Jesus’ Return

Do you know what lies ahead in your future or the future of your nation or world?  Can anyone know the future for sure?  We aren’t living in ordinary times.  The way the world is going one can be sure the end is nearing.  Are you ready to meet Jesus?

We’ve all heard that Jesus will be coming back whether we are Christians or not.  In fact Jesus Himself referred to His return many times.   About ½ of the Bible is prophecy and much of it is about the end times.  These prophecies are throughout the Bible so it must be important.  Therefore, it should be important to us.  Actually it should be the most important thing to us.

The first time Jesus came in somewhat of an obscurity, but the 2^nd time He comes every eye will see Him and the entire world will witness this event.  We don’t know how this will happen, but we know we have a mighty and powerful God and nothing is impossible for Him.  By His coming everything will be made right again.  

In Matthew 24 Jesus was asked by His disciples what were the signs of the end of the age.  He told them there would be birth pains and gave some examples.  There are many current events we could call birth pains:

Rise of false prophets and teachings

Wars and rumors of wars

Famines and earthquakes

Love of many believers growing cold

Morals becoming less accepted

People abandoning their Christian faith

People exchanging the truth for lies

Disunity of fellow believers

Political oppositions

Every kind of evil and wickedness

Suppression of truth

Worldwide anti-Semitism toward Jewish people

Shameful lust – women with women and men with men

More people full of envy, murder, deceit, hate

God haters, slanders, gossips

Disobedient children

People who know right from wrong but continue doing wrong

When will He return?  Jesus said no one knows the day and hour.  He said He Himself didn’t know - at least while he was here on earth.  He said not even the angels know.  Only the Father in Heaven knows.  “No one knows about that day or hour not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” – Matthew 24:36.  People keep trying to predict the time.  Think of it this way – Romans 13:11 says “… our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”   We aren’t supposed to try to determine the time, but we are supposed to be ready at all times.

Would you say you are ready by the hatred you have in your heart for those who oppose you?

How about the gossip and lies that come out of your mouth?

Are you using your tongue to build others up or tear them down?

What about all your selfish behaviors?

The Second Coming is predicted in all 4 gospels, Acts, Paul’s epistles, James, Peter and John.  If He is returning, shouldn’t you be ready?  You should know the signs that precede His return and not be ignorant.  “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” – Luke 21:36.

After we see all these types of signs, the Rapture will occur.  The Rapture is when Jesus calls all believers to Himself.  Jesus has gone to heaven and prepared a place for all believers (John 14:1-6).   So this could happen anytime without warning and as fast as the blink of an eye.  There will be no sign or announcement.  When the Rapture occurs, He will raise all dead and with the living believers He will call them up to Him in heaven.  He will bring them before the judgment seat of Christ and reward them on the works they have accomplished.  This is not a judgment of salvation, but a reward.

Many scholars say the timing of the Rapture will begin a seven-year period known as the Tribulation.  The Tribulation will be divided into 2 halves with each lasting 42 months (see Daniel 9; Revelation 13).  During the 1^st half the Antichrist will arise and deceive the world.  The 2^nd half is called the Great Tribulation when many will not survive.  “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equaled again.  If those days had no been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” – Matthew 24:21-22.  Revelation 4-16 describes visions of these end days.

After the Great Tribulation:

“Immediately after the Great Tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” – Matthew 24:29.

“At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and all the nations of the earth will mourn.  They will see the son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.  And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” – Matthew 29-31.

What is Jesus waiting for?  Jesus is waiting patiently to return, because He is giving everyone as much time as possible to choose to follow Him.  “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9. 

When Jesus returns, it won’t be a secret.  He will come in glory with His angels.  Revelation 5:11 says there are thousands of angels and ten thousand times ten thousand angels.  “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16.  “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the people of the earth will mourn because of him.” – Revelation 1:7.  So there won’t be anyone missing it.

Then comes God’s wrath.  He will send seven angels with seven plagues of horrible destruction. (Revelation 15-16).  Then all people left on earth will understand just who God is.  There is only one real God in charge.  The disagreements of who should or should not be president will not matter.  He created everything and everyone.  He rules over all people and all nations.  He is in charge of governments, sets up outcome of elections, and the rise of kings and dictators throughout the earth.

Are you a believer?  If not, what are you waiting for?  Tomorrow may be too late.

Join me here next time -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

__________________________________________

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below. 

You can also join this site by clicking on the blue button at the top left "Join this site" or you can "Subscribe by Email".  If you follow by email, you will receive an email every time there is a new post.