The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is immanent Every prophecy has been fulfilled. Every event has taken place. 1 Thes. 4:16-5:3 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage each other with these words. not need to write to you, 2for you 5:1Now, brothers, about times and dates we do know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
This old world will grind on as before. The plans that men have set in motion to cure the ails of mankind will continue. Nations will continue to fight against nation as ambassadors for peace endeavor to sell their peace plans at the conference tables of the United Nations. Politicians will continue to campaign. Businesses will continue to compete. The orbits will continue to spin. Students will still burn the midnight oil. When all of a sudden. With a unified shout by the Lord and the Archangel and a blast from Gabriel's trumpet, the heavens will open and it will all be over.

One of the greatest truths in scripture is the coming again of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11-3:15
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. [12] It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, [13] while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. [15] These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. [3:1] Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, [2] to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. [3] At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. [4] But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. [8] This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. [9] But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. [10] Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. [11] You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. [12] As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. [13] Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. [14] Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. [15] Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
Three things about His coming.
I. Confidence of His Coming.
Vs. 13 "While we wait for that blessed hope."
Our confidence is contained in the word hope. The hope which is referred to here is not some pie in the sky by and by idea. It is not the kind of hope wherein the student who failed to study for an exam hopes that the teacher will be sick and not turn up for class. The hope which the scriptures speak of is a confident hope. It is a certainty. It is not illusive and intangible. It is vital and real.

The scriptures suggest that this confidence relates to three categories of people.

1. The Jew. John 3:16, but there is also a Joel 3:16 "The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. Yes, He came and His people rejected Him, but there is going to come a moment when those same ones will look on Him whom they pierced and they will mourn because of Him. And I believe that day is coming soon. All over the world there is a stirring in the hearts of Jewish people for the coming of the Messiah. They speak of the events taking place in Jerusalem even today in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. His return is the confident hope of the Jew,

2. But it is also the hope of the Gentile. The unbeliever. In all of their confusion. In the midst of the sin and rebellion. Even though they might reject Him upon His coming. There is a cry from the lips of all the world for some kind of a savior. Someone who will set the record straight. Someone who will bring deliverance for the oppressed. There is a restlessness that prevails across the nations. The hope of a peacemaker. One day He is going to bring peace to the nations. One day he is going to sway the scepter of universal empire. One day He whose right it is to reign is going to reign. That moment will come and Jesus will right the wrongs. The earth will be covered with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. His return is a confident hope for the gentile.

3. But most importantly, His coming is the confident hope of the New Testament Church. Throughout the NT the great event to which the believer looks forward is not death and resurrection. It is not even heaven. It is the coming again of our Lord. Again and again we are told to look forward to His coming. It is certain. We can confidently count on it. So we see that for the believer there is a confident hope in the return of Christ.
The confidence of His coming.
Notice in the second place:
II. The Character of His Coming.
"While we wait for the blessed hope"
The character of His coming is wrapped up in this word blessed. Which means happy. It is a happy hope. This is what it ought to be for every believer. But the question we can ask ourselves this morning is, "Will His coming be a happy occasion for us?" Are we too attached to some things here that when he comes we might be disappointed. One Sunday morning a Sunday School teacher asked all the kids if they wanted to be in heaven. All raised their hands except Tommy. "Tommy," she said, "why in the world wouldn't you want to go to heaven? "Because my Mommy made Apple Pie for lunch today." You would be amazed at how many people today would settle for ham instead of heaven. I once visited a member in hospital. As we talked about the possibility of him dying and going to be with the Lord, he said. "I'm ready to go, but I still have so much to do." There should be no buts about it. We should be so looking forward to His coming that we ought to cry out, "Even so, come lord Jesus."
But for it to be a blessed hope, three things must be true.
1. It must be a happy rapture.
The word Rapture may not be a biblical word, but it is a biblical certainty. 1 Thes. 4:16-5:3 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever
This is the apostolic revelation.
Now see the angelic confirmation. Acts 1:10-11 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." "This same Jesus. Not Jesus rising from the dead. Not the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. "This same Jesus." The Apostolic revelation, the Angelic confirmation, now look at the Saviors declaration. John 14:2-4 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going." I am waiting for that moment for Him to come back. But here's the honest truth about that day. It will either be the happiest moment in all of you life, or it will be one of the most shaming moments of your life. How would you respond if He came back today. Is it going to be a happy rapture? If Jesus was to return to rapture His blood bought people. His true church. The ones whom Paul speaks of in Ephesians 5 that have been purchased by His blood and kept for that wonderful moment. Could you look Him in the eye without shame?
The blessed hope is initiated through a happy rapture, then it is followed by:
2. A happy review.
1. Actions will be reviewed.
2 Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Family, we must be careful in our understanding of the end times. There is the idea that when Christ returns that that is the end of the story. There is a distinction between the Thronos judgment. The great white throne of God where the unbelieving will stand and be judged for the rejection of Jesus Christ once and for all. This is the difference between the Thronos and the Bema. The judgment seat of Christ. Romans 14. 1 Cor 3; 2 Cor 5. The judgments of the believer are clear. They are past, present and future. In the past we were judged as sinners. At Calvary I was judged for my sins and I thank God that His blood availed for me. In the present tense we are judged as Sons. We are being judged in the context of 1 Cor. 11, which tells us that we should judge our own actions so that we may not be judged. Also we see that there is a sense in which God judges us in the present in order to perfect us.
But there is a future judgment that we must not forget about. That is when we will be judged as servants. Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. Romans 14:12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. At the judgment seat of Christ we will be judged for every single work, whether it is good or bad.
1. We will be judged in relationship to the church and our commitment to it. The church is important to God. Your commitment to this place in which we gather. Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

