Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Revelation 22:7
The last chapter of the book of Revelation has been called, by some, a summary of the New Testament. Last week we began a series of articles from the chapter that hopefully will encourage us as we look to eternity. That is the theme of our article, the return of our Lord. This promise, once fulfilled, will indeed be the victory of the faithful (John 14:1-6)
This first thing to mention is we do not know when it will be. Matthew 24:36 states, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only”. Jesus goes much further and in more detail in Matthew chapter 24 and teaches it will be sudden and absolute, no time to get prepared. That is why it is so important to be prepared. In Matthew 24:42 it says, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come”. This is, afterall, the nature of our entering eternity. It is certainly before us but it is unsure when it will be.
The return of the Lord is not to be feared or dreaded but rather a thought of comfort (1 Thessalonians 4). If we find ourselves uneasy at the thought of facing Christ, changes are necessary. It could be sin that needs repentance (Acts 17:30). We might need to obey the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8) or we might just love this present world in a way we should not (1 John 2:15). Many things we know that we realize are in our future weigh heavily on our minds, but in fact Christ’s return will be the very act for the faithful that takes away fear and dread (Rev 21:4).
There are so many more things we could list concerning our Lord’s return. The fact that he is returning should motivate us to live in preparation for that great and glorious moment and we will be prepared if we obey what is commanded. John 12:48 says, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day”.
By Jason Barger