Christ’s Fearful Second Coming
(Message delivered by Pastor at the True Life Church 10.30 am Service, Aug 15, 04)
Text: Matt. 24:15-31
From Matt. 24 to end of 25 there are seven sermons to preach on the Second Coming of Christ. This is our Lord’s Second Sermon on His Second Coming.
Now Daniel tells us of what is called the Beast in Revelation 19, the Antichrist who will rule the world for seven years, the first three-and-a-half in peace and the second half in war. The final World War we believe to be the Third World War according to Rev. 9:13-16. It will erupt from the Euphrates River, from Iraq again.
Our text today, according to Dan. 9:27 refers to the abomination of desolation and leads to war of three-and-a-half years and the Second Coming of Christ. Many false Christs and false prophets will appear. For example the Jehovah Witnesses have claimed Christ has already come to the regions above this world since 1917. But our Lord refutes such claim, though signs and wonders from false Christs and false prophets might deceive even the elect. Jesus says, “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Will not all eyes behold him?
At Jesus’ Second Coming there shall be great tribulation. “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.” Surely this sinful earth will quake, yea, even the whole solar system to the ends of the universe will tremble when the sinless holy Son of God appears in all His majesty.
Lk. 21:25-26 says, “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”
During the last days of the Japanese Occupation of Singapore whenever the Americans sent their B-29 Flying Fortress Bombers over our city they trembled and hid themselves. When Jesus comes again there will be those scared to death. When I heard of the Scripture exposition of Christ’s Fearful Second Coming from my Pastor Grandfather at the age of 15 I was terribly afraid. When I went to sleep that night I had a nightmare. I dreamt that Jesus descended on a hill filled with black smoke. I tried to escape but in haste I rolled over my bed and woke up panting on the floor. I went to Church every Lord’s day under Grandpa’s gentle supervision but I was a lost sinner all the same.
Those who are like me who attend Church regularly here but are not saved are afraid to face Him at His Fearful Second Coming. But having received Christ at John Sung’s Revival Meeting also at 15 soon after Grandpa’s sermon I felt all my sins were washed away. “In the cross, in the cross, Be my glory ever. All my sins are washed away, in the Blood of Jesus.”
“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
Are you like me who was afraid of Jesus’ Coming? Receive Jesus right here and now and you will be saved. Sing Hymn 189 as I read the words to assure you.
I Know a Fount
I know a place where night is turned to day;
Burdens are lifted, blind eyes made to see;
There’s a wonder working power, In the blood of Calvary.
I have a Saviour, He’s a faithful friend,
One who is with me, will be to the end.
He now in glory intercedes for me,
’Twas His precious cleansing blood, that once flowed on Calvary.
I have a peace, this world could never give,
Wonderful peace, for now in Christ I live.
From condemnation He hath made me free,
What a wonder working power, In the blood of Calvary.
I have a hope, My Lord will surely come,
All His redeemed ones shall be gathered home.
With Him in glory evermore to be,
Then we’ll praise Him for the blood, That was shed on Calvary.
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THE GOSPEL OF LIFE:
Chapter VI
To the hungry multitudes of the World Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life
The feeding of the five thousand is recorded in all four gospels. Compare Matt. 14:1-12; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17. This is one miracle experienced by such a multitude that it must have remained on the lips, with sweetness in the palate, for a long, long time. How even mothers and children would talk about the wonderful sandwiches they ate on that hill of Galilee for many years to come. While the Gospel is directed to the Salvation of the soul, for “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4) it is not slow to provide for our body in time of urgent need. The feeding of the five thousand is a miracle of relief for the hungry, these who have first hungered and thirsted after righteousness. The feeding of the five thousand teaches the Church to be forward in extending material help to the suffering brethren within (Acts 11:27-30) and also to the “brethren” without (Matt.25:31-46). But relief is given only in the hour of crisis.
It cannot be given when the emergency is over, because our Lord’s ministry is mainly spiritual. Thus when some of the five thousand sought the Lord the next day, obviously not for the spiritual but rather the physical bread, our Lord refused them in no uncertain terms. For Christ’s Kingdom is not “meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 14:17).
The sequel to the feeding of the five thousand is our Lord’s long discourse on the Bread that endureth unto everlasting life. The miracle bread from the five loaves and two fishes lasted but for a few hours for those who relished the outward, but endureth to this day and forever more in those who relished the inward. Reader, what bread are you seeking?
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Letter from Miss Tow Soon Ai
15 August 2004
Dear Siang Hui
Now that True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church is registered with Government approval don’t you think it is time we also try to have a church building of our own so that we could continue to worship in our own premises. My brother Siang Ling and I worry that there may come a day when we may not have the loan of any place or lease of the RELC anymore, so what do you think if I should channel my thanksgiving to form a humble beginning for the True Life Bible-Presbyterian Building Fund and hope this could in time to come snowball into sufficient funds through donations, free loans from among the present congregation like what happened in the case of Beulah House. God saw us through that period and He will see us through the present situation.
If the Government help us with a piece of land for our own building it would be ideal. Could we apply to the Government for such a donation? It has happened before with success! Could we try also?
I am enclosing herein my “Thanksgiving” cheque OCBC 449163 for S$30,000 to start the fund. Perhaps the S$30,500 I donated in the beginning of this year could also be transferred to this building fund, if possible. What do you think?
Your loving cousin,
Tow Soon Ai
The Field of Boaz (Shepherd’s Field), Bethlehem
