Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 29 May 2022

Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 29 May 2022 | The Imminent Return of Christ

Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 29 May 2022 

Youth STS | The Imminent Return of Christ

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THE IMMINENT RETURN OF CHRIST

MEMORY VERSE: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12).

TEXT: Revelation 22:1-21

Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 29 May 2022 MESSAGE

The first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ was to save us from sins and all its consequences. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). The second coming of Christ will be to receive the saints and institute His reign. The second coming is divided into two parts.

The first part is the rapture of the saints. This is the sudden catching away of the saints to meet the Lord in the air. “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: 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” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).

On the other hand, the second part of His second coming is when Jesus will set up His reign forever. This will be fulfilment of prophecy (Isaiah 9:6,7). Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 29 May 2022 

This second part’ of His coming is the pivot of today’s lesson. Our text introduces us to the nature and manner of life in the new city called heaven and the requirements of entering it (Revelation 22:1-6,8-11, 17). It also gives us the certainty of Christ’s second coming. “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12).

The passage also gives Warnings to everyone on the consequences of adding or Subtracting from the word of God (Revelation 22: 18, 19).

DESCRIPTION OF LIFE IN HEAVEN (Revelation 22:1-6,8- 11; Ephesians 5:25-27; John 4:14; 1 Peter 2:24; Revelation 21:22,23; Matthew 5:8; Daniel 7: 14, 18,27; 1 John 3:1-3)

“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Revelation 22: l). The text describes heaven. To be part of those who will enjoy this, youths must receive Christ who is the Source of life. Also, the word of God is the spiritual water that cleanses us to qualify for heaven. “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26). ‘

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:2). In the midst of the street, there is the tree of life, which bears twelve manners of fruits every month and it is for the healing of the nations. To be a partaker, one must be saved by repenting of his sins.

The tree produces eternal life, healing and health. “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him” (Revelation 22:3). In the new city, there is no curse because God and the Lamb will be on the throne. The saints are His servants who will serve Him there. We have to serve the Lord here on earth before we can serve him in heaven. Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 29 May 2022

The saints will see God face to face in heaven and His name will be on them. “And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done” (Revelation 22:4,6).

As John the beloved saw this vision, he fell down to worship the angel that showed him these things, He was “And I John commanded by the angel to worship God only. “And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God” (Revelation 22:8,9).

This is a warning to those who worship angels or other things except God. Also, John was commanded not to seal the sayings of the prophecy because the time is at hand. “And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 22: I O).

Question 1: Who are those that will be allowed entrance into the new city?
“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still” (Revelation 22: I l).

The Scripture here gives us warning concerning those who are still living in sins. The consequences are clear in the word of God (Revelation 20: 11-15). It therefore means only those who are saved and sanctified by the blood of the Lamb will live in heaven. The rapture will occur unannounced and it is imminent. Therefore, sinners and backsliders must repent and return to the Lord without delay.

The saints of God are to be watchful and prayerful, lest that day comes upon them unprepared. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51,52).

THE CERTAINTY OF CHRIST’S RETURN (Revelation 22:7, 12-16,20; 1:3; Psalm 1:1-3; Revelation 3:11; 1 Thessalonians 1 : 7)

The Lord Jesus will be coming with the saints to reign on the earth. “Behold, 1 come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book” (Revelation 22:7). He pronounced blessings on those who keep the saying of the prophecy of the Scripture. There are blessings from the Lord for reading, hearing and keeping the word of the Lord.

Therefore, develop a good habit of obeying it. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:3). In the book of Revelation, Jesus repeated the certainty of His return about six times (Revelation 2:5, 16; 22:7,12,20). Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 29 May 2022

When He comes, He will give reward to everyone according as his works shall be. In His second coming, Christ will reign on the earth for 1,000 years with the saints. This reign will be in peace, prosperity and blessings on the earth (Isaiah 1 1:1-9). Also, the saints who do His commandments will have the right to the tree of life. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14).

Question 2: What will be the fate of sinners and backsliders at the second coming of Christ?
“For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, ‘and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie” (Revelation 22:15). Sinners and backsliders will not be allowed into heaven. They must repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ who died for them if they must get there. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my Voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

To confirm that this vision was from heaven, Jesus Christ said, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star” (Revelation 22: 16).

DECISION TO ACCEPT THE GREAT INVITATION (Revelation 22: 17-21; Isaiah 1:18-20; 55: 1,6,7; Deuteronomy 4: 1; Proverbs 30:6,7)

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely* (Revelation 22:17). This is the greatest invitation anyone can receive on earth. God was the first to give the great invitation to man for His salvation. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 29 May 2022

When Jesus came the first time, Ile gave similar invitation to all mankind. ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 1 1:28). In the last book and chapter of the Bible, the Spirit of God repeats the same invitation (Revelation 22: 17). The Scripture says, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him” (Hebrews 2:3).

As Christian youths, we are to extend this gospel invitation to everyone around us prayerfully, persuasively, patiently, perseveringly and purposefully.

Question 3: What are the consequences of adding or subtracting from the word of God?
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Revelation 22: 18, 19).

As the book of Revelation ends, the Lord warns that none is permitted to add or subtract from His word .”Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:5,6). The consequences of adding and subtracting from His word are: one, the Lord will add the plagues in His word unto that person.

Two, his name will be out of the book of life. Three, the blessings in the word of God will not be upon him. As the Lord concludes this vision, He reminds everyone of His coming again. “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22’2()). He finalised the book with His grace upon those who believe on Him. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen.” (Revelation 22:21)

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