Great Doctrines of the Bible
Lesson 36
The Second Coming of Christ
The Signs, The Glory, The Power and The Marvel of His Millennial Reign

Introduction
If you have taken the entire correspondence course and are about to study this lesson, you are to be congratulated for a remarkable achievement. You have studied thirty-five great Bible truths and should have a broad knowledge of what the Bible contains.

We could think of no subject more fitting for the last, than the Return of Christ in glory and power. In Lesson 9, we differentiated between the Rapture and the Second Coming and gave twelve distinct differences. You may want to review them.

In Lesson 35 we dealt with the final events that will precede the Return of Christ. In this lesson we shall show that Christ will return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to reign on this earth. We shall name the primary signs that occur prior to His coming and share some truths relating to the mystery and marvel of His millennial reign.

Importance of this Lesson

• The Bible teaches that God operates according to His eternal plan. He has a plan for the Church, for Israel and for this world.
• The Second Coming of Christ is a major part of God’s plan. Christ will return to fulfill the promises made in the Abrahamic, Palestinian, Davidic and New Covenants, which we have studied.
• It is important to our knowledge of the Word and to our faith that we understand these things.
• It is important to believe and understand that the Bible is a literal book. Christ will literally come back, sit on David’s literal throne and reign over a literal earth for 1,000 literal years.
• The return of Christ is associated with many signs. It is important that we know what they are. We know that if these signs are already in evidence, the Rapture must be close at hand. It is important to know where the Church fits into these climactic events.

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The Lesson

I. SIGNS POINTING TO THE RETURN OF CHRIST
While the Rapture is imminent and not related to signs, numerous signs are given in scripture that are to immediately precede the coming of Christ to the earth. In referring to these signs (Luke 21:25,28), Jesus said “When you see these things begin to come to pass, then look, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” While these words were primarily meant for Israel, no one can deny that we are seeing the beginning of these signs being fulfilled today.

1. The Re-establishing and Re-building of Israel As A Nation, and The Recapturing of Old Jerusalem (Read Ezekiel 36:8-10,24,28; 37:21-22; Luke 21:24).
   1. The Balfour Declaration, in England, in 1917, granted a mandate to the Jews giving them Palestine for a homeland. (Of course, the Lord did this long ago!)
   2. On May 14, 1948, Israel became a nation again.
   3. On June 8, 1967, Old Jerusalem was recaptured, is now in Jewish hands and again is the capitol of Israel.
      • The Time of the Gentiles began in 604 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar took Jerusalem. It was to remain in Gentile hands until these “times” were fulfilled. Today, for the first time in 2,500 years, Jerusalem is in the hands of the Jews! The wheels of prophecy often turn slowly but apparently, “The Times of the Gentiles” has been fulfilled.
2. World-Wide War and the Current Arms Build-up
   1. While wars have been a part of our world scene from the beginning, the last days will be characterized by universal conflict (Matthew 24:6-7).
   2. We have witnessed two great world wars in this century and the world is feverishly preparing for a third (which could be Armageddon).
   3. Joel 3:9-12 predicts a mad arms race for the last days. Today more than 600 billion dollars are being spent each year on arms and preparation for war by the nations (1.3 million per minute!). In our generation, for the first time, nations have the nuclear weapons capable of the destruction pictured in Revelation.
3. Earthquakes (Matthew 24:7)
   There have been more earthquakes in this century than in all recorded history. Scientists agree that earthquakes will continue to increase and that a massive quake is inevitable. The greatest quake the world will ever experience will usher in the return of Christ (Revelation 16:17-18; Zechariah 14:4-5).
4. Famine World-Wide (Matthew 24:7)
   In Revelation 6:5-6, the black horse of famine follows the white horse of dictatorship and the red horse of war. According to World Church Service Reports, one billion people in the world are undernourished and starving. Thirty thousand people die daily of starvation. One billion will die of starvation in the next ten years. The age of famine is here!
5. The Breakdown of Morality and The Vast Increase in Violent Crime
   (Genesis 6:5,11-12; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Luke 17:26-30)
   Crime is growing in America 11 times faster than our population. According to an Associated Press report, more than 70 murders, 240 forcible rapes and 450 armed robberies are committed every day. Lying, cheating, and stealing are commonplace. Pornography is now a major industry grossing over $5 billion a year. Over 25 million homosexuals parade their perversity in open defiance of the laws of God and man. According to one psychologist, “the rapist, in a horrible sense, is acting out the ethics of our time.”
   
   Read Paul’s list of the perilous things that will characterize this world “in the last days.” How many of these things do you witness daily? Before Christ returns, the world will revert back to the days of Noah, which were days of violence, perversion, corruption and lawlessness.
   
