By Steven J. Hogan
~ A Saturday Morning Post #75 ~
People look forward to birthdays, weddings, graduations, Thanksgiving and Christmas, and that’s good. But as Christians, it’s most important that we look forward to being with Jesus, our Lord, Savior and Friend. And since the Jews are back in their land, we know it won’t be long before we will see Him come back in the clouds. What a day that will be, the best day of our lives, for this age will be over, and we will be rocketing off this planet to be with Him. Over 100 verses describe Christ’s second coming, which means it’s vital that we understand it, especially in these days (Mark 13:23). Here are some verses that will help you know what’s going to happen when Christ returns:
* Matthew 24:3, 33 – “When will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? …when you see all these things, recognize He is near, right at the door.” Many signs will take place before Christ’s coming and the rapture.
* 1 Thessalonians 4:16 – “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God.” Jesus Christ will not come back secretly or quietly. The whole earth will know that He has returned.
* Luke 21:27 – “They will see the son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Christ’s return will be visible, demonstrating His great power and great glory.
* Mark 13:27 – “He will send forth His angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.” All believers from all time, past and present, will be gathered together to be with Jesus.
* John 14:3 – “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” Jesus Christ is coming to take you home.
* 1 Peter 1:13 – “Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Put your hope in Jesus; be looking forward to seeing Him.
* 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17 – “… that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord… then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” The rapture takes place at Christ’s coming, and is one of the first events to occur at His coming.
* 1 Corinthians 15:23, 51-52 – “…Christ, the first fruits, after that, those who are Christ’s at His coming… we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable.” All believers will be glorified, will be perfected at Christ’s coming.
* James 5:7-8 – “You too be patient, strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” It’s important to be patient while waiting for the return of our Lord.
* Revelation 22:12 – “Behold, I am coming soon.” Christ is coming back very, very soon.
* Philippians 1:6 – “He who began a good work in you will perfect it on the day of Christ Jesus.” Your salvation will be completed at Christ’s coming, for then you will be glorified.
* 1 John 3:2 – “When He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He is.” How special and intimate this will be, for when Jesus returns, you will be with Him, and see Him face to face.
* Acts 16:32 – “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” If you are not yet saved, don’t wait, or it will be too late. Repent of your sins, and believe that Jesus Christ died for you, paying for your sins, and then rose again. John 5:24, Ephesians 2:8-9
* Psalm 98:8-9 – “The Lord is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.” God will pour out His wrath on the unbelievers and the nations of the world. This will be a most holy and sobering time.
* 2 Thessalonians 2:8 – “Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming.” At His coming, Jesus Christ will soundly defeat and destroy the Antichrist.
* Revelation 11:15 – “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever.” Jesus Christ is coming back to rule the world.
It’s hard to believe the end of the age is almost here, and that Christ will return to earth, but it’s true. How then should you live? Do not be sleeping or sinning. Be awake and alert (1 Thessalonians 5:5-8). Be loving God (Mark 12:30). Be holy (2 Peter 3:11-13). Have faith. (Luke 18:8). Be working (Luke 19:13). Be encouraging the saints (Hebrews 10:25). Be sharing the gospel (Matthew 24:14). Be making disciples. (Matthew 28:19-20). Be praying for the coming of Christ’s kingdom (Matthew 6:9-10). Be excited about seeing Jesus (1 Thessalonians 1:10). And soon enough you will see Jesus, and your life will dramatically, wonderfully, and eternally change, for you will be with Him, the enemy will be judged, the Jews will be saved, and He will begin His glorious reign on earth. “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all.” Revelation 22:20-21
P.S. Here are two other instructive and encouraging articles about the coming of Christ, Over 100 New Testament Verses on Christ’s Second Coming, and Thirty Important Truths about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.