“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” — Matthew 24:36
The Second Coming
If we worked at a convenience store along the interstate and one of our favorite professional players came in to get a snack, we might get tongue-tied and we may ask for an autograph. We’d probably ask for a selfie and would tell all of our family and friends about seeing a great athlete in person. We admire people who reach dizzying heights in their chosen profession.
It’s a big deal when famous people pass through town. Even more so, when Jesus returns, His visit will be special.
After Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, he spent 40 days encouraging his disciples. Before Jesus floated above the clouds, some angels spoke an uplifting message. “After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into Heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into Heaven’” (Acts 1:9-11).
Jesus said His return will be a surprise and we should always be ready. “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. … Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:36, 42). We don’t know the day, the month, the year or the time of Christ’s coming. “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44). In Billy Graham’s book “Approaching Hoofbeats,” he speaks about the second coming.
It is good to study about the return of Christ, but it’s even better to invite others to join us in celebrating and expecting Christ’s return.
Paul expected Christ to return and shared his faith with everyone. We are waiting “for the blessed hope — the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Peter also was glad to know of Christ’s second coming and the hope of Heaven. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).
Are you ready for His return?
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Ga.
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