“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). Luke the “beloved physician” recorded this most significant event of the departure and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ and the promise of His return or “second advent.”
R.A. Torrey, evangelist, pastor, and writer, wrote the following:”The second coming of Christ is said to be mentioned three hundred and eighteen times in the two-hundred and sixty chapters of the New Testament, and “it occupies one in every twenty-five verses” from Matthew to Revelation” (R.A. Torrey, What the Bible Teaches, Updated Edition, p. 230, Whitaker House , Publisher). This shows the emphasis God’s Word puts on the return of Jesus Christ.
The promise of Christ’s return is a great and grand theme throughout the New Testament and also an ongoing hope and expectation of believers. The apostle Paul addresses this in his letter to the Corinthian Church, “Behold I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will should, and the dead will be raised imperishable and we shall be changed.”
(1 Corinthians 15:51,52).
The theme of Paul’s first letter to the Church at Thessalonika is Christ’s return. He writes, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Note, it will be “the Lord himself will descend from heaven.” It will not be someone else, not even an angel. This indeed is a wonderful assurance and comfort for Christians.
I will arise to meet my Savior in the skies.
When the trumpet sounds I then shall be
In the home He has prepared for me.
— John Rankin
Absolutely no one knows exactly the day of Jesus’ return. Many Christians believe it is imminent based on what Jesus said three times, “Behold, I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:7,12,20). Some pastors and others, have falsely predicted not only the date, but the actual time. A well-known, now deceased, radio preacher made his false prediction three times in three different years. Jesus said, “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 13:32-33). A similar text is recorded in Matthew 24:36. There is absolutely no biblical authority for anyone to make erroneous and unsubstantiated statements about the day of the Lord’s return. God will hold that individual accountable. (See Revelation 22:18,19).
The apostle Peter responds to critics asking where is the promise of the Lord’s return? He says “Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:3,4,8,9). The last clause of verse 9 reading “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance”seems to imply that the Lord is giving more time to repent before His return.
Christians in the apostle’s day were experiencing persecution, causing them to be anxious for Christ’s return, thereby bringing relief from suffering and hardships. Whereas we are not being oppressed as they were, yet we should be longing to see our blessed Lord and Savior and to live and reign with Him throughout eternity. “But, as it is written, What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:9,10). Let us therefore be Spirit-filled and inspired as we await that glorious day of triumph and wonder.
He may come at the dawn
He may come at noon.
He may come at the twilight,
Or at the midnight hour.
The Lord is coming soon.
— John Rankin
Let’s be patient and trust the Lord to fulfill His promise with His perfect will and timing. Remember, “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen” (Revelation 22:20,21). And, thus concludes the Holy Scriptures. Amen.