2,000 years ago, the Creator Himself came into our world at Bethlehem. This event (which we call Advent) is celebrated by Christians of every corner of the globe, and I believe Christmastime to be a wonderful reminder that Jesus will one day come again. Approximately three decades after He was born in the Manger, Jesus said to His disciples, “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 receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3 KJV). Jesus was not being ambiguous here!
His return, His second Advent, was also confirmed soon after His ascension: “And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:10-11 KJV; emphasis added).
How should we respond to this assurance of Jesus’ return?
Firstly, we should be aware that Jesus could come back for His Church at any moment. Yes, you heard that correctly! When Jesus delineated the events to come in the future, He spoke with a strong sense of imminency and urgency: “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares… Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:34,36; emphasis added). Why would we need to watch and pray always if an entire saga of events had to happen before Jesus comes back? That simply wouldn’t make sense.
Secondly, are we living with a sense of urgency? Is there a fire beneath our feet, motivating us to be busy for the Lord and warning our unbelieving friends and family members about the reality of what is to come? Once Jesus does come back for His Church, the world will plunge into unimaginable chaos! If the Rapture does occur during our lifetimes, then we will no doubt have at least a few acquaintances, friends, or family members who are going to have to experience the judgment that is the Tribulation period.
I’m reminded of what Jude wrote to his believing audience: “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude 23 KJV). If you are reading this and you have been born again through repentance and faith in Christ alone for salvation, then your heart should ache for those who are perishing! That feeling should drive us to be persuasive as we lovingly and winsomely share the “good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10 KJV) with our brothers and sisters in Adam.
Thirdly, are we preparing ourselves to meet Jesus? It’s amazing to me that Paul, the man whom God used to pen nearly half of the New Testament, still had a desire to read even though his execution date loomed near (see 2 Timothy 4:13). No doubt the books that Paul spoke of were spiritually edifying! If Jesus could return at any moment, then are we living as though He could return tonight? What if He were to come back tomorrow morning? Would we be prepared for that, or do we recoil at the thought of it?
These questions should prompt us to evaluate where we stand with the Lord, and how we could best use our time in His service and for His glory.