Bulletin Articles
Jesus is Coming Again
Paul ended his sermon on Mars Hill with a promise that a day was coming in which God would judge the world in righteousness through Jesus who was raised from the dead (Acts 17:30-31). There is much speculation about this event, but all we can know is what Scripture reveals. Let’s think about some of the basics that are revealed.
The resurrection provides the proof that Jesus is coming back. This is the evidence Paul gave in Acts 17:31. If Jesus was raised from the dead, then we need to pay attention to Him as the only One who fully conquered death. Jesus promised He would return (John 5:28-29), as did angels (Acts 1:11), Paul (1 Thess 4:16), Peter (2 Pet 3:10), James (Jas 5:7-8), and John (1 John 3:2).
What is the Nature of His Coming? How does the Bible describe this great event? Scripture teaches that His coming will be with great power and glory (Matt 25:31-33). And rather than sending someone in His place, He will come in person (1 Thess 4:16; Acts 1:11).
Everyone will recognize and know the power of Christ when He comes. Every eye will see (Rev 1:7), every ear will hear (John 5:28), every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Rev 1:7; John 5:28; Phil 2:9-11). No one is exempt from this.
When will Jesus come back? Some thought Jesus would return immediately (1 Thess 5:1-2; 2 Thess 2:1-2). People have tried to predict dates of the return of Christ only to fail. The truth is that we do not know when Jesus is coming back; we just know that He is because the risen Lord promised it. Jesus will come “like a thief” (1 Thess 5:1; 2 Pet 3:10). This is an unannounced time, so it is important to be ready all the time (though initially about Jerusalem, see the principle in Matthew 24:36-44).
What Happens when He Returns? He will hand the kingdom back to the Father. He is not coming to establish a literal 1,000 year earthly kingdom. Jesus is now reigning as King in fulfillment of the Davidic promise (2 Sam 7:12-13; Acts 2:29-36; 13:26-39). Those who belong to Christ have been translated from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Col 1:13). When Christ returns, He will hand the kingdom back over to the Father, “after destroying every rule and every authority and power” (1 Cor 15:23-26).
He will raise the dead. Jesus promised a day in which all would hear His voice and come forth, whether it be to a resurrection of life or of judgment (John 5:28-29). Paul argued that “there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust” (Acts 24:14-15). Paul affirms that believers will be raised since Jesus was raised as the firstfruits (1 Cor 15:20-23).
Scripture speaks of the “time for restoring all things” (Acts 3:19-21). Sin corrupted everything, but God promises a “new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet 3:13). In the resurrection, saints will dwell with God in His paradise as He brings to completion everything that He planned from the beginning.
He will bring judgment and salvation. For those who rejected Jesus, there will be judgment. For those who by faith submitted to Jesus, there is life (see John 5:28-29; Acts 17:30-31; Matt 25:31-32, 46; 1 Thess 4:13-18). Peter also speaks about the day of “judgment and destruction of the ungodly.” God desires all to repent because that day is guaranteed to come (2 Pet 3:7-10; see also 2 Thess 1:7-10). All will appear before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10).
Because He is Coming, What Do We Do?
We get ready. Given that we know judgment is coming, Peter points to what kind of people we ought to be as we wait for the coming day of God (2 Pet 3:11-13). The emphasis is not on the when, but on the need to be ready.
We Watch. We should stay awake, alert, and sober (1 Thess 5:3-11). We do not want to be taken by surprise or found in a state of laziness.
We take comfort. Believers should comfort one another with the words that affirm the coming of Jesus (1 Thess 4:16-18). If we are faithful, knowing that He is coming is a source of comfort rather than terror.
We stay hopeful. Paul affirmed that God’s grace has appeared and teaches us how to live while we are “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14). It is indeed a “blessed hope” (see also 1 Pet 1:3-5).
May we live in such a way that we can say, with John, “Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev 22:20). Are you ready?
