Waiting for Jesus

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1:7-10We are on a collision course with destiny, and we cannot afford to be ignorant. The signs of Jesus’ coming are so many—His return is imminent.Adrian Rogers says, “We are not looking for some event in history; we are looking for Jesus Christ Himself.”While we wait for Jesus to come back, we must also remember the wrath that is to come.1 Thessalonians 1:10 says, “...and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”The Bible clearly teaches that there is a dark, devilish, devastating day coming. Revelation 6 describes a chain reaction of death, represented by four horsemen.In Revelation 6:1-3, the Antichrist will come in on a white horse, symbolizing his dominion. He will be the malevolent, wicked ruler of the world. He will come as the world’s messiah offering peace.The red horse in Revelation 6:4 symbolizes destruction; the Antichrist will inflame men’s hearts with hatred and stir up war.The black horse in Revelation 6:5-6 symbolizes deprivation. As night follows day, so does famine follow war; massive starvation will plague the land.Finally, the pale horse in Revelation 6:7-8 represents death; sin causes hatred, which causes war, which causes famine, which produces death.These four horsemen are ready to ride, and they will ride soon when Jesus returns.These verses also mention the beasts of the land, which could be interpreted to mean the demons of Hell. They are described as irresistible, intelligent, seductive, and ready to devour. Their armor speaks of invincibility. People will not be able to fight back on their own. They will not be able to outwit or outrun them.Yet, God will still be in control; only Jesus can deliver from the wrath to come.We are waiting for Jesus, not the Antichrist. We can be comforted, knowing that Jesus will rapture His church before the Great Tribulation begins.As we wait for Jesus, we must turn away from idols to serve the living God. We wait with expectation and anticipation—looking, learning, longing, and laboring until He returns.Adrian Rogers says, “We’ll work till Jesus comes and then we’ll be gathered home.”Apply it to your lifeAs we wait for Jesus to return, serve Him faithfully; turn from your idols and share the Gospel with others, that God may save them from the wrath to come.