The Second Coming of Jesus
Until now, we have looked at old testament prophecy and the fulfillment in the new testament. Today we will look at unfulfilled prophecies spoken in the new testament, the prophecy of the second coming of Jesus. There are so many different ways to approach these scriptures, so I chose to look at what we need to do to be ready for the return of Jesus.
When you think of the second coming, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Please share your thoughts below. I love interacting with you.
I know when I have led Bible studies on this subject, I have seen two distinct reactions. For some, it brings excitement. Especially after a year like 2020, more of us might be a little more eager for His return. For others, it often brings forth a sense of tension or dread due to what is prophesied to come along with the second coming, but I don’t want to focus on that in this post. I want to look specifically at the prophecy of Jesus’ return and what we need to do to be ready.
How does scripture encourage us to be ready for the second coming?
Below I have listed a few scriptures that tell us how to prepare for Jesus’ return. I give you the scripture reference and a modification of the verses that give us direction. I encourage you to read each scripture at length.
- Matthew 24:42-44 – We are to keep watch because we do not know the day or hour of His return. Matthew warns us to be ready at all times.
- Mark 13:33-37 – Be on guard and be alert! Again, because we do not know the timing of His return.
- Luke 12:35-40 – Be Ready at all times.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 – We are in Christ, so we must be alert and self-controlled.
- Revelation 16:15 – Be ready because He will come like a thief in the night.
- Philippians 3:20 – We are to await His return eagerly.
Be Ready
There is a common theme among these scriptures, BE READY. Let’s look at a few more scriptures that tell us what it means to be ready.
- Romans 13:11-12 – It is time for us to wake up from our slumber. The time is near. “Put aside the deeds of darkness, and put on the armor of light.”
- 1 Peter 1:13-15 – Do not conform to evil desires but be holy in all you do.
- 2 Peter 3:11-14 – Live holy and godly lives. Be spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him.
- 1 John 2:28 – Remain in Him, so when He appears, you will be confident and unashamed before Him.
I think the following scripture sums it up best. I have included the NIV version and below it the paraphrase from The Voice for easier understanding.
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
~Titus 2:11-14 NIV
“We have cause to celebrate because the grace of God has appeared, offering the gift of salvation to all people. Grace arrives with its own instruction: run away from anything that leads us away from God; abandon the lusts and passions of this world; live life now in this age with awareness and self-control, doing the right thing and keeping yourselves holy. Watch for His return; expect the blessed hope we all will share when our great God and Savior, Jesus the Anointed, appears again. He gave His body for our sakes and will not only break us free from the chains of wickedness, but He will also prepare a community uncorrupted by the world that He would call His own—people who are passionate about doing the right thing.”
~Titus 2:11-14 The Voice
Wake Up!
The first scripture in this series convicts me the most. Wake Up! I believe the majority of the church in the west has fallen asleep. It is easy to be latent when we are comfortable. I know I am guilty of this. In countries where persecution and unrest exist, the church is growing exponentially. I am afraid we are heading in this direction if we are not careful, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to have to go through extensive trials and persecution to be effective for Jesus. So what does it look like to wake up?
Be On Fire
Think back to when you first met Jesus, an amazing church service, or when you just got back from a retreat. What was the feeling you felt? You were probably on a spiritual high, and all you wanted to do was share your experience with everyone. Well, we need a little of that in our day-to-day lives. That eagerness drives us to share the joy we have in Jesus with others. I once heard an atheist say, “How much do you have to hate me not to share salvation with me? If you believe you have the answer to eternal life, why would you not share it?”
Be Set Apart
The following scriptures tell us to live holy, self-controlled lives that honor God and refrain from activities we know are wrong. We are to set ourselves apart. Not to act better than others, or that you are more important than someone else, but if we say we are different because we have Jesus, we need to act like it.
Make others desire to have what you have.
Have Joy
If you are always down and melancholy, why would someone want to have what you have? Let others see the joy of Christ in you so they will want it.
Be Spotless And Blameless
I know we are not Jesus and will never lead a perfect life, but we can make every effort to do so. Have you ever had “that gut feeling” that tries to stop us from doing something? Listen to it. Let your actions show others who you belong to.
Be At Peace With Him
This shows that whatever may be happening in our lives, we will have the peace that surpasses all understanding. Life is hard, but God is always the same. Having peace in times of struggle speaks volumes to those that are watching.
Stand Firm
As I write, I keep thinking about the church mentioned at the beginning of Revelation that was neither hot nor cold. They were just comfortably in the middle. In this place of comfort, they were not effective in any way. When I think of standing firm, I think of not wavering from Jesus. Not letting the world tell me who I should be, but standing firm in who I know God designed me to be. I also think of being fearless. Not being afraid of what others will think of me if I share Jesus with them.
Live A Life Set Apart
If we are public with our faith, others are watching. They are seeking something and need to see that you have something better. When I went to the middle east and spoke with people who followed Jesus, what I heard repeatedly was they had watched the Christians and wanted what they had.
Like the scripture 1 John 2:28 says, are you prepared to stand before Jesus and unashamed? I know I have work to do.
Challenge
I think you already know what the challenge for this week. Read 1 John 2:28 for yourself. Ask God to show you where you need to make adjustments in your life to be prepared to stand before Him. I know we will never be blameless and in a perfect position to stand before Him, but I know without a doubt we can live a life doing our best to serve Him, and that will be a life pleasing to Him.
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