Lesson: The King Returns to Live with His People
I John 3:1-3.
I. The Apostolic writers took the second coming, the "consummation," for granted. The subject pops up everywhere in their writing, even when we wouldn't expect it. They missed Jesus; they expected him back any minute.
A. "when he is revealed" - interesting the John also wrote revelation.
1. this phrase makes us understand that it is as if Jesus was masked in the incarnation and they only were allowed to see so much (except the three during the transfiguration), but in the end, we will have revealed to us the fullness of Jesus' character, of who he is. We get stuck on our own personal version or vision of Jesus (see other post).
2. We will "see him as is is, not was or will be, but is.
B. As children of God, we live in a tension.
1. in the world, but not known by it, not understood by it
2. in the world in terms of responsibilities, but ot of it..
3. already but not yet.
4. knowing a little but not a whole lot. We see through a glass darkly I Corinthians 13.
5. hopeful, but at different levels for each person.
C. "What manner of love has the Father bestowed on us . . . " John is called the apostle of love. Refer to I John 4:12-21. In this context we are challenged to think about the second coming in terms of God's love rather than God's justice.
1. I always think about it as vindication, the world getting its punishment for its rebellion. But if God is love, the consummation may be about love as much as or more than about justice. As the lesson title says, "The King returns to live with his people."
2. What does consummation mean?
a. A consuming, as in the world will be consumed by fire.
b. the end, the finish, the completion. Psl. 119:96
c. love making to complete a marriage
3. When you think about the consummation, which is more the second coming, do you think of
a drama (as in Tim LaHaye/Jerry Jenkins books) or quick end.
b. end or beginning?
c. trial before God or freedom from condemnation (Romans 5:1)
d. tribulation or heaven (because you have been raptured)?
e. fact (it just is, it's going to happen but it has no bearing on my life) or reality (it matters to what I do today)?
f. hope or question mark (truly will happen but I just don't know)
g. come quickly or not yet?
B. What does the truth of the consummation do for and to you?
1. He who has this hope in purifies himself, even as (Christ) is pure.
2. Hope. It's been 2000 years. What does Peter say about this? 2 Peter 3.
3. Purify. Purity means nothing that doesn't belong is in the mix. What doesn't belong in us? Fear, anger, lust, wanting for no reason, materialism, security blankets. Only you can answer that.
4. We are being made through sanctification to be Christlike. We do not do it to ourselves. "Be ye transformed" "He who began a good work in you will perform it" "You are being conformed." This is passive voice. We only can make a space for it to happen in our lives.
Considering what is coming and that we will be there for eternity, what can we purify out of our lives that will prepare us for then?
Nice link: What won't be in heaven: http://fervr.net/bible/50-things-that-wont-be-in-heaven
I. The Apostolic writers took the second coming, the "consummation," for granted. The subject pops up everywhere in their writing, even when we wouldn't expect it. They missed Jesus; they expected him back any minute.
A. "when he is revealed" - interesting the John also wrote revelation.
1. this phrase makes us understand that it is as if Jesus was masked in the incarnation and they only were allowed to see so much (except the three during the transfiguration), but in the end, we will have revealed to us the fullness of Jesus' character, of who he is. We get stuck on our own personal version or vision of Jesus (see other post).
2. We will "see him as is is, not was or will be, but is.
B. As children of God, we live in a tension.
1. in the world, but not known by it, not understood by it
2. in the world in terms of responsibilities, but ot of it..
3. already but not yet.
4. knowing a little but not a whole lot. We see through a glass darkly I Corinthians 13.
5. hopeful, but at different levels for each person.
C. "What manner of love has the Father bestowed on us . . . " John is called the apostle of love. Refer to I John 4:12-21. In this context we are challenged to think about the second coming in terms of God's love rather than God's justice.
1. I always think about it as vindication, the world getting its punishment for its rebellion. But if God is love, the consummation may be about love as much as or more than about justice. As the lesson title says, "The King returns to live with his people."
2. What does consummation mean?
a. A consuming, as in the world will be consumed by fire.
b. the end, the finish, the completion. Psl. 119:96
c. love making to complete a marriage
3. When you think about the consummation, which is more the second coming, do you think of
a drama (as in Tim LaHaye/Jerry Jenkins books) or quick end.
b. end or beginning?
c. trial before God or freedom from condemnation (Romans 5:1)
d. tribulation or heaven (because you have been raptured)?
e. fact (it just is, it's going to happen but it has no bearing on my life) or reality (it matters to what I do today)?
f. hope or question mark (truly will happen but I just don't know)
g. come quickly or not yet?
B. What does the truth of the consummation do for and to you?
1. He who has this hope in purifies himself, even as (Christ) is pure.
2. Hope. It's been 2000 years. What does Peter say about this? 2 Peter 3.
3. Purify. Purity means nothing that doesn't belong is in the mix. What doesn't belong in us? Fear, anger, lust, wanting for no reason, materialism, security blankets. Only you can answer that.
4. We are being made through sanctification to be Christlike. We do not do it to ourselves. "Be ye transformed" "He who began a good work in you will perform it" "You are being conformed." This is passive voice. We only can make a space for it to happen in our lives.
Considering what is coming and that we will be there for eternity, what can we purify out of our lives that will prepare us for then?
Nice link: What won't be in heaven: http://fervr.net/bible/50-things-that-wont-be-in-heaven
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