For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Matthew 24:27
The disciples of Jesus have always been interested (maybe obsessed) with the return of Christ. The twelve started asking about it before He left. Jesus pointed out clear signs that His return would be indicated by events in the world. But here Jesus lets us know that when it happens everyone will know. No one will need to inform us that He has come. Until that time many will claim to be Him or to have special knowledge of His return. These “experts” will tell us, “He is over here!” “He is over there!” He’ll be here next week!” “He was already here and now He gone again!” Jesus says not to listen; when He gets back everyone will know.
Too often we have been “The Little Church That Cried Rapture” instead of the Church, period. We should teach the imminent return of Christ because nothing is holding Him back but the Father’s planned timing. We shouldn’t use Christ’s return as a pressure tactic to manipulate people into a public demonstration of their faith.
No man knows the day or the hour, though we can recognize the possiblity in the season we live in. Along with Paul, I long for the soon return of the Lord! I recognize the Paul and Peter realized they were living in the last days so I must be in the last days too. Yet both of these men taught that Christians should live quiet productive lives while we wait. That is what I want. I want to live my life in a godly way until Jesus gets back. Whether He comes while I type this or tonight while I am hanging with my family or a hundred years from now I want my life to serve Him.
Jesus will take care of His return. I can and am counting on it. When the Day comes and it will, He will return in such a fashion that everyone will know. No one will question what is happening. I need to tell people this without using it as a method to bully them to live the way I want them to. 1 John 3:3 says that those who hope to see Him as He is when He returns will purify themselves so that when He shows up they will be like Him.
Jesus, let your soon (I hope) return be the cause for purifying my life so that I will be as clean as possible when You come. Help me joyfully tell others about my hope to see you face to face on that Day.
Jesus Is Coming
Pastor Jason
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