lifting us up to participate with Him in His triumphal return. [00:08:50]

This is exactly the language that Paul uses here. What he's saying is that when Jesus comes back in conquering power that the church, dead and alive, will be caught up in the air to meet Him, not to stay up there but to join His return in triumph to participate in His exaltation. [00:12:40]

Now, Paul's saying before Christ comes with His people, there has to be the great apostasy. And apostasy is not the same as paganism. Paganism describes people who have never professed faith in Christ. Apostasy has to do with people who have made a profession of faith in Christ, who are members of a visible Christian body or church, who have fallen away from the truth of the Gospel. [00:16:29]

And apostasy happens in some measure in every age. But this is described as the great apostasy. That about the time Jesus is coming back, you can expect a widespread apostasy in the church itself. That's one of the reasons by the way that many people are convinced that we're close to the final advent of Christ because of the manifestations of such apostasy, particularly in the mainline churches in our country, but not just in our country, but in Europe and around the world. [00:17:59]

Now here Paul is describing what we normally refer to as the Antichrist. And if we look at that concept in the New Testament, the idea of the Antichrist refers to someone who is more than simply against Christ. In our language, anti means to be opposed to or to be against. But in the Greek use of it, it means "against and a substitute for," so that the Antichrist is not merely an opponent of Christ, but he seeks to usurp the office of Christ and to substitute himself for Christ. [00:18:56]

And then we are told that he will be destroyed. With the -- the Lord will consume him with the breath of His mouth and destroyed with the brightness of His coming." And so we don't look for the second advent of Jesus to appear until after this apostasy, after this tribulation brought to bear by the Antichrist because it's while the Antichrist is here that Christ comes and destroys him with the brightness of His glory and with the breath of His mouth, the power of His Word. [00:21:25]

That's the hope that we have that cannot fail to be fulfilled. [00:22:06]

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Transcript
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