The Future

Light for life – The future: Home Group Study Guide. Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 “The Lord Jesus Christ will return in glory. He will raise the dead and judge the world in righteousness. The wicked will be sent to eternal punishment and the righteous will be welcomed into a life of eternal joy in fellowship with God. God will make all things new and will be glorified forever.” 1. The future is an obsession for some, and a constant anxiety for others. What should the Christian’s attitude be? 2. In what practical ways is it helpful to our present daily living to know that: JESUS is coming again John 14:1-3 JESUS will conquer all His enemies Rev. 19:11-21 JESUS will judge all sinners Acts 17:31; JESUS will assess all believers & give rewards 2 Timothy 4:8; 2 Corinthians 5:10 [1 Cor. 3:10-15] JESUS will make everything new Rev. 21:1-5; Romans 7:24-25; 8:18 3. We are taught in the NT to live with the constant sense of the ‘nearness’ of the LORD’s return. GOD is not playing games with us. Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” 2000-3000 years is ‘soon’ compared to eternity of course! But think of some different points in world history when you can imagine CHRISTians thinking, “It could well be very soon!” Note: The Bible’s teaching on the 2nd Coming is not so much a list that we can tick off and have a definite count-down; its more signs that keep every generation on their toes and looking up – until THE DAY! 4. Why has the LORD’s return not happened yet? 2 Peter 3:8-9 5. What are the characteristics expected of a person who is waiting for the LORD’s return? Mark 8:34-38 Colossians 1:21-23 Hebrews 10:23-25, 35-39 2 Peter 3:11-14 Personal question: Which characteristic above do you and the LORD, need to really focus on?