“Lesson 46: Jesus Christ Will Come Again,” Primary 7: New Testament (1997), 162–166

“Lesson 46,” Primary 7: New Testament, 162–166

Lesson 46

Jesus Christ Will Come Again

Purpose

To acquaint the children with the signs of the Savior’s second coming, and to encourage them to prepare themselves to meet him.

Preparation

Prayerfully study Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:1–4, 21–55; Acts 1:9–11; and Doctrine and Covenants 29:11; 38:30; 101:24–25; 133:46–48. Then study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture account. (See “Preparing Your Lessons,” p. vi, and “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.)
Additional reading: Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:5–20 and Doctrine and Covenants 45:16–75, 88:87–101.
Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will involve the children and best help them achieve the purpose of the lesson.
Materials needed:
1. A Pearl of Great Price for each child.
2. Several copies of the Bible and Doctrine and Covenants.
3. Four fig leaves (see pattern below) cut out of colored paper, or drawn on the chalkboard, with one of the following words or phrases printed on each leaf: false Christs, Israel gathered, desolations, heavenly wonders.
4. An outline of the branches of a fig tree drawn on paper or the chalkboard.
5. Tape or other adhesive.
6. Pictures 7-3, The Birth of Jesus (Gospel Art Picture Kit 200; 62116); 7-25, The Second Coming (62562); 7-43, The Ascension of Jesus (Gospel Art Picture Kit 236; 62497); and a picture of the current prophet.

Suggested Lesson Development

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity

Show the pictures The Birth of Jesus and The Second Coming.

What important events in the earth’s history do these two pictures represent?
What signs announced the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem? (Angels sang, a new star appeared, there was a night without darkness in America, and so on.)
How would you have felt if you had been in Bethlehem when Jesus was born?
What do you think it will be like when Jesus comes to earth again?

Explain that when the Savior comes again, it will be “the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (D&C 2:1). Many miracles will happen when Christ returns, and all the people of the earth will know that he is the Savior. To the righteous it will be a joyful time because they will live on earth, Jesus Christ will reign, there will be peace, and Satan will not be able to tempt them to do wrong. Those who are wicked will be frightened and sad at Jesus’ coming. Because they have not repented, they will be destroyed (see D&C 29:9).

Scripture Account

Teach the children the scripture account of the Savior’s second coming found in Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:1–4, 21–55. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.)

Remind the children that one of Joseph Smith’s important works was to make a new translation of the Bible. His translation of Matthew 24 contains important truths not recorded in the New Testament account about the second coming of the Savior. This chapter is so important for the Latter-day Saints that it was included in the Pearl of Great Price as Joseph Smith—Matthew.

Discussion and Application Questions

Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading the references with the children in class will help them gain insights into the scriptures.

When Jesus told his disciples that he would come again, how did he describe what his return would be like? (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:1.) How is this different from the way he came to earth the first time?
After the disciples understood that Jesus’ return would be after his death and resurrection, what did they want to know? (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:4.) Why did the disciples want to know about the Second Coming? Why is it important for us to learn about the Second Coming? Explain that Jesus wants the members of his church, or the elect, to recognize the signs preceding his coming so they will not be deceived and will be prepared to meet him.
Why has Jesus given us signs of his second coming? (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37, 39.) Why did he liken his second coming to a fig tree? (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:38.) (Display the bare branches of the fig tree or draw the outline on the chalkboard. Display the fig leaves at the appropriate times during the rest of the discussion.)
What is a false Christ or false prophet? (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:21–22. People and religions who claim to have the truth and try to lead people away from Christ’s true church.)
What will false Christs and false prophets be able to do? (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:22.) How can the elect (righteous) avoid being deceived? (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37, first phrase.)

Emphasize that we must always listen to the living prophet and follow what he tells us to do to avoid being deceived. President Wilford Woodruff, fourth President of the Church, said, “The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray” (see Official Declaration—1 in the Doctrine and Covenants).

