Jesus Christ is coming back soon...Are you ready?

Of all people who have lived and died none is spoken of by their followers as having resurrected from the dead, except Jesus Christ, the Son of God. None is spoken of as coming again to the earth after leaving it except the same Jesus. Cardinal events about the person of Christ are His birth and death; His resurrection from the dead and ascension into heaven; His return to the earth and subsequent rule as King of kings and Lord of lords. All others have been fulfilled except the last – His return and ultimate rule.

Christ’s return has been spoken of even before the Bible was written. It was the expectation of apostles of old. Paul spoke of it as an event to take place in his lifetime (1 Thessalonians 4: 16 – 17. Note the expression: ‘then we who are alive..’). But Christ did not return during Paul’s lifetime. Like all others of his time, Paul died and the promise is yet to be fulfilled. Does this mean the promise has failed?

Given the long interval between the promise and its fulfilment it appears the promise of Christ’s return has failed. Many have jeered at the thought. Even among the ancient, the promise was subjected to ridicule. “Where is the promise of his coming”, they ask, “for since the fathers fell asleep (died), all things continue as they were” (2 Peter 3: 4). But that is a mistake. We should remember that when God made the promise of sending the Redeemer to a lost world (Genesis 3: 15), it took centuries to fulfil it (Galatians 4: 4). With God, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like a day (2 Peter 3: 8). The promise of the Lord’s return will surely be fulfilled like every other promise of Scripture. His return was foretold in the Old Testament (Daniel 7: 13 – 14). The Lord Himself spoke of it (Matthew 25: 31). The angels prophesied it (Acts 1: 10 – 11), and the apostles confirmed it (1 Corinthians 4: 5; 2 Timothy 4: 1; James 5: 8). Only an event sure to happen can have so many witnesses to its verity.

Of what importance is Christ’s return? His first coming was to bring salvation to sinful humanity (Matthew 28: 20; Luke 19: 10; John 3: 16 – 17; 10: 10; 12: 47; 1Timothy 1: 15). He did that by His death and resurrection. He continues to do so by His intercession at the right hand of the Father in heaven (Romans 8: 33 – 34; 1 John 2: 1 – 2). However things are yet to take the right shape they should. The world is yet to know the peace it longs for. Injustice, corruption, hatred, violence and war still plague our world. We still struggle with sin and disease, and long to be freed from their power. The Bible says the whole creation travails in pain (Romans 8: 22). Obviously, things are not yet the way we would want them to be.

The Lord Jesus must come and right all wrongs. He must bring justice and peace to the earth. His people must experience that fullness of life He promised as recorded in John 10: 10, and the whole creation must be liberated from the present bondage to corruption. All things must be made new. Are you ready for that day? Should He come today would you be happy? Are you prepared? One thing is certain, whether we believe it or not, like it or not, Jesus Christ will come again in glory and power. Get ready today, for no date is given for His return. No time is given. It will happen suddenly, most likely when people least expect it. Many will be taken unawares. But you don’t have to be. Prepare today. Prepare now. How to prepare?

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour. Sounds simple, isn’t it? Yes, and if you truly believe, it will change your lifestyle and tune it towards God, towards Christ, towards the Bible, towards the church, towards prayer, towards holiness, indeed towards every, and anything God. If you find yourself still wanting in anything marked holy, turn now to God in brokenness, and ask Him to save you by His grace. Pour out your heart before God NOW. Peace be with you!