Living In Light Of Christ's Return Series

After church, where she had been taught about the Second Coming, a little girl was quizzing her mother.

“Mommy, do you believe Jesus will come back?”

“Yes.”

“Could he come this week?”

“Yes.”

“Today?”

“Yes.”

“Could he come in the next hour?”

“Yes.”

“In a few minutes?”

“Yes, dear.”

“Mommy, would you comb my hair?” (Don Hussong, East Wenatchee, Washington. Leadership, Vol. 4, no. 3; www. PreachingToday.com)

That little girl wanted to be ready for Christ’s return for His church, and there is no question that could happen any day now. The stage is set for the 7-year Tribulation, which occurs just after Jesus comes for His followers.

In fact, a little more than a week ago (August 12, 2020), another piece of the prophetic puzzle was put into place. The Bible describes a period of relative peace in the Middle East (Ezekiel 38:8-10) before the Antichrist unleashes his fury on Israel during the Tribulation. A week and a half ago, President Trump was able to do what no one thought possible. He brokered a peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which promises to bring other Arab nations on board. It sets the stage for Ezekiel’s prophecy about “the latter years” in Ezekiel 38.

Jesus is coming for His people very soon! So what do you need to do to be ready for His return? Just comb your hair, sit around, and wait? Or is there something better to do in these last days before Christ’s return.

Well, if you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to the book of 1 Thessalonians, a book which tells us how to live in light of Christ’s soon return. We’re going to invest the next couple of months in this book, so let’s begin in chapter 1, 1 Thessalonians 1.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-4 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you... (ESV)

If you’re a believer in Jesus Christ, God has chosen you! You didn’t get into God’s family by accident. You got in because God wanted you and selected you to be a part of His family. The Bible is very clear on this matter: God chooses to save some (Acts 13:48; Ephesians 1:4-6), but those who are chosen must choose Him, as well, in order to be saved (John 3:16).

God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility are two parallel truths that run through the Scripture; and like parallel lines, we can’t put those two together until we reach eternity. So I don’t want to get hung up on the doctrine of election this morning.

I just want to rejoice in the fact that, however it all works together, you who believe in Jesus are “a chosen race [1 Peter 2 says], a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [God’s] own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). So, in these dark days before Jesus comes...

SHOW YOUR ELECTION.

Demonstrate to the world that you belong to God, because he has chosen you. Display His light in a dark world as one selected to “proclaim His excellencies.”

Watching a trapeze show is breathtaking. I am amazed at a trapeze artist’s dexterity and timing, their somersaults and near-misses, letting themselves be caught just in time. Now, sometimes they do miss, but there is a net underneath. So, when they fall, they jump up and bounce back to the trapeze.

That’s the way it is with those whom God has truly chosen. In Christ, we live on the trapeze (as it were). People around us should be able to watch and say, “Look how they live, how they love one another. Look how well the husbands treat their wives. And aren't they the best workers in the factories and offices, the best neighbors, the best students?” That’s what it means to live on the trapeze – we’re a show to the world.

But what happens when we slip? The net is surely there. “The blood of Jesus, [God’s] Son, cleanses us form all sin” (1 John 1:7). God’s grace provides a net; but if one is continually sleeping on the net, I doubt whether that person is a trapezist. (Juan Carlos Ortiz, “As I Have Loved You,” Leadership, Vol. 5, no. 4; www. PreachingToday.com)

In the same way, if I don’t see a change in your life, I doubt whether you are a genuine believer. 1 Peter 1:3 talks about the “work of faith.” In other words, faith works! It doesn’t just lay around and do nothing. When you believe, you behave differently. 1 Peter 1:3 also talks about the “labor of love.” In other words, love labors! When you love, you labor for those you love. And finally, 1 Peter 1:3 talks about the “steadfastness of hope.” In other words, hope never gives up. Those who hope, remain firm in their commitment to the Lord. Oh, they may slip and fall every once in a while, but God’s grace empowers them to get up and to keep on growing.