Excitement for Jesus' Return, Pt. 3

If you knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow, is there anything that you would change?

Excitement for Jesus' Return, Pt. 3

"Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen."

(Revelation 1:7)

In teaching on Christ's return, Dr. Stanley pointed out that in the Old Testament, we read of many prophecies, including the Messiah's birth, reign, death, and resurrection. Why should we doubt the promises in the New Testament when all those promises from the Old Testament came to pass, and it took hundreds of years? The next event on God's calendar is when Jesus comes back for His church. When will it happen? We simply do not know. Jesus taught that the Temple would be destroyed before His return, and that happened 40 years after His prophecy. Also, in Matthew 24, we read of many things that will take place both before and after the Lord returns to earth. Nothing needs to happen before He comes in the rapture of His people. He can come at any time, at any moment. Jesus said in Matthew 24:14 that the Gospel will be preached to all the earth, and then the end will come. Stanley and I agree that this will be fulfilled during the Great Tribulation period after the rapture and before the second coming.

I love this promise from the Apostle John related to Christ's second coming: "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." (1 John 3:1-3)

We who know Him seek to live godly lives in anticipation and expectation that He could come at any moment. If you knew He was coming tomorrow, is there anything that you would change? We should live each day persuaded that He can come at any moment. I want to be found faithful when He comes and not be in some sinful, compromising situation.

Whenever someone says they know or have figured out when Jesus is coming, do not believe them. Jesus said in Matthew 24:36: "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only." And in Matthew 24:42, Jesus said, "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming."

Keep looking up. It could be today!