Category Archives: Future

The Return of Jesus Christ!

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God’s Word, the Bible, clearly says that no man knows the time of the return of Jesus (verses below, linked to their ESV context). Thus it is folly, rebellion and sin to declare a date for the Second Coming of Jesus. I fear the shameful pronouncements of men who set dates will only serve to increase the skepticism of unbelievers, seduce (and later shame) those who are duped, and, discourage many Christians striving to spread the gospel of the Lord Jesus.

But TRUTH will prevail. It is not derailed by mischievous men. THE TRUTH: Jesus will return. The Bible clearly says (for all to read, without secret formulas), that the same Jesus who once walked this earth will return here, as King and Lord of all. And every knee will bow to Him.

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only…. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. — Jesus, in Matthew 24:36, 44

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. — Acts 1:7

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. — 1 Thess. 4:16

…so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. — Hebrews 9:28

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. — Titus 2:11-14

While on this day, May 21st, I shake my head in sadness, my heart is steadfast in the truth. And I long for Jesus to return, end the folly and sin — and then make all things new! If you are a true Christian, one who loves Jesus and His Word, then you too must long for that day, though we know not its date.

~ pdb

Christians as sojourners on earth…

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Fellow believer, this world is not our home. The psalmist declares, “I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!” (Ps. 119:19). Puritan Thomas Manton’s sermon on this text lists several reasons for this “strangers on earth” mindset by Christians. Let me summarize them for you…

(1) They are born elsewhere — born from above, by the Spirit of God! 1st John 5:4a says, For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And 2nd Peter 1:4 says, …he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. Heaven, not the USA, is our native country.

(2) Their inheritance lies in heaven. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” declares Eph. 1:3. The best that our heavenly Father has for His spiritual children is held for us there, not here. In somewhat coarse language Manton tells us why, “Here God will show his bounty to all his children; it is a common inn, where sons and bastards are entertained; a place of trial, not of recompense, God’s footstool, not His throne (Isa. 66:1).”

(3) All our spiritual kindred are there in heaven. Manton writes, “There is our Father, it is His house… and there is our elder brother [Christ].” And, there are our spiritual brothers and sisters who have gone on ahead. See Col. 3:1; Matt. 8:11.

(4) There they abide the longest. All the time we spend here on earth is “but a night” compared to the time we will spend there in heaven. This place is not our final resting place (Micah 2:10); rather — like saints of old — we seek a continuing city, a heavenly city (Heb. 11:16). See also James 4:14.

There is more to say, but this should suffice for us to hold fast the title of pilgrim and press on to our true home — where, because of Jesus Christ, our Father will welcome us as His own! ” Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” (Heb 11:16b).

pdb