Purpose of the Second Coming:

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

Matthew 25:31 (NLT) Final Judgment “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne.

2 Timothy 4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom

Jude 14-15 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands (Innumerable Hebrews 12:22) of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

Our preparation for the Second Coming:

Matthew 24:44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

1 Corinthians 1:7 (NLT) Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 1 Corinthians 12:28-31, Ephesians 4:7-13, 1 Peter 4:10).

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels (private motives) of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

1 Timothy 6:14 (NLT) that you obey this command without wavering (uncertainty). Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence (unwavering faith) and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

Watchmen for the coming of Christ

• The uncertainty of the time: Matthew 25:13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Mark 13:33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

• Reward promised the vigilant: Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.

• The children of the Light will NOT sleep: 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.  Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.

• The imminence of the Advent: Revelation 3:11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

• His appearance will be unexpected: Revelation 16:15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” 

Behold, I am coming as a thief - That is, suddenly and unexpectedly. This is designed evidently to admonish people to watch, or to be in readiness for his coming, since, whenever it would occur, it would be at a time when people were not expecting him.

Blessed is he who watches - Compare Matthew 24:42-44. The meaning here is, that he who watches for these events, who marks the indications of their approach, and who is conscious of a preparation for them, is in a better and happier state of mind than he on whom they come suddenly and unexpectedly.

And keeps his garments - The allusion here seems to be to one who, regardless of danger, or of the approach of an enemy, should lay aside his garments and lie down to sleep. Then the thief might come and take away his garments, leaving him naked. The essential idea, therefore, here, is the duty of vigilance. We are to be awake to duty and to danger; we are not to be found sleeping at our post; we are to be ready for death - ready for the coming of the Son of man.

Lest he walk naked - His covering being carried away while he is asleep.

And they see his shame - Compare with Revelation 3:18. The meaning here is, that, as Christians are clothed with the garments of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10), they should not lay them aside, so that their spiritual nakedness should be seen. They are to be always clothed with the robes of salvation (Isiah 61:10); always ready for any event, however soon or suddenly it may come upon them.

In light of tonight’s study and all the scriptures we covered, seeing how extremely dark the world is getting, leading up to His return, how would you get your house in order?  What areas do you need to work on immediately from a spiritual, emotional, or physical point of view?