Great Doctrines of the Bible
Lesson 24
Our Blessed Hope

Introduction
In the first set of our lessons, in Lesson 9, we dealt at length with the subject of The Rapture of the Church. While The Rapture is assuredly a thrilling aspect of the believer’s anticipation, it is but a part of what Paul refers to in Titus 2:13 as “that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.” The Blessed Hope sweeps the keyboard of God’s plan for our future. The return of Christ for and with His saints with all the accompanying blessings and victories constitutes our blessed hope. While some details of these events must be omitted, in this lesson we shall devote ourselves to those phases of His return which vitally contribute to the blessedness of every believer’s hope.

Importance of this Lesson

• In Ephesians 2:12, Paul said of the Ephesians, “That at that time ye were without Christ... having no hope, and without God in the world.” How descriptive of our present world where a thousand million souls live each day in hopelessness and despair. Even in “Christian” America, vast numbers of people face the valley of death with fear, without the hope of heaven in their hearts.
• Proverbs 11:7 states, “When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish.…”
• A man can live, and endure, and struggle as long as he has hope. What blessed news for every believer on the Lord Jesus Christ are the words, “We sorrow not as those who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Every born again believer has hope in his heart: the hope of resurrection, the hope of transformation, the hope of a glorious future, the hope of heaven and the hope of seeing and being with Christ.
• Believers also have the hope of a new body, a new home, a new life, and a new environment. No wonder it is called “that blessed (happy) hope.” In this lesson our aim is to review all aspects of that hope.

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The Lesson

I. THE CERTAINTY OF OUR BLESSED HOPE

1. The fact of Christ’s resurrection – evidenced by many “infallible proofs” (Acts 1:3; Romans 1:4; Revelation 1:18). Note Lesson # 4.
2. The abundant evidence of Christ’s return in the New Testament.
   1. There are 318 references concerning Christ’s return.
   2. One in every 25 verses.
   3. All of 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Revelation.
3. The prediction of the prophets
   1. Isaiah 40:10 – “Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand….”
   2. Zechariah 14:5,9 – “...and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee...and the Lord shall be king over all the earth….”
   3. Psalm 24:9 – “Lift up your heads, O ye gates...and the King of glory shall come in….”
      • While Old Testament prophecies are concerned primarily with the return of Christ to the earth and related primarily to Israel’s future glory, the New Testament makes perfectly clear that believers of the Church Age will surely share in that glorious triumph (Romans 8:17; Colossians 3:4; Revelation 5:10).
   4. The emphatic use of words in the promises
      1. John 14:3 – “If I go...I WILL come again….”
      2. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 – “For the Lord himself SHALL descend from heaven….”
      3. Acts 1:11 – “This same Jesus...SHALL so come….”
      4. Hebrews 9:28 – “...unto them that look for him SHALL he appear the second time….”
         • The New Testament writers were dogmatic! With absolute certainty they declared that Christ would return.
      5. The contrast of the two advents
         1. Compare Luke 2:7 with 21:27.
         2. Compare Matthew 1:21 with 24:30.
            • Both advents are clearly seen. He came as a babe clothed with humility. He will come in power and great glory.
      6. Three trustworthy witnesses
         1. Christ Himself – (John 14:3) “...I will come again….”
         2. The angelic witness – (Acts 1:11) “...This same Jesus, ...shall so come….”
         3. The apostolic witness – (1 Thessalonians 4:16) “The Lord himself shall come.”
            • The return of Christ is not:
            1. The coming of the Holy Spirit (as some affirm). Practically all predictions of His coming were made AFTER Pentecost. At Pentecost Christ came to be with us. At His coming He takes us to be with Him!
            2. Death (as some others assert). At death there are no trumpets, no shouts, and we are not “caught up” to be with Him.

II. THE NAMES OF OUR BLESSED HOPE

1. A living hope (1 Peter 1:3), “...begotten again unto a living hope.” Living because Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20). Living because the focus of our hope is “alive forevermore” (Revelation 1:18).
2. A steadfast hope (Hebrews 6:19), “which hope we have as an anchor...both sure and steadfast….” Our hope is “anchored” by the immutability of God’s word and confirmation of God’s oath by which it was impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:17-18).
3. A hope of glory (Colossians 1:27), “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” We shall see Christ in all of His glory (Jude 24), and shall be like Him (1 John 3:2), sharing in His heavenly and future glory (Romans 8:17-18; Philippians 3:21).
4. A purifying hope (1 John 3:3), “Every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself….” Nothing so sanctifies one’s life as a steadfast faith in the imminent return of Christ (1 John 2:28; Titus 2:11-13).
5. A comforting hope (1 Thessalonians 4:18), “Wherefore, comfort one another with these words.” There could be no greater comfort for sorrowing, aching, or needy hearts (1 Thessalonians 5:10-11).
6. That blessed hope (Titus 2:13), “Looking for that blessed hope...” The word “blessed” means “happy.” What a happy prospect awaits those whose trust is in the Lord.

