Five Things That Will End When Christ Returns

We're going to talk about some things that will end when Christ returns. We're going to be looking in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, the great chapter on the resurrection. It seems that there was a problem in the Corinthian church, a misunderstanding about the second coming, a misunderstanding, or really, a doctrine that there would be no resurrection of the dead.

And so that's one of the problems that Paul had to deal with for this particular church. We know they had a number of problems, problems with allowing sin and tolerating sin and in their midst. Problems with the misuse of spiritual gifts and the misunderstanding here about the resurrection.

• 1 Corinthians 15:12

Even though it had been preached that Christ had been resurrected, they were deying that there would be ar resurrection. Paul goes on to to argue that  this no resurrection ideaology undermined the very foundation of the Christian religion. 

• 1 Corinthians 15:13-23, 24

Now he goes on in the next part of the chapter here to develop the proposition that the dead will be raised. And so, five things that will end at the second coming of Christ.

The End of What?

What are we talking about when we talk about the end? You know, the immediate context suggests that the present kingdom, the present reign of Christ is going to come to an end at some point, that reign in which Christ exercises supreme authority.

The present REIGN of Christ is going to come to an end at some point.

• • Supreme Authority - Ephesians 1:20-23
  • Savior and Mediator - 1 Timothy 2:12

The church is the kingdom. 

• Christ will surrender the church back to God.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:23-28

On that day, He will surrender all the authority that was given to Him, back to the Father. He's going to place Himself in subjection of the Father. The resurrection is a reference to the current reign of Christ. 

This negates the entire idea of premillenialism. Which is the idea, that there will be a thousand year reign on the earth after His return. This negates that idea. 

What will Happen on that Day?

The End of Time and the Material Universe - Genesis 1:1. 

• Earth and material universe consumed - 2 Peter 3:10
• The will cease - John 6:40; 11:24; 12:48
• Ecclesiastes 1:4, some try to use this to indicate an endless existence. 

You know, the Watchtower Society tries to argue this case and say that the Jehovah Witnesses is proof that the world will not be destroyed. However that word translated, forever, is the Hebrew word, ôwlâm, and does not always imply an endless existence. For example, in the Old Testament, the word is used to describe the duration of the Passover celebration. And the Levitical priesthood, both of things, which came to an end, they lasted only as long as the Mosaic Age lasted. Those things came to an end. The observance, the strict observance of the Passover, and all of the things pertaining to the Levitical priesthood. It was said to last forever, but we know it ended at the cross.

And another has written that when the Hebrew word,  ôwlâm, is applied to things physical, it does not signify a literal eternity. And so, as long as it is appointed, it will last, is basically the idea. There will be the end of time and the material universe.

• 2 Peter 3:10

It's all going to, to burn, and melt and be dissolved.

Another thing that will end is the end of human rebellion. Since Adam and Eve in the garden, man has, to one degree or another been rebellious to God. We haven't inherited the guilt of human depravity. We haven't inherited the guilt of Adam and Eve's sin as Calvinists would teach us. Nevertheless, we live in a world that is not that much different than the world that Noah lived in.

• Genesis 6:5, 8:21

Mankind has always rebelled against God, and seemingly always will. But, at the time of Christ's return, human rebellion will end. 

The End of Human Rebellion

• • Too late for conversion - 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 2 Corinthians 6:2
  • No transition from punishment to reward - Luke 16:26; Revelation 14:10-11

We all die because sin is in the world. Adam and Eve began the earthly trek in paradise, they were in the garden. They were given everything they needed. Yet, they were tempted and gave into temptation. 

The End of Suffering and Death

• • Suffereing and death are a consequence of Sin - Genesis 2:17; Luke 13:16
  • Ultimate relief from suffering and death in Heaven - Revelation 7:16-17, 21:4; 22:2
  • An everlasting home, Heaven or Hell - Ecclesiastes 12:7; John 5:28-29; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 25:41

Christ is going to reign until all enemies are deatroyed.

• 1 Corithians 15:26
• Matthew 5:28-29
• 2 Corinthians 5:8

The wicked, on the other hand, are going to be with Satan and his angels. Matthew 25, verse 41, Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Apart from me ye cursed in the everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. So we're going to have the end of suffering and death. For the righteous in heaven on the last day, there's going to be an end to theological error.

You think about throughout history, there have been many religious doctrines that really go against the word of God. Excuse me. There were false prophets in the Old Testament. We read of, we've read of many of them and later, uh, during the apostolic age, 2nd Peter 2 verse 1. Peter says, but there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that brought them, that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Death itself will be destroyed.

Throughout history there have been many religious doctrines that go against the Word of God.

The End of Theological Error

• • False prophets and doctrine - 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1
  • Judgement against. 2 Thessalonians 2:12; Revelation 22:18-19

There are many warnings for those who do not prove what is truth and submit to it. There will be a devastating judgment. There is a harsh judgment who do not believe the truth and pervert the Word of God.

When Christ comes again you'll have an end to theological error.

