Florida Bible Institute
Level Three
Lesson Twelve
Page 1 of 4 Pages


                                                                       Jesus Christ - His Ascension and Return

Scripture Readings: Daniel 7:1 - 28, Matthew 24:1 - 51, Luke 21:1 - 38, I Thess 4:13 - 18, 2 Thess 2:1 - 5, Revelation 13:1 - 18 and Revelation Chapter 19:1 - 8.

Memory Verse: Acts 1:11

Introduction: The Gospel, the Good News concerning Jesus, did not end at Calvary. The Cross was the altar on which the Lamb of God offered up His life as a sin sacrifice for all who would believe in Him and receive Him as Lord and Savior.

Nor did the Good News concerning Jesus Christ end in the Tomb. The tomb was simply the place where the body of Jesus was laid after the crucifixion, where He would be ...declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:. (Romans 1:4)

Nor did the Good News concerning Jesus Christ terminate with His being raised from the dead, but carried over into His ascension into heaven where He sits at the right hand of God, The Father, making intercession for the saints. And, the Good News concerning Jesus Christ, will continue to carry over until His visible return to planet earth to establish His rule and reign.

I. In Jeremiah 8:7 God, through His prophet, rebuked the people because they could not discern the time in which they lived. In Matthew 16:13
   Jesus rebuked the people in His day for the same reason. And, with the understanding that Daniel 7:25 basically means that those in authority
   prior to the end will try to make wrong look right and right look wrong approach the following questions prayerfully and thoughtfully.

1. From the scriptures assigned for you to read for this lesson, what, if any signs of the times in which we live did you find, that speak to events that
    will precede the second coming of Christ Jesus to earth.


II. The Second Coming of Christ Jesus.

1. From your understanding of the scriptures you read, will the second coming of Christ be a secret second coming, hidden from the eyes of the
    unconverted, or will it be visible for all to see?

      (1) Explain your reasoning and support your answer with scripture.

2. According to the scriptures, what is occurring on earth when Christ returns?

3. Based on the scriptures you read, how do you understand the second coming of Christ? Will it be a progressive coming, or an instantaneous
    appearing and coming?

4. Some teach that the second coming of Christ occurred with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. In your opinion, how does Acts 1:11 speak to that doctrine?

5. According to the scriptures, what will be the order of the gathering of the Saints, both the dead and those alive at His coming? Who will go first,
    and who will go last?

6. What kind of body will Believers be raised with at the second coming of Christ?

7. How long will it take for those who are saved and alive at the second coming of Christ to be changed from their earthly body to their immortal,
    spiritual body?

     (1) Describe in your own words, your understanding of your answer above.

8. What happens to the enemies of Christ, the un-believers when Christ returns?

9. What is your understanding of the events that follow the return of Christ when His enemies are destroyed?

10. Do you have any friends, co-workers or relatives that you are sure are not prepared for the second coming of Christ?

11. What do you think you should do about that?

12. Read Revelation 20:4 - 5. Based on your understanding of those scriptures, when does the resurrection occur?

Before the tribulation period with the Anti-Christ in authority and the Mark of the Beast.

After or at some point in time during the tribulation period with Anti-Christ and the Mark of the Beast, - but - after the Mark of the Beast has been refused by the saints.

13. How does Revelation 20:4 - 5 and Matthew 24:1 - 31 relate to each other?

Conclusion: The scriptures teach us that ... we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep (dead). For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (I Thess 4:15 - 18)

Thus, it appears from scripture, that if we keep the Three Rs lined up correctly, we shall have a proper understanding to the Second Coming of Christ.

1. Christ returns.

2. The dead in Christ are resurrected.

3. Those who are alive at His coming are raptured.

That may appear to be an over-simplification, but, it eliminates a lot of fruitless discussion concerning the Church and the Tribulation.

One thing is certain, Jesus ascended into the heavens and will descend in like manner as He ascended. He will return for His own, to gather them to Himself, and to punish those who have opposed and refused Him.

Look up, child of God, for ...when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28)

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Re 22:17)

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Rev 22:20)

Amen!!!