Is Jesus Coming Soon?
by David M. Kauer
Is Jesus coming soon? How soon? The question has been asked
since the first century. Just before the Ascension, Jesus'
disciples asked a similar question. Jesus replied that it was not
for them to know the times and seasons. He added, "But you shall
receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you
shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
Then as they watched in amazement, Jesus began to ascend
into the heavens with a cloud obscuring Him from their sight. Two
men in white clothing stood by them and said, "Men of Galilee,
why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was
taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you
saw Him go into heaven" (vv.9-11).
In like manner! It is now nearly two thousand years since
Christ took His rightful place at His Father's right hand, and
the question remains: When will Jesus come in like manner? Are we
now in the time that Jesus told His disciples would come and that
believers should look for?
The Second Coming has been explored with many viewpoints
since Jesus spoke directly to it in His Olivet Discourse (Matthew
24, Mark 13, Luke 21). False predictions along the way have
caused many believers to lose faith. Our imperfect understanding
of Jesus' words does not negate the fact that Jesus will return
and set up His kingdom.
On the contrary, the knowledge of Scripture is what
strengthens our faith. As believing people take ownership of
Bible truth on this topic, the powerful working of the Holy
Spirit will carry them through the tests and tribulations yet to
come.
Comparing Jesus' words to events since He spoke tells us
that most of those events have come to pass. Counterfeit christs,
wars and threats of war, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in
various places have occurred often and may be on the increase.
False teachers within the church have deceived many, and the
"spirit of lawlessness" abounds while the love of many grows
cold. Even churches encourage compromise with false teachings and
celebrations, instead of worshipping God in the way He directs.
The prophetic words of Jesus are that before the Son of Man
comes in a cloud with power and great glory, we should expect
"distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves
roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation
of those things which are coming on the earth ..." (Luke 21:25,
26). This describes our present world conditions as we enter a
new decade on January 1, 2010.
Is Jesus coming soon? Yes, we believe He is. But how soon?
Will it be within the next eight to fifteen years? The time is
truly growing short; the signs are all around us and shouting
louder every day! Addressing Christ's second coming, Peter
concludes: "You therefore, beloved, since you know this
beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own
steadfastness, being led away with the error of the
wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:17,18).
In this last-day time we need to strengthen one another in
both grace and truth so that we may hear the words of Jesus:
"Well done good and faithful servant ... Enter into the joy of
your lord" (Matthew 25:21).
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From "The Bible Advocate" - December 2009 - a publication of the
Church of God, Seventh Day, Denver, CO. USA
Note:
An overall balanced view of the promise that Jesus will return.
Certainly we live in perilous times. The world (the majority
nations) admit massive changes will happen if "global warming" is
not controlled - even changed. Will the nations move in the right
direction? Well it is not too long ago that many of our rivers
and lakes were on the dying edge, but mankind came to see it, and
today most of those rivers and lakes have been restored to
health. Mankind can go in the right physical direction WHEN they
need to, to ensure the survival of this planet for the next
generation. So, some of the physical happenings on this earth
cannot, with dogmatism, be looked upon as the sure signs we are
close to Jesus' return. There are other events to watch and look
for, that must come to pass, before Jesus returns. Those LARGE
events are explained in detail on this Website.
The author of the above article talked about 8 to 15 years, and
MAYBE then extremely close to Christ's coming again. Certainly
God can have things move along in "prophecy" to have Jesus return
in 15 years IF it is His will. Then again the Father can allow
things to develop towards the last 42 months spoken about in the
book of Revelation, for a longer time than the next 15 years.
So as Jesus taught, we must keep watching, and keep watching.
Certainly when we see a few of the really BIG signs take place,
we will know indeed, that the return of Jesus is very close at
hand.
Some of the last signs, are so horrific (as the book of
Revelation lays out) that one is quickly sobered by the desire to
have Jesus return. Of course we must look beyond those events to
the wonderment of Jesus living again on earth, and all the
glorious prophecies concerning that 1,000 year age, being a
reality.
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