How will we know it is the true Christ when he comes? How will he appear? (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:25–26, 36; Acts 1:9–11; D&C 133:46–48.)
What is the gathering of Israel? (D&C 45:69.) How are the missionaries helping to gather the righteous to the Church? (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:31.) Explain that God’s chosen people, who are called Israel, live all over the world. Before Jesus comes again, missionaries will go to all the world to teach the gospel. Those who accept the truth and are baptized will gather to the stakes of Zion. In what countries are members of our ward (or branch) serving missions?
What does the word desolation mean? (Disaster, calamity, ruin, devastation, misery.) What desolations does Jesus say will happen before his coming? (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:28–30.) What desolations have you seen or heard about?
What are some of the heavenly wonders that will appear immediately before the Second Coming? (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:33.)
How will the earth be cleansed when Jesus comes again? (D&C 101:24–25.) How long will Jesus reign as king on the earth? (D&C 29:11.)

Discuss the following quotation from President Brigham Young, second President of the Church:

“He [Jesus] will banish sin from the earth and its dreadful consequences, tears shall be wiped from every eye and there shall be nothing to hurt or destroy in all God’s holy mountain” (in Journal of Discourses, 11:124).

When will the Second Coming be? (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:40, 46.) Why must we be prepared for Jesus’ coming? How can we be prepared? (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:47–50.) What will happen to those who are not prepared when Jesus comes? (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:51–55.)

Summarize by emphasizing that Jesus has given us the signs of his coming so that we will recognize its approach and be prepared. Explain that the Lord has said that if we are prepared we shall not fear. (D&C 38:30.)

Read the following quotation from President Ezra Taft Benson, thirteenth President of the Church:

“Do we realize we are living in the days of the fulfillment of these signs and wonders? We are among those who will see many of these prophecies fulfilled. … We know not the day nor the hour of His coming, but of this we may feel assured: We stand close to the great day of the Lord!” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 20).

Enrichment Activities

You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.

Make a copy of the following statements for each child. Distribute the statements and give pencils to the class members. Have them match the beginning of the statement with the end of the statement by drawing a line from the phrase in the first column to the correct ending in the second column. You may want to have the children look up the references for the statements they don’t know.

Image
word match
To help the children know how well they are preparing for the Second Coming, ask them the following or similar questions. Pause after each question to allow them time to think about how well they are prepared in that area. Do not ask the children to answer aloud.

If the Savior came to my house, would I want to:
- Change some of the words I use?
- Hide some magazines, books, or videos?
- Change the channel on the television or turn the television off?
- Turn off the music I am listening to?
- Change my clothes for more modest ones?
- Take him wherever I go?
- Have him join me when I am with my friends?
- Read the scriptures more often than I do now?
- Treat my family differently than I usually do?
Review and memorize the tenth article of faith with the children. Explain that the events mentioned in this article of faith are exciting things that we can look forward to when Jesus comes again.
Bring newspapers or periodicals and let the children find articles that show the desolations that are happening in the world.
Review the parable of the ten virgins from lesson 25, and discuss the things this parable teaches about what we must do to prepare for the Second Coming.
To help the children understand one way they can prepare for the Second Coming, discuss the following quotation from President Ezra Taft Benson:

“In the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming. A major portion of the book centers on the few decades just prior to Christ’s coming to America. By careful study of that time period we can determine why some were destroyed in the terrible judgments that preceded His coming and what brought others to stand at the temple in the land of Bountiful and thrust their hands into the wounds of His hands and feet” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, pp. 58–59).

Explain that the course of study for next year will be the Book of Mormon. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn what we must do to be spiritually prepared for the second coming of the Savior.
Sing or read the words to “Follow the Prophet” (Children’s Songbook, p. 110) or “I Wonder When He Comes Again” (Children’s Songbook, p. 82).

Conclusion

Testimony

Bear testimony that those who obey the commandments and live righteously can look forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ with joy and gladness. Encourage the children to be ever watchful for the signs of Jesus’ second coming and be spiritually prepared for this glorious event.