1 – God has revealed it.
Revelation 1:1. One of the mistakes is to relegate it all to the future. God has revealed much of the end. Revelation 1:3
2 – To provide comfort.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NKJV) 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive [and] remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Knowing eschatology is comforting: 1 Thes 5:11
3 to increase holiness
1 John 3:2 – everyone who knows this purifies himself. 2 Peter 3:13 – 1 Thes 3:11-13
1 Thessalonians 3:13 (NKJV) so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
4 – steadfastness
A. To prevent deception. If we are ignorant of certain things we can be led astray Mat 24:3-4, 24-25 If we don’t know some basic things we can be deceived. 1 Thes 5:4, 2 Thes 2:2
B. To overcome tribulation – near the end it will get worse and worse for the Christian. When we know what will happen and know the elect we can endure. Matthew 24.
5 – to wean us from the world.
When we know this world will end we wont desire the things of the world. 1 John 2:15-17 – we are strangers in this world. We are passing through.
6 – To make us long for glory.
Phil 3:20, 1 Thes 1:6,
Romans 8:18 (NKJV) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
7 – To use our gifts and not bury them.
1 Thes 2:19, the treasure is His people in the presence of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Use our gifts for His glory. 2 Tim 4:6 – he poured out his life for God. Paul uses the 2nd coming for motivation to serve God
8 – to increase preparedness and faithfulness
Matthew 25 – the parable of the virgins. Be alert, be prepared.
9 – to observe and partake of the full glory of Jesus Christ when He is revealed.
The second coming will not be like the first. Every eye will see Him in His glorious majesty. For the believer we will be marveled for the unbeliever terror. 1 Thes 1:10, Phil 3:20