6. Apostasy and False Teachers in The Last Days Before Christ (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1)
   1. There are now at least 5,000 cults operating in America – all perversions of the Truth.
   2. A recent survey of seminarians preparing for the ministry reveals that:
      1. 56% no longer believe in the Virgin Birth of Christ.
      2. 71% do not believe in life after death.
      3. 98% do not believe in Christ’s literal return to earth. Apostasy in religion is evident everywhere.
7. Other Prominent Signs
   1. The confusion and upheaval of nations (Luke 21:25). Note today’s turmoil and turnover everywhere on the globe.
   2. The rise of Russia as a great military power and her crushing defeat in Israel (Ezekiel 38 and 39).
   3. The revival of the Roman Empire. (Read carefully Daniel 2:43-45; 7:23-24; with Revelation 13:1; 17:12). The Beast is to head up a federation of ten nations. Today there are ten nations in the European Common Market – essentially the same group that made up the Roman Empire.
   4. The great increase in knowledge and travel (Daniel 12:4).
      • There are other “signs” of course. Try to master these. They are sufficient, we think, to help you realize that we are rapidly approaching the end of this age and the return of Christ in power and glory.

II. THE GLORY AND POWER OF CHRIST’S RETURN
In 1 Peter 1:11 we are told that the Old Testament prophets foresaw the sufferings of Christ and “the glory that should follow.” They did not see the Rapture. They saw the Glorious Return.

1. The Glory of Christ can be seen in the spectacular and phenomenal things that will accompany His coming (Matthew 24:27-31).
   1. Lightning will shine out of the east unto the west.
   2. The sun and the moon will be darkened.
   3. The angels will announce His coming with trumpets.
   4. He will come in clouds with power and great glory.
   5. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 – He is revealed with His mighty angels.
   6. Matthew 25:31 – He will come in flaming fire. Sinners will be punished with everlasting destruction – from the glory of His power.
   7. Revelation 19:11-15
      1. The heavens will be opened.
      2. He will come on a white horse to judge and to make war.
      3. He will have a name: Faithful and True.
      4. His eyes will be like a flame of fire.
      5. His head will have many crowns.
      6. His vesture will be dipped in blood.
      7. He will be called “The Word of God.”
      8. The armies of heaven will be with Him riding white horses.
      9. A sword will go out of His mouth with which He will smite the nations. His name will be called King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Christ will be called “The King of Glory”
         (Psalm 24:7-10).
   8. Christ will come “in the glory of his Father” (Mark 8:38).
   9. The world will see Christ come in power and great glory (Luke 21:27).
   10. Christ will come “to be glorified in his saints” (2 Thessalonians 1:10; Colossians 3:4; Jude 14).
   11. Christ is worthy to receive glory and honor (Revelation 4:11; 5:12).
       • The glory of Christ is the revelation and manifestation of all that He is and has. God the Father is glorified in Him (John 13:31; 14:13).
2. The Power of His Return
   1. At the Rapture, when Christ comes FOR us, His power is evident in His ability:
      1. To conquer death and sever its hold on us (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:50-51; John 5:25).
      2. To change the laws of decay and give us new bodies (Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 John 3:2).
      3. To penetrate or lay aside the law of gravity so that we can ascend, in a body, into heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; John 14:3).
      4. To conquer the grave, shatter its grip and raise up millions at one time, “for the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
   2. At His Second Coming in glory to the earth His power is awesome, immeasurable, absolute and complete.
      1. Power to smash the armies of the nations that are gathered together to make war against Him (Revelation 19:15-19).
         • Christ is the smiting stone of Daniel 2:34-35,45. Read also Zechariah 12:9 and 14:2. He thus destroys and terminates Gentile world power (Psalm 2:8-9).
      2. Power to overcome the Antichrist or beast and his false prophet and cast them both into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:19-20).
         • At this time, Satan is bound for a thousand years and put in “the bottomless pit”
         (Revelation 20:1-3).
      3. Power to gather Israel from all over the world and to restore and save her as a nation (Matthew 24:31; Zechariah 13:1; Deuteronomy 30:5-6; Romans 11:25-27; Jeremiah 23:6).
      4. Power to establish himself as King on David’s throne (Luke 1:32-33; Acts 15:14-16; Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 19:15; Jeremiah 23:5-6; 33:14-17).
      5. Power to bring with Him when He comes, the faithful saints of all ages who will reign with Him on the earth (Revelation 19:14; 5:10; 20:5-6; Jude 14). This includes the previously raptured church.
      6. His power will extend over all the earth to establish a kingdom of peace and righteousness (Zechariah 14:9; Isaiah 9:6-7). Christ is going to “rule the nations” (Revelation 19:15).

III. CHRIST’S MILLENNIAL REIGN
The Davidic Covenant, as we have recently studied, guarantees the perpetuity of David’s throne and lineage. The Bible makes vividly clear that Christ fulfills this promise to David and that He will sit as David’s righteous branch on David’s throne in Jerusalem and will reign over Israel and over the whole earth of 1,000 years (Acts 15:16; Luke 1:32-33; Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15-17).
• If you hold to the plain language of scripture and take what is clearly stated as literal, you must come to the conclusion that there will be a millennium and that Christ will reign throughout.