You also will have an end of redemptive opportunity. There are some who believe that when He returns they'll have another opportunity to be saved.

The End of Redemptive Opportunity

• No “Second-Chance” religion - Matthew 25:1-13
• Preparation must be personally made now. 2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 9:27

The difference between the wise virgins, and the foolish virgins is that the wise made preparations, the foolish did not. When the bridegroom came, the wise virgins trimmed their lamps. The foolish, however, had nothing. While going around at the last minute to make arrangements, the bridegroom came, and it was too late.

The virgins, represent us, humanity, some were wise, some foolish. We can't borrow someone else's oil. We must make arrangements now. No souls will be delivered from a mythical purgatory from someone's prayer.

There is no proxy baptism for the dead. There is no second chance. Paul makes it very clear.

When Christ comes again, you'll have the end of time, the universe, the end of suffering and death, the end of rebellion, and hte end of redemptive opportunity.

• The Kingdom of God will have no end. Daniel 7:14-15; Luke 1:33

There is an end of some kind that was coming. The end of Christ's present reign, the end of material things, the end of the things we've discussed. But also ther is a beginning.

The end is coming to the current Redemptive Reign of Christ.

• 1 Corinthians 15:24

An Eternal Reign in the Heavenly Kingdom.

• 2 Timothy 4:18
• 2 Peter 1:11
• 1 John 4:4

Peter wrote about it as being something that's going to happen in the, in the near future. John says they're already here. They're already amongst us. They're with us yet today, both outside and inside the church. There are many warnings for those who do not carefully prove what is the truth and then submit to it. You know, there's going to be a devastating judgment.

• 2 Thessalonians 2:12

There's going to be a harsh judgment for those that do not believe the truth. And for those who pervert the word of God.

• Revelation 22:18, 19

When Christ comes again, you're going to have an end to all theological error, and you're redemptive opportunity. There are some people that have the idea, That there's going to be some kind of second chance religion, another opportunity for pardon.

• Matthew chapter 25:1-13

So he describes these 10 virgins, five that are wise, five that are foolish. You know, the difference between these two groups is that the wise made adequate personal preparation while the foolish did not. As the bridegroom tarried, all the virgins slept. Maybe this is a symbol, you know, that they sleep in the grave, that they are dead and they're awaiting the resurrection. When the announcement came that the bridegroom was on his way, all of the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish, though, not having brought enough lamp oil, they didn't, they didn't make adequate preparation. So they tried to borrow their preparation from the wise, and of course they were refused. And so while they're going about trying to, at the last minute, get some oil for their lamps. Yes, the bridegroom came and the door was shut. The foolish begged for the door to be opened, but they were refused.

So here's the lesson. You know, of course, the bridegroom, we understand that's God, that's Christ, the foolish, the virgins, that's us, the 10 virgins. Some are wise, some are foolish, some are prepared, some are not prepared. And so the lesson is that preparation must be personally made. It must be made now. It's not transferable from one person to another. We can't borrow somebody else's oil. There's no such theological creature as proxy salvation or some kind of redemption after death. No souls will be delivered from some mythical purgatory by earthly generated prayers. You know, I've got a relative several generations back that took her own life. She was a Catholic and her parents for the sum of $10, 000, we're talking 1920s, a lot of money, were able to buy her out of purgatory. That's a bunch of nonsense. There's nothing like that in the Bible. And so, what about the, the proxy baptism for the dead? Again, that's a Mormon doctrine, and has absolutely no biblical basis. There is no second chance.

• 2 Corinthians 6:2

"...now is the day of salvation." Not some future, but while we live, now. "And as it is appointed unto man once to die, and after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27). We die, we go to judgment. There is nothing in between. There is no second chance.

And so when Christ comes again, you'll have the end of time and the universe.  The end of rebellion, of suffering, the end of error and the end of no more chances, the end of redemptive opportunity. Christ is going to deliver the kingdom up to the Father. The kingdom that will have no end.

• Daniel 7:14
• Luke 1:33

Now obviously there's an end of some kind that was coming. 1 Corinthians 15:24 again."Then cometh the end...", the end of Christ's present reign. Not the end of all things. The end of all material things, yes. The end of these things we've discussed. But also the beginning of eternity. And so, the context clearly shows that the Apostle's point has to do with the current redemptive reign of Christ is going to come to an end.

The ultimate Heavenly Lingdom will be eternal in nature when the Lord returns. You know, if we are not already among those that sleep in Christ or one of those faithful ones that may still be walking on that day, the Lord returns. If we are not in Christ, it's going to be too late, just like those that were outside the ark when, when God closed the doors and brought the flood upon the earth, too late.

We urge you to make your preparations now. Don't be like those five foolish virgins that were unready when that day came. Act now. Obey Christ today. We're not guaranteed two seconds from now, but we are guaranteed this moment.

If you are not a Christian, we urge you to become one today. If you're a Christian who hasn't been faithful, we urge you to come back. Not if we can help you to respond to the invitation of Jesus Christ we ask you to contact us so we can help you to be ready.