The Second Coming – Coming Saturday
Yes another “Bible Teacher” thinks he has found the ‘hidden meanings’ of the Scripture and determined that God’s Judgment Day is May 21! In the run up to his conclusion, he sets aside the clear warning of Jesus about date setting for the Second Coming found in Acts 1:7 where we read: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.” (Acts 1:7, NIV)
Here’s why I get so irritated with those who try to figure out a date for the Second Coming or the Judgment or the Rapture of the Church: it diminishes the credibility and importance of the Truth. Even many devoted Christians are skeptical about the doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ because of all the false date-setting. The “Blessed Hope” is for many an obscure doctrine relegated to the back pages of our minds.
Jesus Christ will return to earth and that He will establish the Kingdom of God visibly among us. It is a bedrock doctrine of my Christian faith. Every day we live is we are another day closer to the Last Days. Indeed we live on the edge of Judgment. Are you shocked? “Jerry, do you actually believe the 2011 prophets?” I think they a terrible hindrance to the work of God right here, right now. Still, I believe that we are living in the Last Days for two reasons.
- · The first is that history and prophecy look very different to our eternal God than they do to us who live ‘in the moment’ and with a grasp on a very short window in time.
- Second, Jesus knows that for each of us the ‘last days’ are a reality. Generations come and go so quickly. In our lives the opportunity to do God’s work is now, for tomorrow may never come. In that sense, I believe that I am living in the last days.
The promise of the Second Coming is of great comfort, but adds no urgency to my life. Even if I could know for certain that the Second Coming of Christ was 48 hours away, little in my life would change! I am doing His work right now, living for Him right now, trusting His Word right now, and obeying His will right now. That is as it should be.
Jesus told a story of servants who were prepared for the return of the owner of the household. “Be ready and keep your lamps burning just like those servants who wait up for their master to return from a wedding feast. As soon as he comes and knocks, they open the door for him. Servants are fortunate if their master finds them awake and ready when he comes! I promise you that he will get ready and have his servants sit down so he can serve them.” (Luke 12:35-37, CEV)
Keep the promise of His coming in mind. Hope and pray for that day when evil is defeated, suffering is ended; when the things we did not understand are made plain. It is the day of vindication for all those who gave their lives and fortune for the cause of Christ. Their sacrifices await the Day of His Glorious Return when the jeers of the mockers will be silenced!
I hope that you are living in a way that welcomes the day of His appearing, be it today, on Saturday, or in a hundred years. May Jesus find us living faithfully, hopefully. Here is a word from the Word. Take it to heart today.
“Yes, I’m on my way! I’ll be there soon! I’m bringing my payroll with me. I’ll pay all people in full for their life’s work. I’m A to Z, the First and the Final, Beginning and Conclusion. “How blessed are those who wash their robes! The Tree of Life is theirs for good, and they’ll walk through the gates to the City.” (Revelation 22:12-14, The Message)
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Troublesome times are here,
filling men’s hearts with fear,
Freedom we all hold dear now is at stake;
But, humbling your hearts to God,
Saves from the chast’ning rod,
Seek the way pilgrims trod, Christians awake!
Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon,
Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound,
All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the sky,
Going where no one dies, Heavenward bound!
Troubles will soon be o’er, happy forevermore,
When we meet on that shore free from all care,
Rising up in the sky, telling this world goodbye,
Homeward we then shall fly, Glory to share!
Jesus is Coming Soon
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by Sacred Music, a Trust)
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