“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. (Matthew 25:31-33)
Jesus often spoke of setting up His Kingdom and rule over the House of Jerusalem as He walked on earth. The disciples marveled, as He would teach them the things of the Kingdom, though they understood little of the things He spoke of. They expected that He would set up immediate rule over Jerusalem, that He would somehow overthrow the government and begin His reign. They knew He was the Son of God, and they imagined how simple it would be for Him to do that. But toward the end of His life, Jesus spoke more often of the necessity of His departure. They were even more confused about this, especially the subject of His death, the horrible crucifixion that awaited their beloved Lord and Master. How could such a fate await Him when He promised them freedom, liberty, life everlasting? What could He possibly mean when He said, “The Kingdom of God is within you”? Jesus spoke of spiritual things and they tried to understand these things with their natural minds. But everything happened just as He said it would. He was taken prisoner, beaten unmercifully, mocked, ridiculed, and then finally hung on a cross to die. How could they believe that Jesus would fulfill any of the promises that He had made? All hope was surely lost.
But wait a minute…just three days later, Mary Magdalene reported that she had seen Him! “He’s alive!” she said. There were many things about this man Jesus that confounded the natural mind. And so it is, even today.
As the disciples stood on the Mount of Olive, He spoke of the “Promise of the Father” which again they understood to mean that He would restore the Kingdom to Israel, but Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit which was to come unto them, the power of God to dwell in them. But when would the Kingdom of God come to the earth? Many are still asking that question, and looking for His appearing. But in reality, Jesus said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)
Acts 1:9-11 records, “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, ‘Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven; shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Praise God! He really is coming back!
The promise has been given, the fact of the return of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords…has been established in Heaven. But the question most prominent in my heart today is this…do we, as the Church, the children of God, the Heirs of the Kingdom…do we really believe in the depths of our hears that He will return? And if so, do we understand that it could be at a moment when we least expect Him?
Let’s think about this glorious day…we are going about our normal routine, business as usual. The weather report tells of a drought in the Midwest, crops are failing and the food supply is low. Then the newscaster announces that two enormous earthquakes have claimed many lives in different parts of the world. War continues in the mid-east, casualty reports number the thousands. The U.S. has stationed troops in several strategic locations ready to join in the battle at a moment’s notice. The world is in chaos. Crime, violence, starvation…is there any hope at all for mankind? Matt 24:22 reminds us, “And except those days be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”
Then it happens… the earth begins to tremble beneath you, a mighty roar echoes in your ears. You stagger outside…look into the eastern sky. What could it be? Has a nuclear bomb been launched? Could this be the end? Fear grips your heart as you wait.
As you stare into the heavens, the clouds roll away, the roaring increases to a deafening sound. Then, above all the clamor, comes the most shrilling trumpet blast you could ever imagine. As your mind tries to comprehend all that is taking place, you focus on one thought…THIS IS IT…THE DAY ALL THE WORLD HAS BEEN WAITING FOR…THE COMING OF THE LORD HAS FINALLY ARRIVED!!! The brightness of His glory is revealed in the heavens, a blinding light such as you have never seen before. A multitude of the heavenly hosts, as far as the eye can see fills the sky, from the east to the west, and from the north to the south. Then…YOU BEHOLD HIM…just as He promised, descending in a cloud of glory!
Friends…think about it. At this moment, if this event should occur while you are reading this article, how would you feel? Would you be ready to receive Him? Would you rejoice at His appearing? This is the question that we should all be asking ourselves right now, while we still can. “Am I ready to meet Jesus face to face?”
The Bible records the fact that “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Jesus warned in Luke 17:26-30 that unbelief would be the same as it was in the days of Noah and Lot. No one would be expecting anything unusual, and then, “For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day.” (vs. 24) Jesus asked in Luke 18:8, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Are there really Christians who are truly watching for His return?
Many years ago, when my son was 13, he wrote the following poem that pretty much sums it up…
GOING HOME
On that last dayWhen the trumpets soundEveryone will leave with a shout.There won’t be time to prepare,As fast as you can blink, you’re gone.So prepare yourself nowAnd don’t waste time causeWhen Christ comes…It’s Time!
Friends,
let me ask you…if it were today…would you be ready?
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