STRATFORD CHURCH OF CHRIST COLUMN
Christians in the first century A.D. lived in daily anticipation of the Lord’s return. In obedience (Mark 16:16) and faithful service to the Lord (Revelation 2:10), they demonstrated that their greatest desire was to be with the Lord in eternity.
No, they did not know when the time would be, but they knew it was a certainty. Jesus had told them, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is” (Mark 13:32, 33).
Though those early Christians wanted to be sure they were ready when the Lord does come, there are many people today who live in an opposite direction. We live in a time when many don’t believe the great truths of the Bible, including the promise of Christ’s return. But such disbelief does not change the Bible’s warning of the return of Jesus Christ for our resurrection and the Day of Judgment (the final two Bible prophecies yet to be fulfilled).
The Bible teaches that the things of this earth will not go on indefinitely. Christ is coming again, not to set foot on this earth, but to summon mankind before His Judgment Throne.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 states, “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
Jesus taught in John 5:28, 29, “For the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”
2 Peter 3:10 and 11 says of that day, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?”
How long has it been since you really thought about the Lord’s second coming? One out of every 30 verses in the New Testament makes reference to His return and the Day of Judgment.
Jesus will return and there will be a Divine Judgment given to every person on that day. Please notice that Revelation 20:12 says this is a sure thing.
“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.”
When Jesus returns, the Scriptures indicate that each of us will stand before the Lord and be judged. 2 Corinthians 5:10 teaches, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
Shortly before his death, the apostle Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7, 8).
Have you obeyed the Lord’s commandments so that you may find Christ’s return filled with joy and eternal happiness? Salvation in Christ Jesus comes when you have been baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:26-29; Romans 6:3, 4; 1 Peter 3:21).
For those who have not prepared themselves in obedience for eternity, Hebrews 10:31 says, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” On that last Day, Jesus will return for the Resurrection and Judgment of all mankind. If you are not prepared for eternity, we are here to help.
