The second coming of Christ gives us hope and motivation as Christians. It reminds us that Jesus Christ is alive and sovereign and that He will fulfill His promises.
The second coming of Christ is important to us believers. It means that Jesus Christ, who died on the cross and rose from the dead, will come back to earth gloriously and powerfully one day. He will not come as a humble baby but as Mighty King and Judge. Christ will come to reward His faithful followers and punish His enemies. He will also come to fulfill all the prophecies and promises God made in the Old and New Testaments.
Many verses in the Bible talk about the second coming of Christ. For example, in Matthew 24:27, Jesus said, "For as the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." This means His coming will be visible and sudden, like a flash of lightning.
In Acts 1:11, two angels told the disciples, "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." This means He will come back the same way He ascended to heaven, with clouds and glory.
In Revelation 1:7, John wrote, "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." This means that He will come with great majesty and authority and that everyone will see Him, even those who rejected and crucified Him.
The second coming of Christ gives us hope and motivation as Christians. It reminds us that Jesus Christ is alive and sovereign and that He will fulfill His promises. It also challenges us to be ready and watchful for His return and to live holy and faithful lives for His glory.
Signs and Prophecies
These are some of the signs and prophecies that indicate the nearness of the second coming. We should be watchful and ready for the Lord's return, for He said in Matthew 24:42, "Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."
The Bible tells us that there will be many signs and prophecies that will indicate the nearness of the second coming of Jesus Christ. Some of these signs are:
Wars and rumors of wars: Jesus said in Matthew 24:6, "And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."
Famines, pestilences, and earthquakes: Jesus also said in Matthew 24:7, "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places."
False prophets and false Christ: Jesus warned in Matthew 24:11-12, "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." He also said in Matthew 24:24, "For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
Apostasy and persecution: Jesus predicted, "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another." Matthew 24:9-10. He also said, "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Matthew 24:13
Gospel preaching to all the world: Jesus declared in Matthew 24:14, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
Many people wonder how they should prepare for the second coming of Christ, which could happen at any time. Some may be afraid of the judgment or the tribulation, while others may be curious about the signs and prophecies.
However, the Bible teaches that the best way to be ready for Jesus' return is not to worry about the details but to trust and obey Him. We are called to live in a way that pleases God, reflects His holiness, and anticipates His promises. By doing so, we will be prepared for the second coming and enjoy a closer relationship with our Savior.
Why We Must Live in Readiness
One of the most important things Christians should do is live in readiness for the second coming of Christ. This means that we should always be prepared for His return, which could happen at any time. Jesus Himself warned us to watch and be ready, for we do not know the day or the hour when He will come (Matthew 24:42-44).
He also gave us a parable of the faithful and wise servant who was doing his master's will when he returned and the wicked and lazy servant who was not (Luke 12:35-40). The faithful servant was rewarded, but the wicked servant was punished. This shows us that we should not be complacent or careless, but diligent and faithful in serving God and doing His will.
The Apostle Paul also urged us to live in readiness for the second coming of Christ. He said that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night and that we should not be caught off guard or asleep, but awake and sober (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11). He also said that we should put on the armor of God, which includes faith, love, and hope, and that we should encourage and edify one another as we see the day approaching.
Living in readiness for the second coming of Christ is not only a duty but also a privilege and a blessing. It gives us hope, joy, peace, and confidence in our salvation. It also motivates us to live holy and godly lives, to share the gospel with others, and to look forward to the glorious future that God has prepared for us.
So how can we live in readiness for the second coming of Christ? Here are some practical tips that can help us stay alert and watchful:
Pray: Prayer is our way of communicating with God and staying connected to Him. It helps us express our love, gratitude, praise, confession, requests, and intercession to Him. Jesus taught us to pray always and not lose heart (Luke 18:1) and to watch and pray so that we do not fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41).
Study the Bible. The Bible is our source of truth and wisdom. It reveals God's character, plan, promises, and commands. It also teaches us how to live according to His will and overcome the challenges and temptations we face. The Bible is like a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). It also testifies to Jesus and His second coming (John 5:39; Revelation 19:10). We should study the Bible daily and meditate on its words (Joshua 1:8; Acts 17:11).
Fellowship with other believers: Fellowship is our way of sharing life with other Christians who have the same faith, hope, and love as we do. It helps us grow in our relationship with God and with one another. It also helps us to encourage, support, comfort, admonish, serve, and pray for one another (Hebrews 10:24-25). Fellowship also reminds us that we are not alone in this journey but belong to a family of God that spans across time and space (Ephesians 2:19-22).
Serve God and others: Service is our way of expressing our love for God and others through our actions. It helps us to use our gifts, talents, resources, and time for His glory and the benefit of others. It also helps us to be faithful stewards of what He has entrusted to us (Matthew 25:14-30). Service also demonstrates our gratitude for what God has done for us and our willingness to follow His example of humility and sacrifice (Philippians 2:5-11).
Living in readiness for the second coming of Christ is not a burden or a fear, but a joy and a hope. It is not a passive or boring life, but an active and exciting one. It is not a selfish or worldly life, but a selfless and heavenly one. Let us, therefore, live in readiness for the second coming of Christ every day until He comes again!
Benefits of Living in Holiness
Living in holiness is not an option for Christians who are waiting for the second coming of Christ. It is a requirement and a privilege. The Bible tells us that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure (1 John 3:2-3). Therefore, we should strive to be holy as he is holy and not conform to the patterns of this world.
The second coming of Christ will be a day of judgment and destruction for the ungodly, but a day of salvation and glory for the righteous. The Apostle Peter urges us to look forward to that day and to make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him (2 Peter 3:10-14). He also warns us that the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Therefore, we need to be alert and sober-minded, resisting him and standing firm in our faith.
We are also reminded that without holiness, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). Holiness is not something that we can achieve through our efforts or merits. It is a gift of God's grace that he works in us by his Spirit.
However, we need to cooperate with his grace and submit to His will. We need to purify and sanctify ourselves from sin and worldly influences by repenting of our sins, confessing them to God and one another, seeking forgiveness and restoration, and holding ourselves accountable to God and to other believers.
We also need to renew our minds with the Word of God, meditate on his promises, worship him in spirit and truth, pray without ceasing, and obey His commands. These are some of the practical ways that we can live in holiness and prepare ourselves for the second coming of Christ.
What a wonderful hope we have as Christians! We can look forward to the day when Jesus will return in glory and power and bring us into His eternal kingdom. There, we will experience the fullness of His love and grace and enjoy His presence forever. No more pain, no more sorrow, no more sin, no more death.
He will wipe away every tear from our eyes and fill our hearts with joy and peace. We can trust His promises, for He is faithful and true. He has prepared a place for us and will come to take us there. Let us rejoice in this blessed hope and live each day in anticipation of His glorious appearance.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Ig0rZh
