I have often wondered what it would be like to experience some remarkable event in history. I was not in the military and have not experienced combat. I shook the hand of one President – Gerald R. Ford. I heard Senator Hubert Humphrey speak once as well as then Governor Ronald Reagan. But one event I do not want to miss is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Master. Will I be alive when He returns in His glory? I hope so.You do not hear or read much in this world about the Lord’s return. Some refer to it mockingly with a cartoon of a crackpot carrying a sign. Others speak of it as if Jesus will return to set up a millennial kingdom on earth (cf. John 18:36,37; Luke 17:20-21). And a few claim He has already returned. The majority don’t care. The Holy Bible teaches none of this. Note what the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10.
Dear reader, what would you (and I) do if the Lord returned at this very moment? He has promised that He will return someday. He will return to find humanity in states of either joy or terror or disappointment mixed with fear. Joy will be reserved for those prepared for His return. Terror will be reserved for those unprepared (Revelation 6:15-17). Disappointment and fear for those who thought they were prepared for His coming but were in error (Matthew 7:22-23). My friends, I want to know that joy, do you? When Jesus returns it will be for judgment as well as reward (Acts 17:30-31). It will be suddenly, with no chance of pardon or reform (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). The gentle, loving Savior who gave us a lifetime of opportunity to obey His Gospel will be replaced by the Judge of all (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:11-15).
The patient Redeemer who forgave the repenting Christian more than “seventy times seven” will forgive no more (Matthew 18:21-22). The angry Author of the Truth (John 8:31-32; 17:17) who saw that Truth twisted and replaced by false doctrine, all done in His name, will restrain Himself no more (2 Thessalonians 2:6-10; Hebrews 10:31). My friend, perhaps you are one of many who have never heard about the Lord’s Second Coming. Perhaps you do not believe in God or Jesus Christ. Maybe you are mired in some false doctrine or man-made religious dogma (Matthew 15:9).
Please examine the many passages in the Holy Bible concerning the Second Coming with an open mind (Matthew 13:23). See what it says about salvation from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Salvation comes by obedient contact with the blood of the Lamb (Hebrews 9:14; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-4). Be prepared for the sound of the trumpet of God (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:8; 15:22; 1 Thessalonians 4:16) when the Son of God will return in the clouds for judgment; His feet never touching the ground (cf. Acts 1:9-11). —Roelf L. Ruffner
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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