IS HE COMING SOON?

IS HE COMING SOON?

Matt 24:3

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

          Jesus spends 47 more verses, an entire chapter, in answering this question. His first warning was against imposters and hucksters that would try to capitalize on the promise of His return. Religion can be a huge cash cow for those without scruples. It can be lethal for those who follow the little messiahs and drink the kool-aid. Orthodoxy and the clear interpretation of Scripture provides a safer haven.

          Wars and rumors of wars will mark our time of waiting. We shall experience pestilences, earthquakes, and all sorts of natural disasters. We shall suffer famine and the insufferable challenge of plenty. The point is that none of these things are necessarily indicative of His coming. Don’t let them trouble you, Jesus said, but they certainly do trouble us. We look around and wonder how much longer can it be?

          Religious persecution will also mark our time of waiting. It has always been so for the true believer! More and more we are losing our religious freedoms in our country and yet we have not come close to the suffering experienced in some parts of the world. We hear news reports that becoming a Christian in some parts of the world simply means death. But this is not a clear sign either.

Trouble and waiting is purifying His church! Our local church is becoming a melting pot for those who have abandoned other denominations. It requires courage and patience as these newer members gradually grasp balanced truth. Trouble is also bringing the Jews back to their homeland in what appears to be the fulfillment of prophecy.

Jer 29:14

14 And I will be found of you, saith the Lord : and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord ; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

“The coming of the Christ will consist of two phases-a coming for His church, the Body of Christ (1 Thess 4:13-18; 1 Cor 15:53; 2 Thess 2:1; Rev 3:10), and a coming with His church (Rev 19:11-16). His coming for His church will result in its removal from the earthly scene to heaven. This climactic event will usher in a period of trouble at the end of the age, known as Daniel's seventieth week.” (from The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright © 1988.)

          Jesus could come FOR His church at any moment. We wait expectantly for Him. The time of our rescue must surely be soon.

Rev 3:10-11

10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Dear Lord, we see “signs” everywhere and yet we are warned that these are not signs at all. Yet we sense a disturbance in our world. The world is politically corrupt, morally bankrupt, and violence fills every corner. We arm ourselves because our protectors are overwhelmed. Lord, we anticipate your coming. Please come soon. AMEN