Yesterday I talked about the Scriptural command that we should encourage one another with the fact of Christ’s return. I believe that when we fail to do this, the result is either apathetic disengagement with the work of the Lord, or despair in the face of persecution and difficulty. God has saved us, his children, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And he has given us the “blessed hope” that our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will return and complete that salvation by his glorious appearing (Titus 2:13-14)
So what does the Bible teach about Jesus’ return?
His return is certain.
There is no doubt: Jesus will come back. The angels said to the 11 disciples as they watched Jesus rise up into the air: “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11) Jesus will come. As I Thess. 5.2 says, “the day of the Lord will come…” In Matthew 24:44 Jesus said, “…the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
The Bible also reminds us that the certainty of Christ’s coming will very often be challenged by those around us. The apostle Peter says in 2 Peter 3:3-4
3…knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”
But even though at times we may be tempted to question the return of Christ due to influences like this spoken of by the apostle, let us encourage ourselves (and one another) with this fact: Jesus IS coming. It WILL happen! A more certain assertion cannot be made than this one: Jesus will return to earth. There is no fact more certain than that.
- It is more certain than the possibility that the cancer in your body will kill you.
- It is more certain than the continuation of your career.
- It is more certain than the value of your life insurance policy.
- It is more certain than the retirement you are planning.
- It is more certain than the plans you have for what you want to do for the Lord.
Jesus is coming. Hallelujah and Maranatha!
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
(Revelation 22:20-21)
I want to continue with more blog posts on the coming of Christ, but it may not be until the end of the month before I can post again. Sorry.
NOTE: In order to keep this post brief, I haven’t included all the specific promises of Christ’s return that the Bible contains. Perhaps you could contribute to this blog by mentioning in the comments section some of the specific verses promising Christ’s coming that I have not mentioned.