Expecting Jesus’ Return

Expecting Jesus’ Return

“So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Heb. 9:28.

If sin is being destroyed in our life, and the virtues of Christ have begun to work, then we also have every reason to await the redemption of our body when we will be clothed with an eternal, incorruptible, and glorified body.

Let us never relax in our expectation of Jesus’ coming. May we always have this great and glorious day clearly before our eyes. This is the day for which the saints have been waiting with joy and enthusiasm throughout the years. This day is now before us. These saints will be the first to be raptured when the trumpet sounds. 1 Thess. 4:14-16. They will not have waited in vain. Jesus wants us to wait for Him, and He will come and fetch those who have been waiting for Him, provided they have met the right conditions. If anyone has a sin on his conscience, he will be disappointed. Those who have accepted Christ’s salvation—complete liberation from sin—will also partake of salvation at His second coming: the transformation of the body.

Many people are awakened by serious world events, but they soon fall asleep again. If they knew for certain that Jesus would not return for many years, they would immediately go right out into the world. Yet if they had the mind of the bride and knew that Jesus was not coming for another hundred years, and they had the opportunity to live here on earth all that time, they would love and serve Jesus just as much and speak with enthusiasm about that great day when He will return. They are finished with the world and have seen through its folly. God’s wisdom can never be united with the ways of sin and folly.

We need time to prepare for Jesus’ coming. The five foolish virgins woke up too late. Jesus has given us signs that foretell His coming, and the most important and clearest of them all is the people of Israel. These signs show us plainly and clearly that Jesus’ return is imminent. All those who want to be along with Jesus need to wake up from their sleep and slothfulness and enter into a fervent and wholehearted life in Christ. Imagine missing out on the transformation of the body and the wedding feast in heaven—and a life for a thousand years here on earth and the glory of the city on the new earth—all this for a brief life in sin, or because of a halfhearted, religious life. Let us hate sin in all its forms and guises and keep Jesus’ commandments and laws, so we can partake of all the glory that God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Cor. 2:9.

“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:28. These are well-known words spoken by Jesus, but only a few have taken this royal command to heart.

“Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?” Luke 12:56. Blessed are those who understand the times in which we are living and who are preparing to meet the Bridegroom.

“For our kingdom is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the power by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” Phil. 3:20-21.

“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? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.” 2 Pet. 3:11-14.

There is purity and power in the spirit of expectation. No power can hinder us in the race toward this great glory if we live in this expectation. Then we have a glorious future ahead of us. Jesus says that summer is near. Yes, you say, but there will be terrible times on this earth. Of course! But it will go well, because we live our life in Christ; the times are never so bad that we do not have God’s abundant grace and blessing over our life. It will be worse once the bride has been raptured and the full strength of God’s wrath is poured out over mankind.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. We are not living in fear, expecting atom bombs and all kinds of misery, but we are waiting for Christ, for the millennium, for new heavens and a new earth. If we live in this expectation we will be filled with joy and boldness, and we will not be put to shame in our hope.

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isa. 40:31.

Let us encourage one another in the spirit of expectation to love and good works, to holiness and purity, while we are waiting for this blessed hope. Let us speak and sing of Jesus’ return until He comes!