Today is round-up Sunday. Someone asked me what this was all about. I explained that this was the time that we set aside to round up all the folks who strayed during the Summer, and get them back in church.
However, in today's text we read of another type of 'round-up'. It has to do with the time that Jesus will return to this earth. He is coming at the Rapture for the Saints, and then His second coming will be to establish His kingdom on this earth.
In vv.12-13, we have a sure and certain testimony of Jesus concerning His Second Coming. This morning, let's consider three aspects of His coming.
I. Jesus is Coming Quickly (vv.7a, 12a).
A. The Word "Quickly" may not Refer to WHEN Jesus will Return.
1. It has been approximately 2,000 years since John penned these words and we still await His coming.
2. In 2 Pet.3:3, Peter prophesied that "scoffers will come in the last days."
3. He said many of these scoffers would say, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." V4
4. However in v.8, Peter reminds us, "Beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
5. Throughout the NT, particularly in Jesus' words in the gospels, we see many signs of His coming.
6. Many of those signs have already been fulfilled and some are being fulfilled this very day.
7. So, based on such biblical evidence, we can confidently conclude that not only is Jesus coming "quickly" He is coming SOON!!!
B. The Word "Quickly" Refers to HOW Jesus will Return.
1. The idea here is that when Jesus comes, His coming will be sudden and surprising.
2. It also carries the idea that it could happen at any time.
3. Don't be unprepared.
1 THESS.5:2, "FOR YOU YOURSELVES KNOW PERFECTLY THAT THE DAY OF THE LORD SO COMES AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT."
MAT.24:27, "FOR AS THE LIGHTNING COMES FROM THE EAST AND FLASHES TO THE WEST, SO ALSO WILL THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE."
4. The coming of Christ will catch men unprepared (Mat.24:36-44).
C. The Word "Quickly" is a WARNING that Jesus will Return.
1. Jesus is coming suddenly; the question we must ask is not "when will He get here" but..."Will we be ready when He comes?"
2. If Jesus were to come back right now with the speed of lightning, would we be prepared?
I. Jesus is Coming Quickly (vv.7a, 12a). II. Jesus is Coming for Us.
A. Jesus is Coming for Those who Keep "the Words of the Prophecy" (v.7).
1. A similar statement is found in Ch 1:3.
2. Those who "read," "hear" and "keep [take to heart] the words of this prophecy" will be "blessed."
3. What else can we hold onto except the Word of God?
4. The message of hope for this generation is the message that comes to those who hold onto the Word of God for their strength.
5. The message is a message of power, joy, and grace and salvation.
B. Jesus is Coming for Those who "Do His Commandments" (vv.13-14).
1. Jesus says He is "the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."
2. He exists beyond space and time.
3. V.14 is the last beatitude in the Bible.
4. Those whose lives are characterized by keeping Jesus' commandments are those who have been saved.
C. Jesus is Coming for Those who have Answered His Call to "Come" (v.17).
1. The Holy Spirit says "Come." The bride says "Come." Believers in Christ say "Come."
2. All of us have an opportunity to "come" to Jesus.
3. God's invitation to life eternal is universal in scope.
a. It is for all ages.
b. It is for all races.
c. It is for rich and poor, good and bad.
d. It is for you and me.
4. The call to "come" is a call to salvation.
5. It is an invitation from God to become a part of His eternal family.
6. And Jesus is coming for those who have responded to that invitation.
III. Jesus is Coming with His Reward (v.12b).
A. Jesus has a "Reward" for His Faithful Followers.
1. There is a connection between the deeds we do on earth and the amount or value of our reward in heaven.
2 COR.5:10 SAYS, "FOR WE MUST ALL APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST, THAT EACH ONE MAY RECEIVE THE THINGS DONE IN THE BODY, ACCORDING TO WHAT HE HAS DONE, WHETHER GOOD OR BAD."
2. One of the rewards for believers is "the crown of righteousness."
2 TIM. 4:8, "FINALLY, THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH THE LORD, THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, WILL GIVE TO ME ON THAT DAY, AND NOT TO ME ONLY BUT ALSO TO ALL WHO HAVE LOVED HIS APPEARING."
3. Those who have not "come" to Christ will be judged and their reward will be the "lake of fire" (20:11-15).
B. The Greatest Reward We can Receive is to be in the Presence of God.
1. We know that God is present everywhere.
2. But one day we will see Him and touch Him.
3. One day we will be like Him!
1 JOHN 3:2, "BELOVED, NOW ARE WE THE SONS OF GOD, AND IT DOTH NOT YET APPEAR WHAT WE SHALL BE: BUT WE KNOW THAT, WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM; FOR WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS."
Will we be ready for Jesus when He comes to 'round up' His own? Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Why not come today and receive Him?
Christians, are we ready for the Lord to come? Are we doing what we should? Are we giving Him the proper place in our lives? What about our reward? Will the Lord say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant"?
Whatever the need this morning, will you come? Trust the Lord today.