The following are AI summarized notes generated from the transcript of this sermon.

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The Return of Jesus

Pastor Eric Reed — Journey Church (tjclebanon.com) Text: Revelation 22:12-13

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Key Theme: The Cosmic Gospel

The Christian gospel is not merely "Jesus died for my sins" — that's a truncated gospel. The full picture is a story of cosmic redemption:

1. God created humanity to walk with him as image-bearers, ruling over creation for his glory
2. Man sinned → cosmic rupture (the Fall) → separation from God, a broken world
3. God established Israel as a witness nation, from which a Savior would come
4. Jesus came, lived perfectly, died for sin, and rose — inaugurating new creation
5. Jesus ascended and commissioned his disciples to spread the gospel
6. The final act: Jesus returns, the dead are raised, judgment comes, and the new heavens and new earth are established — restoring the original plan

"That God will dwell with his people on earth in relationship, and we will rule over his creation for his glory."

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Part 1: The Return of Jesus

Key Scriptures

• Revelation 22:12 — "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me."

• Acts 1:9-11 — Angels tell the disciples Jesus will return the same way he left

• 1 John 2:28 — Abide in him so we aren't ashamed at his coming

• 1 Thessalonians 4:16 — The Lord himself will descend; the dead in Christ will rise

Application Questions

• Do you live like Jesus is coming?

• Do you think about his return?

• When did you last pray for him to come?

On Rapture Theology (pre-tribulation rapture)

Pastor Reed addresses and challenges the popular "rapture" doctrine:

• Origin: Not found in 1,800 years of church history. Originated ~200 years ago with a young girl's vision in Scotland, spread regionally, then nationally by evangelist D.L. Moody through tent revivals and Moody Publishing (see other relevant links below):

  • Another look at the vision of Margaret MacDonald
  • Invention of the 'Rapture' Idea
  • The very short history of the rapture
  • Why I'm losing faith in the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine

• Popularized by: The Left Behind book series

• The commonly cited verse (1 Thessalonians 4:17): "caught up together... to meet the Lord in the air" is not describing an escape to heaven

• 1st-century context: In the Roman/Greek world, when a victorious king returned, citizens would go out to meet him and escort him back into the city. Paul is using this exact imagery — we meet Jesus in the air and usher him back as victorious King

• The problem with rapture theology: It promotes a "escape the bad world" mentality, contrary to the Bible's consistent theme of restoration and renewal of creation

• This is a secondary issue — not a salvation issue, not a church-dividing issue — but the Bible does not teach it

When Will Jesus Return?

Not charts, political movements, or prophecy timelines. Jesus gave one definitive indicator:

Matthew 24:14 — "The gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed to all the nations (ethnē - ethnic people groups), and then the end will come."

• 16,700 distinct people groups (ethnē) identified by sociologists

• ~6,700 are still considered unreached — no gospel presence, no church

• Implication: If you want Jesus to return, be serious about global missions

Journey Church's response: Adopting an unreached people group in addition to ongoing mission work in Haiti.

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Part 2: The Resurrection of the Dead

Key Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 — At the last trumpet, the dead will be raised imperishable and we will be changed. This is transformation, not escape.

What Will Resurrected Bodies Be Like?

• Real and physical — Actual flesh-and-blood bodies, not spirits

• Continuity — Recognizable, as Jesus was recognized after resurrection

• Racial identity retained — Revelation 5:9, 7:9 — every nation, tribe, tongue around the throne

• Healed and whole — Free from arthritis, cancer, asthma, diabetes, depression, all ailments

• No insecurity or pride — No hiding, no impressing — you will be beautiful

• Five senses, heightened — Taste, sight, touch, hearing, smell — all restored and enhanced

• Gendered — Male and female remain — gender is a God-created aspect of humanity

• Not angels — We don't become angels; we become more fully human — a higher dignity

Joni Eareckson Tada (quadriplegic): "No other religion, no other philosophy promises new bodies, new hearts, new minds. Only in the gospel of Christ do hurting people find such incredible hope."

What Age Will We Appear?

The Bible doesn't definitively say, but theologians have proposed:

• Age 33 — the age of Jesus at resurrection

• Peak physical development — mid-to-late 20s (optimal human development)

• Children remain children — Isaiah 11 imagery suggests infants/children in the new earth; possibly parents reunited with children lost young

• Those who couldn't have children may be given children to raise in the new earth

• Ageless — some propose no apparent age at all

• As known in earthly life — grandparents seen as old by grandchildren, as young by each other

"Whatever it is, it will be wonderful. You'll never get to heaven and say, 'This was your plan?'"

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Part 3: The Final Judgment

Two Distinct Judgments

1. Judgment of Faith (at death) — Did you trust Jesus? → Determines salvation / entry into heaven
2. Judgment of Works (at resurrection) — What did you do with your life? → Determines rewards in the new heavens and new earth

The Great White Throne Judgment

Revelation 20:11-12 — The dead are judged according to what was written in the books — according to what they had done.

Other texts: 2 Corinthians 5:10, Matthew 25 (sheep and goats — feeding the hungry, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked, visiting prisoners)

Two Ditches to Avoid

• Ditch 1: "It's faith alone — don't talk about works." (Misses the call to fruitful living)

• Ditch 2: "Works earn God's love and acceptance." (Misses justification by grace through faith)

The balance: Saved by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), but made for good works (Ephesians 2:10). Works determine eternal reward, not salvation.

Jesus Uses Rewards to Motivate Works

• Luke 14:12-14 — Invite those who cannot repay you; you will be repaid at the resurrection

• Luke 6:35 — Love your enemies, lend expecting nothing back; your reward will be great

• Revelation 2:23 — "I will repay each of you according to your deeds."

Practical Implications

• Rewards in the new earth include roles, responsibilities, and positions of service — a blessing, not a burden

• Faithful stewardship now → greater stewardship in eternity (faithful with little → given more)

• Everything invested in earthly comfort alone: "You've had your reward" — earthly ease forfeits eternal reward

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Closing Exhortations

1. Labor to reach the lost and unreached — the gospel to every people group hastens his coming
2. Persevere in weak and ailing bodies — the resurrection is coming; it won't always be this way
3. Invest in eternal things — time, treasure, talent, and finances given to the kingdom
4. Don't waste your life — what you do now echoes forever

"Surely I am coming soon." — Jesus (Revelation 22:20) "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." — The Church