Are you ready for Jesus to come again?

In case you missed church this past Sunday, let me summarize four indisputable truths we covered concerning the second coming of Jesus. And here’s why I believe this doctrine is important to remember – it’s easy for Christians to grow weary as we live this life of faith. The promises of greater things to come can sometimes seem so distant we wonder if they’ll ever come true. When evil seems to be gaining an upper hand in our world, and while many of the cherished values we hold dear are now mocked and sin is celebrated, we can begin to question whether we’re on the right side of history or not. 

Friend, let me assure you that God is not aloof or indifferent to the situation. He hasn’t been caught off guard nor does He need to decide what to do. His plan has not failed, nor is He silent. Rather, His voice resounds clearly through His Word, urging us to take heart, for Christ has overcome the world, and pleading for us to keep holding unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. 

So, here are four indisputable truths about the second coming of Jesus that ought to fuel our faith as we keep walking in the way of the Lord. 

One – Jesus really is coming again! Let us not overlook or miss this truth. The Lord will keep His promise. He always has and always will. Throughout the gospels Jesus speaks matter-of-factly about His return. The Old Testament prophets foretell it. The New Testament writers anticipate it. Jesus reveals it in Revelation in no uncertain terms, including three times in the very last chapter of the Bible: “Behold, I am coming soon” (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20). Be encouraged, dear Christian! Jesus is coming again! 

Two – We don’t know when He will come, but we know it will be soon. In Matthew 24:36 Jesus says, “Concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” How foolish for people to speculate on dates and times of the end! When He comes it will be like a thief in the night. But we do know that the signs that point to Jesus’ return are unfolding before us. They are the beginning of birth pains (Matthew 24:8), meaning that the hour is drawing near. 

Three – Jesus’ coming means salvation for the righteous; and judgment for the wicked. In Matthew 25 we read of the final judgment: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne…and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats…Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of  the world.’…Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’…And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” When He comes, it will be for salvation and judgment. 

Four – Jesus’ coming means that we need to stay awake and be ready. The only way to be ready for that day is to know Jesus as Savior and Lord, faithfully obeying Him in doing the work He has called us to do. “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes” (Matthew 24:46). Paul writes it this way: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession, who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14). 

The only question is: Are you ready for Jesus to come again? Don’t get caught on the wrong side of history. Walk in the way of the Lord, for He is faithful.