And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:3 ASV
THE SECOND ADVENT
Not only here but in Acts 1:11; 3:21; 2 Thessalonians 4:13-17, etc., the doctrine of the second coming of Christ is emphatically taught, the same being one of the foundational teachings of Christianity.
I. What Christ will not do upon his return.
A. He will not offer himself a second time for the sins of the world (Hebrews 9:26-28).
B. He will not restore any phase of fleshly or national Israel. The Scripture makes it absolutely clear that race is nothing with God (Galatians 3:27).
C. He will not set up a kingdom, having already done that, the church being his kingdom. It has existed continuously since the first Pentecost after the resurrection, and wherever the Lord’s Supper is, there is the kingdom (Luke 22:30).
D. He will not extend a second chance for unbelievers to repent (Hebrews 9:27).
II. What Christ will do upon his return.
A. All the dead shall be raised to life (John 5:24-29).
B. The judgment will occur (John 5:24-29; Matthew 25:31-36).
C. The wicked shall be destroyed and the righteous rewarded (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).
D. The crown of life shall be given to the faithful (2 Timothy 4:7,8).
E. Christ will stop reigning, delivering up the kingdom to God (1 Corinthians 15:28).
III. What Christ is now doing.
A. He is reigning until all of his enemies have been put under foot (1 Corinthians 15:25f).
B. He is interceding for the redeemed (Hebrews 7:25).
C. He is administering all authority in heaven and upon earth (Matthew 28:18-20).
D. He is providentially overseeing the fortunes of his church on earth (Matthew 28:19,20).
E. He is preparing a home for the faithful (John 14:3).
