This Same Jesus . . .

“And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ”Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10,11).

This is a most significant portion of holy Scripture, because it is the promise of Jesus Christ’s return or second advent. Note: This Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” This promise is crystal clear that Jesus is definitely returning some day. Neither date nor time is revealed in the Scriptures. Therefore, mo one has any authority from God’s word to predict or speculate.

Over the years some pastors and non-pastors have erroneously speculated about the return of Jesus Christ. This is precisely what Jesus said about His return. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake and pray. For you do not know when the time will come” (Mark 13:31-33). 

Because no one knows day or hour, Jesus exhorts Christians to “keep awake and pray.” 

The Lord also continues on the subject of His return by saying “It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—“lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. “And what I say to you, I say to all: Stay awake.” (Mark 13:34-37).   

It is most interesting that the Lord made a fitting analogy between His return and the man who departs from his home for a long trip. He advises his servant to be on the look out for his return. Just as the traveling man could return at any hour of the night, so Jesus may return at any  hour of the night also. Christians are “watchmen,” who should not be found sleeping, but must remain vigilant—“stay  awake.” Not only should we be vigilant, we are also exhorted to pray—“keep awake and pray.”

In announcing His return to His disciples, Jesus said  “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “And if I go and prepare place you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also”

(John 14:1-3). Jesus promised: “I go to prepare a place for you.” This divine promise gives us hope in the uncertainty of the future; while making us very excited about the Lord’s return

“As the Bride of Christ—the church—we know that Jesus is preparing an everlasting home for us in heaven.” Writes Dr Charles Stanley. “And one day, He will return to claim us and take us to the wonderful place he has created for us to love and worship Him for the rest of eternity (John 14:3; Rev. 19:7-9; 21:9-27). (Life Principles Bible NKJ version p. 1278). 

The apostle Paul tells the Church at Rome: “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11). It seems very obvious that Paul is referring to the return of Christ. Our “salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed,” points to the glorious deliverance that awaits Christians. Paul also says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that shall be revealed to us. For in this hope  we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Romans 8:18,24-25). 

The full result of salvation will be seen in heaven. What a day that will be! Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, the dispensation of grace and the Church Age is fast drawing to a close. The time is short. “The end of all things is at hand” (1 Peter 4:7). Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together.” (Hebrews 10:23-25). 

An essential aspect of Christian living is to inspire and encourage each other in spiritual things. 

And one of the ways this is accomplished is through corporate worship—physically gathering in the House of Worship. We bring the “sacrifice of praise” into the House of the Lord.