III. THE REWARDS OF OUR BLESSED HOPE

Salvation is by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), and in no sense and no degree can any of us earn or merit heaven. Nevertheless, there are precious rewards awaiting those who trust and serve the Lord (Revelation 22:12; 4:4). Peter writes of earning an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom (2 Peter 1:10-11). In 1 Corinthians 3:14, Paul stresses this view by writing, “If any man’s work abide...he shall receive a reward.”

1. A crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8), “There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness...not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” This reward is for those who have fought the battle for righteousness in this world (note verse 7), whose lives have exemplified that righteousness and for those whose love for righteousness is manifested by a longing for Christ’s return.
2. A crown of life (Revelation 2:10), “...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” This crown is promised to those who, because of love for Christ, endure all manner of testing (James 1:12), and who may suffer death either normally or violently as a martyr. Glorious, eternal life awaits them!
3. An incorruptible crown (1 Corinthians 9:25). Only one athlete in Paul’s day could win the corruptible crown to which he refers. The incorruptible crown is for those who “press toward the mark”
   (Philippians 3:14), “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12) and run the race according to the rules (2 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 12:1-2).
4. A crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4). A glorious crown awaits the elder or under shepherd who willingly and faithfully feeds and oversees the flock of God (verses 1-3).
5. A crown of rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19). “For what is our...crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” Paul had won these Thessalonians to Christ and this crown is uniquely the soul-winner’s crown. A blessed reward for all who lead sinners to Christ.
   1. In a very real sense, our being caught up at the rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:17), our being transformed and changed into His likeness in a moment (1 Corinthians 15:51; Philippians 3:20-21), the joy of being with Christ forever (John 14:3), sharing His glory (Romans 8:17-18) and the privilege of reigning with Christ over the whole earth (Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 5:10), must be considered as part of the reward of faith.
   2. Two things worthy of consideration:
      1. We are to strive diligently to “hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Revelation 3:11).
      2. Realizing how undeserving we are, we shall gladly cast our crowns down at Jesus’ feet before His throne (Revelation 4:10).

IV. THE NATURE OR CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR BLESSED HOPE

1. It is literal. The coming of Christ for us is not fulfilled in death or in the coming of the Holy Spirit. His coming will be physical, personal, and literal. “I will come again...” (John 14:3). “...This same Jesus...shall so come...” (Acts 1:11). “...the Lord Himself shall descend...” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
2. It is imminent. As Christians we are exhorted to live with constant anticipation of the momentary realization of our blessed hope (Hebrews 9:28; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:6; Philippians 3:20; Titus 2:13).
3. It will be sudden. It will happen suddenly and quickly. While the extent of our blessed hope is eternal, the fulfillment of our joy and faith will be sudden, (1 Corinthians 15:52); “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye...” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3); “...as a thief” – suddenly; “like lightning” (Matthew 24:27).
4. It is two-fold. One must always remember that the coming of Christ is presented in scripture as being two-fold. First, He comes FOR us at the rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; John 14:3), after which He comes to earth WITH us, in power and great glory (Revelation 19:11-15; Jude 14; Colossians 3:4).
   1. In the first aspect or phase, it is evident that Christ comes only as far as the clouds and the Church is snatched suddenly out of the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), giving opportunity for the rise of Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3-8), and the final apostasy (2 Thessalonians 2:11; Luke 18:8; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).
   2. In the second phase, Christ returns to the earth with us, visibly (Revelation 1:7) with great fanfare (Matthew 24:26-27), in power and great glory (Matthew 24:30). Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 with Zechariah 14:4-5. Compare John 14:3 with Matthew 25:31-32.
      • There is unquestionably an interval between these two events to allow for things like the rise and reign of the beast of Antichrist (Revelation 13:1-5), the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10), and the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:14-16).

