RCCG Sunday School Student’s Manual 20th August 2023 – Lesson 51
TOPIC: Christ Is Coming Again
MEMORY VERSE: Acts 1:11 (KJV)
“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (KJV)
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 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:
17 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.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
LESSON INTRODUCTION: Acts 1:10-11 describes the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ as personal, bodily and visible, and that His second coming will be in like manner. However, the second coming will be in two stages: the rapture which will be sudden (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) – when the Lord comes for His saints and we meet Him in the air and then, the revelation that is public (Revelation 1:7) – when the Lord comes with His saints to set up the millennium, at the end of the great tribulation period (1 Thessalonians 3:13). The time of His coming is a secret that only God the Father knows (Matthew 24:36).
LESSON OUTLINES:
- Prophecies and Purpose of His Second Coming
- The Manner of His Coming and Its Signs
1. PROPHECIES AND PURPOSE OF HIS SECOND COMING
The first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ was prophesied among other prophecies that have come to pass. This gives us great confidence that the prophecies of the second coming will also be fulfilled. Christ’s second coming was foretold: by the prophets (Daniel 7:13); by Jesus Himself (Matthew 25:31); by Paul (1 Timothy 6:14); and by angels (Acts 1:10-11).
Christ is coming again:
To complete the salvation of saints. He has delivered us from the power and penalty of sin but then He shall deliver us from the presence of sin and Satan (Hebrews 9:28).
To be glorified and admired in His saints (2 Thessalonians 1:10).
To bring to light the hidden things of darkness (1 Corinthians 4:5).
To judge (2Tim. 4:1) and to reign (Revelation 11:15).
To receive us to be with Himself (John 14:3) and to destroy death (1 Corinthians 15:25-26).
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The class should discuss why some people assume/believe that Christ will not come the second time despite the prophecies.
2. THE MANNER OF HIS COMING AND ITS SIGNS
At the rapture, saints will meet Christ in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17); at the revelation, we will descend with Him to the earth. Christ is coming in the clouds (Matthew 24:30); in the glory of His Father (Matthew 16:27); in His own glory (Matthew 25:31); in flaming fire (2 Thessalonians 1:8); with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30); bodily, as He ascended (Acts 1:9-11); with a shout and voice of the archangel (1 Thessalonians 4:16); with His saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13); accompanied by angels (Matthew 16:27) and suddenly (Mark 13:36).
2 Timothy 3:1-7 lists 23 signs of His coming, most of which are very evident today. Matthew 24:5-7, 12-38 also lists 10 signs, which are: the appearance of false Christs; wars and rumours of war; famines; pestilences; earthquakes; iniquity to abound; the love of many will wax cold; people will be eating, drinking, merry-making. Other signs include: the destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 21:20, 24); the completion of the Church (Romans 11:25); the Gospel must be preached everywhere (Matthew 24:14) and the coming of the antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3-8).
While we ought to plan and work as if He will not be coming for another century, we must live a holy and pure life all the time as if He will return today (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13). This most important doctrine must affect our lives. It should keep us busy, preaching the gospel day in, day out, praying and watching with all perseverance (Ephesians 6:18).
CONCLUSION: Christ’s second coming is sure and certain (2 Peter 3:3-12).
QUESTIONS:
- When and why will Christ return?
- Mention some of the signs of His second coming.
FURTHER READINGS:
Monday: Matthew 24:44 (KJV) – Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Tuesday: Matthew 24:50 (KJV) – The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Wednesday: Revelation 22:20 (KJV) – He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Thursday: 1 Corinthians 16:22 (KJV) – If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
Friday: Revelation 1:7 (KJV) – Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Saturday: Matthew 24:30 (KJV) – And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Sunday: Matthew 26:64 (KJV) – Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
ASSIGNMENT: List (5) of the ways you are preparing for Christ’s return (2×5=10 Marks).
RCCG Sunday School HYMN
- O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
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RCCG Sunday School manual is used in Sunday School Classes in the RCCG.
The RCCG Sunday school manual is written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye and is available online for easy access. See the previous RCCG Sunday school Manual for 2023 here
