Christ’s Second Coming

September 20 – 26, 2026

Key Text

“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3

Study Help: The Desire of Ages, 631–634; The Great Controversy, 640–652

Introduction

“The coming of the Lord has been in all ages the hope of His true followers.” The Great Controversy, 302

Sunday

1 THE CONSUMMATION OF OUR HOPE

1.a. What event has been anticipated by faithful souls throughout all ages? Titus 2:13; Jude 14, 15

Note: “One of the most solemn and yet most glorious truths revealed in the Bible is that of Christ’s second coming to complete the great work of redemption. To God’s pilgrim people, so long left to sojourn in ‘the region and shadow of death,’ a precious, joy-inspiring hope is given in the promise of His appearing, who is ‘the resurrection and the life,’ to bring ‘home again His banished.’ The doctrine of the second advent is the very keynote of the sacred Scriptures. From the day when the first pair turned their sorrowing steps from Eden, the children of faith have waited the coming of the Promised One to break the destroyer’s power and bring them again to the lost Paradise. Holy men of old looked forward to the advent of the Messiah in glory, as the consummation of their hope.” The Great Controversy, 299

1.b. With what promise did Christ comfort the disciples shortly before His ascension? John 14:1–3; Mark 14:62. How did two angels confirm Christ’s promise? Acts 1:9–11

Note: “Christ had ascended to heaven in the form of humanity. The disciples had beheld the cloud receive Him. The same Jesus who had walked and talked and prayed with them; who had broken bread with them; who had been with them in their boats on the lake; and who had that very day toiled with them up the ascent of Olivet—the same Jesus had now gone to share His Father’s throne. And the angels had assured them that the very One whom they had seen go up into heaven, would come again even as He had ascended.” The Desire of Ages, 832

Monday

2 THE MANNER OF HIS COMING

2.a. How did Christ explain the literal manner of His coming—a manner that Satan will not be able to counterfeit? Matthew 24:27, 30, 23, 26

Note: “Satan is not permitted to counterfeit the manner of Christ’s advent. The Saviour has warned His people against deception upon this point, and has clearly foretold the manner of His second coming. ‘There shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. … Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.’ Matthew 24:24–27, 31; 25:31; Revelation 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17. This coming there is no possibility of counterfeiting. It will be universally known—witnessed by the whole world.” The Great Controversy, 625

2.b. Besides declaring that the second coming of Christ will be visible, literal, and personal, what else does the Bible teach? Mark 13:26; Revelation 1:7

Note: “Ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands of angels, the beautiful and triumphant sons of God, possessing surpassing loveliness and glory, will escort Him [Christ] on His way. Then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory, and before Him shall be gathered all nations. Then every eye shall see Him, and they also that pierced Him. In the place of a crown of thorns, He will wear a crown of glory—a crown within a crown.” The Desire of Ages, 739

Tuesday

3 GOD THE FATHER SPEAKS

3.a. What special event takes place prior to the coming of Christ? Revelation 16:17, last part, 18; Daniel 12:2. Who are the risen ones at this special resurrection? Revelation 1:7; 14:12, 13

Note: “In the midst of the angry heavens is one clear space of indescribable glory, whence comes the voice of God like the sound of many waters, saying: ‘It is done.’ Revelation 16:17.

“That voice shakes the heavens and the earth. There is a mighty earthquake, ‘such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.’…

“Graves are opened, and ‘many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth … awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.’ Daniel 12:2. All who have died in the faith of the third angel’s message come forth from the tomb glorified, to hear God’s covenant of peace with those who have kept His law. ‘They also which pierced Him’ (Revelation 1:7), those that mocked and derided Christ’s dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient.” The Great Controversy, 636, 637

3.b. What long-hidden secret will be revealed after this special resurrection? Matthew 24:36

Note: “Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus’ coming. The living saints,144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, 59

“The voice of God is heard from heaven, declaring the day and hour of Jesus’ coming, and delivering the everlasting covenant to His people. … Soon there appears in the east a small black cloud, about half the size of a man’s hand. It is the cloud which surrounds the Saviour and which seems in the distance to be shrouded in darkness. The people of God know this to be the sign of the Son of man.” The Great Controversy, 640

Wednesday

4 THE SON OF GOD SPEAKS

4.a. What prophetic words will be fulfilled at the voice of the Son of God? John 5:25; 6:40; Revelation 20:6

Note: “Amid the reeling of the earth, the flash of lightning, and the roar of thunder, the voice of the Son of God calls forth the sleeping saints. He looks upon the graves of the righteous, then, raising His hands to heaven, He cries: ‘Awake, awake, awake, ye that sleep in the dust, and arise!’ Throughout the length and breadth of the earth the dead shall hear that voice, and they that hear shall live. And the whole earth shall ring with the tread of the exceeding great army of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.” The Great Controversy, 644

4.b. Who among the dead will resurrect at the voice of Jesus? 1 Thessalonians 4:16

Note: “The Life-giver will call up His purchased possession in the first resurrection, and until that triumphant hour, when the last trump shall sound and the vast army shall come forth to eternal victory, every sleeping saint will be kept in safety and will be guarded as a precious jewel, who is known to God by name.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 271

“All come forth from their graves the same in stature as when they entered the tomb. Adam, who stands among the risen throng, is of lofty height and majestic form, in stature but little below the Son of God. He presents a marked contrast to the people of later generations; in this one respect is shown the great degeneracy of the race. But all arise with the freshness and vigor of eternal youth.” The Great Controversy, 644

Thursday

5 SAVED FOREVER

5.a. Where did John the Revelator see the “144,000 in number” as well as the “great multitude”? Revelation 7:4, 9. Why are they entitled to be there? Verses 14–17. What mystery will then become clear?

Note: “The mystery of the cross explains all other mysteries. In the light that streams from Calvary the attributes of God which had filled us with fear and awe appear beautiful and attractive. Mercy, tenderness, and parental love are seen to blend with holiness, justice, and power. While we behold the majesty of His throne, high and lifted up, we see His character in its gracious manifestations, and comprehend, as never before, the significance of that endearing title, ‘Our Father.’ ” The Great Controversy, 652

5.b. What will be the song of the redeemed for endless ages? Revelation 5:12, 13; 15:3, 4

Note: “As the nations of the saved look upon their Redeemer and behold the eternal glory of the Father shining in His countenance; as they behold His throne, which is from everlasting to everlasting, and know that His kingdom is to have no end, they break forth in rapturous song: ‘Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His own most precious blood!’ ” The Great Controversy, 651, 652

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

Since when has Christ’s advent been the great hope of believers?
Depict the manner of Christ’s return.
Who will be risen at the voice of God?
Who will be risen at the voice of Jesus?
What will then become clear through the mystery of the cross.