JESUS IS COMING AGAIN

JESUS IS COMING AGAIN

“Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,”they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:6-11)

THE BOSS MIGHT COME TODAY

Sir Ernest Shackleton was born February 15, 1874 and died of a heart attack January 5, 1922. He was only 47 years old. Shackleton was a famous explorer who led three different expeditions to the Antarctic. His most famous expedition began as his ship, the Endurance, left British waters August 8, 1914. Here is a brief account of what happened. On January 19, 1915 the Endurance became frozen in an ice floe. On February 14, 1915 Shackleton abandoned any hope of being free from the ice until Spring and turned the Endurance into a winter station. In September the ice began putting dangerous stress on the ship and by October 24th water was pouring in so fast that they abandoned ship and transferred their food and equipment to an ice floe. On November 21, 1915 the Endurance finally sank beneath the surface.

Their ice floe was drifting toward warmer waters with the ocean currents but too slow for survival. So on April 9, 1916 the crew set out in their three life boats. After five harrowing days at sea they arrived at Elephant Island. This was 346 miles from where the Endurance sank and it was the first time these men had been on solid ground in 497 days.

Since Elephant Island was not near any shipping routes Shackleton decided to make a dangerous journey to get help. He chose 5 men and set sail for a South Georgia whaling station. It was 800 miles away. Their tiny boat that was only 20 feet long. They left on April 24, 1916 and battled stormy seas that sank a 500 ton steamer from Buenos Aires. Miraculously, they arrived safely on South Georgia on May 8th. The Chilean navy loaned them a sea going tug named the Yelcho to rescue the 22 men stranded on Elephant Island. The rescue ship arrived on August 30, 1916 and in only a matter of minutes all 22 survivors were safely on board and headed for home. Not one man was lost on this dangerous expedition.

After the excitement of the rescue was over, Shackleton inquired how they were able to board the rescue ship so quickly. The answer was simple: Each morning on Elephant Island, Frank Wild, whom Shackleton had left in charge, issued the call for everyone to “Lash up and stow” their belongings. “The Boss may come today!”

THIS IS THE SAME WAY WE NEED TO BE READY WHEN CHRIST RETURNS!

NO MAN KNOWS THE DAY OR THE HOUR

THAT’S WHY WE NEED TO BE READY EVERY DAY!

Yes! Jesus is coming again, as He promised, but “No one knows about about that day or hour, not even the angels, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36) This is the way God designed it to be! Since we do not know when Jesus is returning, we need to be ready every day for Jesus to return!

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The second coming of Jesus will be like it was in the days of Noah. “For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:38-30)

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The second coming of Jesus will come like a thief in the night. “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:43-44)

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The second coming of Jesus will be like a master going away and leaving a servant in charge of his household. Then “The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.” (Matthew 24:50)

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The second coming of Jesus will be like ten virgins waiting on the bridegroom. The five foolish virgins who were unprepared were locked out. Jesus warned: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matthew 25:13)

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AS WE HAVE SAID, SINCE WE DO NOT KNOW WHEN JESUS IS RETURNING, WE NEED TO BE READY EVERY DAY FOR HIS RETURN!

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Please consider these inspired words of Paul to the Thessalonians. This is generally accepted as Paul’s first inspired letter. It is significant to note that he mentions the second coming of Jesus in every chapter (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:1-11)

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Here is one example: “Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,”destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

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THE ONLY WAY WE WILL NOT BE SURPRISED BY HIS COMING IS IF WE GET READY EVERY DAY!

THIS IS A PURIFYING HOPE

“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3) Nobody wants to be caught in an act of sin when Jesus comes back! The hope of His return is therefore, a purifying hope!

