Acts 1:11 ( NKJV )
who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
There are many things in Christendom which we hold as doctrine that are not necessary to salvation. I believe in many principles that are, in my mind, necessary for successful Christian living, but not for salvation. One example would be tithing. I believe it is the open door to financial blessing, however not paying tithes will not keep you out of heaven.
On the other hand there are certain Christian truths that are essential without question within “born again” Christianity. Salvation is only available through Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12.) This is not optional to Christianity it is foundational. Another such truth is the return of Jesus to the earth. There is much discussion about the events surrounding that return, but the fact of a second coming of Jesus Christ is universally believed. Jesus is coming again.
Sometimes as we look at out world and it’s condition we wonder if or when this might happen. When I look at the church and it’s condition Jesus second coming can seem far away. We are caught up on modern life and there is little urgency about something as remote as a second coming. We feel like time will continue as it is forever. However the bible is clear. Jesus is coming again!
2 Peter 3:11-12 ( NKJV )
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
I do not recommend that we get caught up in the events and predictions of the coming of Christ. During the “Jesus Revolution” of the 1960s and 70s the theology of the last days was on everyone’s mind. There were songs about it, books about it and predictions as to when it would happen. This kind of focus causes us to miss what God wants from us today. One of the first things Jesus said to the church in Acts chapter 1 one was that the events surrounding and timing of the second coming were none of our business. However I do believe we need to live in the light of it’s reality. Jesus is coming again!
A popular Greek word from the days of the Jesus revolution was “Maranatha.” There are Maranatha churches and ministries everywhere. This is a term coined in the days of Paul. It means, “Jesus is coming soon.” Paul lived in the light of this eventuality yet never saw it. He understood, however that Jesus said His return would be a time when we did not expect it. I know we believe in the Second Coming in our church, but I am not sure we expect it right now. I am not sure we desire it. I am sure that if we don’t live in light of it we may be very surprised when it does happen. You see Jesus is coming back.
Why am I stressing this point. I believe God is reminding us that He is in control, that things are working out in His time and that we need to be ready and able to cooperate with Him in the outworking of His plan. He is going to come back. Believing it won’t make it happen. Believing it won’t affect God and what he does in relation to Jesus’ return at all. He is going to do what He wants to no matter what you or I believe. However believing in the return of Jesus can give us hope. Believing in the return of Jesus should affect how we live. Believing in the return of Jesus should spur us to greater concern for the lost as time really is running out.
Think about this as you go through your day. How would it change your life if you knew without any doubt that today was the day of His return. You don’t expect it to be today? You might want to be ready! The fact that you don’t expect today to be the day qualifies it to be the very day we will see Him in the eastern sky.
Matthew 24:44 ( NKJV )
Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
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