CHRIST RETURN

"Men of Galilee," they said. "Why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Acts 1:11

While we might struggle to agree on the specifics of Christ return, we cannot deny the fact that scripture makes clear to all of us that Jesus Christ is returning to pick up his disciples, defeat his enemies, and lastly reign as king on the earth. There are over 40 passages of scriptures that tell us that He is returning besides the one we just read. We have abundant witnesses in scripture. Here are a few more:

Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3

To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from who is, and who was, and who is to come. Revelation 1:4

Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28

Behold, I come quickly; blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Revelations 22:7

Based on these scriptures and many others, we can be assured that Christ will return one day. The return of Christ has been talked about since He left the earth over 2,000 years ago. As a child, I was told Christ was soon to come back. Many people have been waiting a long time, but God has everything in His hands and does everything according to His time. No one knows the exact time, neither are we sure exactly how everything will happen. However, we do have an idea of what to expect from the information given to us in scripture.

Why is this event so important to disciples of Jesus? Why must He return? What does His return mean to us? What does His return look like? What must happen before His return to earth? Let’s begin to answer these questions.

Christ return is important because it is the start of eternity living for his waiting bride. They will have new, glorified bodies that never die. It is the fulfillment of all God’s promises. His people will live with no evil and in total goodness forever. They will be in a place of unparalleled and unknown beauty. It is the best life anyone could ever have, a time and place like none other. In this new life, every need we have is met, and all anyone could ever want. They will not need to worry or care about anything.

We are promised mansions, streets of gold, pearly gates, crystal rivers, and living trees with incredible food. This is a perfect paradise. There will be no more crying, pain, sickness, or suffering. His disciples will live in a place where it is always day and never night. These true believers will never grow old while resting securely in their own mansion spaces. There will be no labor, only resting, enjoying, and worshipping.

Although, all of this is included, the most meaningful part to look forward to is God Himself. They will be in the presence of the Almighty, Creator God. He is majestic, like the sun shining in all its glory but even more. Beyond, what He provides to his chosen bride, He is the greatest gift of all. He is the focus. Forever they will be in the presence of their Father God and Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All the love you could ever imagine will be in total display and poured out upon those found worthy to enter. What a time of inconceivable joy and happiness.

This was what God’s people were encouraged to look forward to. They were encouraged to await and prepare for the restoration of a perfect world where God would live among them. He gave many promises to His church of what He had planned for those who stood for Him in this earth and were steadfast in their testimony and life for Him. It is a promise He plans to make good on.

This time is the ultimate hope and finish to everything. It is the restoration and realization of God’s original intended purpose when He created man on the earth; living and fellowshipping with God in a perfect state forever and ever.

Excerpt from upcoming book "TAKEN - Return of Christ"