Jesus Is Coming Back

The greatest event yet to take place is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the greatest hope and anticipation of “born-again” christians worldwide. This event is mentioned numerous times in the Holy Scriptures. R. A. Torrey, evangelist, pastor, and writer, wrote the following: “The second coming of Christ is said to be mentioned three hundred and eighteen times in the two-hundred and sixty chapters of the New Testament, and “it occupies one in every twenty-five verses” from Matthew to Revelation” (R. A. Torrey, What the Bible Teaches, Updated Edition, P. 230, Whitaker House, Publisher).

Absolutely no one knows exactly the day or hour of Jesus’ return. Over the years some have falsely predicted the day. A well known radio preacher, who is now deceased, made his false prediction no less than three times. Jesus Himself declared the following about His return, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You don’t know when the time will come” (Mark 13:32-33). The same is recorded in Matthew 13:32. In view of these statements by Jesus Christ, It is dangerous for anyone to speculate about His return,;when there is absolutely no Biblical authority for anyone to do so. That is actually “adding” to God’s Word where it clearly states, “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book” (Revelation 22:18).

Then there are those who seem to question the so-called "delay" in Christ’s return. The Apostle Peter responds, “First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation. But do not forget this one thing, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief” (2 Peter 3:4,8-10). This sovereign God whom we worship and serve is long-suffering and does not exist in time and space as we mortal humans do, but rather in eternity.

The christians in Peter’s day were experiencing persecution, which caused them to be somewhat anxious for Christ’s return to give them relief from the hardships and suffering. However, whereas we are not being oppressed as they were then, yet we must “keep on keeping on” as we “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). As those who have professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, let us take heart and keep the faith because the prospects are bright and our God reliably keeps His word.

In devoting his first letter to Christ's return, the Apostle Paul stated, "For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel and the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, encourage one another with these words" (1 Thessalonians 5:15-18).

The Bible also states, “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Since God is the embodiment of truth and faithfulness, He must keep his word. So “Yes” means God will always keep His word and “Amen” means “so be it.” Let us, therefore, be patient and trust Him to fulfill His promise with His perfect timing. “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, Come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20). And, thus concludes the Holy Scriptures.