Luke 19:10 says, for the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost. At the close of his mission on earth, Jesus said in John 14:3, when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. The angels confirmed this fact of his return in Acts 1: 11 saying, men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.
How soon is Jesus’ return?
As notice of Jesus’ imminent return, he said in Revelation 3:11; 22: 7; 22: 12; and 22: 20, I am coming soon; hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. Jesus meant the righteousness and faith we have by his grace.
Jesus talks about five issues, first, we must be ready for his sure return; second, his return will be soon and due; third, without fortitude, we could lose our salvation; fourth, he will return with a crown for the faithful; and five, the disobedient shall be punished and consumed in eternal fire which was originally prepared for the devil and his angels. Therefore, 1 Peter 5:8 says be sober and vigilant of your adversary the devil, who is roaring like a lion walking about seeking whom he may devour.
The question is, are we vigilant? Are we faithful to God? Christ will surely come as scripture says. However, Matthew 24: 36; Mark 13: 32 says but of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. Do we believe in God’s word and take the words of Jesus seriously about his second coming? John 5: 37; 8: 18; 12: 49 say the words I speak are not mine but from the Father who sent me. Let the righteous rise and pray for the perishing world and its emerging woke and evil culture. Are we ready as worthy of the Lamb, Jesus? We wish to sound for a concerted global prayer by all God’s Faithful to restore the world to righteousness awaiting Christ’s second coming.
How will Jesus’ return be?
1 Thessalonians 5: 2-3 say for you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When people say, there is peace and security, then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape. When the Lord comes, no one can escape; and no excuses will pass for our unpreparedness or failure to live righteous lives. Matthew 11: 15; 13: 9; Mark 4: 9, 23 say let him who has ears listen. John 5: 24; Hebrews 3: 8, 15; 4: 7 say if you hear his voice do not harden your heart. What is the state of our hearts? Are we ready to meet Jesus?
Why has Jesus given us notice?
Christ Jesus will be our final judge and wants us to acquit ourselves by his return, John 5: 22-24. Our trial will be without favour, but by God’s strict standard of divine justice, John 5: 30. He does not want us to miss our reward for he will repay every man for what he has done, Matthew 16: 27. His punishment or reward will be eternal or forever and irreversible, Romans 6: 23. Jesus knows that it is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of God, Hebrews 10: 31. His notice is because he is kind, merciful, loving and just.
God’s punishment on the judgment day will be without mercy. It will result in wailing, weeping and gnashing of teeth and it will be too late to repent, Matthew 8: 12; 13: 42, 50; Luke 13: 28. We must remember that it is not God’s will that anyone should perish, 2 Peter 3: 9. We are too materialistic, greedy, unjust and insensitive to the needs of others. However these are no substitutes for the salvation of our souls. Matthew 16:26 says what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? We will leave all behind except our souls.
What we must do
Romans 12:2 says do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Jesus also wants us to be more spiritually minded and to be faithful to him unto death so we would receive a crown of life, Revelation 2: 10. Jesus does not want us to taste the woes of the devil who has already been judged, Isaiah 14: 13-15. We cannot escape death in sin because Romans 6: 23 says the wages of sin is death. We must live by the word and to do that, we must know the word or scripture else we shall perish, Hosea 4: 6. How often do we make time to study the word of God?
We must work up to God’s plan or purpose for us, Jeremiah 1: 5. Jesus does not want us to be deceived or be led astray in sin by the devil, Galatians 1: 6. Jesus does not want us to abuse his grace, Romans 6: 1. He already knows that our hearts are wicked and deceitful, Jeremiah 17:9. Jesus wants to fulfill his mission to seek and to save the lost through us as his instruments. 2 Corinthians 5: 20 says so we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. On the Day of Judgment, Christ Jesus will separate the evil from the righteous, Matthew 13: 49; and the sheep from the goats, Matthew 25: 32. In which group shall we be when Jesus comes? On that day, time shall cease and eternity shall begin.
The Day of Judgment
On that day, no cry will be entertained. No tears will be recognized. No sorrow will change our destiny. No regrets will receive God’s favour. No petition will assuage God’s judgment. Our situation will be what we have chosen. It shall be an individual affair. It will be too late to repent. We cannot claim any favours under our relatives, affiliates or churches. Nationality, tribe, race or gender shall mean nothing. Position, power or wealth shall be valueless. Only our hearts and our faithful relationship with Christ Jesus shall be considered. Let us be ready, repent and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and walk with him. We walk in the shadow of death and any moment we shall face eternity with Jesus as the final judge.
Christ Jesus says in Revelation 22: 7, 12 BEHOLD, I AM COMING SOON! We ask the Lord Jesus Christ to soften our hearts to submit to his authority, to be washed in his blood, and to lead us by the Holy Spirit to have worthy fellowship with him always from this moment until his return.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we have no excuse not to be ready when you come. So lead us now to prepare for your return in righteousness in your blood. Teach us to apply wisdom to our days as we expect your coming. Pardon us and save our souls today. Hear and answer us for in your holy name have we prayed, Amen!!
