LESSON TWELVE 
THE PROMISE TO RETURN

a. JESUS PROMISED TO COME AGAIN: 
•	John 14:2-3
•	John 14:28
•	John 16:16
•	John 16:22
•	John 21:22
•	The above Scriptures are only a few of the places where Jesus spoke about His return. 
•	He promised: (1) He would come again; (2) His disciples would see Him; (3) He would receive His disciples unto Himself; and (4) They would be with Him in a prepared place.

b. JESUS TAUGHT THAT HE WOULD RETURN BODILY AND VISIBLY: 
•	Matthew 24:27
•	Matthew 24:30
•	These Scriptures are referring to His Revelation and teach us that Jesus shall return visibly and with great publicity. 
•	At that time the nations of the world will mourn because of their previous rejection of Him.
c. JESUS ANSWERED THREE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS: 
•	Matthew 24:3
•	Here are the three questions that the disciples asked:
•	When shall these things be? (The destruction of the temple).
•	What shall be the sign of thy coming?
•	What shall be the sign of the end of the world? (The consummation of the age).
1.		Matthew 24:4-8
	-	Description of the present church age and the events that take
place before the Great Tribulation. This is called the "beginning of sorrows."	
2.		Matthew 24:9-26	-	Description of the Tribulation Period.	
3.		Matthew 24:27-35	-	Description of the Coming of Jesus at His Revelation to establish	
		His Kingdom. This is immediately after the Tribulation.	
4.		Matthew 24:36-51	-	An exhortation to readiness and watchfulness both for the church
and for Israel.	

•	We shall comment briefly on a few of these statements of our Lord:
Verse 14: - We cannot be certain whether or not this prophecy has been fulfilled. If it has not been fulfilled, it is the only prophecy awaiting fulfillment before the Return of Jesus.
Verse 31: - The word "elect" in this verse refers to the nation of Israel. The Lord does not send His angels to gather the church. The church is caught away by the Holy Spirit.

Verse 34 - The word "generation" may be understood by referring to Luke 21:28-32.
The three parables as recorded in Matthew 25 refer to events in their proper chronological order:
1.		Ten Virgins	-	Rapture of the Church;	
2.		Talents	-	Judgment Seat of Christ;	
3	Judgment of the Nations	-	Revelation of Christ at Armageddon.	

d. JESUS TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES TO BE READY:
•	Matthew 24:42
•	Matthew 24:44
•	Mark 13:33
•	Jesus repeatedly exhorted His disciples to be watching, looking and ready for His return. The importance of this may be seen by the many times that Jesus exhorted His followers to be watchful. 
•	There are a few lessons taught here:
1.	As far as we know Jesus may come at any moment for the church.
2.	Jesus is not coming for a church getting ready, but a church that is ready.
3.    These Scriptures reveal the seriousness of not being ready, and not being caught away with the church.

LESSON TWELVE 
SELF HELP TEST 

A.	What is meant by the term: "Olivet Discourse," and when did Jesus give this discourse?
B.	What three questions did the disciples ask the Lord in Matthew 24
1.
2.
3
C. Explain the meaning of the following words:
1.	ELECT (Matthew 24:31):
2.	GENERATION (Matthew 24:34):
D. Give the date of the destruction of Jerusalem under Titus.
E.	Remembering our Lord's prophecy where did many Christians flee to at this time?
F.	Give THREE Scriptures with references to show that Jesus promised to return:
1.
2.
3.