RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT'S MANUALSUNDAY 28TH OF JULY, 2024 LESSON: FORTY EIGHT (48)

TOPIC: THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN
1. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me 
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds be black with rain,
I'll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord's day
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
[13]But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14]For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[15]For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
[16]For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
[17]Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
[18]Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

MEMORY VERSE:
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:3.

INTRODUCTION:
Acts 1:10-11 describes the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ as being personal, bodily and visible with power. The second coming of our Lord will be in like manner. However, it will be in two phases. The first phase, regarded as the rapture (1Thessalonians 4:15-17), will be the coming of the Lord for His saints. While the second phase will be the coming of the Lord with His saints, to set up the millennium (1Thessalonians 3:13). Between the first phase and the second phase of the second coming of Christ is the period of the great tribulation.

OUTLINES:
1. PROPHECIES AND PURPOSE OF HIS SECOND COMING
2. THE MANNER OF HIS COMING

1. PROPHECIES AND PURPOSE OF HIS SECOND COMING
The first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ was prophesied and those prophecies came to pass, literally (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6). This gives us great confidence that the prophecies of the Second Advent will also be fulfilled literally. His second coming was foretold in Daniel 7:13-14. Jesus, Himself said it (Matthew 25:31). 
He is coming to fulfil the following purposes: 
At the first phase (rapture), there will be the completion of the salvation of the saints (Hebrews 9:28). Christ will bring to light the hidden things of darkness (1Corinthians 4:5) and receive us to be with Him (John.14:3). At the second phase (the revelation), He will be glorified in His saints (2Thess.1:7-10), execute judgement, as a conquering king (2 Timothy 4:1). He will reign majestically (Revelation 11:15) and destroy death (1Corinthians 15:25-26).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1:
Why do you think some people still do not believe that Christ is coming again despite all available prophecies?

2. THE MANNER OF HIS COMING
The following should be noted about the manner of His second coming: at the first phase (the rapture), He will descend from Heaven with a shout and voice of the archangel (1Thessalonians 4:16), suddenly (1Corinthians 15:52), in the glory of His Father (Matthew 16:27), the saints will meet Him in the air and be with Him forever (1Thessalonians 4:17). At the second phase (the revelation), He will come in the clouds to the earth with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30), he will come in His glory accompanied by His angels (Matthew 25:31) with His saints (1Thessalonians 3:13), in flaming fire (2Thessalonians 1:8) and bodily, as He ascended (Acts.1:9-11).

CLASS ACTIVITY 2:
What are some of the signs you can see around you which indicate that Christ’s coming is imminent?

CONCLUSION:
Do not be deceived, Christ’s coming is certain (2 Peter 3: 9-10). While we ought to plan and work as if He will not be coming for another century, we must live a holy and pure life all the time as if He will return today. Watch and Pray.

QUESTIONS 
* What are the purposes for Christ’s second coming?
* Mention four manners of Christ’s second coming.

ASSIGNMENT:
Mention five (5) things that can hinder a believer from being raptured (2x5=10 Marks).