No story about Jesus would be complete without mentioning His return to this world. We have already mentioned that at the time His birth was announced to Mary, the angel said, “And the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:32 & 33. The fulfillment of this promise has not yet taken place, but it certainly will take place. The Savior will return to earth as King of kings to reign forever.
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples for forty days. During this time He taught them and prepared them for the work they would do after He went back to heaven. That work was to preach the gospel to the entire world.
At the end of the forty days, Jesus took His disciples to the Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem. From there He was taken up into heaven. We read, “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said: ‘you men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven.’” Acts 1:9-11.
When is He going to return? We do not know. We do know that His coming will end this Age of Grace, when everyone who wants to can turn to Jesus and believe on Him. When He returns, God’s gracious invitation to all men to be saved will be withdrawn. Listen to God’s Word, “When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9.
If, on the other hand, we receive Jesus as our Savior, we can look forward to His coming with joy. His coming will be our “glorious hope.” Titus 2:13. The Bible says, “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16 & 17.
You, my dear reader, must choose. When He comes, will you meet Him as your judge or your Savior? Will His coming mean “eternal destruction” or “forever with the Lord” to you? The choice is yours!
John E. Capron – Guest Blogger
I am Mark Phelps, the second son of the late Fred W. Phelps Sr. of Topeka, Kansas. After years of learning, and a prolonged journey of healing, I have decided to describe my life experiences growing up with Fred, and my journey of healing. I have learned that truth is very healing and freeing, and for those who have experienced abuse yourself, I hope my journey of healing may be helpful to you.
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