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Our Attitude in the Last Days. 1. Unite with God’s central person of the age 2. Expect the old age to oppose the new age 3. Keep an open mind to receive the new truth 4. Make our own decision. The Second Coming. 1. When Will Christ Return?. Can We Know The Time?. No. Yes. Matthew 24:36
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Our Attitude in the Last Days 1. Unite with God’s central person of the age 2. Expect the old age to oppose the new age 3. Keep an open mind to receive the new truth 4. Make our own decision
1. When Will Christ Return? Can We Know The Time? No Yes Matthew 24:36 Revelation 3:3 II Peter 3:10 Amos 3:7 I Thessalonians 5:4 Matthew 25:1-13
1. When Will Christ Return? Can We Know The Time? No “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son but the Father only” Matthew 24:36 Revelation 3:3 II Peter 3:10
1. When Will Christ Return? Can We Know The Time? No “Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you” Matthew 24:36 Revelation 3:3 II Peter 3:10
1. When Will Christ Return? Can We Know The Time? No “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar” Matthew 24:36 Revelation 3:3 II Peter 3:10
1. When Will Christ Return? Can We Know The Time? Yes Amos 3:7 I Thessalonians 5:4 Matthew 25:1-13
1. When Will Christ Return? Can We Know The Time? Yes For the lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared; but who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy? Amos 3:7 I Thessalonians 5:4 Matthew 25:1-13
1. When Will Christ Return? Can We Know The Time? But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day.... So then let us not sleep, as others do. Yes Amos 3:7 I Thessalonians 5:4 Matthew 25:1-13
1. When Will Christ Return? Can We Know The Time? Yes And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.... Amos 3:7 I Thessalonians 5:4 Matthew 25:1-13
1. When Will Christ Return? Can We Know The Time? Yes Yes/No And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.... Amos 3:7 I Thessalonians 5:4 Matthew 25:1-13 ...Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour
1. When Will Christ Return? • We can learn through the Principles of Restoration – the historical parallels:
JewishHistory Christian History Slavery in Egypt Suffering under Rome 400 400
JewishHistory Christian History Slavery in Egypt Suffering under Rome Judges Church Patriarchs 400 400
JewishHistory Christian History Slavery in Egypt Suffering under Rome Judges Church Patriarchs United Israelite Monarchy Christian Empire 120 120
JewishHistory Christian History Slavery in Egypt Suffering under Rome Judges Church Patriarchs United Israelite Monarchy Christian Empire DividedKingdoms Divided Empire 400 400
JewishHistory Christian History Slavery in Egypt Suffering under Rome Judges Church Patriarchs United Israelite Monarchy Christian Empire DividedKingdoms Divided Empire Exile and Return Papal Captivity & Return 210 210
JewishHistory Christian History Slavery in Egypt Suffering under Rome Judges Church Patriarchs United Israelite Monarchy Christian Empire DividedKingdoms Divided Empire Exile and Return Papal Captivity & Return Prep. for the Messiah Prep. for Second Advent 400 400
JewishHistory Christian History 400 Slavery in Egypt Suffering under Rome 400 Judges Church Patriarchs 120 Israelite Monarchy Christian Empire 400 DividedKingdoms Divided Empire 210 Exile and Return Papal Captivity & Rtn 400 Prep. for the Messiah Prep. for 2nd Advent 1930 years 1517 + 400 = 1917 to 1930
1. When Will Christ Return? The Present Time = The Last Days Bad Good SIGNS Jesus on the Mount of Olives – ‘What signs?’ Matthew 24 • Wars, rumours of wars • Moral confusion • False ‘Messiahs’ • Evil is rampant • Gospel is spread throughout the world • God’s original ‘Three Blessings’ are being restored (Escathology)
2. In What Manner Will Christ Return? The Bible is in symbols and parables – correct viewpoint >> correct interpretation Born on earth? Come on the Clouds?
Expectations about the First Coming Born on earth? Born on earth? JESUS (The ‘First Coming’) Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem... from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.... Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labour has given birth. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD.
2. In What Manner Will Christ Return? Come on the Clouds? Come on the Clouds? JESUS Daniel 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days andwas presented before him.
2. In What Manner Will Christ Return? Born on earth? Born on earth? Second Coming Revelation 12:5 She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne
2. In What Manner Will Christ Return? Come on the Clouds? Come on the Clouds? Second Coming Matthew 24:30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man. And then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
2. In What Manner Will Christ Return? Why then did Jesus say he would “Come on the Clouds”? • To prevent the confusion of many claiming to be the returning Christ • To encourage his followers – until the time of the second coming, to keep faith alive, they should look heavenward • For 2000 years people’s experience of Christ would be of his spiritual presence and in visions.
