When we think about the second Coming of Jesus, what goes through our minds? Below are some thoughts and actions that may tell us that we need to examine this in more detail, to ensure that we will be ready when He does come. TODAY COULD BE THE DAY!
- 1.COMPLACENCY – I’ve heard it all before, and preachers have tried to scare people to get them to act and move. You can’t say anything I don’t know or haven’t heard.
- 2.CONFUSION – Many things about the Second Coming I do not understand, I hear so much about Armageddon and the Millennium – I don’t know what to believe!
- 3.DISCOMFORT – I know that my sins and mistakes will be revealed. The books will be opened, and the names will be read. God is holy, and I know that I am any thing but holy. I hope I make it!
- 4.DENIAL – maybe if I deny it is happening it will help my discomfort! I, We want answers, not ambiguity. So I won’t think about it – if he comes, Fine! If not, Fine!
- 5.DISAPPOINTMENT – I still have things to do here. The soldier away from home wants to come home first. A pregnant mother wants to hold her unborn child.
- 6.OBSESSED – I have all the charts, books and codes to discern the prophecies, and I can predict pretty close to when he will come again.
- 7.PANIC – Sell everything and head for the hills!
How did Jesus want us to look at his Second Coming? “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and received you to Myself; that where I am there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:2-4).
How do YOU respond to the Lord’s coming?
THE JUDGMENT DAY
JOHNNY RAMSEY
When we stand before God, the judge of all (Hebrews 12:23), what will our sentence be? When life’s journey shall have ended, will we regret our poor decisions that caused us to be lost (Galatians 6:7). Or shall we rejoice to know that our sojourn was meaningful (1 John 4:17)? “Only one life, it will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last.” How very true those sentiments! When the clock of life no longer ticks because eternity has been ushered in what will our destiny hold? What kind of day will judgment disclose?
IT WILL BE A DAY OF RECKONING. Will it be reward or remorse when we stand before our Maker? Will there be a handwriting on the wall of our record that proclaims our doom (Daniel 5)? Shall we reap the whirlwind of shameful activity (Hosea 8:7) or the joy of our salvation? When God’s “book of remembrance” is opened (Malachi 3), what will be the contents? Can we say what Nehemiah did? “Remember me, O my God, for good.” (Nehemiah 13:31).
IT WILL BE A DAY OF REST. Yes, rest from the wicked world and a sinful environment awaits the faithful child of God (Hebrews 4:9). In Revelation 21:3-5 we see the fruition of godliness in a realm that knows no sickness, sadness or separation. Earthly corruption never enters, and the toils of life are gone. (2 Corinthians 5:1). Fleshly lusts are forsaken (1Peter 2:11) and even death shall have been turned into victory. We will be glad we obeyed! “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16).
IT WILL BE A DAY OF REUNION. Christ will take us to be with him (John 14:3). According to Mathew 8:11, Abraham and Isaac and Jacob will be there. David spoke of his dead son in 2 Samuel 12:23, “I will go to him.” Loved ones will be together again! I believe Hebrews 12:23 gives us a hint of the same. What joy it will be to see the redeemed of all the ages. There has NEVER been a family reunion like that one will be.
IT WILL BE A DAY OF REVELATION. The one who know us as we really are, and not as we pretend to be, will reveal our eternal destiny (Romans 2:16). The sins we were forgiven of by the Redeemer shall not be remembered (Hebrews 8:12; Psalms 32:1; 1 John 1:7), for which we should praise God. But hypocrisies and insincerities we tried to hide will be exposed and those things we should have done will haunt us: “To him that knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17).
We are given this life to prepare for eternity, but many pervert this purpose and waste their moments upon earth. On that notable day, the infidel will confess the Lord (Philippians 2:9-11) and the disobedient will try to hide from the wrath of the Almighty (Revelation 6:12). May we be wise enough now to search our ways and return to the Lord (Lamentations 3:40). Let us use our days wisely: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalms 90:12). And let us NEVER “follow a multitude to do evil” (Exodus 23:2). Heaven is too precious to miss.
Via Saks Church of Christ March 6, 1988
