He's coming back

“…when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8)

September 11, 2001 started out as a beautiful, sunny autumn day. The sky was blue, the weather still felt like summer, and everything was looking good. I rarely turned on the TV in the morning back in those pre-9-11 days, but for some reason I did on this morning. I remember the feeling of disbelief as I watched the events of that morning unfold. The panic in the streets of New York, the increasing concern as the attack occurred in Washington, D.C. The disbelief as one tower, and then the second completely disintegrated as well as we all watched. There was also the sense that what I was watching was historic. This was big. This would not be forgotten. This was going to change the world that we lived in.

It seems that every generation get to witness the historic events that define their era such as Pearl Harbor, the Kennedy assassination, the Moon landing, etc. But there is one tremendous, magnificent event that is coming in the future that will eclipse all that have come before. All of those historic events that we regarded for their magnitude will shrink to near insignificance by comparison.

Of course, the event that I am speaking of is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus spoke of His return to the disciples on several occasions (Matthew 24:36-51). There are several different theological viewpoints concerning Jesus’ return. You will have time in the years ahead to study them and weigh the relative merits of each one. But, for now, there are a few things that bear mentioning as you begin your journey.

Jesus will return in bodily form as conquering King. People all over the world will witness His return at the same time (Luke 21:25-28). The great time of judgment will commence with His return, and it will be the end of the time of evangelism, and the beginning of the time of final judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). His return will come suddenly and without warning and will be a great and joyous surprise to some and a horrible shock to others.

The return of Christ is a biblical certainty. God always keeps His promises. One of the greatest proofs of the validity of the Christian faith is the long list of prophesies that God has spoken and then fulfilled at a later time. God chooses the perfect time to fulfill His promises. The day that the Christ child was born into the world…He chose that day. The time that Israel would be re-established as a nation after 1,900 years of dispersion…He chose that day, too. He has chosen that day when Jesus will return, you can be sure.

Jesus told us to live our lives as if He were returning today. He said His return will be unexpected and that we should be ready to meet Him…at all times. Talk about accountability! There is certain power and motivation that comes to us as we embrace this truth, Let it be an encouragement and a guide to you as you live your day to day life and navigate the many choices that you are faced with.

Finally, the certainty of Jesus’ return is a source of hope i difficult times. It was for the first century Christians as they dealt with the severe persecution under the Roman rulers. And it is for us today. You can be sure that on the day that Jesus returns He will rescue many who feel as if they are facing unsolvable problems. I remember this when I speak to people who have been told they have cancer, when I hear of imminent and unavoidable financial disaster, or when I think of the prospect of decades of inevitable suffering. I remember the promise of Jesus’ return.

It will start like any other day. Just like September 11, 2001. And by the end of that day everything will be changed as the world meets its Creator face to face. Let the power of this reality bring you hope and let it motivate you to be ready!