LEARNING DAILY

 

John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”  Jesus

 

Events that are happening in the world today are happening at a rapid pace and are making me wonder if the return of Jesus is very close. How about you? Because of that question it seems necessary to revisit some thoughts about the return of Jesus.

 

Before Jesus was crucified, He told His disciples He was going to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house. Then He told them (and all His Followers) He would come back for them so they would be with Him in heaven. The New Testament clearly states that He will return. Revelation 1:7 tells us that when He returns, “every eye shall see Him”; it will be very public. Acts 1:11 tells us that He is coming Himself; He will not send any of His angels to get us. Each day, His Followers must live like today is the day the trumpet sounds announcing it is time to meet our Lord as He comes for us.

 

That hope brings us another reminder, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32). Jesus certainly knows now that day and hour since He now sits at the right hand of the Father. There are many who scoff at the return of Jesus because so much time has gone by since His resurrection. People who have thought they will escape God’s judgment have always been around; they have been spiritually unprepared for the return of Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5 warns us to be sober or clear headed regarding the return of Jesus Christ. In other words, we are to be alert and watching for His return. We must not be idle. Instead, we must be mentally and spiritually prepared for His coming. David Jeremiah suggests we “put on the breastplate of righteousness to protect our desires and affections and the helmet of salvation to protect our thoughts” (DJSB). Each of us must be ready.

 

Let me take you to Matthew 24 to remind you of what Jesus said when His return would be near. Yes, many of these signs have been around since the resurrection of Jesus. Think about the intensity and frequency of these events as they happen right now. There will be political unrest (v. 6), famines and pestilence unending (v.7), powerful earthquakes [and I might add other types of natural disasters] (v.7), and false teaching and deception (v.7 and 2 Timothy 4:3). 2 Timothy 3:1-5 describes “perilous times that will come in the last days”; take the time to go back and read this lengthy list. There is no disputing that we are in those last days! Luke 21:17 tells us that Believers will be hated and persecuted by unbelievers! Does anyone dispute that is happening today? This list was taken from notes during a sermon given by Dr. Ed Newton.  All of us who believe in Jesus and His return better be attentive to the signs Jesus said must occur before He returns. They were given for us to be watchful and ready for His return!

 

One last thought. When Jesus comes for His people, it will suddenly and unexpected. “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep [have died] but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). This is just a reminder, an encouragement to be watchful, to be expectant for Jesus to come to take Believers to be with them to be where He is. I will come back to this subject in the next page of the blog.

 

For now, it is important to know that His return requires for you to be sure about your relationship with Jesus Christ. Revelation 21:27 is clear in its message. “But there shall by no means enter it [the kingdom of heaven] anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”  You can only be sure you will be where Jesus has prepared a place for you if you have been forgiven through the salvation He offers by His death on a cross and His resurrection. Have you taken that step of faith?

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.