V. THE POWER INVOLVED
Our hope includes opportunities for the Lord to display the enormity of His power. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Power to raise from the dead all who have died in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:52).
2. Power to immediately change and transform our bodies into the likeness of His own body, defying the law of decomposition (Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52).
3. Power to overcome the law of gravity – we shall rise from the earth to meet Him in clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Millions shall rise in a moment!!
4. Power to smash the nations of the earth and to destroy their armies (Daniel 2:34-35, 44-45; Psalm 2:8-9; Revelation 19:15-20).
5. Power to bind Satan and overcome the “beast” or Antichrist (Revelation 20:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 19:19-20).
6. Power to terminate Gentile domination (Romans 11:25; Acts 15:14-17). The kingdoms of earth become the kingdom of our Lord (Revelation 11:15; Zechariah 9:10).
7. Power to remove the curse on this earth including the ferocity of beasts (Isaiah 11:2-10; Romans 8:19-22).
8. Power to terminate war, establish a worldwide reign of righteousness and peace in the earth, and deliver it from corruption (Isaiah 2:4; 55:13; 35:1-2; 65:25; 9:6-7; Psalm 2:8-9; Zechariah 14:9;
   Revelation 20:4; Isaiah 11:9; 2:4).

VI. THE BLESSED EXPECTATIONS OF OUR HOPE (Learn for the exam!)

1. That the Lord Himself shall return for us (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
2. That He will, in a moment, change and transform our bodies into the likeness of His own body (1 Corinthians 15:51-53; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2).
3. That the dead in Christ will be raised up with an incorruptible, imperishable body (1 Corinthians 15:42-44; 51-57).
4. That we shall be caught up in clouds to meet the Lord in the air and He will receive us unto Himself (1 Thessalonians 4:17; John 14:3).
5. That we shall share Christ’s glory and be forever with Him (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; Romans 8:17-18).
6. That we shall be rewarded according to the “deeds done in (or by means of) our body” (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:13-15; 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4; Colossians 3:24-25; Romans 14:10-13).
7. That we shall be united in marriage to our heavenly Bridegroom (Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation 19:7-9).
8. That we shall return with Christ when He comes to earth (Jude 14; Colossians 3:4; Revelation 19:14); to be glorified in His saints (2 Thessalonians 1:10).
9. That we shall reign with Him on the earth (Revelation 5:10; 20:4-6) for a millennium.
10. We shall dwell with the Lord in a new heaven after this earth and heaven are dissolved (Revelation 21:1-4; 2 Peter 3:10).

VII. THE TIME OF OUR BLESSED HOPE
While no man knows the day, nor the hour of Christ’s coming (Acts 1:7; Matthew 24:36), and while Christians are exhorted to live in the imminent and momentary hope of His coming, the scriptures do present definite signs or characteristics of the days prior to His coming:

1. When the world is crying “peace and safety” (1 Thessalonians 5:3; Jeremiah 6:14).
2. When men are not looking for it and are scoffing at the very idea of it (1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:3-9).
3. When the world is in a state of perplexity and social upheaval (Luke 21:25).
4. When men are distressed and their hearts are failing for fear of those things which are coming on the earth (Luke 21:25-26).
5. When the days of Noah and of Sodom and Gomorrah are being relived (Luke 17:26-30). These days were characterized by intemperance, business as usual, marital promiscuity, sexual perversion, violence, corruption of morals, lawlessness and rebellion against God.
6. When there is little true faith left in the earth and apostasy in religion is evident everywhere (Luke 18:8; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1).
7. When God’s appointed time arrives (Matthew 24:36), when the “...times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24; Acts 15:14), when the “...fullness of the Gentiles be come in” (Romans 11:25), and when God’s purpose for this age and the Church are realized (Ephesians 3:10-11; 1:10-14).

Conclusion
What Ought We To Do? (Learn for the exam!)

1. Occupy until He comes (Luke 19:13).
2. Be steadfast (1 Corinthians 15:57).
3. Find comfort in His coming (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
4. Be watchful and alert (1 Thessalonians 5:6; Matthew 24:42).
5. Be clean (1 John 3:3).
6. . And, if you are not yet saved:
   1. Prepare to meet the Lord (Amos 4:12).
   2. Cease to scoff (2 Peter 3:3-4).
   3. Seek the Lord while He may be found (Isaiah 55:6).
   4. Be ready when He comes (Matthew 24:44).

EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS (Revelation 22:20)!

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