This lesson is adapted from the booklet “A Glimpse into the Future,” with a special focus on what the Bible says about Jesus’ Second Coming.

SOURCE FOR QUESTIONS
Matthew 24:3-14; Mark 13:32-37; 2 Timothy 3:1-5

‍KEY VERSE FOR MEMORIZATION
“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44)

What does the future hold?

That question looms in the minds and hearts of people around the world. Some debate, predict, or philosophize about it. Others ponder it silently in the innermost recesses of their hearts. Still others resolutely push aside all thoughts of what the future might bring, or fail to give thought to it at all. However, the question must not be ignored, because careful comparison of Biblical prophecies and conditions in our world today indicate that the culmination of God’s dealings with the people of this earth will soon occur. 

The Second Coming of Christ is a future event so important that it is mentioned in almost every New Testament book, and the imminence of His return is a theme woven through the prophecies concerning this subject. Christ’s Second Coming encompasses two separate events: the Rapture of the Church, when Christ comes to catch away those who have made spiritual preparation; and the Revelation of Christ, when He comes with His saints from Heaven to execute judgment upon the ungodly and set up His Kingdom on this earth. The Rapture of the Church is the next great event in God’s plan for the ages. 

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He taught that He would return one day and repeatedly instructed His disciples to be prepared for His return. His assurance that He would come back again was one of the promises He comforted His disciples with prior to His death. The Early Church lived in anticipation of His soon return, and believers of every era are challenged in God’s Word to live in that same continual state of readiness.

After the followers of Christ are taken from this earth in the Rapture, a terrible tide of destruction will come upon the world. That period is referred to in Scripture as the Great Tribulation—a literal seven-year period of terror and torment the likes of which have never been known. The Holy Spirit is in the world today, dwelling in the hearts of believers and holding back that time when God’s wrath will be poured out upon those who have rejected Him. 

These cataclysmic events are just ahead, so it is vital that we ensure we are ready for the Rapture of the Church.

SUGGESTED RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS

1. ‍The Bible is a written record not only of history, but also of what is to come. Its pages contain prophesies of the signs that will precede Christ’s return to this earth, along with those that have already been fulfilled. Yet many fail to believe. Jesus said to the Jewish religious leaders of His day, “O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” (Matthew 16:3). Tragically, that is often still the case today.
   
   One of the most detailed passages in the Bible concerning end time events is found in Matthew chapter 24. When Jesus’ disciples asked Him what signs would precede His coming and the end of the world, He responded with a comprehensive list. In it, He telescoped near future events concerning the Jewish people of His day, and far future events that would not occur until the time of the end. Some of these signs have already occurred, some are occurring today, and some are still to come. In Matthew 24:3-14, which of the signs Christ predicted do you see occurring in the world today?
   
2. In God’s Word, the nation of Israel often is a prophetic signpost. In Isaiah 11:12 we read, “And he [God] shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” That prophecy was fulfilled in 1948 when Israel became a nation for the first time since 597 B.C. Since then, numerous Biblical prophecies regarding Israel have come to pass, including the return of rainfall to the land, the restoration of a pure language, the establishing of the shekel as official currency, and a number of astonishing military victories. In Scripture, Israel sometimes is represented by a fig tree. What instruction did Jesus give His disciples in Matthew 24:32-33, and how does this apply to us today?
   
3. In addition to Jesus’ warning given in Matthew 24, prophets in the Old Testament and Christ’s disciples in the New Testament spoke of signs that would indicate Christ’s return to this earth was imminent. For example, in the Old Testament, Daniel predicted that in the last days, multitudes would travel to and fro, and knowledge would increase (Daniel 12:4). Zechariah’s prophecy could apply to weapons of mass destruction (see Zechariah 14:12). In the New Testament, Peter predicted that many false prophets would emerge, bringing in heresies (2 Peter 2:1-2). John the Revelator indicated that the Gospel would be preached as a witness to all nations (Revelation 14:6). Why do you think God provided so many and varied signs related to the condition of the world at the end of time?
   
4. Biblical prophecies paint a graphic picture of the human condition just prior to Christ’s return. In 2 Timothy 3, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, described to Timothy how the last days would be characterized by sinfulness. He introduced this portion of his epistle with the statement, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” The Greek word translated perilous means “hard to bear, troublesome, dangerous.” Then Paul proceeded to describe what brought about the peril: the sinfulness of man. What does 2 Timothy 3:1-5 tell us about the condition of mankind in the last days?
   
5. The Rapture of the Church will occur when Jesus calls His followers (both Gentile and Jewish believers in Christ) from this earth, and they are transported to meet with Him in the air. The word rapture does not appear in Scripture. It is derived from the Latin Vulgate translation of 1 Thessalonians 4:17. There the phrase “caught up” is translated into the Latin word rapturo, which literally means “being carried away in body or spirit.” While the word itself does not appear, the Bible gives many details about what will occur at the time of the Rapture. What can we learn about this event from the following Scriptures?
   
   • Matthew 24:27
   • Matthew 24:36
   • Matthew 24:40-41
   • 1 Corinthians 15:52
   • 1 Thessalonians 4:16
   • 1 Thessalonians 4:17
   • John 14:2-3
   ‍
6. Luke 21:36 and Matthew 24:42 have a common theme. What action word occurs in both verses, and how do we do this in our daily lives in relation to Christ’s return?
   
7. When the believers are taken from this world, a time of terrible tribulation will begin on earth. God’s wrath will be poured out on those remaining on earth. Some who are postponing making their peace with God may think, I’ll just go through the Tribulation, but I won’t take the mark of the beast. Based on 2 Thessalonians 2:5-8, why is that supposition in error?
   
8. What might you expect to see in the lives of people who are truly ready and watching for the Lord’s return?
   

CONCLUSION

There has never been a period in history when end-time prophecies aligned more closely with the conditions of the world than they do today. Christ’s return is clearly imminent, and we must be certain that we are ready. We have something wonderful to look forward to—the Rapture of the saints of God! May we be ever more vigilant to make our calling and election sure as we see that day approaching.

Let’s be ready for that day!