He will come again

The month of November brings the church year to a close before Advent prepares our hearts to remember Jesus’ first coming as the suffering servant.  November celebrates his second coming as King of kings and Lord of lords.  We call the Sunday preceding Advent, Christ the King Sunday.  It is the culmination of the grand design and resets our hearts to begin again with the Messiah’s initial foray into our physical world.  He was the Word made flesh dwelling among us and we beheld his glory like as the only begotten Son of the Father (John 1), an infant born in the house of bread Bethlehem (Luke 2).

Upheaval precedes the second coming. Like it was in the days of Noah the scripture warns (Matthew 24:37-38) and as it was in the days of Lot (Luke 17:28-37).  So shall it be when he returns as King of kings and Lord of lords.  So unlike his first advent meek and lowly, no room in the inn, born in a stable, placed in a manger like the other little lambs born for slaughter, perfect little lambs without spot or blemish, he will come in power and majesty.

Lots of scripture paints a vivid picture of what it will look like when he returns.   The church mentioned only in the first three chapters of Revelation are absent.

Parts of the end-time prophecies were fulfilled almost immediately after he ascended into heaven from the presence of his disciples in 33 AD. By 70 AD, Jerusalem was in ruins and the stones of the magnificent temple structure were flung chaotically. Only the western wall remained in silent testimony to the promised return.

The hope of His return was carried within the hearts of believers for years.

The physical sanctuary in Jerusalem became a spiritual edifice built with living stones, Christ Jesus the head of the corner, the chief cornerstone.  The Word became flesh in the hearts and lives of his disciples.

Wherever believers were, the spiritual temple not made with hands (Acts 7:48, Daniel 2:34-35) stood, the spiritual habitation of God himself in the hearts of the spiritual kingdom.  The ambassadors of the kingdom of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) and the priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) of believers were living stones (1 Peter 2:5) giving access to the very presence of God for all mankind.

Strong believers have varying points of view regarding the puzzle pieces coming together in the end times but they agree that during the time of the end Christ will rule and reign for a thousand years. Think of it!  The word of God become flesh will rule throughout the earth!  

Hope fills the hearts of believers today in anticipation of that amazing time.  Those who are prepared will enter in. (Matthew 25:7)  Will our lamps be trimmed and burning with the oil of the Holy Spirit?  Those who are will enter in; those who are not, won’t. Just as God allowed the unbelievers to pass away before entering the promised land. So God waits in hope for all to make the choice as the scripture says in Peter. God is long suffering toward the unbelievers today not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9) but that all should come to repentance.

(Cathy Bayert is pastor of Greybull First Baptist Church.)