Jesus began His public ministry with the simple message, “Repent, the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” As Jesus’ teachings progressed, eventually culminating in the teaching of His second coming, the disciples were constrained to enquire: “when will this happen and, what will be the sign of your coming? (Mt. 24:3)

Jesus’ answer was quite unexpected. No date, no formula for calculation, etc. and a clear warning that no one knows the day or the time. However, Jesus foretold of a plethora of events that must precede the grand finale. Mt. 24:3-14 & 25 are clear enough warnings, viz.

Deception:
Religious and spiritual deception is on the rise. People are doing whatever pleases them or whatever makes them feel good – Matthew 24:4-5.

Worldwide birth pains:
Wars and rumours of wars and the like, disasters, crimes, natural calamities, etc. but it’s not the time. Events are not by accident. World media is screaming all around us the birth pains of the end time – Matthew 24:6-8.

Persecution:
As evidenced by events World-wide, hatred for Christ, Christians and Christianity is on the rise – Matthew 24:9; John 15:18-19

Falling away:
Many, who once stood for the truth fervently, are backsliding, falling off or becoming indifferent - Matthew 24:10; Luke 18:8

False prophets:
Although we cannot generalize, not every preacher is to be trusted, nor every miracle believed - I Timothy 4:1-2; II Timothy 4:3-4

Wickedness:
Yes, things can and are going from bad to worse, but don’t be discouraged. It is a sign pointing to Christ’s return – Matthew 24:12; II Timothy 3:1-5.

World-wide evangelism:
While on one side hatred for Jesus and His people are rising, on the other, the preaching of the gospel is increasing, undaunted - Matthew 24:14

While time and space constraint restrict elaboration on the foregoing, suffice it to note that Biblical prophecy provides some of the greatest encouragement and hope available to mankind today. Just as the Old Testament is saturated with prophecies concerning Christ’s first advent, both testaments are filled with references to the second coming of Christ. One scholar has estimated that there are 1,845 references to Christ’s second coming in the Old Testament, where 17 books give it prominence. In the 260 chapters of the New Testament, there are 318 references to the second advent of Christ—an amazing 1 out of every 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. For every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ’s first advent, there are 8 which look forward to His second!

The second coming of Jesus will be no less spectacular than His ascension into heaven - Acts 1:11. It will entail the universal recognition of the true identity of Jesus of Nazareth. Everyone on earth will be abruptly aware of this event since it will be the end all things as they now are – Matthew 24:27; Revelation 1:7.

When England closed it’s Libyan Embassy, Muammar Qaddafi became so angry that he ordered England to be removed from all maps in Libya. If you buy a map in that country today, that area is represented by a new arm of the North Sea bordered by Scotland and Wales. Removing England from all maps in Libya does not mean it doesn’t exist. Just because we’ve never been to Hell or the world makes light of it, or says it's a fairy tale doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Hell is very real. But just as Hell is a reality so is Heaven – and what’s more - it is a better place.
Make no mistake about it - Jesus will return a second time and His coming is imminent. You may not like it – but He is coming, you may not agree with it – but He is coming, you may not believe it – but He is coming, you may not be ready for it, but He is coming, you may be angry about it – but He is coming. May be your heart is closed to Jesus – but He is coming, may be you are not a Christian and you are indifferent to His coming – but He is coming, maybe you reject the idea – but He is coming. You may want to avoid it, but you can’t miss it, dead or alive – He is coming. He is coming to take His children home – John 14:2-3. No other deity in the entire universe has given such a wonderful promise to any of their adherents. As someone said very aptly, "We are not waiting to die; we’re waiting to live."

Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are ‘in Christ Jesus’…Notice that the verse doesn’t say which are ‘in Christianity, or, the Christian religion’. In other words, being ‘in Christ’ and being ‘in the Christian Religion’ are two different experiences, poles apart. Christianity, taken as a religion, is nothing more than any other religion – reduced to mere rituals, ceremonies and observations. True Christianity speaks of a very personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Sadly, many who call themselves ‘Christians’ don’t even know what it means to be ‘in Christ’. How pathetic!!! They are happy-go-lucky people, satisfied with observing man-made traditions, performing redundant rituals and holding on to barren ceremonies. Beware, at His second coming, Jesus will take with Him only those who are deeply committed to Him in a personal relationship. Jesus Christ is now in heaven, alive and well and seated at the right hand of the Father, waiting for the time appointed by the Father to return to earth.

Those who are ‘in Christ’, relax but please make sure that the ‘now’ in Romans 8:1 is current at the return of Christ!! Those who are not, prepare yourselves URGENTLY – II Peter 3:9. The steps are simple.

If you haven’t repented of your sins – the message with which Jesus began His earthly ministry - and received Jesus as your personal Lord & Saviour and obeyed all his subsequent commands, you are still not ‘in’ Christ, you may well be in the Christian religion, though.

