Rooted: What Will Happen When Jesus Returns?

[0:00] So welcome here for this Sunday, November 19th. My name is Kent Dixon, in case you forgot from two weeks ago. It's my joy to be the pastor here. So welcome to each of you this morning.

[0:11] It's good to see people that I haven't seen in a while and people that I see most weeks, and it's just great to see your faces. We also recognize that people listen online, people tune in to our podcasts.

[0:25] Nathan, thanks. Nathan is the one listener. No, that's not true. But yeah, so people connect with us in different ways. So welcome to anyone who's listening on the phone or anything in the coming days.

[0:37] So this morning we're picking back up in our sermon series, Rooted. And this is the, in case you're hoping, praying, that this would not go on until Jesus does return.

[0:48] This is the second last sermon in this series. Second last. And we'll wrap up next week. And then, believe it or not, we'll launch into our Advent sermon series.

[0:59] Isn't that crazy? Michelle and I were talking about it the other day. We went, it's November 15th. A couple days ago, we went, what happened? Because I still remember saying, welcome to our church for May something.

[1:13] And it's, now we're in November. Yikes. But over the past few weeks in this series, we've been considering lots of things that form the foundation of our faith.

[1:25] Things that we need to remember and understand clearly to remain rooted, hence the name of our series, rooted firmly in Christianity. Every sermon in this series is available online, including Paul's from last week, which is awesome now.

[1:40] We had no technical difficulties last week, so that sermon is on. So thanks again to Paul for covering for me last week. So two weeks ago, when we talked about the topic of death in this series, I mentioned to you that that sermon was kind of, I was viewing it as part of a little mini trilogy within this series.

[2:03] So that was that one. Our sermon this morning is titled, so that no one has to guess what I'm going to be talking about, what will happen when Jesus returns. And you can see a flavor of that in some of the songs we sang this morning.

[2:19] When we first become a Christian, and this is maybe familiar for you, there's lots of things that happen. We share the news with people who are close to us, likely we get, we are excited.

[2:31] We get baptized. Maybe we buy a Bible or someone buys a Bible for us. There are things that we do to celebrate that when we first become a Christian.

[2:42] But then I think it doesn't take very long before recognizing that Jesus is coming back, as scripture tells us. I think many Christians tend to flip to the end and begin to go, okay, how is it going to play out?

[3:01] I need to know, I need to figure out the details of when Jesus is going to come. So we're not going to answer everything this morning. And I don't have tattoos to back up my theology.

[3:12] In case people are wondering, I don't have a dragon tattoo on my calf or anything like that. But not that there's anything wrong with that. So we're not going to look at everything this morning, because this is a, I'll touch on a few things, and I'll note where there's deep and broad theological implications.

[3:31] But we tend to refer to that period as the end times, right? That is a typical Christian expression that we use. But I want to recognize right away that end times clock started ticking when Jesus left the earth.

[3:47] We're not suddenly in the end times, and I'll touch on some of this, don't panic. If you're thinking, that doesn't align with my personal theology, just wait, just wait for it.

[3:58] But I believe that clock started ticking the minute Jesus left, because his return is the end of that story, right? So that clock that began ticking, humanity has then been in the end times, in one perspective, since Jesus left.

[4:18] Because what are we waiting for? Jesus to return, right? That's the end times, end end times we're looking for. So let's start digging into this.

[4:30] How do we know Jesus is coming back? Well, for starters, he told his disciples that's what was going to happen. So in John 14, verses 1 to 3, Jesus said, Jesus made it clear.

[5:15] He told his disciples that he was leaving them, and they were bummed out, right? They were upset, because they didn't understand that he would come back.

[5:27] They didn't understand why he needed to go in the first place. So he consoles them, he encourages them by telling them that he will come back, and then he will take them with him.

[5:39] So after Jesus' resurrection and ascension, Paul also talks about Jesus coming back. In 1 Thessalonians 4, 16 and 17, he says, And if you're reading a translation and saying, what is he making this up from?

[6:08] In the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. And if you're reading a translation and saying, what is he making this up from?

[6:20] I'm reading from the CSV, or the ESV. I can't remember what it stands for. Paul? What does it stand for? English Standard Version. Thank you. We used it in seminary a lot, and I was an NIV guy, but I like NIV and ESV.

[6:37] So that statement that I just read of Paul from Thessalonians, it sounds like a bold declaration, doesn't it? It sounds like the kind of event that we don't want to miss, that we won't miss because it will be clear.

[6:52] So this is important. We do not know when Jesus is coming back. I'm just going to let that sit there for a second. Well, I do, you're thinking.

[7:06] Do you? Mark 13, verse 32 says, but concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, hear this, nor the Son, but only the Father.

