When Jesus Comes Again
Scripture Reading — Matthew 24:42-44
“Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come… The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
—Matthew 24:42-44
Several years ago, during the war in the Persian Gulf, a bill-board along a major highway read, “Be ready! Jesus is coming soon!” Many Christians were absolutely convinced that Jesus was about to come back. Time magazine wrote at that time that millions of Americans were preoccupied with the end of the world.
One day while I was driving past that billboard, a teenager riding with me said, “Wouldn’t that be awesome if Jesus came back today?” That comment took me by surprise, coming from a teenager. When I was in high school, I wasn’t so sure that I wanted Jesus to come back right away. I wanted to live life, get out of school, and get married—and Jesus’ second coming would have put an end to all that.
That teenager’s comment raises a question for us all: “Do we want the Lord Jesus to come back soon? Would we think it awesome if he came back today, June 22, 2014? Are we praying for his return?”
Regardless of whether we pray for Jesus’ coming or we expect him to come soon, one thing is sure: he will return. The Bible leaves no doubt that someday the Lord Jesus will come back on the clouds of heaven. And when he does, all who believe in him will live with him forever and ever. Let’s pray for that day!
Lord Jesus, please come back soon to bring about the new heavens and the new earth. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
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