TLC Lesson 4 - The Living Christ Will Return

Introduction

Jesus is the Living Christ. From the beginning Jesus was with God and was truly God. Everything that was made was made by him. He came to earth as a man two thousand years ago. For about thirty years He lived on earth. He taught men and women about God. Then evil men killed Him, but He did not stay dead. He came back to life again and went up to heaven. Where is He now? Will He ever come to earth again? Look at the pictures and listen to the recording while I tell you the answers.

Picture 71. Servants Ready for their Master's Return

Luke 12:35-40

When Jesus was on earth, He told His followers that He would die and come alive again. That is exactly what happened. He also said that He would return to earth a second time. That will happen too. Jesus warned His followers to be ready for His return. He told them to be like the servants in this picture. They must not be lazy. They should be doing their job. He said, "Be ready. Be like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding feast When he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. You should be ready, because I will come at an hour when you do not expect me."
(You can read more about this in Matthew 24:45-51).

Picture 93. Jesus Teaches about the End Times

Matthew 24:1-14

Jesus often spoke about His second coming to earth. In this picture you can see Jesus talking to His friends. Behind them is the temple of God in Jerusalem. The temple was very beautiful. Jesus said that it would soon be destroyed. The friends asked Him, "Tell us, when will this happen, and what will be the signs of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus said, "Watch out because many will come in my name, claiming "I am the Christ" and they will deceive many. You will hear of wars but you must not be alarmed. Such things must happen but the end is not yet. Nation will rise against nation; there will be famines and earthquakes. You will be persecuted and put to death because of me. Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people; but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. This gospel of God's kingdom will be preached in the whole world, and then the end will come."
(2 Timothy 3:1-5 also tells us of the end times.)

Picture 94. Parable of the Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus told His followers this story. It was about ten young women. They were waiting for a wedding feast to begin. Five of them were wise and five were foolish. It became dark. The five foolish women had no oil for their lamps. They were not prepared. They had to go and buy oil. While they were gone, the bridegroom came and the feast began. In the picture you can see the five women when they returned. They called out, "Open the door for us!" But the bridegroom called from inside, "I don't know you." They missed that wonderful feast. Jesus warned His followers that He will come suddenly just like that bridegroom. Some people will be ready. They will enter the Kingdom of Heaven with Him. There will be great rejoicing for them. However, those who are not prepared will be left outside forever. Jesus said, "Therefore, keep watch. You do not know the time of my return." Friends, are you ready for Jesus if He comes today? (Matthew 24:42-44 also tells us that we must be ready.)

Picture 95. Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25:14-30

What will happen when Jesus returns? Jesus told his followers about this in another story. It has a lesson for us too. In the story, a rich man prepared to go on a journey. He called his servants. He gave them his money to trade with while he was away. Two of the servants traded with the money. They gained more money for their master. The other servant did not do anything with his master's money. He just hid it. Then the master returned. He said to the servants who had made money for him, "Well done. You are good servants." He gave them a great reward. However he was angry with the lazy servant. He threw him out. Jesus is like that master. We are like His servants. He has given gifts to us. These gifts are our abilities to do many things. He wants us to use our abilities for Him. When Jesus returns He will judge all people. If we use our abilities for Him we will receive a great reward and be with Him forever.
(2 Peter 3:14 also tells us what we should be doing as we wait for Jesus. 1 Corinthinans 3:11-15 tells us how to gain God's rewards.)

Picture 96. Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

Matthew 25:31-46

In this picture you can see a shepherd. He is separating the sheep from the goats. He is putting the sheep on his right side, and the goats on his left. This picture tells us more about the return of Jesus. Jesus loves His followers and He cares for them just like a shepherd. But Jesus is just and holy. When He returns He will come in great glory with all the angels of heaven. He will judge all people according to what they have done. Jesus will separate His followers from those who have rejected Him. People who follow His teaching will receive everlasting life in God's Kingdom. Everyone else will go to everlasting punishment.

Picture 118. Jesus Ascends into Heaven

Acts 1:6-12

Many people did not believe that Jesus was from God. They did not believe that He will reign forever. They seized Jesus and killed Him by hanging Him on a cross. Jesus had to die as the sacrifice for the sins of all people. But that was not the end of Him. Jesus came back to life and His followers saw Him again. They saw Him go up to heaven in a cloud as you see in this picture. Then two angels appeared. They said to the followers, "This Jesus will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Picture 119. Jesus at God's Right Hand in Heaven

Mark 16:19

Where is Jesus now? He is in heaven now. The Bible tells us that He is sitting at the right hand of God. Jesus hears everyone who prays to Him. He speaks to God on our behalf. He is in heaven but He has not left us alone. He has sent His Holy Spirit to live in His followers. Believe Him. Speak to Jesus in prayer. Ask Him to forgive your sin, and to give you His Holy Spirit. Be ready for Jesus when He comes to earth again. We don't know when that will be, but He will return. Jesus always keeps His promises.
(2 Peter 3:3-9 tells us why He has not returned yet).

Picture 120. Jesus Will Return

Matthew 24:30-31; Revelation 1:7-8

The Bible tells us more about the day when Jesus Christ will return. He is also called the Son of Man. It says, "A sign will appear in the sky. And there will be the Son of Man. All nations on earth will weep when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. At the sound of a loud trumpet, he will send his angels to bring his chosen ones together from all over the earth." Jesus is not only the Son of Man. He is also the Son of God. He shows us what God is like. When Jesus returns to earth He will defeat death and evil forever. It will be a day of fear for Satan and his followers. But it will be a day of great joy for those who follow Jesus Christ. So turn away from your sinful life. Live for Jesus and follow His ways. Be ready for His return!
(The Bible tells us more about the coming of Jesus in 1 Thess. 4:13-18)