When Will Jesus Return?

"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." - Matthew 24:36-44

Each morning, I scan Yahoo News headlines on the internet which is a compilation of stories from other news sources. The headlines speak of war, corruption, death, social unrest, and political turmoil. Very little "good" news, rather a vivid reflection of what is happening in a world that is far from God and devoid of faith in His Son, Jesus. 

With all of the turmoil in the world I have heard a number of Christians talk about the imminent return of Jesus. His coming in the clouds.  It seems to them that surely it will be soon, The Tribulation and the Rapture seem to be just around the corner. There is no question about whether it will happen one day. But what day? Bondye Konnen - only God (the Father) knows. Jesus said that. Oh, how we would like to know - but we won't until the moment it happens. 

Many people in the world do not dispute there is a God and for many, even that there is a Savior, His Son. But they are willing to wait to embrace those truths, perhaps for a more convenient time. Putting it off until they are ready, which is often never. And unfortunately, for most, death will come before they make their final choice and then it will be too late. 

I think the four greatest events in the history of mankind are God creating Man, Adam sinning in the Garden, Jesus rising from the grave, and Jesus returning one day for the Church. Returning for both those who are alive and those who physically dead who were saved by faith in Jesus. Three are in the past, and the fourth is yet to come.

Until that Day, life will go on. There will be wars and rumors of wars as one people group attempts to impose their will on another people group. Sin will reign over the world. Christians will continue to see and hope that the events are a sign of Jesus' imminent return - but He will not return until the Father sends Him - like God sent Him the first time - but this time not as a baby in swaddling clothes, but as King Jesus.    

In the meantime, we must continue to be faithful and be the light. Martie and I just witnessed the solar eclipse - at least the last if it. We had stopped at the Texas Welcome Center on our way back from Lake Charles. The staff was offering the use of the special glasses to anyone who wanted to see the eclipse. When I looked, I saw the shadow of the moon overlapping the sun. I was reminded that although the moon was casting its shadow temporarily it has no lasting power over the sun - just as sin has no power of the Son. The god of this world will try to overshadow the Son, but to no avail. And just like the sun, the Jesus WILL prevail.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, He who keeps Israel [the spiritual Israel, Romans 9:6-8] Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore." Psalm 121 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone