LIVING IN LIGHT OF THE SECOND COMING

1 JOHN 2:28-3:3

      John chose three terms in this passage to describe the second coming of Jesus.

•          Coming (parousia–Mt. 24:3-27-37-39; 1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Th. 2:19, 3:13, 4:15, 5:23; 2 Th. 2:1-8; Jas. 5:7-8; 2 Pet. 3:4-12; 1 Jn. 2:28)

•          Appearing (fanerow–Col. 3:4; 1 Pet. 5:4; 1 Jn. 2:28, 3:2)

•          Hoping (1 Th. 4:13; Tit. 2:13; 1 Jn. 3:3)

Tit. 2:13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

      Jesus taught His disciples to live in constant expectation of His return.

Mk. 13:37. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Jesus is coming to earth again; what if it were today?

Coming in power and love to reign; what if it were today?

Coming to claim His chosen Bride, all the redeemed and purified,
Over this whole earth scattered wide; what if it were today?

It may be at morn, when the day is awaking,
When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking

That Jesus will come in the fullness of glory
To receive from the world “His own.”

      Having warned the readers of the apostasy in the last days, John encouraged them to live in purity while waiting for Jesus. Those born again by Jesus ought to live purely as children of God until He comes again.

1 Th. 3:13. To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

1 Th. 5:23. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  I. Maintained with holiness (2:28-29)

      A. Relationship (28)

      John chose the phrase abide in Him (Jn. 15:4-5-7; 1 Jn. 2:6-28, 3:6) to describe a life of continuous fellowship with Jesus.

          1. Assurance (Phil. 1:20; Heb. 3:6, 4:16, 10:19-35; 1 Jn. 2:28, 3:21, 4:17, 5:14)

          2. Ashamed (Lk. 16:3; Phil. 1:20; 1 Jn. 2:28)

Phil. 1:20. According to my earnest expectation and [my] hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so] now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether [it be] by life, or by death.

              a. Judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10)

              b. Marriage supper of the Lamb (Mt. 22:9)

      The New Testament instructs believers how to live in light of the second coming of Jesus.

•          Watch (Mt. 24:42-51, 25:1-13; Lk. 12:36-48; 1 Th. 5:1-10)

•          Witness (Mk. 8:38; Acts 1:6-8)

•          Occupy (Lk. 19:11-28)

•          Awake (Rom. 13:11)

•          Use spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 1:7)

•          Please the Lord (1 Cor. 7:29-33)

•          Assemble (1 Cor. 11:26; Heb. 10:25)

•          Forbear (Phil. 4:5)

•          Crucify the flesh (Col. 3:4-5)

•          Be blameless (1 Th. 5:23)

•          Be spotless (1 Tim. 6:14)

•          Be pure (Tit. 2:14; 1 Jn. 3:3)

•          Be patient (Jas. 5:7-8)

•          Be holy (2 Pet. 3:11, 14)

•          Abide (1 Jn. 2:28)

•          Love (Jude 21)

      B. Righteousness (29)

          1. Example (righteous–Mt. 27:19-24; Acts 3:14; 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 3:18; 1 Jn. 2:1-29, 3:7)

          2. Evidence

              a. Behavior (does–1 Jn. 2:29, 3:7-10)

              b. Birth (Jn. 1:13, 3:3-5-6-7-8; 1 Jn. 2:29, 3:9, 4:7, 5:1-4-18)

 II. Manifested in heaven (3:1-2)

      A. Heirs of God (1; we are–Rom. 8:16; 1 Jn. 2:5, 3:1, 4:6, 5:19-20)

Rom. 8:16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

          1. Father’s love (Rom. 5:5-8, 8:39; Eph. 2:4; 1 Jn. 4:7-8-9-10)

Eph. 2:4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

              a. Great (what manner–2 Pet. 3:11)

              b. Gift (Mt. 7:11)

          2. Family’s likeness

              a. Children of God (Jn. 1:12; Rom. 8:16-17; 1 Jn. 3:1-2-10, 5:2)

Jn. 1:12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:

              b. Called of God (Rom. 8:30; Eph. 4:1)

                  (1) World does not know (1 Cor. 1:21; 1 Jn. 3:1)

                  (2) World did not know (Jn. 1:10, 14:17, 17:25)

      Since a child of God’s inheritance is in heaven, a believer can never be at home in this world.

      B. Joint-heirs with Jesus (2)

          1. Now (Mk. 10:30; Jn. 12:31; Rom. 5:9-11, 8:1; Gal. 2:20; Heb. 9:24; 1 Jn. 3:2; position)

Rom. 8:1a. [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,

          2. Not yet (Heb. 2:8; 1 Jn. 3:2)

      J. Vernon McGee said, “As I look back over my life, I realize I’ve never been the man that I have wanted to be, and I’ve never been the preacher I have wanted to be. I’ve never really preached the sermon that I wanted to preach.” “I’ve never been the husband that I’ve wanted to be.” “And I’ve never been the father that I wanted to be.” “I’ve never really attained the goal.” Then, not to be discouraged, McGee considered 1 Jn. 3:2 and said, “This is a wonderful prospect! He sees in you and in me what He will make out of us. I’m thankful that God is not through with me.”

              a. Appear in the future (manifest–Mk. 16:12-14; Jn. 21:1-14; Col. 3:4)

Col. 3:4. When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

      When Jesus comes again, He will change the corruptible likeness of the children of God into the incorruptible likeness of His resurrection body.

Rom. 8:29. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Phil. 3:21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

              b. Accepted by faith (see–Mt. 24:30, 26:64; Heb. 9:28; 1 Jn. 3:2; Rev. 1:7, 22:4)

1 Pet. 1:8. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

      At the second coming of Jesus, the children of God will see completely then the position they accepted by faith before. When believers see Jesus, the redemption of the purchased position will be complete.

Mt. 26:64. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Rev. 1:7. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.

It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus;

Life's trials will seem so small, when we see Christ;

One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

III. Motivated by hope (3:3)

Rom. 5:2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

1 Pet. 1:3. Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

      Those who hope for the soon coming of Jesus, will keep their lights burning and the lamps filled (Mt. 25:1). Believers who look for the second coming of Jesus in all His glory will keep themselves clean.

      A. Purity from sin (Jas. 4:8)

2 Pet. 3:11, 14. [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness,

 14. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

      B. Presence of sin

Ps. 17:15. As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

1 Cor. 13:12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

      Rick Melick wrote, “The believer’s heart cries for complete freedom from sin. We long for a situation where sin does not tempt us and where we can see God without the limitations sin imposes.” Melick said, “Complete sanctification comes with complete knowledge of Jesus which only occurs at the second coming.”

      Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadriplegic since 1967, wrote, “Please don’t assume that all I ever do is dream about springing out of this chair, stretching glorified fingers and toes, and pole-vaulting over the pearly gates.” She said, “The best part of heaven will be a completely purified heart.”