“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him.
Even so. Amen. Revelation 1:7
While preparing this week’s message from Jude vv 14-16, it occurred to me that I have not thought often enough or preached frequently enough about the Second Coming of Christ. Please understand, it’s not because I don’t believe it. I believe it with all my heart. I believe it because the Bible clearly teaches it, just as the ancient creeds declare it. Think, for example, of the Apostle’s Creed when it says that Jesus “ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from which He will come to judge the living and the dead.” That’s a vital part of our faith. Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead! And on that Great Day sin will forever be put down and righteousness forever vindicated. That’s something to celebrate!
So why have I not thought more about the Second Coming of Christ. I think one reason is that I spent much of my early Christian life among those who sensationalized Christ’s return in popular books, preaching and movies like “Left Behind.” And so in reaction to their extreme, I may have downplayed the place of Christ’s Return in my own thinking. And so, I am reminded once again that this is a glorious doctrine, a blessed hope, a certainty that tells us that we can count on the fact that history has an end and a goal, and that goal is Jesus who will soon return. And when He comes, it will be visibly, physically and with great power. And history will come to an end, the final judgement will begin and every eye will see Him. Then, every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord – some with great regret at having spurned Him, others with great joy as they are welcomed forever into His Eternal Kingdom.
Even so, Come Lord Jesus. Amen! .
Pastor Scott Lee