Introduction
Advent Sunday is to remind us the coming of Christ. When Christ came for the first time, he came in a humble way. He was born in a manger as a baby who needs protection from the parents when King Harold wanted to get rid of him. He came to his own world but his people did not recognise him and eventually crucified him on the cross. Christ died and was buried but on the third day he rose from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in his glory one day. And His second coming would not be the same as the first. We are therefore need to be aware of His second coming as He will come to judge the living and the dead.
1. The Signs of His second coming
Before Christ returned, there will be signs.
Jesus disciples asked what will be the sign of His coming, and of the end of the age. Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matt 24:3-14 NKJV)
These are the signs:
- deceptions: rising of false prophets, cults, fake Christ…(v5, 11)
- wars: rising of wars and rumours of wars…(v6-7a)
- natural disasters: earthquake, famines, pestilences…(v7b)
- immorality: betrayal, hatred, lawlessness, …(v9, 10, 12a)
- spiritual condition worsened: love grow cold (v12b)
- Mission accomplished: gospel preached in all the world (v14)
2. Reasons of Christ’s returned
a. Christ is to judge the living and the dead
So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matt 19:28 NKJV)
In John’s vision:
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Rev 20:11-15 NKJV)
b. Christ is to create a new heaven and earth for us.
Again in John’s vision,
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Rev 21:1-4 NKJV)
Conclusion
Let us be alert of things that happening around us.
Serve the Lord whole heartedly as Paul urged: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Cor 15:58 NKJV)
May our Lord praise us and say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' (Matt 25:21 NKJV)