[7:23] Matthew 24, verse 44 says, therefore you also must be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

[7:35] So I've shared this with a few of you over time, but my recognition of this, how this is going to go down, Jesus doesn't know, right? The Father will look to the Son and say, Son, it's time.

[7:52] And then it will happen. Pretty neat. So quite literally, God only knows. You know, we say, oh, God only knows what's going to happen. Literally, God only knows.

[8:03] But more specifically, only the Father knows the timing of Jesus' return. So it's something you can scour the Bible for and never find.

[8:14] It's a suggestion that the followers of Jesus, and maybe you can relate to this, you'll never find that we're told that we should agonize and fret and ponder and seek to find literal comparisons between biblical events and world events to try and determine for ourselves, hear that part, when Jesus will return.

[8:39] Don't panic again, because I'm getting to this. You're thinking, but there are signs, and think, we'll get there. We'll get there. So, but clearly, this is not, not what we have been asked to do.

[8:52] To begin to ponder and seek and always focus in on when Jesus is coming back. Because I believe, folks, that's a distracting pursuit that draws us away from what our actual calling is, which is to share the truth of God.

[9:10] To share the gospel of Jesus Christ. That's our calling. But, here's the but. Even though we do not know the precise timing of Jesus' return, we are called as followers of Jesus to hope for and to look forward to it.

[9:30] We should earnestly pray, come, Lord Jesus. No one knows when Jesus will return, but here it comes.

[9:41] The Bible seems to suggest some signs that we will see before he comes. There's the passages listed there. Mark 13, verse 10, suggests that the gospel must be preached to all nations.

[9:58] All people groups. That's something that needs to happen first. Mark 13, verses 19 to 20, says, For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now and never will be.

[10:18] And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect whom he chose, he shortened the days.

[10:29] So we learn there in Mark that there will be bad times. A tribulation. Mark 13, verse 24 and 25 says, But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.

[10:47] And the stars will be falling from heaven and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. So the Bible suggests there will be catastrophic events that happen not only on earth but in the universe.

[11:02] 1 Thessalonians, or 2 Thessalonians, pardon me, chapter 2, verse 1 to 4 says, Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together in him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

[11:28] Let no one deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed.

[11:41] The son of destruction who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called God or object of worship so that he takes his seat in the temple of God proclaiming himself to be God.

[11:56] So clearly someone identified as a man of lawlessness will lead a rebellion against God. Now I remember my father saying, during World War II, guess who people thought that was?

[12:12] During other times in world history, people have thought that individual has come. Clearly not. Not yet.

[12:24] Romans 11, 25, and 26 says, lest you be wise in your own sight, I don't want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers. A partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

[12:40] And in this way, all Israel will be saved. As it is written, the deliverer will come from Zion and he will banish ungodliness from Jacob.

[12:53] So another thing the Bible tells us is that the Jewish people will turn to Jesus Christ. They'll begin to recognize him as the Messiah and the Son of God.

[13:04] Hasn't happened quite yet. So this is important. We've not been given these signs in Scripture to somehow create a scorecard, to somehow create a list of boxes that we begin to check off.

[13:21] These signs have been given us, given to us for anticipation, to anticipate, to be aware of what's going on around us. Luke 21, verse 28 says, Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near.

[13:44] We're not supposed to try and keep score of these things or to try and draw these parallels between what Scripture says and what's happening in the world.

[13:55] People do it all the time. We're not supposed to try and keep score. We're not supposed to look at the book of Revelation and go, ooh, a bear and a dragon and all of these.

[14:07] So I've said this before. The book of Revelation is apocalyptic literature. That's what it's called in the context of the genre in Scripture. That doesn't mean it's all metaphorical, it's all fantasy or anything like that, but it does mean that you shouldn't be trying to draw direct parallels.

[14:28] Bear, Russia, people have done that in the past, right? So that's the challenge is to be aware of those signs but not seeking to draw direct parallels because remember, as I said, the Bible tells us that Jesus himself doesn't know.

[14:47] Some people suggest that the things the Bible is referring to in these signs, some people suggest they haven't even happened yet. That's one view of it.

[14:58] So the timing of Christ's return maybe isn't quite as close as we may think. But Jesus still said to always be watching. He said it seriously.

[15:09] He said it consistently and I believe he meant it. He said in Mark 13, verse 33, be on guard, he said. Keep awake for you do not know when the time will come.

[15:24] To me, that's a serious, serious message. Be on guard and keep awake. Don't fall asleep at the wheel, Jesus is saying. I'm going off to pray.

[15:36] Don't fall asleep and have me come back and find you sleeping again. Friends, the reality for us is that Jesus could return at any moment.

