Christ’s Second Coming

Text:

‘“Listen!” says Jesus. “I am coming soon! Happy are those who obey the prophetic words in this book!”’ – Revelation 22:7 (Good News Translation)

Thought:

Many Christians find it hard to reconcile these words, ‘I am coming soon!’ with the fact that over 1900 years have passed since they were written. Both Jesus ¹ and Peter ² warned against Christians dropping their guard and standards in the light of Christ’s return being delayed.

It’s all too easy to end up questioning whether there will ever be a Second Coming of Christ. The Bible is very clear on this subject and we need to heed its message. Five truths will help to clarify things.

• The Resurrection

Jesus cannot return unless He’s alive! Paul taught the Corinthian church, ‘If the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.’ ³ If Christ isn’t risen, it makes the Second Coming impossible. Paul went on to declare, ‘But now Christ is risen from the dead.’ ⁴ Jesus himself proved by many infallible proofs to the disciples that He had really risen. ⁵ Because Jesus came to this earth the first time (It’s now 2015 years since His birth), we can be sure that He will keep His promise and return.

• The Return

Some cults, sects and unwise Christians foolishly claim that either Jesus has already returned in spirit or in body, or that they know the date when He will. Such claims are false. Jesus Himself taught that no one knew when that would be, only God the Father. ⁶ Opinions vary as to when Christ will return, whether it’s before, during or after a period the Bible calls The Great Tribulation. It’s not my intention to look at that now. It is sufficient to know that when Jesus ascended, that angels assured the watching disciples that He would return in a similar way. ⁷ Jesus also promised them, ‘If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also.’ ⁸

• The Reign

In His first coming, Jesus came as a Lamb, with a servant’s heart. When He comes again, He will return as a Lion, ready to rule and to reign. He will return as King of kings and Lord of lords. ⁹ He will rule the nations with a rod of iron. ¹⁰ In His first coming, He didn’t yield to the temptation to gain the world if He would only worship the devil. ¹¹ When He comes again, He will not be subservient to earthly kingdoms and powers whether it’s The White House, the Kremlin or Beijing. No, it’s at the name of Jesus that every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth. ¹²

• The Reason

Jesus’s first coming only lasted 33 years on earth. His second coming heralds His millennial (1000 years) reign. His intention is to conquer all His enemies, once and for all. The devil, demons and the final one to be conquered is death itself. ¹³ Jesus is the resurrection and the life, that’s why death whether spiritual or physical is such an anathema to Him. Thank God the time is coming when, ‘There shall be no more death.’ ¹⁴ He will bring about, ‘A new heavens and a new earth in which dwells righteousness.’ ¹⁵ This will be the confirmation that Jesus has accomplished everything He was sent to do.

• Are you ready?

If the second coming of Jesus took place right now as you are reading Today’s Teaching, what will happen to you? Is Jesus returning for you because you have put your faith and trust in Him? Is your name recorded in His book of life? ¹⁶ It will be too late to do anything about it when Jesus returns. Now is the time to decide. ¹⁷ The Bible urges us to do it today while we still have the opportunity. ¹⁸

They laughed at Noah building an ark, but it was too late when the flood came. ¹⁹ They thought Lot was joking when he told them God would destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, but it was too late when the fire came. ²⁰

By putting your trust in Jesus, you can be sure that when He returns, He’s coming to take you to be with Himself. Jesus first needs to be your Saviour, after that you need to make Him your Lord, by doing the things that will please Him.

Be sure to look up the many Bible references in Today’s Teaching, for that will help equip you to pass on this vital message to family and friends.

‘O Lord come!’ ²¹

 

¹ – Matthew 24:45-51             ² – 2 Peter 3:2-4                       ³ – 1 Corinthians 15:16

⁴ – 1 Corinthians 15:20            ⁵ – Acts 1:3                              ⁶ – Matthew 24:36

⁷ – Acts 1:9-11                            ⁸ – John 14:3                            ⁹ – Revelation 19:16

¹⁰ – Revelation 19:11               ¹¹ – Matthew 4:8-10                ¹² – Philippians 2:10

¹³ – 1 Corinthians 15:25-26      ¹⁴ – Revelation 21:4               ¹⁵ – 2 Peter 3:13

¹⁶ – Revelation 20:15               ¹⁷ – 2 Corinthians 6:2               ¹⁸ – Hebrews 3:7

¹⁹ – 2 Peter 2:5                         ²⁰ – Genesis 19:14                    ²¹ – 1 Corinthians 16:22