- Jesus will soon return
from heaven

The Bible records how Jesus was taken into heaven after his resurrection but it also explains that he will return to take control of the earth. The disciples who witnessed his ascension were given a promise:

And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as [Jesus] went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
(Acts 1 v 10-11)

This promise should not have been news to his disciples because Jesus had already explained it to his followers during his life. Matthew recounted Jesus saying this:

For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
(Matthew 16 v 27)

At another time, Jesus told his disciples that his return was going to be a surprise for many people, even though there would be signs that it was imminent. Luke recorded these words of Jesus:

And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
(Luke 21 v 25-27)

The promise that Jesus would return features in many of the Apostle Paul’s letters. When he wrote to the church in Thessalonica, he repeatedly returns to this topic. In one place, he gave his readers this encouragement:

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God...
(1Thessalonians 4 v 16)

It’s important to note that Jesus explained that his return would not be in secret but would be evident to the whole world. He said this:

For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
(Matthew 24 v 27)

The return of Jesus to earth will be a momentous occasion that will totally disrupt human activity for good. We can pray with words from the Bible’s penultimate verse: “Even so come, Lord Jesus.”

[All Bible references are from the New King James Version unless stated otherwise]

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