[15:47] Any moment. And we really don't know which of these signs that we just heard about may have already been fulfilled. Some may have happened. And we also don't know, again, which ones haven't happened yet.

[16:01] So, we should live each moment, live every day ready for Jesus to return at any time. Not with a sense of anxiety.

[16:13] So, you hear those words and you think, oh, should I begin fasting right after the spaghetti lunch? What do I do? You know, should I be praying? Should my knees be, my pants, knees on my pants be more worn because I'm in constant prayer?

[16:26] Well, no, I'm not trying to cause you panic or worry, but I'm causing, I'm trying to encourage us to all be aware, to live as if it is the last conversation you can have with someone.

[16:38] The last opportunity God has called you to tell his word, to tell his story, to give his truth. With hopefulness and joyful anticipation.

[16:50] That's what I'm trying to encourage. So, we also need to recognize that there are a bunch of different views and interpretations of scripture that disagree with each other about what will happen when Jesus returns.

[17:05] So, here's the deep theological stuff that I'm just gonna glance over because I can already see people getting shifty in their seats. So, most of, here's the good news, most of these disagreements, these views, the differing ideas, center around the same passage of scripture so that you can know.

[17:26] Revelation 20, verse 1 to 6, says, now stick with me, it's a bit, a bit of a stretch of a passage and you can follow along in your Bible. Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.

[17:43] And he seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for, hear this, a thousand years, and threw him into the pit and shut it and sealed it over him so that he might not deceive the nations any longer until the thousand years were ended.

[18:03] After that, he must be released for a little while. Then I saw thrones and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed.

[18:15] Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God and those who had not worshipped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or on their hands.

[18:29] They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.

[18:41] This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection. Over such, the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

[18:59] So it is this thousand year period period, which you may hear referred to as the millennium, that usually causes all the disagreement. So we'd be getting way, way, way down into the theological weeds to explore this in detail, but I'm going to just give you an idea of the three different views.

[19:20] So first, there is the amillennial view or the amillennial view. It's not ah, millennial. The amillennial view suggests that we're currently in that period, currently in the millennium period, and that Jesus' return will mark the end of that period.

[19:39] The second view is the post-millennial view, and that suggests the millennium will come gradually. As the church grows, now we can't conceive of that right now, we feel the church may be shrinking, it's certainly in this part of the world, but as the church grows and society is more and more influenced by the church, people view that time may come gradually.

[20:02] Then there is the premillennial view that suggests the millennium will begin, bang, suddenly, and Jesus will return and reign before the tribulation.

[20:15] So maybe you're wondering, first of all, maybe you're thinking, why, whoa, help, I have a headache. Pastor Kent, what camp are you in? Because I'll just go that way, because I think you may have an idea.

[20:28] It's a good question. I'm not in any of these camps. I'm actually, I actually ascribe to a fourth view. This is not heretical, by the way.

[20:41] I haven't mentioned it yet, but I am firmly in the pan-millennialist camp. Why am I in that group? Because I think it's just going to pan out the way that it pans out.

[20:53] Pan-millennialist. I am not worried about it. So while there may be different views of how it plays out, there are three things that all Christians should be able to agree on.

[21:08] So Revelation 20, verse 7 to 10 says, when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle.

[21:25] Their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them.

[21:38] And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

[21:51] So what can Christians agree on? One thing. Jesus wins. That was amen worthy. Excellent.

[22:01] Thank you. Satan will be defeated forever. And guess what? He already knows that. Why do you think Satan causes trouble where he can? Because he knows he is the biggest loser.

[22:15] That's the reality. But he will still continue to cause trouble in any way he can. But ultimately he will be defeated. He will be cast into the lake of fire.

[22:26] And there will be a final judgment. So recognizing that Jesus will return one day, we know that all humanity will face a final judgment.

[22:38] judgment. Jesus will judge every person who ever lived. He's been given the authority to judge in that way. John 5 verse 27 says, And he has given him authority to execute judgment because he is the Son of Man.

[23:01] So the final judgment is mentioned many times in Scripture. Romans 2 verse 5 says, But because of your hard and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.

[23:19] So the final judgment we know will take place after the millennial period we talked about this morning. So there's more about in Revelation 20 verse 11 to 15.

[23:31] I'll let you read that on your own. So there's more about how the final judgment will come about. But we recognize that Jesus will judge every single one of us.

[23:44] Both people who follow him and people who don't. People who have rejected him. Did you think you get a free pass? We do not.

[23:57] Matthew 25 verse 31 to 33 says, and we heard this last week or two weeks ago, when the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.

[24:10] Before him will be gathered all the nations and he will separate people one from another as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right, your right, but the goats on his left.

