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Volume. XXXVII, No. 2 Be Faithful Until Christ’ Second Coming The Lord ascended to Heaven over 2000 years ago leaving behind the promise, “If I go ... I will come again.” At the Ascension, the angels said, “This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
The return of Jesus Christ is the last major prophecy of Scripture yet to be fulfilled. From all indications, we are persuaded that its fulfilment is at hand. For believers, it is our blessed hope for which we look forward to happy expectation. For the unbelieving world, however, it will be a sad and awesome day of reckoning, when they shall face the mighty Creator, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
While His coming will be unexpected and sudden, nevertheless it will not be without ample fore-warning. God always warns us before He executes His wrath. He warned the world through Noah for 120 years, is He not patient and long suffering. He warned Sodom and Gomorrah through Abraham and showed His care for righteous ones. He sent Jonah to warn the pagan city of Ninevah and even opposing His own phrophet. God is warning the world today that His Son is about to return. He is calling the world to repentance. Matthew 24:38-39 – “For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be”. Advance warning has been given. Be ye ready and may Jesus find us faithful.
Our Lord Jesus Himself said: “But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things” (Mark 13:23). Our Lord’s return is referred to over 1,500 times in the Old Testament and over 3,000 times in the New Testament. There is no excuse not to know and not to be prepared. God’s Word is true. His promises never fail. We look with confidence to the Lord’s return. When He comes He will change our mortal corruptible body that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body (Philippians 3:21) and He will redeem the lost creation to its original state of perfection.
Whether our Lord’s return is sooner or later, all believers are commanded to be vigilant so as not to be caught unawares. Our Lord’s injunction is, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when He cometh find so doing” (Matthew 24:42,46). Then our Lord says in Revelation: “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man takes thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him in the name of my God ... and I will write upon him my new name” (Revelation 3:11,12).
Let us imitate Christ’ example as he awaited for glory in the future and endure pain and suffering on His behalf. Jesus did not evade the cross, but rather he embraces it “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross”. Jesus knew the pain and suffering but for joy in future He endured the cross. This illustrates that it is possible for believers to experience real joy even in suffering for our faith as we look beyond all things and anticipate our meeting with the Lord at His second coming. Look for recognition, rewards and joy in the future not now. We suffer now in service. When we fail we continue to look to our Author and Finisher of our faith. We get right with God and men and we serve Him with joy like Jesus. So, let us run the race of faith (Christian living) by obeying His Word. May we continue to encourage one another to live for God and serve Him with joy and gladness from our hearts.
Behold, I come quickly. Jesus is coming soon. Elaborate preparations are always made when a VIP comes to town. Jesus is the VIP of the VIP’s. The return of the Lord Jesus is like the coming of a very special guest. Are we watching and waiting? Jesus is coming again soon. Belief in the Second Coming has always been considered one of the fundamental truths of our faith. We may argue and differ on some things on Eschatology but we all agree on this fact: Jesus Christ is coming again. And the question that truly matters is will Jesus find us clothed, watching and waiting? The question is not “Is He coming?” but “Are you ready for His return? Ready or not, He is coming. Is He coming for you?” Will He say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” or “You wicked, lazy servant” when He comes? Are you applauded or accused of His coming? Are you sober, steadfast and serving?
Jesus is coming again. When he does it will be in power and might. He will come as an exalted king seated upon a throne. The question remains. ‘Are you ready for his return?’. Are you right with God? Have you asked Jesus to be your Savior? If we know that Jesus will one day return, will that affect our passion and pursuits today us today? Do we need to make changes to the way we live? We are to “occupy till Christ returns”. Are we engaged in the work of the Lord and prepared to do so until Jesus returns for us. How involved are we in the business of the gospel of Christ?
To the unbeliever - those still outside Christ - we have but one plea: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Turn ye from your ways and come to the Lord now. The opportunity for salvation is not available always. Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Behold He comes! Believe now before it is too late!
To the believer “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1:13). Our ardent prayer is that every member of our Church, reading and hearing this, will resolve to live a holy life. Even more important, may each believer be up and witnessing to the unsaved, to turn many to righteousness, before the dread day of our Lord’s return.
Let all true believers take heed: May we be vigilant and faithful.
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