Jesus Is Coming

Before Jesus came to earth, people looked for a Messiah who would come as a king. Jesus surprised them by coming as a suffering servant. Even so, many recognized Him and received Him as their Lord.

After Jesus completed His ministry on earth, and after He died and rose again, He ascended into heaven. From that day forward, the people who had received Him began to wait. They looked ahead to the time when He would come again as the long-awaited King. Because He said He would.

Various theories have been promoted concerning the day of Jesus Christ's return, but all believers and Biblical scholars agree on two points: one, He is coming again, and two, many will be surprised when it happens.

Paul wrote, the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come. . . . (I Thess. 5:2,3a NIV)

Peter said the event would come, like a thief . . . elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. (II Pet. 3:1b,2b)

Jesus changed the course of history—and those who received Him as Lord believe He will radically change the future as well. During His earthly ministry, He described His return when He told the people that they “will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory . . . Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Mt. 24:30b,35)

Originally published October 14, 1983.
Picture: Lindenwood Park, Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Final Gathering

Much of Old Testament life revolved around feasts. The Hebrew people observed not only Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, but other sacred gatherings as well. There was the Firstfruits or Feast of Weeks, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. All but one—the Day of Atonement—were celebrations. Each has a New Testament application. For example, Jesus is our Passover Lamb.

The culmination of all the celebrations was the Feast of Tabernacles. When the people converged on Jerusalem from all parts of Israel, they lived in makeshift booths for eight days.

In some ways, this amazing event can be compared to our Thanksgiving Day celebrations. It was a feast after the final fall harvest. But Biblical scholars also link this Feast to the Second Coming of Christ—the event that will signal the final gathering of God’s people.

When Jesus spoke about the final gathering, He spoke about those who were called to live with Him eternally. He said, many . . . will try to enter and will not be able to. (Lk. 13:24b NIV) Nevertheless, People will come from easy and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. (v. 29)

Originally published August 30, 1985.
Picture: Como Park Conservatory, St. Paul, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Again and Again

Jesus comes again!—and not only in the future when He returns at the close of the Age. Then He will make a final gathering of His people unto Himself. But He also comes presently—again and again and again—into everyday life. He comes into every situation where He is welcome, and He brings His life with Him.

Many parables tell us to eagerly look for Jesus—to anticipate His coming. If we limit out interpretation of these passages to the Second Coming of Christ we might miss the joy of His entry into our daily lives.

Jesus said, Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. (Lk. 12:35,36 NKJV)

We want to be ready for the second coming of Christ. But we also want to be ready to welcome Him today. If we continually welcome Him into our present lives, we will welcome Him at any point in our future. Look for Jesus. He is coming!

Originally published May 10, 1991.
Picture: Como Park Conservatory, St. Paul, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

The Day of the Lord

Old Testament prophets provided many prophecies about end times, and the disciples could turn to them as a reference. Some referred to the end as the Day of the Lord.

Then and now, the end of the world means different things to different people. Some think of it as a time of hope, others think of it as a time of fear.

The Gospel of Luke records some of Jesus’ words concerning the last days. Jesus let the disciples know it would be a difficult time. He described, Men’s hearts failing them for fear . . . for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (Lk. 21:26 KJV)

There are several schools of thought within the Christian groups today concerning the world’s final events. There are also areas of agreement. Jesus said, Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (v. 33 KJV)

When Paul began his ministry, he wrote about the day of the Lord in his letters. He said to the Corinthians, Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling off an eye, at the last trumpet. (I Cor. 15:51 NIV)

Originally published September 3, 1982.

The End of the Age

Early Christians looked forward to Jesus’ second coming. Although Jesus had not said a great deal about the final events, He didn’t ignore the subject, either. Before His death, when the disciples asked Jesus about the end of the age, He provided a general overview.

Matthew 24 records some of what He said: nation shall rise against nation . . . false prophets shall rise . . . the love of many shall wax cold . . . And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then the end shall come. (v. 7a,11a,12b,14a KJV)

Jesus also said that when the end did come, people would be surprised. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be . . . Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (v. 38-39,42)

Originally published March 6, 1992.
Picture: Commercial landscape, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

The Son of Man

Jesus called Himself the Son of Man. This may seem like an unremarkable title to us but it was laden with implications for Jesus’ audience.

Daniel had used the phrase originally. He saw four beasts (representing four successive world powers) in a dream. Then he saw the Ancient of Days surrounded by worshippers. Later, behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven . . . and there was given to Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages, should serve Him. (Dan. 7:13b,14 KJV)
Imagine the son of a common carpenter from Nazareth using the term in reference to Himself. Shocking! But Jesus said, "as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (Jn. 3:14,15)

Originally published February 26, 1988.
Picture: Patty's Garden, 2008. Photo by Solveig.