[24:27] Revelation 11, 18 says, the nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.

[24:47] So we know we will all be judged by the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, but what does final judgment mean for followers of Jesus?

[24:59] It's a good question. First, it does not mean, hear that, it does not mean we will be judged for the purpose of punishment because Jesus already paid for our sins.

[25:13] Remember that. The judgment for our sin was nailed to a cross through the sacrifice of Jesus himself. We will stand before Jesus to give a personal account.

[25:27] Romans 14 verse 10 to 12 says, Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you? Why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

[25:41] For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us, Paul says, will give an account of himself to God.

[25:58] What's that account going to look like? What did you do to contribute to and further the cause of Christ in your lifetime?

[26:10] What did you do to live the life that Jesus commanded you to live? Did you obey your king?

[26:20] Did you declare Jesus as Lord only then to follow your own selfish desires? We also recognize that scripture tells us Jesus will reward us for what we've done.

[26:35] 1 Corinthians 3 12-15 says, Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become manifest.

[26:48] For the day will disclose it because it will be revealed by fire and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.

[26:59] If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

[27:16] So our true reward will be realized. We will already be with the Lord at that time. Our joy will be in worshipping him with others who have gone before.

[27:28] So we will already have received that reward. Hebrews 10 verse 24 and 25, don't panic, we're wrapping up shortly. This is a big, big topic and I know that.

[27:41] Let us consider how to stir one another up to love and good works. not neglecting to meet together as is in the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

[28:00] This is what it's all about. Knowing rewards are coming, we should be focused on encouraging and motivating each other and meeting together.

[28:12] Remember that final judgment, as we've recognized, is for all of us. So what does final judgment mean for people who have rejected Jesus?

[28:24] First, they will experience the full force of God's wrath and fury, full and proper punishment for their sin.

[28:38] If you reject the Savior who was offered to you, you will stand alone. some of you know I have a heart for the lost.

[28:49] So this, this is hard for me. Romans 2 verse 8 says, but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.

[29:05] Revelation 20 verse 12 says, The final destination for people who have rejected Jesus is, I believe, a real place called hell.

[29:33] There are theologians and pastors who will tell you hell is a metaphorical place. Hell is an uncomfortable place. I don't believe that's what scripture says at all.

[29:45] The Bible's descriptions of hell are disturbing. Hell is a place of eternal fire. Matthew 25 verse 41 says, Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

[30:04] hell is a place where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.

[30:14] Now, worm caught my attention when I was reading that passage. Worm, it turns out translated there, refers to maggots, suggesting eternal physical torment.

[30:29] Revelation 14 verse 11 says, And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest day or night. These worshippers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.

[30:45] Bible tells us hell is a place of unending and eternal torment. I have friends who believe hell is metaphorical.

[30:56] Separated from God, that's what hell will be like. I think the Bible says it's far worse than that. The Bible refers to hell so often that it is undeniable.

[31:09] The Bible is also clear that evil will not go unpunished forever. Because a holy God, we stand before a holy God, and evil must be punished.

[31:25] There's no evil in God, and therefore no evil can exist in his presence. So, finally, what does final judgment mean for us now?

[31:37] Is this something that we don't need to worry about? It's at the end of the Bible? I'm only in Mark chapter 2? Well, here's hope. We can be assured that final judgment will be completely fair.

[31:53] I've said this many times, that God's judgment will be unlike any human judgment ever could be. it will be unbiased, he will bring justice, and everything will be made right.

[32:08] We should forgive other people as easily as we have been forgiven. Because we need to trust, my friends, that God's justice will be applied where it is needed, and according to his will, not ours.

[32:27] So in light of the fact that Jesus may return at any time, in light of the fact that we will face final judgment, we should seek to be obedient to God every day.

[32:44] Share the truth of the gospel with others who do not know him, as we have been called to do. Do you have people in your life that don't know Jesus? what if the end of their time comes tomorrow?

[33:00] What if you had the opportunity to share that truth with them and you didn't? God does not want anyone to be separated from him.

[33:11] Do you believe that? He wants all his created people to live with him together in eternity. Friends, how much do you personally value what Jesus has done in your life?

[33:27] Recognizing that, who in your life could you share that truth with? Who could you give that hope to? Do you care enough about them to tell them about Jesus?

[33:42] My friends, it's what we've been called and created to do. It's our ultimate role. And as a follower of Jesus, you literally have nothing to lose.

[33:56] But for your friends or family who don't know Jesus, friends, their eternal destiny is at stake. Ask God to help you to be bold and brave and give you opportunities to share your faith and bring change to the lives of others.

[34:17] Amen. Come, Lord let's escape. Thank you. Amen. Thank you. operations. Praise you. Other