The Promise to Return

 2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

The Lord promised that someday He would return. Scoffers and unbelievers throughout time have doubted that Jesus will return to earth again. It has been a long time since this promise was made, and one can be tempted to doubt if His return will happen. But time is not relevant with God. God does not count time that way we do. A hundred years may seem like a long time, but to God it is but a vapor in light of eternity. It is God’s desire that everyone come to the knowledge of His love and grace. He patiently waits for His creation to turn their heart toward Him. God waits even for the scoffers to see their sinful ways and repent from their unbelief. Our present culture, especially in the US, has turned their hearts away from God. The concept of Jesus returning back to earth to rapture His church is viewed as religious fanatic idealism. But His promises are true, and someday He will split the eastern skies, and we who believe will be caught up in the air, and so shall we ever be with Him. He will not fail to keep His promise.

Heavenly Mansions

 John 14:2
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.
In the book of Revelation, John gives us a glimpse of heaven, the mansions that Jesus said He is preparing for those who have been redeemed, and are following His commandments. I can only imagine this place, the Father’s house. The homes that we will live in are described as large and beautiful. We have seen what man can do with earthly material when building an earthly mansion, but this mansion is built by the hand of God. Someday after this life is over, we will live in that city, a place prepared for all those who love Him and are waiting for His appearance. He said He will come back to receive His own. His promises are true, He does not lie. The song written by Ira Stamphill, “I've got a mansion just over the hilltop. In that bright land where we'll never grow old. And someday yonder we will never more wander. But walk on streets that are purest gold.” speaks to the hope and longing of all believers.

Rapture

 1 Thess 4:17

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

The church teaching of the rapture is based on many scriptures in the Bible, but this letter to the Thessalonians from the Apostle Paul is foundation to the truth that Jesus is someday returning to the earth. It appears that Paul thought that it could even happen in his lifetime (We who are alive). Jesus said that no man will know that day, except the Father in Heaven. Believers in Christ are still waiting for that day. Skeptics today still try to disclaim that such an event will ever happen. Over 2000 years have passed, and we who are alive today still hold to the promise that Jesus will return for those who have put their trust in Him. We are to live each day knowing that this life is not the end. If God chooses to take us in death before this great day, we are given hope that we will rise again with Him. Until then, we do grieve for our lost loved one, but we need not grieve for those who have gone before us. For those who die in Christ, shall be made alive, and be with Jesus forever. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, His coming is imminent.

Be Ready

 Luke 12:40

You too, be continually ready; because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”

 

Be ready! The word of Jesus to His disciples. Two questions; ready for what, and how to be ready? The owner of the home was unprepared when a thief came into his house in the night. The owner most likely was asleep or preoccupied with the cares of life. Maybe he failed to lock his doors, or set his alarm. Most likely if he would have known that an intruder was going to break into his home that night, he would have made sure that his house was secure and possibly armed himself for protection. Jesus said, like this unsuspected thief, His return to the earth will be without knowing the time and day He would return. But, He made it clear that He would return and told them to be ready. What does it mean to be ready? Jesus says, those that are ready will have their lamps filled with oil. The oil represents the Holy Spirit. As we are occupied with the work that God has called us to do, we are to be diligent and live our lives as if He would return today.  Like the foolish virgins without the oil, there may not be time to get ready. Let’s keep our lamps filled and trimmed, to be continually ready for His return!

He Is Coming Soon

 Rev. 22:12.13

Behold, I am coming soon...I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

Every time I see the sun rise in the morning and shine through the clouds as I drive to work, I’m reminded that Jesus said, “Surely, I am coming soon”. Jesus also said, “As the sun comes from the east, and shines to the west, so will the coming of the son of man be”.We are also told that he will come in the clouds with power and glory. Paul says, we will be caught up together with Him in the clouds. It has been over 2,000 years since these words were recorded, but be not mistaken, He will return. He will return to receive His own. Those who have put their lives into His care. Confess that He is Lord and are walking in His light. Such is the hope we have in a day when the world has lost its scruples. Stand steadfast, look up for our redemption is coming soon. Even so Lord Jesus, come quickly.

See You Later

John 14:3 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.

The accession of Christ was not a goodbye, but a “see you later” salutation. The preparation are being made, and whatever they are, it will be good. God does all things good and this place is being prepared by Christ Himself. But, the greatest anticipation is that we will be with Him. The promise was made many years ago, and God keeps His promises. He will come again, and those who have served Him, that remain on earth will be caught up together in the sky to be with Him forever. To be with Jesus is the desire of my heart. I want to live in such a way that I will not be ashamed to be in His presence. 

Hold On

Rev. 3:11 “Behold, I come quickly; hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”-

Hold on! It will not be long before the return of Jesus. It is tempting to just give up the fight. Satan knows that his days are numbered and he is doing all he can to cause the faithful to let go of truth and the battle against sin. Holding fast to what God has given in through Christ. Holding on to His love and grace, holding on to what is true and right. We must not give up on those that we have been praying for salvation. We have a crown of righteousness given to us because we have been washed in the cleansing blood of Christ. We must not let the things of this world distract us from serving God and keeping His commandments. It is possible to let go and loose your soul, but through God grace we can hold fast to eternal life and believe God to keep us in the hour of temptation to give up.

The Rapture

1 Thess 4:16 “For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first;”

This could be the year that Jesus returns to earth to rapture those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. It has been over 2,000 years since Paul wrote these words of hope and anticipation. It is still true today, The Lord is coming back to this earth some day. We know not the hour or time He will return, but His return is imminent. We live in a day where we can see the signs of His coming. Our own nation is increasingly becoming a nation where Christ and His word are no longer valued. The idea that all religion lead to eternal life or to a better place after death is the accepted teaching in our society. There has always been war and rumors of war, but we now live in a global international world. The middle east is in continual unrest, and Christian are being persecuted for standing for Christ and truth. Our hearts desire that all will come to the knowledge of Christ and be saved. We cry, “Come Lord Jesus, come” The end will soon be here, this just may be the year.

The Day of the Lord

June 1^st 2008

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:8

The day that all Christian hope for is to see Jesus split the eastern skies and return to rapture His bride (the church). The time and date is unknown to all except the Father, but His return is imminent and we must be ready at all times. We must live our lives in expectation that He could come at this very moment. Are you ready?

Sleep in Christ

• Let us not be ignorant
• Do you believe Jesus died and rose
• Likewise, the dead in Christ shall rise

Saint Still Alive

• Mourning and grieving
• The Christian hope
• Word of the Lord has spoken

Second Coming (rapture)

• Descending from Heaven (He said he will return)
• The angels will shout
• The trumpet of God will sound
• We will meet him in the air (rapturous)
• Forever with Christ our Lord

Surprise Return

• His return is imminent- could happen any moment
• Twinkling of an eye- quick and fast
• As a thief in the night- Surprise element- be ready

Signs of His Coming

• The illusion of Peace
• As in the days of Noah
• Destruction of all sort

Sons of Light

• Those who live in darkness- not expecting
• The Children of light live in expectation

Sober and Watching

• No time to sleep and grow weary
• Let us not drift from our focus
• Keep the Faith
• Love God and others
• Don’t give up hope- Jesus is coming back!