Waiting for the Return of Jesus Christ – Part I
VBC Albuquerque · Oct 21, 2023
This sermon presents the signs of the end times and Christ's return based on the Olivet Discourse. The pastor reminds believers of the importance of daily preparation for Christ's coming rather than attempting to predict the exact time. The sermon clarifies the distinction between two theological interpretations regarding the last days and the end of the age.
The opening section of the sermon presents a world context filled with war, pandemics, crime, and terrorism, from Hamas's attack on Israel to conflicts in Ukraine, terrorist attacks, earthquakes, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These events prompt many people to ask whether these are signs of the end times—the same question the disciples asked Jesus on the Mount of Olives. The pastor emphasizes that Jesus knew about these difficulties and promised believers peace, hope through Scripture, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the promise of His return. The sermon grounds believers in the comfort that Christ will return to receive His people to heaven.
The second section develops theological arguments by presenting two main interpretive views of the Olivet Discourse: the Preterist view holds that events already occurred when Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD, while the Futurist view maintains that events will occur in the future, particularly during a seven-year tribulation period after Jesus raptures the church. The pastor cites 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 about the secret rapture of the church and explains the pretribulational view: Jesus will return twice—first to catch believers up to heaven before the seven-year tribulation, and second to reign with the saints during the millennium.
The third section applies the message to practical Christian living by explaining four parables following the Olivet Discourse. The parable of the master and the thief teaches that Christ will return unexpectedly; the parable of the master and servant teaches that Christ may return sooner than expected; the parable of ten virgins teaches that Christ may return later than expected. The pastor emphasizes that these teachings address the individual believer—the question is not when Christ returns but whether the hearer is prepared when He comes.
The fourth section reminds believers that no one can be certain about the permanence of their own faith; only God knows the human heart fully. The pastor quotes Hebrews to warn of the danger of forsaking faith and stresses that Jesus told these parables not for abstract theological debate but to teach believers to live wisely daily and be ready for His return. The conclusion reaffirms that the most important question is not when Christ returns but whether we are ready.