MEMORY VERSE: ‘Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen.’ Revelation 1:7.
STUDY HELP: Great Controversy, pages 640-645.
‘There will be no probation after the coming of the Lord. Those who say that there will be are deceived and misled. Before Christ comes, just such a state of things will exist as existed before the Flood. And after the Saviour appears in the clouds of heaven, no one will be given another chance to gain salvation. All will have made their decisions.’ Last Day Events, page 237.
1. What are we told about the manner of Christ’s return? Acts 1:10-11.
NOTE: ‘Satan is not permitted to counterfeit the manner of Christ’s advent. The Saviour has warned His people against deception upon this point, and has clearly foretold the manner of His second coming. “There shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect… Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth; behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:24-27. See also Matthew 24:31; Matthew 25:31; Revelation 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17. This coming there is no possibility of counterfeiting. It will be universally known, witnessed by the whole world.’ Great Controversy, page 625.
2. How many will witness Christ’s Second Coming? Revelation 1:7. Compare Matthew 24:27.
NOTE: ‘The Scriptures teach that “as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be;” [Matthew 24:27] that He “cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him;” [Revelation 1:7] that He will “descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God;” [1 Thessalonians 4:16] that He will “come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him,” [Matthew 25:31] and will “send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect.” [Matthew 24:31] Those who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive. By the testimony of the Scriptures they will detect the deceiver in his disguise.’ Spirit of Prophecy, volume 4, page 443.