Will Jesus Christ Come Again? Part III
"So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man [Jesus] will come at an hour when you do not expect him."1
Will Jesus come again? From the Bible, God's Word, we have the promise from almost every prophet in the Old Testament and almost every writer of the New Testament that Christ will come again. We have talked about the promise and the proof of his coming, and today we want to talk about the plan of and the preparation for his coming.
Third, The Plan of Christ’s Return: Only God knows the exact day of Christ's return, but the one thing he made clear is that on that day, as the Bible says, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”2
In heaven there will be a great time of celebration after which each Christian will receive his or her special rewards based on his or her faithfulness to and service for God here on earth.3
Many Bible scholars believe there will be a time of distress and war on earth the like of which the world has never seen before with the climax at the great battle of Armageddon. Eventually, this world age will then end with judgment of all sin and evil, at what the Bible calls the Great White Judgment Throne of God.
Because God loves us he sent Jesus, his Son, to die in our place to pay for our sins so he could offer a free pardon to all who confess their sins and receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior—and to deliver us from the Great White Judgment Throne of God. Tragically, all who fail to accept God's pardon will have to face God's judgment of their sin, which is eternal separation from God, the source of all love and life; that is, they face eternal death.
Fourth, The Preparation for Christ’s Return: Christ likened the Kingdom of Heaven to ten virgins preparing for a wedding. When the bridegroom appeared only five were ready. Only these were included in the wedding. The others were left behind. That is how it will be when Christ returns. Those who are ready will be taken to heaven. Those who are not will be left behind. As Jesus said, “I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left."4
We do not know the exact time of Jesus' return except that he said, "When you least expect me, I will come."5 The important thing is to be ready for Christ's return when he comes. If you would like to accept God's gift of sins forgiven, salvation, and eternal life so you will be absolutely certain you will be ready for Christ's return, click on the "God's Invitation to You" button link below, or on this link to “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian—without having to be religious at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9. This will be the greatest life decision you could ever make.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, again I thank you for the promise, the proof, and the plan of Christ's return. Thank you for your great salvation and the promise of a home in Heaven for all who believe in and have accepted you as their Savior. Help me to be prepared today for Christ's return by having repented of my sins, asked for and accepted your forgiveness and received Jesus as my Savior. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Matthew 24:44 (NIV).
2. I Thessalonians 4:16-17.
3. II Corinthians 5:10.
4. Luke 17:34-36.
5. Matthew 24:44 (Paraphrased).
NOTE: This series has been taken from the article, "Will Jesus Christ Return to Earth?" by Dick Innes at http://tinyurl.com/avesyg.
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All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.