More than two thousand years ago, Jesus announced his second coming. Due to the delay, some believe either he is not coming or that is not what he meant or that he is a liar. Jesus does not lie. He said in John 14: 6, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. He said in Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21: 33, heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. In Matthew 5: 18, he said, for truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.
In response to why Jesus has delayed, 2Peter 3: 9 says the Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. His apparent delay is for our good so he may come to meet us prepared and ready. 2Peter 3: 8 says with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. He will return anytime soon. Psalms 90: 4 says for a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night. We must prepare for the unknown day.
What are the signs of his coming?
In perfect love, Jesus has given the world enough signs of his return. These include as follows:
Advance notice to the world
Revelation 3: 11 says, I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. If you conquer, I will make you a pillar in the temple of my God; you will never go out of it. I will write on you the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem that comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. On his return, there will be a new Jerusalem for all his redeemed souls with his mark.
He announced in Revelation 22: 7, “See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” He also said in Revelation 22: 12, “See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. Impliedly, his second coming will coincide with his judgment, either for a reward or a punishment based on one’s deeds. Revelation 22: 20 says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The word “surely” means definite or final. We must keep and apply his word.
There will be intense suffering
The signs to precede his coming include intense suffering for many. Matthew 24: 21 says for at the time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. Although Jesus did not state the nature of suffering, its intensity could be personal and/or public in nature. However, it manifests, we must hold on to the faith because the end may be near.
There will be great deception
Matthew 24: 23-26 say then if anyone says to you, “Look! Here is the Messiah!’ or ‘There he is!’– do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect… Rather than following signs and wonders, we must devote ourselves to holiness. Jesus said in verse 29, “Immediately after the suffering of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. These have intensified worldwide.
There will be global unrest
Matthew 24: 6-9 say, and you will hear of wars and rumours of wars… For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places… Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another… But the one who endures to the end will be saved. What God values is our endurance for the faith. Revelation 2: 10 says be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (See also James 1: 12.)
There will be a desolation sacrilege
Matthew 24: 15; Mark 13: 14 says so. This is the least spoken of the signs of Jesus’ second coming although the bible enjoins us to explain it to the church as the prophet Daniel. It is a sacrilegious act intended to desecrate God’s holy place so it would be desolate and unfit for worship. The prophecy foretold of sacrilegious acts such as sacrificing pigs on Jewish altars to wound their spirituality. There will be grave attempts to injure Christian spirituality by defaming God in diverse ways. We must be strong and resilient without crumbling. Such attempts have arisen in recent times globally. Will we defend the cross?
There will be rapture and trumpet sound
Matthew 24: 31-36 says and he will send out his angels with loud trumpet calls, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other… “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. He talked about the rapture in Matthew 24: 40-42, the two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meals together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Certainly, there will be no time for repentance. Will we be raptured?
Question for our meditation
Are we ready for the Lord’s second coming as the signs are all over the walls? Psalms 119: 11 say, I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you. Jesus should come and meet us without blemish. Matthew 5: 8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. No matter who you are, submit to the Lordship of Christ Jesus in heart, not lip service only. JESUS IS COMING SOON!
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, please prepare our hearts with righteousness and make us ready when you come. Wash away our sins and save our souls this and every moment of our lives so we may not be in hell fire when you come. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
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