The Second Coming of Christ – SS1 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

The second coming of Christ is the belief that Jesus Christ will return from heaven to gather his people to himself.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain what the second coming of Christ means;
2. describe the warning Paul gave the Thessalonians about the man of lawlessness;
3. state the signs of the second coming as outlined by Paul;
4. explain why Christians should not grieve for those who have died in Christ;
5. list the lessons Christians learn from the second coming of Christ.

What is the second coming of Christ?

The second coming of Christ is the expected return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth after his resurrection and ascension.

• Basis of the belief: Jesus taught that he would go and prepare a place, a spiritual home, for the children of God (John 14:2-3).
• The promise to return: Jesus said he would come again and take his followers to be with him.
• Rapture: many Christians use this word for the believers being caught up to meet the Lord.
• The angels’ message: at the ascension, angels told the disciples that Jesus would return in the same way he went (Acts 1:11).
• The time is unknown: Jesus said no one knows the day or the hour (Matthew 24:36).

What did Paul teach the Thessalonians about the second coming?

Paul taught the Thessalonians about the second coming in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12.

• The signs: Paul described the signs of the coming and showed that it involves both the living and the dead.
• The preparation: he showed that Christians must prepare through good conduct and righteousness.
• The two letters: the first letter comforts those who grieve, and the second corrects wrong ideas about the time of the coming.

Who is the man of lawlessness in Paul’s warning?

The man of lawlessness is the son of perdition, an evil figure who opposes Christ and will be revealed before the second coming (2 Thess. 2:1-12).

What was Paul’s warning?

• Do not be deceived: the Thessalonians must not believe any word or letter claimed to come from Paul saying the day had come.
• The rebellion first: the second coming will not happen unless the rebellion comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed.
• Already at work: the mystery of lawlessness is already working, although the man himself is yet to be revealed.

What are the features of the man of lawlessness?

• Opposes God: he exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship.
• Claims to be God: he takes his seat in the temple of God and proclaims himself God.
• Works with Satan’s power: he produces pretended signs and wonders with all wicked deception.
• Deceives the lost: his victims are those who perish because they refuse to love the truth and be saved.
• Brings judgement on unbelievers: God sends them a strong delusion to believe what is false, so that all who did not believe the truth are condemned.
• His end: at the appointed time he will be revealed and destroyed by the breath of Christ’s mouth.

What did Paul teach about those who have died in Christ?

Paul taught that Christians who have died in Christ will rise first at the second coming, so the living should not grieve as people without hope (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

What does 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 say?

1. Paul does not want believers to be ignorant about those who have fallen asleep (died).
2. Christians should not grieve like people who have no hope.
3. Jesus died and rose again, so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
4. The living will not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep.
5. The Lord will come down from heaven with a cry of command, the archangel’s call and the trumpet of God.
6. The dead in Christ will rise first.
7. Then the living will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
8. They will always be with the Lord, so Christians should comfort one another with these words.

Why were the Thessalonians afraid?

• They expected an immediate coming: they embraced the teaching with all their minds and thought it would happen soon.
• Some members had died: they feared for brethren who died before the resurrection and the second coming.
• Paul’s answer: a person who is in Christ cannot be separated from him by death.
• The assurance: as Jesus rose from death, those who die in him will rise again.

What happens to the dead and the living at the coming?

What are the signs of the second coming as outlined by Paul?

Paul outlined three signs of the second coming of Christ.

1. Christ will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of the trumpet.
2. The dead in Christ will rise first. Those who are alive will be with them in the clouds (in their spiritual bodies) to meet the Lord and remain with Christ for ever.
3. There will be certain destruction for the unprepared.

What lessons do Christians learn from the second coming of Christ?

The second coming teaches Christians to live in readiness, hope and faithful service.

1. Readiness: Christians should live in readiness, knowing that the second coming of Jesus is a reality.
2. Watchfulness: they should watch and pray, study the Bible and the Psalms, and observe fasting.
3. Obedience: they should live in obedience and righteousness.
4. Hope in bereavement: they should not grieve too much over brethren who died in Christ, for they will rise again on the resurrection day.
5. Evangelism: they should preach to others about the reality of the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Evaluation

1. What is meant by the second coming of Christ?
2. Who is the man of lawlessness described by Paul?
3. Why were the Thessalonians afraid for their brethren who had died?
4. State the signs of the second coming of Christ as outlined by Paul.
5. State three lessons Christians learn from the second coming of Christ.

Assignment

Describe the second coming of the Lord according to Paul’s teaching, state the preparation Christians should make for it, and say what this teaches us as Christians (adapted from SSCE, November 1990).