Understanding Your Religion
7 Major Doctrines that Define Christianity
The Doctrine of the Second Coming - Part 2
Teaching Strategy
The focus of this lesson are the key passages about the second coming of Jesus. Of special note in this lesson is a review of the four main “Millennial” teachings found in the world today.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Understand the teachings of Jesus as He describes His second coming.
- Feel: Commit to faithful living.
- Do: Put into practice the principles and commands taught by Jesus so as to be prepared for His return.
Body of the Lesson
Discussion Questions
Below are suggested questions to use during the guided discussion portion of the lesson. There are also suggested responses to questions to help students grasp the various concepts. These are provided to assist the discussion and are not considered as "right or wrong" responses.
(Note: Teachers may consider reviewing selected passages rather than all of these. This is not to discount any of them, but to form a foundation to encourage further study.)
- Romans 2:5; 12-16 – The return of Jesus will be a time when God judges and punishes.
- Romans 8:23 – When our Lord returns our physical bodies will be redeemed, meaning we will be resurrected.
- Romans 14:10-12 – All will be judged and must give an account of their lives to God.
- I Corinthians 8:8 – Jesus will come for His own.
- I Corinthians 5:5 – It will be a day of destruction or salvation depending on our faithfulness.
- I Corinthians 15:23-28 – The faithful will be united with God forever.
- II Corinthians 5:1-2 – We get a glimpse of our relationship with God as the Holy Spirit guides us into faithfulness now.
- II Corinthians 5:10 – We will be judged for our deeds. Note, not as a way that we've earned salvation, but as a sign of our faithfulness.
- Philippians 3:21 – We will be transformed into an image provided by God.
- I Thessalonians 3:11-13 – Those that lead and teach others have the task of helping prepare the Church for the Lord's return. In truth, this is also a task for all of us.
- I Thessalonians 5:2 – The return of our Lord will be unexpected.
- I Thessalonians 4:13-14 – When Jesus returns, the faithful will be raised first, then the living who are faithful will join the resurrected ones and be transformed to be with Christ.
- I Thessalonians 5:1-3 – All of this will happen without sign or warning. We've already been warned that it is coming and must be ready.
- II Thessalonians 1:7-10 – The unbelieving will believe and know why they are being punished and those that believe (and act upon that belief) will be rewarded.
- I Timothy 6:14-15 – Jesus will appear in real time, not figuratively or as a vision.
- II Timothy 4:1, 8 – The return of Jesus will be the end of this world with punishment to the wicked and reward to the faithful.
- Titus 2:11-13 – We prepare for our Lord's return now by faithful living. Our growing faith provides growing hope.
Dispensational Premillennialism – This is a literal interpretation of prophetic passages about end times. It features:
- An actual 1000-year reign of Christ on earth
- Two dispensations (periods of time): the salvation of the Jews; the salvation of the Gentiles
- A "rapture" period where people disappear into heaven leaving others on earth
- The Millennium (1000 years on earth) is marked by a return of Jewish temple worship, a great war, etc.
Historic Premillennialism – There will be a 1000-year separation between the first resurrection of Jesus and the second. The final judgment will happen at the second resurrection. Features of this position:
- A great apostasy (falling away) and tribulation (period of suffering) must happen before Jesus returns.
- The Kingdom will be revealed and Satan is bound during the 1000 year reign.
- A massive rebellion will take place before Jesus returns a second time for judgment
Post-Millennialism – A millennial age begins gradually as the gospel is preached. The church exercises financial and political authority on earth as a sign of the Kingdom's superiority. The features of this position are:
- The church binds Satan and his influence on earth
- Proponents believe in a form of Christian theocracy (rule)
A-Millennialism – The teaching that the 1000 years refers to a time between Jesus' initial appearance and his return. The 1000 years is symbolic of a time known only to God. Features of this position are:
- No rapture or tribulation
- Both Jews and Gentiles are called by the same gospel
- The Kingdom is represented by the church on earth At Jesus' return the world will end, the wicked will be judged, saints will be with Christ in the new heaven and earth forever.
We don't know when our Lord will return but we do know He will return. The time is known only by God the Father (Matthew 24:36). Our role is to be prepared by obeying God's will for our salvation, to live faithfully and to help others come to know our Lord. In doing these we are faithful and will be rewarded by God for eternity.
As we close this series of lessons, please keep in mind the statement made throughout this study. God does not demand perfection, but He does require faithfulness.
We give God the glory for all things, especially for His grace.