CHILDREN LESSON 9 READINESS FOR CHRIST’S RETURN
Luke 12:35-59
Jesus Christ is coming again. He came first as a child in fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given...” (Isaiah 9:6). He came as a humble little child who grew up among men. He took the form of a human so that He could show us the way to live and overcome temptation. His first coming brought salvation to mankind through His death (by shedding His blood on the cross at Calvary); He suffered, died, was buried and resurrected on the third day. He showed Himself to His disciples and thereafter, ascended to heaven. When He was here on earth physically, He told His disciples that He would come again; “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself: that where I am, there ye may be also” (John14:2b,3). Jesus is coming again; be ready! “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching…” (Luke 12:37). It shall be a time of separation between the saved and unsaved, the righteous and unrighteous. It is certain that Jesus Christ is coming back!
- RETURN OF CHRIST IS CERTAIN: Luke 12:35-48; Matthew 24:42-44, John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-12; 2 Peter 3:4-12
There are many prophecies about the return of Christ in the Bible. The prophecies about His first coming as a baby to save mankind from sin were fulfilled; this is why we believe that He is surely coming back. God is true and cannot lie. In fact, He declared “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Jesus Himself confirmed it in the book of John: “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2,3).
Another sign of the certainty of Christ’s return is the confirmation of His prophecies in Matthew 24. The angels of God also reaffirmed it when they told His disciples that Jesus will come again. “And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 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” (Acts 1:10,11). Christ’s return is in two parts:
(i) Rapture of the saints (catching away of the friends of Jesus). The arch- angel will blow the trumpet and the dead in Christ will rise to meet Him in the air; then those who are alive and remain in Christ will also meet Him.
(ii) The Second Coming of Jesus Christ to reign for one thousand years (Millennial reign). Only His friends will reign with Him. If you believe in the certainty of Christ’s Second Coming, then you must be prepared to go with Him.
- REASONS FOR CHRIST’S RETURN:
Luke 12:49-53; John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17; 2 Timothy 4:1,2,8
There are reasons for whatever God does. The return of Christ to the earth after His ascension also has reasons. Some of them are:
(i) To take His saints away from this world (rapture)
(ii) To reward His faithful servants
(iii) To judge His enemies (punishment for sinners)
(iv) To set up His earthly kingdom during the millennial reign; He will rule and reign with the saints for one thousand years
(v) To reclaim the earth from the dominion of the devil.
You must be ready for Christ’s Second Coming.
- READINESS FOR CHRIST’S RETURN:
Luke 12:54-59; Matthew 24:42-44; 25:13; Mark 13:35-37; James 5:7,8; 1 John 2:28
Readiness means being prepared for something, an event or an occasion. How do you prepare for school? To get prepared for school, you wake up early in the morning, take your bath, brush your teeth, get dressed in your school uniform and take your breakfast. Then get your school and lunch bags and set out. Your parents or your school bus takes you to school. In the same way, everyone needs to prepare for Christ’s return. To do this, as a friend of Jesus, you must:
(i) Read and meditate on the word of God every day.
(ii) Watch and pray.
(iii) Attend weekly fellowship and other church programmes like retreat, holiday Bible school, crusades, etc.
(iv) Preach the gospel to sinners.
(v) Live a holy life consistently.
Christ is coming for only His friends. A sinner should repent of his/her sins, confess and forsake them, invite Jesus into his/her life as Saviour and Lord, follow Him every day and have faith that God has saved him/her.
QUESTIONS:
- What is the meaning of readiness?
- Is Christ coming again? Yes/No
- Christ is coming to take everyone to heaven. Yes/No
- How can a friend of Jesus be prepared for the rapture?
- Mention three reasons for Christ’s return.
- How can a sinner be prepared for the rapture?
MEMORY VERSE: “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not” (Luke 12:40).
LESSON: It is certain that Jesus is coming again.
THOUGHT: I will prepare daily for Christ’s second coming.
ACTIVITY: Children should pray for more grace to stand in the faith and holiness until Christ comes.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 207 THERE’S A GREAT DAY COMING
CHORUSES:
(1) He’s coming back again (2cc)
(2) We are expecting Jesus
(3) Will you be ready when the Lord shall come?
HOMEWORK: Children should write in their notebooks three ways to prepare for Christ’s return.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meanings of these words. You can use your dictionary.
- Rapture 2. Prophecy 3. Dominion 4. Ascend 5. Millennial
