Have the current world events caused you to be more patient or less patient regarding Jesus’s promise to come again to gather believers unto Himself? What kind of questions regarding Jesus’s return have the current world events caused you to ask? The Explore the Bible Study: Returning will examine the lessons Jesus teaches that will help you deal with these questions with hope and faith.

Throughout history, when moral depravity is rampant, disasters strike, persecution is prevalent, or world conflict seems imminent it should cause believers to pause and consider if this might be the time when Jesus would return as He promised. Our current world circumstances are certainly one of those times as we observe the events unfolding in the Middle East and around the world.

Jesus promised His disciples that He would return again to gather His believers unto Himself. For over 2000 years, believers have been waiting for that promise to be fulfilled. Sometimes believers have waited patiently and at times impatiently. Some have questioned whether Jesus was telling the truth or wonder if He has taken back that promise. No matter the case, our circumstances can impact our faith, mind, and emotions as we wait for Jesus’s promised return.

As you live your life this week, remember the promises throughout the Scripture regarding Jesus’ return. Hopefully this passage from 1 Thessalonians will be an encouragement as you become more alert and watch for Jesus’ return:

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18)

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LifeWay Explore The Bible Resources

These teaching helps are intended to be used as a supplement to your study of Lifeway's Explore the Bible curriculum resources. Portions of this material are taken directly from content copyrighted to Lifeway Christian Resources Explore the Bible and is used with permission.  This material has not been reviewed by Lifeway Christian Resources.