1. The Events of the Millennium (The word means 1,000 years.) Read Revelation 20:1-10.
   1. Satan is to be bound by a great chain in a place called “the bottomless pit” for one thousand years, where he is shut up and sealed so that he can no longer deceive the nations (verses1-3).
   2. Saints are to reign with Christ for a thousand years (verses 4-6; also Revelation 5:10).
      • Undoubtedly, the Church, having previously been raptured (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18), returns with Christ in their glorified bodies, and assists the Lord in the ruling of this earth (Jude14;
      Revelation 19:14; 20:4).
   3. All who share in the first resurrection, the raptured Church, the martyrs of the tribulation and those who had not worshipped the Beast or received his mark, will reign with Christ a thousand years (Revelation 20:4-6). It is also, at this time, when Old Testament saints are raised following a time of terrible trouble (Daniel 12:1-3).
   4. After a thousand years, Satan is loosed “out of prison” and will again seek to deceive the nations (Revelation 20:7). The fact that many again follow him proves that not all people during the millennium are willingly subject to Christ. Christ must “rule with a rod of iron” (Revelation 19:15).
   5. The rebels are devoured by fire and Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:9-10).
2. The Scope of the Millennium
   1. Israel will be a blessing to the nations of the earth during the millennium (Zechariah 8:13,21-23).
   2. Christ’s kingdom will be over the whole earth (Zechariah 14:9; Daniel 2:35) (the smiting stone fills the whole earth) (also, Isaiah 11:9).
3. Participants of the Millennium
   1. Restored Israel (Deuteronomy 30:3-6; Romans 11:26).
   2. The Redeemed Church (Revelation 5:9-10).
   3. The Old Testament saints (Daniel 12:1-3).
   4. The millions who come out of the great tribulation (Revelation 7:9,13-14; 20:4 (having been beheaded).
   5. The ones who refuse to receive the mark of the beast (Revelation 20:4).
   6. The ones who treat the Jews righteously and believe (Matthew 25:33-40).
      • The fact that Christ must rule with a “rod of iron” and that at the end of His reign, millions are not willingly subject to Him, reveals that others remain on earth that were not killed in Armageddon or in the horrors of the tribulation.
4. The Nature of the Millennium
   1. It will be initiated by force (Revelation 19:15).
   2. A literal government will be set up (Isaiah 9:6).
      1. Christ will reign (Isaiah 9:7).
      2. From Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3; Malachi 3:1-4).
      3. Jews will assist in ruling (Isaiah 32:1; 40:10).
      4. The twelve apostles will serve as judges over Israel (Matthew 19:28).
      5. The saints (the Church) will reign with Him (Revelation 5:9-10).
   3. Note the following verses and what they teach about the Millennium:
      1. Isaiah 2:1-4
         1. All will be taught God’s way.
         2. Christ will be the judge.
         3. There will be no more war.
         4. The law, and the word will go out from Jerusalem.
      2. Isaiah 9:6-7
         1. The government will be on His shoulders.
         2. His government will thrive.
         3. No end of peace.
         4. He will order and establish the government with righteousness and justice.
      3. Isaiah 11:1-10
         1. There will be equity for the poor and meek (verse 4).
         2. Beast ferocity is removed (verse 6).
         3. Serpents will not bite (verse 8).
         4. Nothing will hurt or destroy (verse 9).
         5. The earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord (verse 9).
      4. Isaiah 65:18-25
         1. No more weeping and crying in Jerusalem (verses 18-19).
         2. All mortals will live out their days (verse 20).
         3. No cheating, defrauding or dishonesty (verses 22-23).
         4. Wolf and lamb will eat together (verse 25).
         5. Isaiah 66:12-14 – Israel will be at peace and comforted.
         6. Romans 8:19-22 – The curse on the earth will be removed.
         7. Revelation 20:3 – With Satan’s removal, no more deception and temptation.
         8. Zephaniah 3:9 – All to be blessed with a pure language.
      5. Concluding thoughts:
         1. Remember that at the close of the millennium the Great White Throne Judgment occurs for sinners from all the ages (Revelation 20:11-15).
            Then after the Great White Judgment follows the destruction of this world as we know it and the formation of a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3:10-14; Revelation 21:1).
            Bear in mind that the millennium begins and ends with a judgment.
            1. At the beginning is the judgment of the nations (Matthew 25:31-46).
               At the end, the judgment of the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15).
               • Years ago we learned not to preach beyond what was written and revealed. There are many mysteries. My advice is that you rejoice in what is written and what you know. Do not speculate as to what is not revealed

We are delighted that you have stayed with the lessons and will receive a diploma.
We trust that you found this final study enriching and rewarding.
Keep looking up! Your redemption draweth nigh!

Examination

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