Hope of Christ's Coming
Act 1:9-11 Holds a truth not spoken of much these days, "He [Jesus] was taken up before their very eyes... they were looking intently up into the sky as He [Jesus] was going up, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee.' they said, 'why do you stand here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus... will come back..." (Acts 1:9-11) The two men dressed in white are angles (New American Commentary; Matthew Henry Commentary) sent by God to give the worshipers of Christ a reasonable message of a coming event, the Lord will return. Different Bible studies teach us there are 370 New Testament verses with 23 of the 27 New Testament Books referring to the Lord's second coming. With this much Biblical truth on the second coming of Christ, Christians should have a joyful expectation of the Lord's return.
The second coming of Christ is a Day sure to come, however, it is not for us to speculate in any way when that Day shall be. Jesus said, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back... If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” (Mark 13:32-37) The Apostle Paul tells us, "Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'Peace and safety' destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:2)
God moved Luke to write about the message given through two angels and the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to tell us that we do not need to be writing about "times and dates" of His return. Jesus set the guide on which we are to live by regarding the promise of His inmate return, "be on guard, be alert, keep watch."
Truths worth grasping about the Scriptures we have just looked at are 1.) They are not just for the time of the ascension of Christ. 2.) They are more than just about the future event of Jesus' return. 3.) The key thrust is about today. Christians are to be about the assigned task the Lord has called them to right now. The fact is there will be no Christian's whom will know about any times and dates of the Lord's return. Christians are always to be prepared, expecting the Head of God's work to return at any time. The servants of the Lord had better be busy, faithful and steadfast in reaching out to the lost, ministering to the needy and exercising Spiritual gifts through sacrificial love. Spiritual lethargies are real danger to Christians. The teaching of Jesus about staying steadfast in our callings along with the teaching about keeping ourselves filled with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 25:1-13) are exhortations to not become lazy. Many have become lazy in their work with the Lord and relaxed in their relationship with Him. Christians who keep watch are productive in the Lord's work and they give testimony of His empowerment to overcome life controlling sins.
Are you on your guard, alert and watching for His eminent return?
