Parkstone

ARE WE READY FOR THE RETURN OF CHRIST?

“Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight.” We all know the saying, but it isn’t always true. In our Lord’s time there were similar sayings that were apparently true, yet note his biting words, “Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.” (Matthew 16,3.)

For centuries their Bibles had forecast the greatest of signs, a prophet who would herald the return of the Messiah. It happened and John the Baptist came and boldly proclaimed the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, with a rousing call for the entire nation to repent and to receive him. Multitudes accepted John’s clarion call and gladly went down into the waters of baptism as they saw the need for a change in their way of life.

Great men are often envied and John, outspoken to the end, finished his life beneath the executioner’s sword. Immediately after this the Lord Jesus continued with the same call, “Repent.” It meant that men and women had to have a complete change of mind. They were called to a different way of life, to give loving and dedicated service, as true children of God. There was nothing mournful about such a life. He offered good news, and gave them an astonishing thought, as he said, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” How rarely that happens today. Will you give joy in heaven? Do give an answer now. Tomorrow might be too late.

The established religious leaders were greatly irritated by the success of his teaching, and the Saviour said that he would suffer many things of the elders, chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. (Matthew 16; 21. It was to be a great sign, unparalleled in history. He, the only sinless man, would be taken by jealous hands and handed to Roman soldiers for a horrifying death. Yet, wonder of wonders, he would arise from his grave as a living testimony to the truth of his words, and the power of his Father. He did so. The never forgotten words of chapters 27 and 28 of Mathew’ gospel paint a graphic picture of the events of the day. At his death an earthquake shook the land with such ferocity that even a godless soldier could proclaim, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Reverently his followers placed his body in a new tomb.

Later, as it began to dawn towards the first day of another week the earth heaved again, and the guards quaked in their shoes as the grave stone rolled back. One cannot fail to be thrilled at the account of the sad women going to the tomb, only to meet an angel, who said marvellous words, “Go quickly…. He is risen from the dead.” Their feet sped from that cemetery to tell of the greatest joy, the grave had been conquered! It didn’t stop there. For six weeks the risen Lord remained with his disciples teaching, encouraging, and finally giving a great commission, “You shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” What a task for such a small band!

After giving the privilege the Lord left them. Before their astonished gaze he ascended to glory in heaven, but a great promise was left for them, “ This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will SO COME in like manner as you saw him go.” Glorious tidings like that cannot be hidden. Despite every obstacle the news spread across the Roman Empire, and was so well attested that it reached down through over 2000 years to stir our hearts. Are we ready for his coming?

Now we must ask an urgent question. “”Are we prepared to meet our Lord?” Great events will precede the return of the King to this earth, in order that all sighing and sorrowing will cease, and that men and women may give their hearts willingly to God. Will the Lord welcome us with pleasure or dismiss us? The way we act now will decide his reaction then. Are there guidelines? Most certainly. We need a firm belief that God has spoken to us, and a response that shows that we are God’s children. Without faith it is impossible to please Him, but that faith must be translated into actions. We too have to repent, realise that our sins must be cleansed and a new start made. The Lord showed us the way when he went down into the waters of baptism. We must follow his example, for among his last words on earth was the command to his followers, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. “ (Mathew 28:19.) Have we been baptized? I mean totally put under water as an adult who has reasoned his or her need for God’s grace. There is no other way, for the Saviour had said, “You MUST be born again.” (John 3.3.) We either believe or perish. Baptism brings us to a new birth in Christ, and we enter God’s family. There is no greater privilege. But we cannot stop there for if we have been so honoured we must show that we are Christians. Do we? We make the answer now.

Baptism is not the end but the beginning of a new committed life. Did not Paul say, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”? (Romans 6,23.) It is a present from heaven for those who want to be prepared for the Lord’s coming. We cannot receive it if our life is of unending pleasure, or we join in the immorality of the age, indulge in drugs, or become obsessed with sex. We are shown a finer way, a noble way that leads to a radiant future. The present age parallels that of Noah’s time. God obliterated that with His judgement. He will deal with this crooked generation too. His Son will return as Kings of Kings, to purge this world of its wickedness, and accept those who long for his appearing. Will we be there? We must make an answer now.

How then are we to prepare for our Lord’s return? The Christian tries to the uttermost to be a saint. It means that we put self on one side and come to our Bibles with humble and thankful hearts. We not only read what God has commanded, but we put it into our lives. It will eradicate all self-pity and pride. It will mean that we give more; more love to our parents, children and partners; more effort to our employers, ands more appreciation to our employees. It will not be the debased love of the 21st century, but the enduring love shown throughout the Bible to sinners. We will see the tremendous effort that the Saviour made to present himself faultless before the Father. We will try to dog his footsteps however far we feel we fall short of his ideal. Can we do it? We make the answer now.

It is only when we acknowledge out lawlessness before God that we can accept His offer of salvation. It will bring to us a peace and a quality of life that leads to a new paradise here on the earth. We will see an era of Glory that has never been seen on earth before. All men and women will worship God who made it possible. It doesn’t matter whether we are white, black red or yellow, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3-16.) God is willing to accept us, but will we answer Him? We make the answer now.

Do not let us be prejudiced, or lazy about the great invitation. Our very future depends on our life now. Ask questions and look for answers. What is God like? What is He saying to me? Is there more I have to learn? How do I react to trouble in my life? With a conviction that God has spoken we can build an unshatterable faith. We can have confidence in the future. We can see each day as given us to live to His glory. Our whole life will revolve around Him. He has blessed us, and by grace we will praise him for evermore.

We must turn now. Tomorrow could be too late. Judgement will descend on an unheeding world. You may ask, “Why doesn’t God send His Son now, when there is so much evil in the world? Peter provides the answer, “ The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2Peter 3-9.)God is appealing to you now. We can read His call on page after page of the Bible, the most dynamic book in the world. Consider it prayerfully, then respond with your whole being, and go out and share your bounty with others. We can see the challenge, so let us surrender our will to God. Let Him speak to you. Let Christ live in you. Believe, repent, be baptised and let your whole life be converted to Him. There is no finer way. Do not let us sit on the fence of indecision, but show the humility of the man who called out, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief. (Mark, 9,24)

God grant that you and I will be ready, for Christ will return.