A segunda vinda de Cristo
A segunda vinda de Cristo é a esperança suprema da Igreja. Jesus prometeu que voltará com poder e grande glória para julgar os vivos e os mortos e estabelecer seu Reino eterno.
A promessa do retorno
Jesus prometeu voltar. Os anjos declararam que Ele virá da mesma forma como ascendeu. A Igreja aguarda esse dia glorioso com expectativa.
who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.
And while they were looking steadfastly into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white apparel; who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.
Os sinais dos tempos
Jesus descreveu os sinais que precederão sua volta: falsos profetas, guerras, fome, terremotos e tribulação. Devemos discernir os tempos sem nos alarmar.
And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet.
Then shall they deliver you up unto tribulation, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many stumble, and shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray.
And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold. But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.
for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you beforehand.
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you beforehand. If therefore they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the wilderness; go not forth: Behold, he is in the inner chambers; believe it not.
But beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be earthquakes in diverse places; and there shall be famines and troubles: these things are the beginnings of travail.
But take ye heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in synagogues shall ye be beaten; and before governors and kings shall ye stand for my sake, for a testimony unto them. And the gospel must first be preached unto all the nations.
And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child; and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
A vinda gloriosa
Cristo virá nas nuvens com poder e grande glória, enviará seus anjos e reunirá seus escolhidos dos quatro ventos.
But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 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 on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Now from the fig tree learn her parable: when her branch is now become tender, and putteth forth its leaves, ye know that the summer is nigh; even so ye also, when ye see all these things, know ye that he is nigh, even at the doors.
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then shall he render unto every man according to his deeds.
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send forth his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
Vigilância e preparo
Ninguém sabe o dia nem a hora. Jesus nos ordena a vigiar, orar e estar prontos, pois Ele virá quando menos esperamos.
Watch therefore: for ye know not in what hour your Lord cometh.
Watch therefore: for ye know not in what hour your Lord cometh.
Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.
A esperança bendita
A aguardamos a bendita esperança e a manifestação da glória do nosso grande Deus e Salvador Jesus Cristo.