Knowing the times

What do you think of the doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ?  Do you think of the Promise often or even at all?  In my youth, the thought of the imminent return of Jesus was a consistent theme.  Forty years ago, I was convinced that I would never become an old man, such was my anticipation of His return.  Some preachers set dates and those days arrived with no world shaking event! And, gradually, at least for me, the doctrine faded into a place at the edge of my mind; something I know and believe but not with the same kind of fervor of days past. Somehow, perhaps it is age, or more likely because of death’s visits to my family in the last few years, I am renewing my faith in this anchor doctrine of the Church. Christ’s return is my hope. It is yours?

Paul wrote to the first generation of Christians who were being taught that they had missed out, that Jesus had already returned. He said that their fear was baseless. "Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way." (2 Thessalonians 2:1-7, NIV)

The return of Jesus will be preceded by a surge of evil, a rebellion against God and Truth, led by ‘the man of lawlessness,’ the same man that John names ‘the Anti-Christ.’  As Paul notes, the rebellion is already happening; part of human sinfulness, but in the last days of history as we know it,  this evil will escalate to unprecedented levels as a Rebel Leader takes God’s place and becomes the false god of humanity. John’s Revelation calls this deceived ‘the beast’ and says that his evil is unimaginable, his authority coming directly from the Devil himself.  "The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation." (Revelation 13:5-7, NIV)

For some Christians such language is simply beyond belief.  But, God has given us these glimpses of the future so that we can be aware and anchored in our hope! Christ’s Return will be the day of triumph, the day when His longed for reign is fully revealed, the day of vindication for all who have loved and served Him. We must not set that Hope aside, forgetting it because some have mis-taught the truth about Him, or because our faith is fatigued by what seems to be a long delay in fulfillment. "For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. … let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation." (1 Thessalonians 5:2-8, NLT)

If you are asking, “Jerry, how can you still believe such things? It’s been two thousand years of promises.”  I would point you to Peter’s words that assure us that God is faithful to do what He says He will do! "I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles. Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” . . . But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent." (2 Peter 3:2-9, NLT)

Renew the Hope! Christ will return, and when He comes, sin and evil will be defeated; those dead resurrected, those alive transformed; His kingdom come. Wonderful? Absolutely! Hard to believe? Yes, it is. The Word of God? Yes, and our blessed Hope. 

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Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending

Lo, He comes with clouds descending,

Once for favored sinners slain.

Thousand, thousand saints attending,

Swell the triumph of His train.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia,

God appears on earth to reign!

Every eye shall now behold Him,

Robed in glorious majesty.

Those who set at naught and sold Him,

Pierced and nailed Him to the tree,

Deeply wailing, Deeply wailing, Deeply wailing,

Shall their true Messiah see.

Those dear tokens of His passion,

Still His dazzling body bears.

Cause of endless exultation,

To His ransomed worshippers,

With what rapture, With what rapture, With what rapture,

Gaze we on those glorious scars.

Yea, Amen, let all adore Thee,

High on Thine eternal throne!

Savior, take the power and glory,

Claim the kingdom for Thine own.

Come Lord Jesus. Come Lord Jesus. Come Lord Jesus.

Everlasting God, come down!

Charles Wesley © Words: Public Domain