## The Best Thing That Could Happen

## John 14:1-3

If you were asked the question "What would be the best thing that could happen to this world?" What would your answer be? Some might answer that the best thing that could happen is to find a cure for all disease. Another might tell us that world peace would be the best thing that could happen. Put an end to world hunger may be what some would say. All of these would be great, but they wouldn't be the best thing that could happen.

For the past several weeks there has been a recurring advertisement on television. It begins with a woman crying over her husbands grave telling him that she begged him to accept Christ while he was alive but that now he would burn in hell forever. Then there is a painting of Christ returning for His own, and the announcer says, "Jesus is Coming October 28th, all who accept the mark of the beast will burn in the lake of fire forever." The screen is filled with the words "The Rapture Jesus is Coming October 28, 1992". There is no indication as to who is paying for the commercial.

This is not the first, nor will it be the last of those who wish to set dates and times for the rapture and the second coming of Jesus Christ. But just because these and many others before them were wrong, that doesn't mean that Jesus isn't coming! He will come when the time is right for Him to come, and the return of Christ would be the greatest thing that could happen to this earth! He is the answer to world peace, world hunger, and disease!

I. The Proof of His Coming.

A. It is found in His infallible Word: The Bible.

1. The Bible is God's Word to man.

2. In His Word He tells us that He is coming again.

3. If we believe the Bible, then we must believe that Jesus is coming again.

B. The Old Testament is full of the truth of His return.

1. There are two lines of prophecy found in the O.T. Scriptures.

2. The first line of prophecy deals with His first advent...coming as a suffering Savior.

3. The second line of prophecy deals with His second advent...coming as a conquering King.

4. At His first coming He came to die for our sins, when He returns He will return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to bring judgment on this wicked world.

C. Read the New Testament.

1. His second coming is mentioned 318 times in the N.T.

2. One out of every twenty-five verses refer to His return.

3. Now you will find those who would snicker and scoff at what I am saying, but the Bible says that is what will happen.

II. The Plan of His Coming.

A. First, Jesus will come in the air.

1. This is known as the Rapture.

2. Note: 1 Thess. 4:13-18

3. "...In such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." cf Mt. 24:44

4. Jesus will come suddenly and unexpectedly like a thief in the night.

5. Only those who are "in Christ" will be raptured out of this world.

6. Everyone else will be left behind to face the wrath of God.

B. He will come to earth in Glory after the seven year period of tribulation.

1. When He returns to earth He will come to judge the ungodly. cf Jude v14-15

2. He will destroy all those who rebel against Him, put an end to the battle of Armageddon and will bind Satan for a 1000 years.

3. Anti-christ and the false prophet will be cast into the lake of fire.

4. He will then establish His millennial kingdom on this earth.

III. The Preparation for His Coming.

A. We prepare by coming to Him for salvation.

1. There is only one way to be saved.

2. And that is through "repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." cf Acts 20:21

3. When Jesus comes in the air, when the trumpet sounds, there'll be no more opportunities to be saved. cf 2Th. 2:11-12

4. We prepare for His coming by accepting His sacrifice for our sins and trusting in Him.

B. We prepare for His coming by living conse- crated lives as Christians.

1. Note: 1John 3:1-3

2. The hope of the second coming of Christ is a purifying hope.

3. Example: Teenager on church bus during storm.

4. Believers need to live their lives as if Christ were coming today! Because He could!

C. We prepare for His coming by giving Him our best service.

1. Jesus said, "Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be." Re. 22:12

2. Solomon counseled us to do what we could the best we could because in the grave there is no opportunity to work. cf Eccl. 9:10

3. Jesus gave us a similar exhortation in John 9:4 when He said, "...the night cometh when no man can work."

4. We must serve the Lord now...when He comes will He find us busy doing His work?

5. We prepare for His coming by serving the Lord with our lives now!

The best thing that could happen to this world would be for Jesus to come back. He is coming! We have His Word on that! We know the plan of His coming and it is up to us to be prepared for His return.

If you are not a Christian this morning, you must be saved! There is no other way but through faith and trust in Jesus Christ. He died that we might have life. Will you trust Him today?

If you are a Christian, you can prepare for His coming by living your life dedicated to Him. By serving Him now! Are you looking for Him to return? Are you loving His appearing? Jesus is coming soon. We must be prepared.