As Christians we tend to focus on Holy Week and Christmas. We like to remember what Christ did on the cross, in the Tomb, and when He became flesh. These are all important to observe and remember. However, there is still an Act that is not yet completed. The Second Coming is coming. It should be a moment of great anticipation for us as believers, but many now either ignore the imminent arrival of the Master or choose to avoid the subject altogether. It is startling that the Church avoids the Book of Revelation, Matthew Chapter 24, and Luke 18. The divide over rapture, tribulation (wither we experience it or not), and a plethora of eschatological beliefs has overshadowed the more important facts; Jesus Christ is coming back and he will gather his family and judge the quick and the dead. Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and a New Heaven and Earth shall be created.
For some diabolical reason these major events are eclipsed by disagreements by every denomination. Arguments over if Jesus comes back twice or not becomes the focus rather than that he is coming back! Since Jesus Ascended into heaven, believers of every generation have waited expectantly for the Second Coming. In fact, we are commissioned to be "on the alert," and "wait expectantly," for our Lord to return. But because of radicals and false prophecies throughout the ages, people have began to adopt more nihilistic beliefs and no longer keep their "oil lamps lit." (Matthew 25). The problem is that the Second Coming is going to happen and Christ even says, "will I find faith?," (Luke 18:8) and "I will come unexpectedly, like thief in the night." (Revelation 16:15-17, NLT)). Jesus even tells us that when he returns everything will be going as normal, there will be signs in the heavens and in the world, but people will continue "to get married, have children, and live out their lives, just as they did in the days of Noah." (Luke 17:26). Like the days of Noah, the people just ignore the coming tide and thought Noah and his family were crazy. Then the rains came and it was too late. The same will come when the Son of God arrives in power. This time he comes with fire and will purge the planet from those who do not know Him and who do not have His name inscribed on their hearts and tongues.
The Lord is merciful. He has allotted us enough time to turn to Him and be saved. However, many use this time unwisely and say that, "once I have had my pleasure, once I have had my fun, I will believe." But the hour is growing late and we are not promised infinitum to choose Christ. For two thousand and fourteen years people have been given the grace and mercy to turn to the One True God. How much more time do we have left? It says, "only the Father in Heaven, knows the day and hour when the great day of Judgment will come." (Matthew 24:36). Judgment Day could be tomorrow, in a few years, in a century, or a millennium. The problem is that people are living like it will be thousands of years before Jesus Returns. Well, even if that were so, if you die and do not believe you will be judged. So either way you cannot avoid it. You either believe now or it will be too late. If you procrastinate because you believe Judgment Day is far away, then think of your own mortality. No one lives forever and we must all go before the Great Judge of the Universe.
God who is patient, kind, loving, compassionate, and merciful gives you this moment to open your stubborn heart and cease your sinful ways to follow Him. Jesus Christ will forgive yours sins if you confess them, believe (trust) in Jesus and confess with your mouth that you are His. It is a surrender, it is salvation! This is your chance. Do not foolishly waste away your opportunity! Do not be like those who think they can just go on and make their commitment when it is more convenient. There is no promise of tomorrow! Act today! Give your life to Jesus Christ and you will gain a relationship with the Almighty and have eternal life! Your body may perish, but your spirit & soul will be in presence of the Savior. You will also get a new and more perfect body on Judgment Day (2 Corinthians 5). But for those who refuse, there is a place of eternal torment and anguish that will await you. Many books right now profess, "heaven is for real," well so is hell.
The Second Coming is coming. Do not be preoccupied with sin or sinister schemes. This life is only a shadow of the next. What we do here has baring on our life in the next. So seal yourself by choosing Christ and let the presence of God become your passion! Become an ambassador of the Kingdom of Heaven and leave the mark of Christ everywhere you go. Let Christ's love and light flow through you and shine before men.
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