The Lord Jesus Christ (Christology) --- Return (TBC Carpenter Flock teaching notes)

IV. The Lord Jesus Christ (Christology)

A. Person of the Trinity  B. Incarnation  C. Life and Ministry  D. Redemption   E. Resurrection

F. Return

1. We teach that Jesus Christ will return to receive the church,¹ which is His body,² unto Himself at the rapture³ and, returning to this earth, personally, bodily, and visibly with His saints in glory,⁴ will establish His millennial kingdom on earth.⁵

2. We teach that the Lord Jesus Christ is the one through whom God will judge all mankind as the mediator between God and man,⁶ the head of His body the church,⁷ and the coming universal King who will reign on the throne of David.⁸ He will judge believers,⁹ living inhabitants of the earth at His glorious return,¹⁰ and unbelieving dead at the Great White Throne.¹¹

¹ Acts 1:11   ² Colossians 1:18   ³ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17;    ⁴ Jude 14-15   ⁵ Revelation 20:4b, 6    ⁶ John 5:22; 1 Timothy 2:5   ⁷ Ephesians 1:22; 5:23;    ⁸ Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:31-33   ⁹ 2 Corinthians 5:10   ¹⁰ Matthew 25:31-32   ¹¹  Revelation 20:11-15

→ The Rapture

· John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

→ The Return:  personally, bodily, and visibly

· Acts 1:11

· Jude 1:14-15

→ As Judge

· 1 Corinthians 3:13-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10 

· Revelation 20:11-15

→ As King

· Luke 1:31-33

· Revelation 20:4-6

Discussion Questions:

· Is it important that we expect Christ’s "literal, physical" return? Why?

· What are some ways or times that the expectation of Christ’s return gives us motivation and comfort? (You can also refer to 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (esp. 58); 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, 18; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:2-3 & Philippians 1:6 .)

· Do you agree with this statement?   “To some extent, then, the degree to which we actually long for Christ’s return is a measure of  the spiritual condition of our own lives at the moment.”  —Wayne Grudem in Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine   Would you characterize yourself as longing for Christ’s return? Why?

· Do you think that we (in a general sense) think on, preach about, and sing about Christ’s return enough?  Too much?

Food for Thought:

· As you read the Bible for the next few weeks, keep a special eye out for mentions of Christ’s return.

Carpenter Flock 16.04.24