Interpreting the Second Coming

13th October 2024
The Second Coming of Christ involves a moment known as the Rapture, where believers, both dead and alive, will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. This event, described in 1 Thessalonians 4, is a key part of premillennial interpretation of end-time prophecy. There are more events to occur mentioned by the Books of Daniel and Revelation needing to be understood as to when and how they fit in with this eschatological model. The "Lord's Return" involves more than just a "rapture". If the Rapture takes the Christians away, what then happens with the population left behind on earth and how do the politics work out with the struggle Israel has with surrounding nations? The operations of the Antichrist and the machinations of the nations are far harder to interpret from the Book of Revelation and its later chapters. While there are different views on the timing and nature of Christ's return with His saints, this 1st Thessalonians chapter 4 passage provides clear details about the reunion of believers with the Lord in the sky. Understanding these teachings offers comfort and hope for Christians, assuring them that they will always be with Christ after this reunion with Him.
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Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:18-24
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The Oil of Readiness: Preparing for Christ’s Return

18th August 2024
The Kingdom of Heaven is not merely about going to Heaven when we die, but also about living under God's rule now. There are three stages of salvation: justification (becoming a Christian), sanctification (growing in holiness), and glorification (being perfected in Heaven). Many believers focus solely on justification but neglect sanctification. This neglect can lead to unpreparedness for Christ's return or our own death. We must actively pursue spiritual growth, eagerly awaiting His return. The delay in Christ's coming is a grace period for us to deepen our relationship with Him. Our goal should be to know more intimately, not just to secure a place in Heaven.
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Passage: Matthew 25:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Philippians 2:12-13, Hebrews 9:25-28
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Where does Jesus call His home?

21st July 2024
Jesus considers the Church His current home on Earth, but He has gone to prepare a place for believers in Heaven. At the Second Coming, Christ will return to collect His followers - both the dead and the living - in an event known as the Rapture. We will then be eternally united with Him in our heavenly home. This promise offers great comfort and hope, but it also emphasises the urgency of ensuring a personal relationship with Jesus now, before His return. The Church isn't just a building or tradition, but a family of those who do the Father's will and know Christ personally.
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Passage: Mark 13:34-37, John 14:1-3, Matthew 12:46-50, 16:13-18, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 3:20
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The Cosmic Sacrifice of Christ

15th October 2023
"If ever there were a topic, there was a topic, where there's so many details, and so many aspects, and so many different opinions, that's got you a bit confused, I guess it's mostly likely to be about the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The fact that the Scriptures teach that Christ is going to return is called the Second Advent. The First Advent, of course, is when He came at Christmastime and He came to be born, and the Second Advent is when He's coming to rule and to culminate the history up to that point of the entire world. And this is taught in the Scriptures in many different places, including the Old Testament, but certainly in the New Testament, so it's beyond doubt that Jesus Christ is going to come back again."
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Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:5, 2 Peter 3:6-13
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The Holy Spirit

5th June 2022
Bible Text: Ephesians 4:30-32, Isaiah 63:10, Luke 3:21-22, Acts 13:1-4, Matthew 12:31-32, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 | Speaker: Rev Dr Jim Gibson | Series: Ephesians
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Passage: Ephesians 4:30-32, Isaiah 63:10, Luke 3:21-22, Acts 13:1-4, Matthew 12:31-32, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
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