BIBLE REFERENCES: Matt. 25; John 14:1-3; 1Thess. 4:13-17;
                                    Luke 16:19-19-31.

INTRODUCTION
The greatest subject of the Bible yet to be fully studied and understood is that of the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and The Next life, termed by theologians as "Eschatology".
They are the most important news yet to be fully declared by the Christian Church to her members and the people of the world and I thank God that you have availed yourselves to read or assimilate this section of the Good news of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The Term or word "eschatology" is derived from the Greek word "eschatos" meaning the knowledge of last things or end times.
It is the unfolding of the mysteries involved in the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and the next Life. It is also the most complex, misunderstood and misinterpreted subject avoided by Bible expositors and preachers. It was because of this and various views on the subject that the Lord led me to write on it in 1998 when I was the District Pastor of Oforikrom in Kumasi. After the first print in 1999, more than 10,000 copies has been published and sold in and outside Ghana.
The Second Coming of Christ is solely involved in the events round His imminent return to reign on this planet earth for One thousand years before the final White Throne Judgement.
EVENTS INVOLVED IN THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST:
1.0 These events starts from the Rapture of the resurrected and the living saints to heaven (1Thess. 4:13-17).
2.0 The Bema Throne Judgement of the Saints for Rewards (2 Cor. 5:10). This period shall last for Seven years in heaven.
3.0 The Seven Year Tribulation Period for unbelievers and the unfaithful believers (Revelation 6;8-18) on earth while the Raptured saints are in heaven.
4.0 The glorious appearing of Jesus Christ and the Raptured Saints from heaven (Revelation 1:7). This is the actual time of The Second coming which also shall be embroiled in the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19:11-21).
5.0 The Millennial reign of Christ Jesus on earth (Rev. 20:1-6; Zechariah 14.
6.0 The Battle of Gog and Magog, the greatest and the last World war of all ages (Rev. 20:7-10).
7.0 The Final And last White Throne Judgement (Rev. 20:11-15)
8.0 The destruction of the present earth and heaven and the Creation of a new earth and a new heaven for the righteous Saints to live in the new Jerusalem, the holy city (Rev. 21)
THE NEXT LIFE

This is a special section of eschatology called the intermediary stage. Though the Second Coming of Christ is also involved in the next life, this section begins with the death of every person on this earth, and with Two distinct optional destinations for humanity: Paradise in heaven or Hades or Hell. These two destinations are the temporal abode for the dead as presented by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself in Luke 16:19-31.
The righteous saints who die in the Lord goes to Paradise in heaven, while all sinners who die in their sinful state go to hell to wait until the White Throne Judgement Day when they shall be judged and cast into the eternal Lake of fire (Luke 16:19-31; Revelations 20:11-15; 1 Thess. 4:13-17)
EMPLOYING THE FULL RESOURCES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN READINESS FOR THE SOON COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST? (MATT. 25:1-30)

INTRODUCTION
If the Rapture of the saints will separate the righteous from the unfaithful saints according to JESUS' Parable of the Ten Virgins;
Again if the saints who profitably used their Gifts and Talents were commended by CHRIST as Good and Faithful Servants, and as qualification to inherit the Kingdom of heaven but those who failed to use their gifts and talents profitably for the growth of God's Church were rebuked as Wicked and lazy servants, and who were finally cast into the utter darkness and gloom, then what essential preparation do we need to employ in these latter days of the Church?
Matthew chapter 25 talks about the stewardship of our bodies as God's Temple; stewardship of our time on earth; Stewardship of our Talents and Gifts from God and how we profitably use them here on earth; Stewardship of God's resources and blessings and how we used them to care for the needy in the Church and the world.

Stewardship is managing someone's resources or business in order to bring him or her profit on the day of accountability.
Stewardship is therefore involved in Trust, Responsibility, Accountability, and Judgement. The entire chapter of Matthew 25 is JESUS' summary in parables of the events of His Second Coming.
1.0 Believers in Christ are trusted with their regenerated souls and bodies clothed with CHRIST as God's Temples (The Ten  Virgins is symbolic of believers in Christ). But CHRIST revealed   that Five were wise and Five were foolish.
 2.0  We are responsible to live holy and blameless lives that will glorify, please God and do His will on earth. We are responsible to worship God in Spirit and Truth.
 3.0 We are also responsible to dedicate ourselves to pray and seek God's presence in our daily devotional time with meditation in His word to be filled with the Holy Spirit for fruitful living and service. Doing These will mark as the wise servants who were ready for the arrival of Christ Jesus, the Bridegroom on the day of rapture, as depicted by the Parable of the Ten virgins. The foolish constitute unfaithful, lukewarm, worldly,
 selfish or carnally minded christians as recorded in Gal. 5:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:1-8.
4.0 We are also responsible to identify, develop and use our talents and grace gifts for the building, growth and development of God's Church and Kingdom (see Rom. 12:6-8; Eph.4:11-16;)
5.0 After the rapture will follow our accountability and judgement for the stewardship of God's resources entrusted to our care on this earth at the Bema throne in heaven (2 Cor. 5:10).
6.0 Though JESUS Christ did not mention the term tribulation period in the parable of the Ten virgins and the Talents in MATT. 25:1-30, the destinies of the Five foolish virgins and the Wicked and lazy servant depicts a period of Tribulation.
7.0 The final White Throne Judgement is indicated by the Separation of the Sheep from the Goats in MATT. 25:31-46.
Here the principles of the Final judgement shall be based on our relationship and attitude of showing kindness and care for the poor, needy, and afflicted in the Kingdom of God.
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, from these three segments of Jesus' teaching on His Second Coming, believers are given the insight to know where they stand with regards to their readiness for the soon coming of Christ or the next life.
My big multipurpose question is where do you stand with regard to the Ten virgins; the Three servants and their work with their given Talents; and finally our position with respect to the separation of the sheep from the goats on the Final Day Judgement? The choice is yours for your eternal destiny.
God bless you for this opportunity to learn the mysteries of His coming Kingdom.
WHAT ARE THE FULL RESOURCES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BE EMPLOYED FOR FRUITFUL STEWARDSHIP?

1.0 The Word of God (John 6:63; Acts 2:42; 2 Tim. 3:15-15)
2.0 The grace of God and grace gifts given at our rebirth (2 Tim. 2:1;   Rom. 12:6-8).
3.0 Lifestyle of regular communion with God (Job 8:5-8; Jas.4:8), and fellowship with the Church (Acts 2:42-47). The present day prayer of Christians is far from intimate communion with God that enabled the early Disciples of Christ attain the Fullness of the Holy Spirit to accomplish greater works.
4.0 Commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission (Mark 12:28-31; Matt. 28:19-20).
NOTE: For more information and studies on Eschatology (The Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and the Next Life i.e. Life after death, you may get a copy of my book "Eschatology" at The Church of Pentecost, General Headquarters Reception La or contact Larry at Kaneshie Area Office at Official Town on 0236871123 )

 

Presented by Apostle Emmanuel Achim Gyimah, Kaneshie Area Head / E-mail: eagyimah@gmail.com. CLICK HERE to follow him on facebook
(Back to the Bible Conference at Korle-Bu PENSA on 27-09-15)