2. We will be judged by our relationship to the world. 1 Cor. 3:12-15 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. You will be as a haggard, beat up bride presenting herself to her groom.
A happy rapture, a happy review, and also, the character of His coming will include:
3. Happy Rewards
Five rewards. The Bible speaks of them as crowns. The privileges of service for the king.

1. The incorruptible crown. - For those who battle for Christ 1 Cor. 9:24-27 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. And let me assure you that Paul was not speaking of losing his salvation. He has the clearest theology on eternal security anywhere in the scriptures. I believe in eternal security. Not as an insurance policy against hell. Not as an excuse to live lawlessley and lasciviously, deciding that now that you are saved you can live any way you like, because believe me, you cant! But I believe that I am secure because of the once and for all price that Jesus Christ paid for my sins and because of the seal of the Holy Spirit placed on my life by God Himself who keeps me secure in Christ according to 2 Cor. 1:21-22. Now, I can believe this and preach to you Sunday after Sunday and still be a castaway, being saved as if by fire. But on the other hand, I can receive the incorruptible Crown for battling for Christ.

2. Crown of Rejoicing - The Reward for witnessing for Christ. 1 Thes. 2:19-20 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20Indeed, you are our glory and joy. Are you looking forward to the Crowns of rejoicing that you will receive for the souls that you have led to Christ? The greatest reward anyone can receive is the reward for leading someone to Jesus Christ. I remember my farewell service in Fort Worth where I had been a Youth Pastor before coming to San Antonio. God had really blessed that ministry with tremendous growth. At the service, the youth were asked to stand up and share what Janice and I had meant to them over that time. There was much that was said. It went on, and on. But do you know what? There is only one of those little speeches that I remember. A young man by the name of Aaron stood up. He could have mentioned all of the fun and exciting programs. He could have mentioned the Pizza bashes and the great retreats and lock ins and all the stuff. But he looked over at me with tears in his eyes and simply said, "Thank you for bringing me to Jesus!" That is what mattered. That was the greatest blessing. That is the greatest reward. The crown of rejoicing for the souls we have led to Christ.

3. The Crown of Glory - The Reward for Ministering for Christ. 1 Peter 5. Feed the flock of God, so that when the chief Shepherd appears you will receive the crown of Glory. For taking care of those that God has entrusted to your teaching. We will be judged by the way we have dealt with His word. We have a responsibility to declare honestly, all the council of God. All of His truth.

4. The Crown of Life - Reward for suffering for Christ. James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. The day of persecution could come before we know it. I know a minister in this city that has had death threats against his life because of his boldness in preaching.

5. The Crown of Righteousness - For Finishing for Christ. 2 Tim. 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. It is easy to shout the amens while we're in the middle of the journey. It's is how we finish the course that matters. The rewards we will be given will be the responsibility we are given in God's eternal kingdom, and it will never be changed. It cannot be changed up there. It is determined here. I hope we have a choice of the constellations that we will in charge of. I want the Milky Way.

Oh what a wonderful occasion that will be.

Face to face with Christ my Savior,
Face to face what will it be
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ who died for me?

Face to face! O blissful moment!
Face to face, to see and know;
Face to face with my Redeemer,
Jesus Christ who loves me so.
So we have noted the confidence of His coming, the Character of His coming. Look with me briefly at the:

III. The Commision of His Coming.

This is seen in the word "wait" which is also translated "looking"
1. Challenge of personal expectation. The upward challenge. The challenge to be ever watchful. Ever waiting. Expectantly. Matthew 24:42-43 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. Are you looking. Are you awake at the post. The enemy is waiting to pounce. We must be expectantly watching for His return. Then, when we look upward to the blessed hope with personal expectancy, we cannot help looking inward.

2. The Challenge of Inward Examination.
Not only personal expectancy, but inward examination. 1 John 3:2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. This involves that walk in holiness. The commitment integrity in every area of our lives.
Finally,

3. The Challenge Personal Evangelism.
Peter says that because we know these things we must spread the gospel of Christ so that we may speed up His coming. There is no greater motivation for evangelism than the imminent return of our Lord Jesus. And when He comes I want to stand before that judgment seat of Christ and I want to say to my Lord, "here am I and here are those whose lives you entrusted to me to share your gospel and I was faithful to the task.

"Must I go an empty handed?
Must I reach my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet him?
Must I empty handed go?

Oh, family, it would be a tragedy for our Savior to break through from heaven at this moment without anything to give to Him. Will the inscription on your epitaph be "A saved soul, but a wasted life!"

The greatest hope in the church is the coming again of Jesus. But has got to be a Happy rapture. A happy review. A happy reunion, for it to be a happy hope.

The upward look. The inward look. The outward look.