Structural Learning Week 6 - The Return of Jesus Christ

The Return of Jesus Christ by Claire Umumaranrungu:

For our structural learning in week 6 Claire decided to do hers on an issue that she feels strongly about – the returning of Jesus Christ. Although this topic does not relate to a development issue directly Claire thought it important that we all be reminded of it, and it is something she feels very passionate about sharing.

I wanted to talk about the return of Jesus because I feel that it is important to remind people, as it can be very easy for people to forget that the current world is not permanent – and that this is a place we will spend a very short amount of time in. I wanted to highlight how the Bible tells us that there are signs about the return of Jesus, and allow my team mates to see these.

"When you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near."
- Luke 21:31

Throughout the Bible there are references to the second coming of Jesus Christ - Luke 21:28 and 31; Matthew 24:42 - 44, 25:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:6; 1 John 3:2 - 3; Hebrews 10:24 – 25.

Although it is not possible to say with any certainty how events that take place today relate to the Biblical prophecies, it would be unwise to not take heed and ignore their warnings. The following are some of the signs that the Bible says we should be aware of when considering the return of Jesus Christ.

Wars and Rumours of Wars:

“And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” (Matthew 24:6 - 7a NIV)

Famines, Pestilence and Earthquakes:

“And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24:7b - 8 NIV).

Deceivers who claim to follow Jesus:

"Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.” (Matthew 24:4 -5 NIV)

People of Israel return to their Land:

“‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms.” (Ezekial 37:21 -22 NIV)

Increased Wickedness and Loss of Love:

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12)

Return of the Fallen Angels and Hybrid Heroes:

"The Nephilim were on the earth in those days--and also afterward--when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown." (Genesis 6:4 NIV)

Strong Delusion:

"For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie." (2 Thessalonions 2:11 NIV)

One World Government:

"It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man.That number is 666." (Revelation 13: 16 - 18 NIV)

One World Ruler:

"The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” (Revelation 13: 1 - 4)

Claire finished off her presentation by getting us to watch the following video...