Around 90 AD, our blessed Lord told John in a vision that He is coming ‘quickly’. The disciples told us that He is coming ‘soon’.

Nevertheless, theories about the Second Coming abound, ranging from whether the event is literal or symbolic, whether it has actually occurred or what events will be accompanied with it. Countless individuals, sects, groups, cults, etc. have profusely tried to predict the date and time of the event – with some even claiming to be the Messiah himself. Interestingly, every single one of them has gone wrong so far. How amazing that God warns us not to run after things that are not revealed – and that whatever is revealed is sufficient for us!!! – Deuteronomy 29:29. While many views are honest attempts to interpret Scripture, some are nothing more than blatant abuse of the Word of God. These attempts at date-setting has not only alarmed Christians but has also harmed the cause of Christ among unbelievers by making us look foolish. Jesus wants us to see that knowing the exact date is not important but being ready is.

Obviously every one of us is concerned about the future. The Bible gives us pictures of the future and, the second coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is one of them. You can know what is going to happen tomorrow by reading the Bible today. We know the end by simply reading and comprehending God’s Holy Word. Most people, however, are obsessed with prophecies that might predict when it will occur, rather than readying themselves for the event no matter when.

Consider this. You are an invitee at a wedding celebration. Would you start preparations, months in advance, just to attend the party? Definitely not. On the other hand, if the wedding happens to be yours, when would you start preparing for that great and memorable event? Very very well in advance and definitely not at the last moment, for sure. Remember, at the marriage supper of the Lamb, we won’t just be attending – it’s our wedding. We are the bride. Begin preparations right now for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus since we know neither the day nor the hour.

More often than not, we filter everything the Bible says – including the second coming of Jesus and the end of time on earth - through popular notions, giving rise to avoidable debates, confusions, misconceptions and disagreements. No wonder many are not only confused but even misled regarding the second coming of Christ.

The BIBLE (Behold It Brings Life Eternal) teaches that at the Second coming of Jesus, resurrection of the dead will take place. Resurrection, for those who are not familiar with it, is the process by which Christ will raise dead people, bringing them back to life. The Spirit doesn’t die and, is not in the grave. The dead will be resurrected from their graves at Jesus’ coming and, those who are alive (in Him), will be ‘caught up’. I Thessalonians 4: 16–17 talks about it graphically.

The Second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is mainly a New Testament concept but as it happens, God exemplifies in the past, what He wants to do in the future. By way of precedence, we have Enoch (Genesis 5) and Elijah (II Kings 2). If it happened before, it can happen again. Bodily resurrection of all is exemplified through Christ’s own resurrection.

In case you plan to be included departure at the second coming of Jesus, here are a few things you might want to do, beginning RIGHT NOW:

Do not be scoffers - 2 Pet. 3:3
Plan, work and live a holy life – 1 Thess. 3:12-13
Keep busy in evangelism – John 9:4
Be vigilant and alert - Luke 12:37
Comfort one another - 1 Thess. 4:18
Love one another - Mt. 24:12 (many will grow cold)
Look forward to Jesus Christ’s coming – Rev. 22:20

CONCLUSION:
The Scriptures are purposefully vague as to when the return of Jesus will take place. That way every generation must prepare like the previous one. Every generation since the time of Christ thought they were living in the last days. Today we are one day closer than we were yesterday – Romans 13:11.

Individually, the fact of Jesus Christ’s imminent return should lead us to a life of watchfulness, loyalty, wisdom, activity, simplicity, self-restraint, prayer and abiding in Christ - 2 Pet. 3:11. Beware, Satan hates this doctrine of Christ’s coming because it is a purifying doctrine.

As the body of Christ, the moments that remain should motivate the church to reach a lost and very ignorant, indifferent, confused and frightened world. What we must remember is that every moment until the Lord returns is an opportunity to be an instrument to change the destiny of someone who does not know Jesus personally.

In an article, I read this very powerful true-story illustration: Dale Earnhardt, “The Intimidator," was approaching the last turn of the last lap of the Daytona 500 when his car was sent head-on into the wall at 180 mph. An autopsy revealed that he died from the force of his head whipping back and forth on his neck, and by the force of his chin hitting the steering wheel. It has been suggested by some that had he been wearing a device designed to support the head and neck in a collision, he may have survived. But Earnhart, like many other NASCAR drivers, refused to wear the device because it interfered with his ability to drive the car. That choice cost him his life.

Those of you who have not placed your faith firmly and fully on Jesus Christ are headed for a terrible collision; a collision with God’s Judgment. A safety device is available—but you’ll have less control!

Like Dale Earnhart and all the other NASCAR drivers, you must decide to make use of what God has offered in Jesus Christ. No matter what it may cost you, it WILL save your life! – Matthew 16:25-26. Maranatha

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