What Happens When? · Lesson 6, Part 1 · September 6, 2026
Sunday AM Bible Class · Jeff Arnette · Central Haywood Church of Christ
This readable companion summarizes the recorded class. It follows the teaching and discussion rather than reproducing every spoken word.
The day nobody is absent
What happens when Jesus returns? This class moves from the promise of his coming to the resurrection and judgment. Acts 1:10–11 describes the same Jesus returning, and Revelation 1:7 says every eye will see him. The class emphasizes that his return will be public and that nobody will be absent.
The envelope we hesitate to open
Judgment can feel like an important envelope left unopened on the kitchen counter. We know it matters, but uncertainty makes us hesitate. Hebrews 9:27 and Matthew 12:36–37 bring the seriousness of judgment into focus: our lives and words matter before God.
Forgiveness changes how we face that day
Alongside those warnings, the class returns to Romans 8:1 and the assurance that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Jeff distinguishes the general descriptions of judgment from the hope of the faithful Christian whose sins have been forgiven. That assurance rests on what Christ has done, and the discussion repeatedly connects it with remaining faithful to him.
One resurrection, different outcomes
John 5:28–29 describes an hour when all who are in the tombs hear Christ’s voice and come out. The class emphasizes one resurrection that includes everyone, while recognizing the different outcomes of life and judgment. It considers these passages together with the promises of salvation rather than treating the warning passages in isolation.
We have an advocate
The discussion turns to 1 John 2:1–3. Jesus Christ the righteous is our advocate with the Father, and knowing him is connected with keeping his commandments. The class presents this as a reason for confidence: the Christian does not face that day alone. Christ has given himself for our sins.
Paul calls it hope
In Acts 24:15, Paul speaks of a resurrection of both the just and the unjust, and he calls that expectation hope. Daniel 12:1–2 adds the language of deliverance and everlasting life. The class uses the crossings of the Red Sea and the Jordan as illustrations of a decisive boundary: there is a point beyond which God’s people have entered what they were awaiting.
Hold on to that hope
The closing appeal is to see judgment through the forgiveness and redemption found in Christ. Jeff connects belonging to Christ with faith, repentance, confession, and baptism, and encourages the class to remain faithful. The aim of the study is to replace avoidance and uncertainty with the comfort of understanding God’s promises.
Follow the recording
0:00 — Jesus’ return and the day nobody is absent
3:40 — Judgment, accountability, and the unopened envelope
7:37 — Forgiveness and no condemnation in Christ
15:27 — John 5 and the resurrection
18:19 — Jesus our advocate
26:28 — Resurrection as hope: Acts 24:15
29:10 — Deliverance and Daniel 12
32:45 — Hold on to the hope of belonging to Christ