Post by foxjj on Feb 10, 2023 7:31:06 GMT
The Return Of Jesus Christ.
One of the tenet’s of the Christian faith is the teaching concerning the return of Jesus Christ: "According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."(1 Thessalonians 4:15-18)
As a Christian believer awaiting the return of Jesus, I should be asking myself if I am living my life in expectation of the imminent return of my Savior who will take me to my Heavenly home. We do not know the day, or the hour when Jesus will appear in all His glory, nonetheless, His return was foretold when the angels spoke to the apostles as they watched Him ascend to The Father: "They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:10-11)
How can I know that I am ready for Jesus return is a relevant question. I found John 3:3 to be an important starting point: "Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." What does this mean? Jesus is categorically stating that we require a spiritual rebirth in order to belong to God’s Kingdom because, as children of Adam we have inherited a sinful nature. Therefore, if I desire to be part of The Kingdom of God, my sinful nature needs to be redeemed. In Roman times a slave could have his freedom if somebody paid for his redemption, that person became his redeemer. Jesus became our Redeemer when He died on the cross, His sacrifice been the price of our redemption from sin.
How then can I know if I am born again and have been redeemed? Whilst reading the letters of Paul came across these verse’s: "if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." (Romans 10: 9-11)
If you are not sure in your heart that you are saved - redeemed - may I suggest this prayer? Heavenly Father I know that I am a sinner, and I ask you to forgive me. I humbly ask not because I deserve it, but because I now believe that Jesus paid the price for my sins on the cross, redeeming and cleansing me in your sight. I thank you Lord Jesus for showing me your love, and I now accept you as my Lord and Savior.
If you have said a heartfelt prayer accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord, John 14:1-3 becomes the reason that you also will be looking for His return: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” This promise is for all who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Redeemer. When we leave this life as believers - be it in death - or at the second coming, Jesus will be taking us home. Consequently, we who are looking for the return of our Savior say with John: "Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:20.)
Today, let us give thanks for God’s promises.
John Joseph Fox.
One of the tenet’s of the Christian faith is the teaching concerning the return of Jesus Christ: "According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."(1 Thessalonians 4:15-18)
As a Christian believer awaiting the return of Jesus, I should be asking myself if I am living my life in expectation of the imminent return of my Savior who will take me to my Heavenly home. We do not know the day, or the hour when Jesus will appear in all His glory, nonetheless, His return was foretold when the angels spoke to the apostles as they watched Him ascend to The Father: "They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:10-11)
How can I know that I am ready for Jesus return is a relevant question. I found John 3:3 to be an important starting point: "Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." What does this mean? Jesus is categorically stating that we require a spiritual rebirth in order to belong to God’s Kingdom because, as children of Adam we have inherited a sinful nature. Therefore, if I desire to be part of The Kingdom of God, my sinful nature needs to be redeemed. In Roman times a slave could have his freedom if somebody paid for his redemption, that person became his redeemer. Jesus became our Redeemer when He died on the cross, His sacrifice been the price of our redemption from sin.
How then can I know if I am born again and have been redeemed? Whilst reading the letters of Paul came across these verse’s: "if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." (Romans 10: 9-11)
If you are not sure in your heart that you are saved - redeemed - may I suggest this prayer? Heavenly Father I know that I am a sinner, and I ask you to forgive me. I humbly ask not because I deserve it, but because I now believe that Jesus paid the price for my sins on the cross, redeeming and cleansing me in your sight. I thank you Lord Jesus for showing me your love, and I now accept you as my Lord and Savior.
If you have said a heartfelt prayer accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord, John 14:1-3 becomes the reason that you also will be looking for His return: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” This promise is for all who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Redeemer. When we leave this life as believers - be it in death - or at the second coming, Jesus will be taking us home. Consequently, we who are looking for the return of our Savior say with John: "Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:20.)
Today, let us give thanks for God’s promises.
John Joseph Fox.
