Read John 14:1-3. It has already been almost 2,000 years since Jesus promised to come again. How can we help others see that, despite the great length of time (which really doesn’t matter), this promise is relevant even to our own generation, so long removed from the time when Jesus spoke it?

Four times in the book of Revelation Jesus stated, “I am coming soon!” (Revelation 3:11; Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:20, NIV). The expectation of His soon coming drove the mission of the apostolic church and filled the lives of uncountable Christians throughout the centuries with hope.

http://www.goodsalt.com/details/lwjas0242.html?r=ssnet

But generation after generation has died, and this promised event has not yet occurred. And thus, many are enquiring: How much longer will we have to preach that “Jesus is coming soon”? Have these words generated an unrealistic expectation? (See 2 Peter 3:4.)

Many Christians have complained about the long “delay” (compare with Matthew 25:5). But how do we, in fact, know that it is a long “delay”? What would have been the “right” time for Christ to have returned? Would it have been 50 years ago, 150, 500? What really matters is the biblical promise that “the Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9, NIV).

Despite the long centuries since Jesus ascended, the promise of His coming remains relevant, even today. Why? Because all that we have is our own short life (Psalm 90:10), followed by an unconscious rest in the grave (Ecclesiastes 9:5, Ecclesiastes 9:10), and then the final resurrection, without any later opportunity to change our destiny (Hebrews 9:27). As far as each one of the dead is concerned (as stated in lesson three), because all the dead are asleep and unconscious, the second coming of Christ is never more than a moment or two after they die. For you, in your own personal experience (as for all of God’s people of every age), Christ’s return is no more than a moment after your death. That’s very soon, is it not?

Every passing day brings us one day closer to the glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds of heaven. Though we don’t know when He will come, we can be certain that He will, and that is what really matters.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

Amen!(0)

The post Monday: “I Will Come Again” first appeared on Sabbath School Net.

The post Monday: “I Will Come Again” appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/monday-i-will-come-again/

Key Thought: The New Testament hope is a Christ-centered hope in immortality. There is no eternal life apart from a saving relationship with Christ.
November 19, 2022

1. Have a volunteer read John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:12-19..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. How closely related to Christ’s resurrection is the promise of our resurrection?
3. Personal Application: What does it mean Jesus is preparing a place for us? I thought we were going to build houses and dwell in them. Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “I believe Christ comes to us when we die. It’s been 2,000 years since He promised to come back and get us and I don’t think He really meant to destroy the world when He comes. People die and go to heaven. Others die and go to hell.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read John 6:26-51..

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. When did Jesus say He would raise the dead and grant eternal life?
3. Personal Application:  Share your thoughts on the relationship between the everlasting and our current everyday lives
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why does Jesus compare the miracles of the loaves and fishes and the manna from heaven to Himself and the promise of eternal life?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read I Thessalonians 4:13-18.

1. Ask class members to share a short
2. Who are the others who have no hope? Why don’t they have hope?
3. Personal Application: Is Christ going to give us a sinless and incorrupt nature when He comes, or are we to allow His to develop a sinless and incorrupt nature before He comes? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “Why does Christ come with the voice of the Archangel? Does that mean Christ is Michael? I don’t understand this saying.” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read I Corinthians 15:51-55..

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Is the mystery Paul is speaking of here referring to the secret rapture?
3. Personal Application: Why is resurrecting the dead and translating the living at Jesus second coming referred to as a mystery? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

Amen!(1)

The post 8: The New Testament Hope – Teaching Plan first appeared on Sabbath School Net.

The post 8: The New Testament Hope – Teaching Plan appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/8-the-new-testament-hope-teaching-plan/