Movies are an incredible work of art. Now, do not get me wrong, some movies should have simply never been made or produced. However, when you do watch a true masterpiece on the big screen or at home, it is fantastic. Within the sphere of film and movies, whenever there is a trilogy or a series, many times, it is within the final entry that we see the triumph! For example, in “Star Wars,” the original trilogy (yes, the greatest fictional universe ever created), Episode VI is “The Return of the Jedi.” It is the culmination of Luke Skywalker finally becoming a Jedi Knight, redemption for his father, Anakin Skywalker, and the defeat of the Empire! Or you can take a trip through Middle Earth alongside the “Fellowship of the Ring,” as they set out on their task to return the one ring to Mount Doom. It is ultimately in “The Return of the King,” where not only do we see the Fellowship succeed in their task to destroy the one Ring of Sauron, but we also see Aragon take his rightful place as the King of Arnor, the King of Gondor, and the first High King of the Reunited Kingdom in Middle Earth.
1. What is one of your favorite movie trilogies or series?
2. What are some movies that have a character return?
3. What happens when there is a return of a character or hero in a movie?
Now, please know my heart: movies are fun, but none of these are real. Yes, they are all made-up fictional characters and worlds for fun. However, as we continue our series on promises, I want to take a look at a real-life character in God’s Living Word who will return one day! In Revelation 22:12-13, John records an incredible declaration from Jesus, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Wow, let us take a few minutes to process and fully comprehend this declaration. Honestly, I am not sure if there is a more powerful declaration of an eminent return in all history. These words are not hyperbole; they are not a possibility, and they are not even a potential outcome. This is a declaration of truth and a promise made by Jesus Christ for all the world to know and hear.
4. Have you ever made a statement or promise before?
5. Did you follow through on that statement or promise? What was the outcome?
Whenever making promises, we must be very cautious and careful with our words. Our words are one of the most important and precious belongings we have, after our testimony through Jesus Christ. In the New Testament alone, the return of Christ is mentioned over 300 times, and over 1,500 in the Old Testament! This is, without a doubt, a promise you can take to the bank! Some important things we can know about the return of Christ are the following:
• Christ will physically return to Earth in His glorious and resurrected body.
• His return will mark the imminent end of this Earth.
• He will triumphantly defeat Satan.
• He will bring an end to sin on this Earth.
• We will never know the day or hour of His return until He returns!
Christ’s physical return is promised in many passages. In Matthew 24:27-31, we read, “For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Here, we are told how Christ will return, and His return will be seen all across the world. No one will miss it!
6. Is there a passage of Christ’s return that sticks out to you or that you cling to?
7. How do you personally feel about the imminent return of Christ? What emotions come with this knowledge of the promise?
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” Then Jesus says in Matthew 24:36, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” Did you catch that? No one knows! There have been preachers, teachers, men, and women who have dedicated their lives gone to great extremes claiming to “know” when Christ will return. However, we can be confident in God’s Word and know without a doubt that we will never know! So, next time you or someone you know gets into the discussion of when Christ will return, take the opportunity to change the discussion to, “Yes, we know He will; so, what are you doing to share the Gospel and His love till He comes?”
8. Have you been caught up in the timing of Christ’s return?
9. What are you doing, or what will you begin doing, to share the Gospel and prepare others for His promised return?
Yes, it can seem pretty scary to think about the return of Christ and what that means for this world we live in. The thought of everything coming to an end is daunting. The thought of all we possess, own, and have worked for going away is a weird thought. However, within these emotions and feelings, there is and ought to be peace in our lives. Paul writes in Philippians 4:7 about the peace of God, which is beyond our understanding. This simply means that it is a peace that we cannot put into words of men, but a true peace that is experienced only through our relationship with Jesus Christ. It is a peace that we experience in times of uncertainty, anxiety, worry, and fear. It is the same peace that we can have when we think about the true return of the King. Peace comes from knowing that, as followers of Jesus Christ, His return truly only marks the beginning of our lives with Him. It is a life without sin, suffering, and death. So, as we continue our series on promises, I hope you are encouraged and have peace knowing that the King will return.
Christ’s return will be greater than any producer or movie money could buy. His return will be seen by the entire world, and all of the Earth will know that He has come. It is my hope and prayer that we do not grow weary or lose focus as the church in 2 Thessalonians chapter 3 did. However, we should stay focused on sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and continue to prioritize Him in all things.
10. How can you refocus this week to prioritizing the Gospel and sharing the Gospel in your daily life? If you already are, how can we continue to keep centered on that mission?