He’s Coming Back

How long has it been since Christ’s ascension into Heaven? 2000 years? A little more?

A year is a long time, but 2000? That’s a really long time. Or is it?

Many many generations ago Jesus said to His disciples, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me¹.

He knew they would get worried about what He had just told them, that He was going to a place where they couldn’t follow Him to at the time. Peter knew a bit of what He was talking about, and offered to die on His behalf. But Jesus knew He hadn’t grasped the full weight of His statement. He knew the other disciples who were silent were very concerned about what would happen after He left; what would become of them and all the promises He had made to them about life and His kingdom.

So He told them, “There is more than enough room in My Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am².”

Apparently this was not enough for Thomas and Philip so they pressed further, seeking respite to their confusion. Christ’s answer isn’t enough for many people too who have waited for His Promised reappearing for ‘so long’. The whole Earth has collectively waited for these 2000+ years, and it looks like He’s not coming back.

First, God holds the record for unbroken promises: all. Not a single broken promise, ever. Everything He promised has been fulfilled accurately or is being fulfilled. So why won’t we continue to trust Him concerning the future?

He explicitly stated that we trust in God and trust in Him, and take our minds off the worries that come with extended waiting. He had and has no reason to lie to us; He cannot even lie, He is the truth.

Look at what He said concerning the world just before He returns, and look around you:

“You will hear of wars and threats of wars… Nation will go to war against nation… famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world... Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are My followers…  many will turn away from Me and betray and hate each other… many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people… Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.³”

Many have lost faith, and many more will. But when He returns, will He find faith in you?

No matter how you look at it, today we are closer to His coming than we were yesterday. Keep looking up to Him, keep waiting. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected⁴.

[You] will be blessed if [your] master finds [you] doing this job when He comes⁵.

It’s not enough to sit and wait; you must continue doing your assignment. Keep working for the Lord, because when He comes all eyes will see Him, and His faithful stewards will rise to reign with Him, forever⁶.

¹ Jn 14:1

² Jn 14:2-3

³ Mat 24:6-12

⁴ Mat 24:44

⁵ Mat 24:46

⁶ 1Th 4:16