The second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is the earnest expectation and hope of every born again Christian. It is the Lord’s desire too that His people must be occupied with the thought of His soon coming in the air.
Church History shows that revival among God’s people brought about a fresh realization of the coming of Christ and the needed preparation for it. Worldliness and materialism could blur the spiritual vision of the saints, and as a result fail to note down the unfolding of the unusual happenings as predicted by the Lord. It is high time we evaluate our spiritual perception and preparation in connection with the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
His Teachings
During His earthly ministry the Lord Jesus repeatedly spoke about it to the disciples. Through various ways He made sure that they are clear and certain about the future events.
When He taught them to pray, the Lord included the future program of God, the coming of His kingdom. Matt 6:10. Through a variety of parables and discourses He taught the disciples regarding the different aspects of the divine program ahead. Cf. Luke 19:11ff; 21:7ff. The whole of Mathew chapter 24 & 25 deals with the future events presented as a question answer session or a speech. During His upper room discourses, by the end of His public ministry the Lord told them not to worry but wait for His coming again. Cf. John 14: 1 – 3, 18, 19; 16: 16, 20.
His revelation
In the book of Revelation we have the complete and final unveiling of the end time happenings. Rev 1:1. There the Lord repetitively reminds the churches of His coming. Cf. Reve 2:5, 16; 3:11; 22: 7, 12, 20. In fact the book concludes with the promise of His return and the response of John to it; “He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev 22:20
Thus we see that the Lord Jesus wants every Christian to be aware of the things to come and wait eagerly for Him appearance.
Prophecies fulfilled assure
Prophets in the Old Testament also referred much on the future events. Just as their predictions about the first coming of Christ were fulfilled literally, the remaining prophecies also will be fulfilled. Many may not have believed the prophecies of the OT writers then, but today looking back we see how accurately those words came to pass. The fulfillment of the end time signs found both in the Old and New Testaments also assures a Bible believing Christian of what is going to happen shortly.
The writers of the epistles explain the various aspects of His coming. The rapture, the judgment seat of Christ where our works evaluated and rewarded, the emergence of antichrist, the great tribulation, the glorious appearance of Christ etc give a clear picture of what is ahead of us. Cf. 1Cor 15; 1Thes 4:16 – 18; 2Thess 2:1ff; 1John 3: 1- 3; Jude v.14, 15. etc. What a great privilege we have, when the common people are wondering and worried over the shocking incidents world over, we know it was coming.
Only Hope
When we look around there is no rays of hope, no peace. World leaders hope and try to make this world a better place, but they miserable fail. There is no end to war, rebellion and injustice. Unforeseen things are taking place. Evil is encouraged and its followers are appreciated; truth is suppressed and its followers are punished! Many tend to ask, ‘where does this world heading to?’
Yes, the scripture must be fulfilled. All that God has planned for the Church of Jesus Christ, Israel and the world must come to pass. This is the time Bible believing Christians rejoice, the word of God is being fulfilled. The time of our redemption is near. The expectation of the saints throughout the centuries will come to its culmination shortly.
Be ready
Let us encourage one another and fulfill our responsibilities. Do not trust in this world, no need to be worried over whatever is happening around us. The sufferings many Christians going through will be over before long. Let us set our mind fully on the hope of His coming. 1Peter 1:13. It’s a blessed and living hope. Let us love His appearing, look forward, and wait eagerly. As the persecuted church of the first century did, let us boldly and loudly say, ‘maranatha’ - “Our Lord, come!” 1Cori 16:22
