return
02 - 04/25 /10:46
“He will send His angels and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”
— Matthew chapter 24
A few days prior to being crucified, Jesus promised His disciples He would return … on clouds … with angels … in glory and power. Interestingly, Jesus said He didn’t know the date of His return. Only the Father knows.
I’ve always been fascinated by Bible prophecy. As a teenager, every summer I’d pray Jesus would return before school began. Today I’m approaching retirement. The apostle Peter wrote the Lord is not slow keeping His promise to return. “Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Jesus told a parable warning His return would seem a long time coming. Life goes on, material people become spiritually drowsy. True believers, however, watch for His return. Others will cease anticipating it. Still others will conclude its all just a myth. Unbelievers will assume the world will go on and on until humanity self-destructs or fades away.
The Bible is adamant. Jesus shall return with glory and great power. Humanism shall be overthrown. Equally clear is the Bible’s claim that Jesus’ return shall be sudden, global, and cataclysmic for materialists. But for those who claim Jesus as Lord, His return shall be the greatest day.
Six primary apocalyptic concepts arise from Bible prophecy.
Abomination that causes desolation. Some sort of desecration of the Jerusalem temple that Jesus said would precede its destruction. That temple was destroyed by Rome in 70ad.
Rapture. Christ-followers, both living and resurrected dead, shall be caught up from the earth and gathered to Jesus.
Great tribulation. Several years of severe suffering on earth, beginning with a wide-spread breakdown of civilization and concluding with God’s wrathful judgment upon humans who reject Christ’s salvation.
Jesus’ return as earth’s rightful King, leading the armies of heaven. Jesus and His angels will be joined by all who identify Jesus as Lord.
Millenial reign. A thousand year reign of Christ on earth. Satan is bound, evil suppressed, humanity flourishes. That idyllic age ends with Satan’s temporary release to initiate a human rebellion against Christ’s rule.
Great resurrection. At the end of the age every human who ever lived shall be resurrected and gathered before Jesus’ throne for judgement—some to eternal punishment, believers to eternal life.
Over the centuries Christians have debated the particulars of the end of the age. Bible prophecy seems imprecise, yet it is clear. Jesus shall return with glory. He shall establish the kingdom of heaven on earth. Via the mysterious power of the Cross everyone from everywhere can join God’s kingdom. One need only repent and believe in Christ. ~
Blessings,
Dan Nygaard