When the Israelites came out of Egypt they began to indulge in sexual immorality with the Moabite women (Numbers 25:1) One Israelite man named Zimri, brought a Midianite woman named Cozbi into his tent right before the eyes of Moses and the whole assembly. That’s when Phinehas followed them into the tent and drove a spear through both of them. This zealous act turned away the anger of God from the Israelites, but not before 24,000 Israelites had died (See Numbers 25:1-18). ZIMRI COULD NOT GET BY WITH COMMITTING FORNICATION, AND NEITHER CAN WE! GOD HIMSELF HAS PROMISED TO PUNISH FORNICATORS THAT ARE NOT FORGIVEN (1 THESSALONIANS 4:3-8). THOSE WHO EXPECT JESUS TO RETURN PURIFY THEMSELVES, EVEN AS JESUS IS PURE!

The law of Moses was put into effect through angels (Acts 7:53). Every violation of that law demanded punishment. The book of Hebrews warns: “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” (Hebrews 2:1-4)

THOSE WHO EXPECT JESUS TO RETURN AT ANY TIME PURIFY THEMSELVES EVEN AS JESUS IS PURE!

The letter written by Jude has only one chapter and 25 verses. In this short letter, however, Jude provides a series of examples of sinners who did not escape the punishment of God! Please prayerfully consider these warnings:

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The unfaithful Israelites who came out of Egypt were destroyed in the wilderness (vs. 5). Of those 20 years old and older, only Caleb and Joshua entered into the Promised Land (Numbers 14:26-30)

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The angels who sinned are bound in chains waiting for judgment (vs. 6). Some feel that Revelation 12:4 indicates that 1/3 of the angels fell from heaven.

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The sinners of Sodom and Gomorrah, who gave themselves to sexual immorality and perversion, were completely destroyed (v. 7). Only Lot and his two daughters escaped (Genesis 19:15-29).

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Cain,

who killed his brother, said that his punishment was more than he could bear (v. 11 and Genesis 4:13). The Scriptures warn us to not be like Cain (1 John 3:11-12).

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In verse 11 we are also warned not to be like Balaam who taught Balak how to trap the Israelites into idolatry and immorality. Balaam was put to death for practicing divination (Joshua 13:22 and Revelation 2:14).

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In verse 11 we are also warned not to be like Korah, whose rebellion caused the earth to swallow 250 of his followers who sinned against God (Numbers 16:35).

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“Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.” (vss. 14-16)

Jesus came the first time as a Lamb, but He is returning as a Lion: “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10)

IF YOU BELIEVE THAT JESUS MIGHT RETURN TODAY IT WILL PROVIDE A STRONG INCENTIVE TO TRY AND BE PURE JUST AS JESUS IS PURE!

GOD IS WATCHING

Remember! “The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)

YES! GOD IS WATCHING YOU AND YOU CANNOT HIDE ANYTHING FROM HIM!

David made this clear in the Psalms: “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” (Psalms 139:1-12)

Jonah thought he could from God by sailing to Tarshish (Jonah 1:3). How foolish! “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)

The “Good News” is that God has provided a “covering” for our sins. David also wrote about this in the Psalms: “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.” (Psalms 32:1-2)

JESUS IS OUR COVERING

When Adam and Eve sinned their eyes were opened and they realized that they were naked. Then they “sewed fig leaves together and made aprons for themselves.” (Genesis 3:7) The Hebrew word translated as “aprons” is “chagowr”. It is found 7 times in the Hebrew Bible. An “apron” of course does not completely cover us!

“Kaphar” is the Hebrew word that describes a complete covering. It is found 104 times in the Hebrew Bible. It is used in Genesis 6:14 to describe how Noah’s ark was completely covered with pitch inside and out to keep it from sinking. Moreover, this word is also used to describe the way Jesus completely covers our sins so that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 4:7; 8:1)

The “covering” of Jesus for our sins is beautifully illustrated by the Day of Atonement. This holy day was celebrated every year on the 10th day of the 7th month in the Jewish calendar. It is the holiest day of the year for the Jew. The Hebrew word translated as “Atonement” is “Kaphar.” As we have said “Kaphar” means to “cover”. Modern Jews call this holy day “Yom Kippur” which means “the day of the covering.”

