[Richard]

True Hephzibah, we buy many books with a good intention of reading them. But when we were employed and when our children were growing we seldom had time to read those books and commentaries. But our Lord has graciously given this retirement time (applies only to retirees) to fulfill our unfulfilled desires. Along with that, we are also blessed to study in depth through Theon the doctrine of the Second Coming. May our dear Lord fulfill all our dreams.

[Richard]

Well said Suresh. As we read and meditate the Bible verses daily, we frequently come across references to the Second Coming. Thus we understand that the Holy Spirit has placed a great importance to this topic. So a better understanding of this topic will edify us spiritually and make us be ready to meet our Lord.

[Richard]

Well said Abiodun, the study of the Second Coming is a real mystery. Let us all under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and our Resource Person get an enriching experience and understanding of this mysterious doctrine.

[Richard]

I have listened to many talks and read many books and articles on the Second Coming of our Lord. But I have not yet got good insight into this doctrine. Moreover, the last book ‘Revelation’ always intrigues me. I tried to understand it but in vain. The Millennium rule, the Rapture are some of the terms are that confuse me, as there are various views on these topics. I trust this course on the Second Coming will throw more light on the subject and help me comprehend this doctrine will and keep me prepared our Lord when He comes suddenly and unexpectedly.

[Richard]

Hello my dear Gandhi,
You will be found where ever a good biblical teaching is given. So no wonder you are in this group. Let’s learn together.
Regards.

[Richard]

Hello Hephzibah,
Happy to find you here in this group. Apart from the resource persons, I expect a lot to learn from your responses to each lesson.
Regards.

[Richard]

Hey, Suresh, nice to meet you in this platform once again. Happy learning.

[Richard]

Hey dear co-learners,
I am Richard Samuel, a retired college professor. I am happy to be associated once again with Theon. Happy to see old familiar faces again in this course — Suresh Kumar, Gandhi,Jerrita, Lavanya Vijay, Rasi, Hephzibah Stephen and a few more. In a time when many teachings are in the air regarding the Second Coming of our Lord I am confident that Theon will provide us with the right teaching based on the Word of God. So along with you all I too am looking forward to this course.
Regards.

[Richard]

Thank you Michael Adebayo for pointing our the subtle difference between being “gospel-centered” and “salvation centered”. I appreciate your point not to present our God as a terror God and pressurize a person into salvation. If a person comes to God because of fear, he may not be in the fold for long. On the contrary if a man is drawn to God because of love, he will stay with the Lord for ever. Thank you Michael for your insights.

[Richard]

Yes, Mabellyn Dennis, the thought that people who had not heard the Gospel would also be judged is very appalling. They have no excuses to offer as per Rom. 1:20. In the condemnation of such people we too are partly responsible. We have not taken the Gospel to such people. We have to give accounts on the Judgment Day to our Lord for our failure in not taking the Gospel to the unreached. I am glad that you have taken up this challenge and decided to propagate the Gospel to the maximum extent possible. Your decision has challenged me too. May God bless you and be with you in fulfilling this challenge.

[Richard]

Dear Bro. Lawrence, I am extremely sorry if I had offended you with my post. You need not have gone to the extent of deleting that particular sentence from your post. I thank you immensely for pointing out verses from the Book of Ezekiel regarding the sins of the righteous man — “If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, he will die of it” (Ezh. 33:18). I too agree with you that this is a complex topic. You are free to contact me privately whenever you feel like. My e-mail id is: richardsamuel1949@gmail.com. You are always welcome Bro. Lawrence. Once again my apologies.

[Richard]

Dear Brother Lawrence, Yes, we have to be careful and cautious and it is our responsibility to share the Gospel with people who have not heard the Gospel.
But I beg to disagree with you in the second part of your discussion. I am copy-pasting from your text: “The ones who have crossed over from death to life are truly favoured onse who are expected to help others. If such favoured ones fail in this sacred duty, then they are bound to lose their favour to become worse off than others who never heard the Good News.”
Is it possible to lose our favour from God? We may be grieving God by not sharing the Gospel, but how is it possible to lose our Salvation? Sorry Lawrence, I might have misunderstood your statement. Anyway, I request you to throw more light on this. Thank you.

[Richard]

I agree with you Hephzibah. No one can give any excuse saying that he/she was not presented with the Gospel. But at the same time, we believers, have to obey the great commission. If not we are partly responsible for the condemnation of the non-believers. As you have said the thought of standing before the Judgment Seat with empty hands give me too a shudder. It is high time we all realized this and started engaging ourselves in Personal Evangelism.

[Richard]

From the Theon Notes for Lesson 4, we understand that several Scriptural passages prove that the condemnation of the unregenerate would be severe. Romans 1:18-20 clearly states that God’s invisible qualities – His strength, power and divine nature – are clearly revealed in His creation. So even people who have not heard the Gospel have no excuses to offer on the Judgment Day. Such warnings give the church an urgent responsibility to proclaim the Gospel to people who have not yet heard the Gospel. Oswald Smith once remarked, “we talk about Second Coming; half the world has never heard of the First”. The church and the tele-evangelists should understand this. During the pandemic times we hear a lot of messages on the signs of the Second Coming and the horrors of hell in their messages. Warning about judgment and punishment is good; but what is the point when you are not talking about Salvation which is the only way to safe-guard ourselves from eternal condemnation? Action speaks louder than words, goes an old adage. Church and believers should not only verbalize the Gospel, but also present the Gospel by their actions, showing love and concern. Christ has shown us a model not only by teaching but also by showing His compassion by feeding the 5000, embracing the children who came to Him and the like. Pending law suits in the honourable court of law, fighting among various denominations are bad witnesses which obstruct non-Christians from coming into the fold of our Saviour. It is high time we honestly engaged ourselves in self-introspection and corrected ourselves.

[Richard]

Dear Jebaraj,
The free gift of Salvation, Eternal life, courage to stand before the judgment seat are all ours because of the sacrificial death and the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on the third day. But how we are going to spend the rest of our lives in this world — you have made it clear. We have to bear fruit and receive rewards from Him for the fruits we have borne. Wonderful thoughts, Jebaraj.

[Author]

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