The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
Preparing For The Lord’s Return
Accept Christ Now
Jesus died so that man could be saved, and He has been raised to life. He now calls everyone to repent and believe in Him. “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son” (John 3:16-18).
The door of grace is now wide open. As we draw close to the coming of the Lord, enter the door of salvation while there is still a chance. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
He is the only one who can save you from the coming judgment. Your choice to accept Him now will mean eternal blessings when He comes again.
Obey the True Gospel
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast our demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Open confession of Christ alone will not get us into the gates of heaven. We must obey the words of our Lord and the gospel preached by the church, the body of Christ. Only in the church that God has established may we find the gospel of salvation. “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:2-3).
When Christ comes, He will take the church as His bride (Revelation 19:7). Those who have obeyed the true gospel of salvation and who abide daily by God’s word through faith will be saved. They will participate in the final and greatest wedding banquet.
Watch and Pray
Since we do not know when our Master will return, we need to be spiritually watchful at all times (Matthew 24:42; Luke 12:37).
“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighted down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on your unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34-36).
Devotion to daily prayer also helps us examine our ways and enables us to be spiritually strong. It is essential to constantly live a life pleasing to the Lord and wait soberly for the Lord’s coming. “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:12-14).
Be Faithful in Service
“Who then is a faithful servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods” (Matthew 24:45-47).
We need to be diligent and persistent as we serve the spiritual needs of others through preaching, encouragement, and intercession. By regularly meeting with fellow believers, we can “stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). When our master comes, He will require from us what each of us has received and reward us for our labour (Matthew 25:14-30). Therefore, we must put our time, possessions, and talents to use for the Lord’s work. Let us always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because we know that our labour in him is not in vain.
Love One Another
“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:7-9).
Love will be a standard of divine judgment on the last day. In the parable of Jesus, it was those who showed deeds of kindness and concern that received eternal life. So let us learn to give to the needy and pray for the spiritually weak. In addition to helping others, we need to be patient with one another, because love is patient, and loves endures all things. “Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:9).
It would surely please the Lord if we forgive others just as He forgave us. True love bears the burden of another and “covers a multitude of sins.”
“I Am Coming Soon”
Our Lord Jesus has warned us of the signs that will precede His coming, such as wars, famine, earthquakes. increase of crimes, religious persecutions, and rejection and confusion of the true faith. We can clearly see these signs occurring now, and with increasing intensity.
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12).
The Judge is standing at the door. Are You Ready? Are you responding to His call to repentance? Do not wait until it is too late. Enter the gate to eternal life while you may. It is our prayer that you believe and obey the true gospel of salvation today and that you will joyfully welcome the Lord when He comes.