Perhaps a little background will help us to appreciate how Jesus plays a central role on the Day of Atonement!

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When God banished Adam from the Garden He placed Cherubim with a flaming sword on the east side of the Garden to guard the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:23-24). Cherubim are the very creatures that were placed on top of the ark of the covenant in the Holy of Holies.

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The Holy of Holies was a small room in the Tabernacle and Temple where the High Priest met with God every year on the Day of Atonement!

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Remember! The entrance to the tabernacle was also on the east (Exodus 27:13-19), and so the entrance to the temple (Ezekiel 8:16). When the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies it was like entering the Garden of Eden to contact the Tree of Life.

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Figures of the cherubim were on top of the Ark of the Covenant. They were facing one another with their wings outstretched over the ark.

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God told Moses: “Make an atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends. The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law that I will give you. There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.” (Exodus 25:17-22)

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As you know, the Ten Commandments were in ark and they spelled our doom. Remember! The law was given that every mouth might be stopped and all the world become guilty (Romans 3:19) Remember! “Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking it all.” (James 2:10)

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The cherubim, however, did not see the Law! It was hidden from their sight by a covering of pure gold sprinkled with blood. This “atonement cover” was also known as the “mercy seat”.

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REMEMBER! ABOVE THE COVER AND BETWEEN THE TWO CHERUBIM IS WHERE GOD PROMISED TO MEET WITH HIS PEOPLE!

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GOD, HOWEVER, DOESN’T SEE THE LAW AND OUR SINS, HE ONLY SEES JESUS!

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT EVEN THOUGH CHRISTIANS CONTINUE TO SIN

JESUS CONTINUES TO COVER OUR SINS! THIS IS WHY THERE IS “NO CONDEMNATION” TO THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS!

When we receive Jesus Christ as Lord all of our past sins are forgiven. Because we are “born again” and are “new creations” a dramatic change occurs in our lives. We no longer wallow in sin like a pig wallows in the mud, but like a lamb we occasionally gets dirty. John pointed this out and said: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8- 10).

When we are “born again” we become the children of God. So John continues: “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:1-6)

Greek word translated as “advocate” is “parakletos”. It is used five times in the Scriptures and literally means to be “called to one’s side”. Any time we are in trouble Jesus Christ the righteous is by our side like a “comforter”, “helper” and “lawyer.” Jesus has promised to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

But Jesus is also our “atoning sacrifice.” This is the Greek word “hilasmos” which is only found two times in the Bible. It is used in 1 John 2:2 and 4:10 and both times it means that Jesus covers our sins just like the mercy seat covered the Ark of the Covenant.

AS LONG AS YOU REMAIN IN JESUS, YOUR SINS ARE COVERED AND WHEN JESUS COMES AGAIN YOU WILL HAVE NO CONDEMNATION!

WORDS OF WARNING FROM PETER

2 Peter chapter 2 is very similar to the book of Jude. After mentioned the angels that sinned, those who died in the flood of Noah, those who perished in Sodom and Gomorrah, and Balaam who loved the wages of unrighteousness, Peter warned: “These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.” (2 Peter 2:17)

Those deceived by these sinners are warned: “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to

turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” (2 Peter 2:20-22)

Then Peter specifically warns about the second coming of Jesus: “Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:3-9)

Then Peter reminds them that Jesus will return unexpectedly, like a thief: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” (2 Peter 3:10-14)

TWO WAYS TO SEE JESUS FACE TO FACE

• 1 – The first way to see Jesus face to face is to die. “Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” ( Corinthians 5:6-9) When we die, our bodies return to the dust of the earth, but our spirit returns to God Who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
• - The second way to see Jesus face to face is to be alive when He comes again: “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

PLEASE BE READY FOR HIS GLORIOUS APPEARING!

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11-14)

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon’. Amen. Come Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” (Revelation 22:20-21)