Posted on 05/05/2023 12:20:04 PM PDT by metmom
I believe Jesus is coming soon. We see the Lord moving in astonishing ways around the world, and events are rapidly moving toward the day of his return.
“So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near – at the doors! But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:33,36, NKJV).
Those who know the scriptures have a Holy Ghost inner sense of the Lord’s return. We hear the call of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, crying, “Even so, Lord Jesus, come.” Jesus said, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns” (Matthew 24:42,44, 46).
Beloved, do you feel or sense that these are the last of the last days? Do you share the longing for his appearance? You are in good company! There are millions of people around the world who are also looking up, waiting with great anticipation for our Lord’s return.
Until then, God wants us to stand out as believers, as messengers of hope in our hopeless world. We do not despair because we know that Jesus Christ’s triumphant return will bring an end to the evil and hopelessness that have poisoned mankind since the serpent spoke to Adam.
When the Lord comes back to earth, he wants to find us hopeful, ready and working hard to spread his message of hope to the world. Even though we don’t know the day or hour, we know he can come at any time. Let us gather the harvest with joy as we await that great day.
What a day that will be! “The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). Look up, and be encouraged; our redemption is drawing near.
The Return ping
“Soon” is very relative. I frankly don’t believe that we have seen all the destruction and persecution that comes before His return yet.
I remember people I knew were absolutely convinced that Jesus was returning when Obama was elected.
Our job is to be ready.
Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our generation is the last generation - for us. Life is extremely short. Jesus returning to earth tomorrow or we face Him at death - translates into we will see Jesus face to face very, very soon!
Jesus said, "I am the way, the Truth and the life...No man comes to the Father but through Me."
The Holy Spirit and God's Word (N.T. scripture) is telling every human who hears/listens/receives God's Word that Jesus is the Messiah and the door to heaven. Wise men receive the Truth (Christ). Fools trust in themselves.
Can’t be soon enough.
AMEN!
“I remember people I knew were absolutely convinced that Jesus was returning when Obama was elected.”
People have been convinced of that for hundreds of years.
True, but I had never personally heard the “end is near!” crying like that before in my life. I just remember thinking how small minded and short sighted these people were. People in my church, my town, all that. SMH.
It seems like just a trickle right now, but will soon be a flood of praise and glory to the King - we will see millions coming to Jesus. Very soon. And then the end.
Bkmk
“Beloved, do you feel or sense that these are the last of the last days? Do you share the longing for his appearance? You are in good company! There are millions of people around the world who are also looking up, waiting with great anticipation for our Lord’s return.”
One of the marks of a true believer is holding the blessed hope of Christ’s return for us at the rapture.
2 Timothy 4:8 NKJV
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
1 John 3:2-3 NKJV
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
“When the Lord comes back to earth, he wants to find us hopeful, ready and working hard to spread his message of hope to the world. Even though we don’t know the day or hour, we know he can come at any time.”
The first statement is certainly true. A cursory reading of the cited text makes this clear.
Matthew 24:14, 45-46 NKJV
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come...
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.
The second statement that asserts that Christ may come at any time is not supported by the text. Rather, the text clearly lays out the signs of Christ’s imminent return. And these signs are clearly part of Daniel’s 70th week because Christ specifically includes the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel (in chapter 9 and other parts of the book that bears the author’s name).
There are 2 high-priority commands when it comes to our expectation of Christ’s return:
1) Watch and be ready. See verses 42-44. First and foremost, being ready starts with being born again, which comes about when a person responds to hearing and understanding the Gospel by repenting and believing in Christ with his or her whole heart. This experience is confirmed by the baptisms of water and the Spirit, and a continued obedience to Christ. Second, being ready is, as the author of this article points out, about being engaged in the work that God has called us to do for Him. Watching necessitates that there are signs to watch for, and Christ told us the signs so that we could watch for them.
2) Wait patiently. Today’s headlines certainly lead us to believe the return of Christ is fast approaching. However, we must endure the hardships that come before His return. There are many comforting promises connected to the trials that believers must endure for Christ prior to His return. Christ tells us not to fear but to put our hope and trust in Him.
Acts 14:22 NKJV
[Barnabas and Paul were] strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
James 5:7-8 NKJV
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
2 Thessalonians 3:5 NKJV
Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
[Note: The entire context of the above verse is how believers should respond to persecution and tribulation in relation to our hope of Christ’s return. The Thessalonians were troubled because they thought these things they were experiencing meant they were going through the Day of the Lord and had missed the rapture.]
Incidentally, all of the verses cited to support the author’s view of the present imminence of Christ’s return (a fallacy) are from Matthew 24. And His return under discussion there is, as clearly as can be stated, AFTER the Tribulation:
Matthew 24:29-31 NKJV
Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
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