Jesus is coming soon. Are you ready? - Part 2.

In this second part of this topic we want to focus on what will happen to people when Christ returns. The whole world of persons can be divided into those who believe and those who do not believe on Christ, and under these two broad headings will the topic be considered.

The Effect of Christ’s Return on Believers

We prefer the term ‘believers in Christ’ to ‘the Church’. The latter may erroneously be construed as one or more of known Christian denominations on earth. Believers in Christ are those who have faith in Him as their Lord and Saviour. They are saved by His grace. They may or may not belong to a denomination, depending on the circumstances of their faith. Those who truly believe will identify with other believers in Christian fellowship, be it in a denominational or non-denominational Church. However,

there are some, best known to God, who believe but may not be able to express that faith for some reasons. The thief on the cross believed at the last minute and received the Saviour’s assurance that he will be with Him in Paradise (Luke 23: 39 – 43). That thief was never known to be a believer or follower of Christ until that last minute. Nicodemus believed in Christ but for fear of persecution by his fellow religious leaders, kept it to himself and only went to Jesus at night (John 3: 1 – 2). He openly defended Jesus in an argument (John 7: 45 – 52). He and another secret disciple, Joseph of Arimathea buried Jesus (John 19: 38 – 42). The same fear of persecution kept the parents of the man born blind from openly identifying with Jesus (John 9: 18 – 23). The Syrian Army commander, Naaman, who was healed of leprosy through the ministry of Elisha resolved to thenceforth worship the God of Israel, but back in his native Syria, he still had to accompany his superior officer to the shrine of their Syrian idol, Rimmon, and his master would lean on him in that shrine during worship. Knowing this was contrary to his new-found faith, he asked Elisha to pray that God pardon him anytime he accompanies his master to the shrine (2 Kings 5: 17 – 19­^A). We would like all who believe on Christ to show it openly. We discourage secret discipleship, yet there inevitably exist those who are of that category of believers as shown above. There may be many of other religious leanings today who secretly believe in Christ, but for fear of others, do not openly declare it. Only God knows such. It is only such who have a living faith in Christ that can be termed believers. They make the true Church which Christ promised to build (Matthew 16: 18).

What would happen to these people when Christ returns? First, those of them who died before Christ’s return would be raised again to life in a new, glorified, imperishable body (1 Corinthians 15: 42 – 44;  1 Thessalonians 4: 16). Second, those of them who would still be alive at the time of Christ’s return will, as in a flash, within the twinkling of an eye, be changed by the power of the risen Christ into completely new beings (Philippians 3: 20 – 21;  1 Thessalonians 4: 17). Both groups, in their completely new nature, no longer subject to natural laws, will rise to meet the Lord in the air. Nothing thereafter would separate them from the Lord, and so they will be with Him forever (1 Thessalonians 4: 17).

The Effect of Christ’s Return on Unbelievers

Unbelievers are those who reject Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. By their words and action they reject Him. They reject Him as the Son of God and His death by crucifixion on the Cross as the atoning sacrifice for sins. They reject His blood as what washes away our sins. They reject the historical fact of His resurrection and deny its transforming power. They deny the deity of Christ. They despise the Church and deride Christ’s followers. Simply put, they have no regard for Christ, nor for anything that bears that name. Some of these people may attend church, some may not.

When Christ returns they would be judged and condemned (Matthew 25: 31 – 46;  Jude 1: 14 – 15;  Revelation 19: 11 – 21;  20: 11 – 15). That judgment will not leave room for a second chance to make amends for any wrongs done. The time to repent is NOW, for no one knows the next moment. The door of mercy closes at death, for, after death comes judgment (Hebrews 9: 27).

We call on you who reads this to turn to God now. Hear and heed this final admonition:

            Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.                                Let the wicked forsake their way and the unrighteous, their thoughts.                              Let them turn to the LORD, and He will have mercy on them, and to                                     our God, for He will freely pardon.  Isaiah 55: 6 – 7.

Peace be with you!