During a conversation with a new acquaintance, after inquiring what kind of work I did, he asked for my thoughts about the Second Coming of Christ. I love it, when that question comes up. “We are filled with hope, as we wait for the glorious return of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13, CEV Christ’s return is our longed for and expected hope, and it motivates passionate followers of Christ daily. “We do know that when Christ returns, we will be like him, because we will see him as he truly is. This hope makes us keep ourselves holy, just as Christ is holy.” 1 John 3:2-3, CEV
Some days, I find myself singing songs about his return. On those summer days when I’ve run and can lay back on the grass and gaze at the clouds while I catch my breath, I imagine his coming as the angels told the disciples following his acension. Each time I preach a funeral I remind those who grieve, that Christ is coming. When I marry a couple, I remind them that Christ is coming. When I dedicate a child to the Lord, I remind the parents, Christ is coming!
For me the Biblical Doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ is one of great joy. I hope that it is for you as well. If you take time to study this doctrine along with all the rest of the wonderful truths of the Bible it will be a source of comfort, joy, and encouragement.
If you only study this doctrine then you will lose sight of the whole message of Good News. Some read only prophecy books and look for “hidden keys to His coming” in the Bible. They end up with a distorted view of the Bible and the Second Coming. Rather than reading the news with a Biblical Worldview they end up looking up for “signs.”
Some people foolishly, in my opinion, make their interpretation of the Second Coming a point of fellowship. I’ve so many godly and good friends who have a different view of the Second Coming than I do. But we agree, Christ is risen and Christ is coming again! That truth draws us together in the best of friendship and a common commitment to the Great Commission and Great Commandment.
I’ve ignored the recent predictions of Harold Camping’s end of the world Judgment Day for May 21. He has done this before. Many others have done so before him and there will be more, who suppose they know more than our Savior said he knew about that day. See Mark 13:32.
Perhaps because Mr. Camping’s May prediction is almost here, large billboards dotting the roadside, an NPR story, newspaper articles pointing to those who have quit jobs, passed out tracts saying that it will happen May 21, I want to plead for reason and sensibleness among my fellow believers. Perhaps it is because a couple of people in our community have asked me if I am concerned about his prediction. In reality, I think that it is the testimony of Christ and His Church is being focused upon by our neighbors and the media. I’ve seen this before, more than once. It is always the same. Sadly many lost people seem to be responding with more sanity than those followers of Mr. Camping. I don’t question Mr. Camping’s followers sincerity, it is their failure to read all the Bible.
This is not a reason to stockpile groceries, survival supplies or build a bomb shelter! If you want to lay aside extra groceries and additional supplies for an emergency that is wise. But for goodness sake not out of fear because Christ might come tomorrow.
I plan on May 21 to do exactly what I did today, read my Bible, pray, love my family, visit the sick, share the Gospel and whatever else is necessary for my day to be fruitful for the Lord. I’m living with an expectation that He could come like a thief in the night, but planning to leave an inheritance and legacy for my children and the church I pastor to fulfill God’s purposes in their generation.
The Second Coming of Christ should inspire, humble and cause us to bend our knee in praise and worship. Our Lord cometh! We don’t know when but we do know how! “Everyone will see him.” Revelation 1:7, NLT, AND “In the future you will see the Son of Man, seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:64, NLT, AND “As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” Acts 1:11, NLT
- Do you believe Christ is coming again?
- Are you living in expectation of his return?
- Does the doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ give you comfort, hope and motivation?
- Do you understand it?
I’d like to hear your thoughts on the subject.
Maranatha! (O Lord Come!)
Peace and Joy!
Coram Deo 
My answer to all four questions is YES ! I am looking forward to His return with great expectation, no fear, just joy.
Many years ago, as a very young rookie Pastor, I had the priviledge of hearing Dr. James Brown preach a message entitled “The Greatest Single Threat to the Survival of the Church”. I will never forget that message and its effect upon my life and my preaching. Likewise I will never forget the style in which he preached it. He had the whole room of preachers “hooked” until the moment when he was ready to reveal the “threat”. It was: ” the loss of the doctrine of the soon and eminent return of Christ”.
Oft’ times I am asked if I believe the Anti-Christ is alive on the Earth today. I always reply, “I couldn’t care less… Don’t know… Don’t care. What I do care about is: Is the last person to be saved before the Rapture alive on the Earth today?” And the answer is, “Absolutely!!!” Let’s find that last person and get on with the Rature. Let’s find that LAST person… Let’s finish this dispensation of Grace!!!
I am today greatly blessed by your post concerning the joy… the blessed hope… the soon return of Jesus. We should never forget the common greeting of those in the early church: “Maranatha!”
Thank you, brother. You have blessed me.
KC
I absolutely believe that Christ will return one day and as a Christian I look forward to it. However, I also grieve for those who do not know Christ on that day. If Christ were to come back on May 21st, what would be the fate of our neighbors, friends and family who have not yet accepted Him? Have I, as a believer, done all I can do to share the hope of Christ with them? While I do not believe we will know the time of His return, it should fill us all with a sense of urgency that it could be May 21st, 2012, or tomorrow.
In answer to your question Do I believe in the second coming of Christ, the answer is YES! And I look forward to it. Not that I have done anything to deserve going home with Him, but I do believe in His Grace! My personal life has been filled with one horrid event after another, but also filled with joy. I believe He set me in the valley many, many times so that I would enjoy the mountain top all the more. I hope that I am living my life as a example to all those that I influence, family, friends, business associates. I want them to say “I’ll have want she’s having”. Most days I feel I am ready for His return. Be it in the next hour or next year. I know through Him I have a lot of work to do yet, as another writer shared, many I know do not know our Savior. Thank you for your thoughts Pastor Dennis.