What do clouds represent? Metaphorical Biblical language: Clouds = crowd Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses . . . Hebrews 12:1
Who are the clouds? Metaphorical Biblical language: Clouds = water vapour = pure people Heb. 12:1 “clouds” = resurrected believers Rev. 17:15 “water” = fallen people
2. In What Manner Will Christ Return? Certain verses can only be explained if Christ returns in a physical body as at the first coming: “First he must suffer... and be rejected” Luke 17:25
2. In What Manner Will Christ Return? Certain verses can only be explained if Christ returns in a physical body as at the first coming: “When the son of man comes will he find faith on earth?” Luke 18:8
2. In What Manner Will Christ Return? Certain verses can only be explained if Christ returns in a physical body as at the first coming: “I never knew you, depart from me you evildoers” Mt 7:22-3
2. In What Manner Will Christ Return? Certain verses can only be explained if Christ returns in a physical body as at the first coming: “The Kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed” Luke 17:20-4
2. In What Manner Will Christ Return? Goes up to Heaven in a ‘Fiery Chariot’ Elijah (circa 864 b.c.) ‘Second Coming’ as John the Baptist (Working with John, who inherits his mission) John the Baptist = Elijah Luke 1:17 Matthew 11:13-14 Matthew 17:10-13
The second coming of Jesus Ascended into heaven as a spiritual being Jesus (33 AD) • ‘Second coming’ • as a new messiah • The spirit of Jesus will work with the messiah who inherits his mission “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11
What is the new messiah called? Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a new name which no one knows but himself. He is clad in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.Revelation 19:11-13
Is this 3rd Adam only for Christians? Muslims expect the second advent of Jesus (as a Muslim Imam) Shiite Muslims have various expectations of a future Mahdi VaishaviteHindu scriptures prophesy the descent of an avatar named Kalki
Is this 3rd Adam only for Christians? Zoroastrian scriptures prophesy the coming of the Saoshyant – the ‘World Restorer’ Confucian texts speak of a future ‘True Man’ Buddhist sutras prophesy the coming of the Maitreya Buddha
Is this 3rd Adam only for Christians? “Listen attentively with one heart. A man whose spirit shines brightly, a man whose mind is completely unified, a man whose virtue excels everyone - such a man will truly appear in this world. When he preaches precious laws, all the people will totally be satisfied as if the thirsty drink sweet drops of rain from heaven. And each and every one will attain the path of liberation from struggles. Buddhism. Sutra of the Great Accomplishment of the Maitreya
What must the Messiah do? • Fulfil the THREE BLESSINGS - Adam’s (human) responsibility (indemnity). • Complete the unfinished work of Jesus • Be victorious over evil • Show the way for all people to regain their status as God’s true sons and daughters • Unite people of all faiths and establish a realistic Kingdom of Peace. And more…. Therefore he must be born in this physical world
The Second Coming is for the sake of all people, all religions and all nationsIs there a special nation prepared,as Israel was?
Will Christ return to Israel? The parable of the wicked tenants “The Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it.” Matt 21:33-34 Tenants murder the son
Who becomes ‘Israel’? Jews who believed in Jesus = the Jesus Movement “God is able from these very stones to raise up children to Abraham.” (John the Baptist in Matthew 3:9) ‘Israel’ = ‘The one who has prevailed’ Gen32:28 (the one who made the Foundation for Messiah) The Christian Church spiritual descendants of Abraham = Jews who believe in Jesus + Gentile converts Christianity = 2nd Israel The messiah will be born to a nation with many devout Christians
Which Christian nation? “For as the lightening comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of man. Matthew 24:27 A country in the East: China Japan Korea Militaristic Imperialistic Non aggressive Religious Communist leaning Imperialist
The last four hundred years State control Free market Totalitarianism Liberal Democracy China Korea America TravelsEAST TravelsWEST British Empire Russia Fascism Britain Nazism Communism Protestantism Karl Marx 1848 Martin Luther 1517 Germany Cain-type world Abel-type world
3. Where will Christ Return? Korea is in a unique position • Own messianic prophecies (Chung Gam Nok C14th – ‘the one who comes with the true word of God’) and spiritual groups preparing for the coming Christ. • 40 years of Japanese colonial rule (indemnity period) • Front line of the battle between Communism and Democracy divided Cain and Abel brother nations • Non-aggressive nation with history of suffering (object partners of God’s heart) • Deep religious traditions (loyalty, filial piety, chastity) • Fervent embrace of Christianity
3. Where will Christ Return? Korea is in a unique position • Key geopolitical situation, bordering China and Russia, close to Japan and a base for the USA • Can be an axis of peace for the great powers • Set up to inherit contemporary civilization. Eclectic nature and able to absorb through language. • A place where Eastern and Western cultures meet • First nation to move from being in receipt of international funding to providing funding • Part of the rising Pacific Rim culture
Korea is a ‘Third Israel’ Unification Movement is a Fourth Israel: • A worldwide foundation of religious and conscientious people of all faiths • Going beyond ‘religion’, beyond ‘international’ – ‘One Family under God’ • A purification movement re-establishing the importance of marriage and family