Jesus is Coming Again
August 17, 2009 (Monday)
The Christian Hope, strongly emphasized by Christians through the centuries, is that Jesus is coming back. His Second Advent will be quite different from the first. When he came to us the first time, it was with great humility; when he comes again, it will be in triumph over all evil.
The promise is stated very clearly in Acts 1:1-11, describing Jesus’ ascension and the angels’ promise that he will return in the same way.
He will come back in the same way he left: personally and visibly. When it happens, everyone will know it. It won’t be a secret. His return will be sudden and unexpected, like a thief in the night, and it will be triumphant, providing relief to God’s people and retribution to those who disbelieve and disobey the gospel.
The same Jesus who ascended will descend as vindicator of the downtrodden, revealer of hearts and opponent of Satan. Judgment will take place, rewards will be announced, and true servants of God will be revealed. Satan will be totally defeated, cast into Hell with all his followers. Jesus’ followers will be united with him forever. The dead will be raised and the living transformed. All believers shall have new, spiritual, heavenly bodies. We shall rise to meet him and we shall be with him forever and ever!
Knowing that he will come back, we prepare our hearts and keep them prepared, we live in expectation as well as patience and joy. Our lives bear testimony to our faith, and we love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Since the Lord delays his coming so that he may save as many as possible, we join with him in witnessing to his power to save, all the while growing in grace and doing God’s work.
Some who read this will wonder what I’ve done with the calendar of events for “end times.” I leave all that with the Lord. His plan will prevail.