Next Time will be Different

Jesus: “I am going to heaven to prepare a place for you. And after I prepare a place for you, I WILL COME BACK to get you, so that where I am, you will also be with me!”John 14:2-3 

DIFFERENCES

1. THE FIRST TIME: JESUS’ ARRIVAL  

happened slowly.

NEXT TIME: JESUS’ ARRIVAL  

will happen instantly. 

“It will all happen in a flash, as fast as the twinkling of an eye.” 1 Corinthians 15:52 

“The day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:2 

2. THE FIRST TIME: JESUS’ ARRIVAL  

was very quiet.

NEXT TIME:  

the entire world will hear it.  

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with LOUD COMMAND, and with the SHOUT of the archangel, and with the GREAT SOUND of the trumpet of God!”1 Thessalonians 4:16   

3. THE FIRST TIME:  

A single star was seen in the east.  

NEXT TIME: JESUS WILL  

light up the entire sky.  

JESUS: “For just as lightning flashes light up the ENTIRE SKY and EVERYONE can see it, so will be the return of the Son of God!” Matthew 24:27 

JESUS: “When I come back in ALL my glory, ALL the holy angels will be with me!” Matthew 25:31   

4. THE FIRST TIME:  

Only a few people honored Him.  

NEXT TIME:  

Everyone will honor Him.  

“As surely as I am the living God, EVERYONE will kneel before me, and EVERYONE will confess that I am God!” Romans 14:11    

5. THE FIRST TIME: JESUS CAME  

to save the world.  

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life! God did NOT send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it!”John 3:16-17 (NLT)   

NEXT TIME: HE’S COMING  

to judge the world.  

“God has set a day when the entire human race will be judged WITH JUSTICE and everything set right. And God has already appointed the Judge, confirming him before everyone by raising him from the dead.”Acts 17:31 (Mes)   

“God will reward or punish every person for what that person has done. For those who have lived for God’s glory and honor. . . God will reward them with life forever. But for those who continue to live for themselves and reject the truth, and follow evil instead of obeying God. . . they will receive God’s anger and punishment.”Romans 2:6-8   

6. THE FIRST TIME: JESUS CAME  

to die for our sins.  

“God’s unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his OWN FAMILY by sending Jesus Christ to die for us.” Ephesians 1:5 (LB)   

NEXT TIME: HE’S COMING  
 

to gather His family. 

“He will send his angels all around the earth, and they will gather his chosen people from every part of the world.” Matthew 24:31 (NCV)   

“God’s family is the Church of the living God.” 1 Timothy 3:15 (NCV)   

7. THE FIRST TIME: HE CAME  

in humility.  

“Though he was God. . . he made himself nothing, taking on the humble position of a servant and becoming a human! And while living as a man he humbled himself even further by obediently dying on a cross!”Philippians 2:6-8 (NLT)  

NEXT TIME:  

He's coming as King and Lord of all.  

“Because he humbled himself, God has exalted Jesus to the highest place and given him the name that is above every other name so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God!”Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT)  

HOW DO I GET READY?

Live for Him looking forward.  

“GOD’S GRACE shows us how to say ‘No!’ to the godless, self-centered, and self-destructive ways the world lives. Instead, God’s grace empowers us to live a wise, self-controlled, and God-honoring life while we look forward with great hope for the coming of our God and Savior Jesus Christ when his great glory will be revealed to all!”Titus 2:12-13  

“The Lord isn't being slow in keeping his promise to return. Instead he is being patient FOR YOUR SAKE. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.”