“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” – Matthew 16:27
The Promise of His Return
As we reflect on the return of Jesus Christ, we find great assurance in the promise made by our Lord. This promise encourages us to hold onto our faith and live our lives in expectation. Jesus assured us that He would return, and we should take comfort in knowing that His word is true. His return is not only a future event but a guarantee that brings hope to our hearts and guides our actions today.
John 14:3
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” – John 14:3
Acts 1:11
“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 1:11
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
“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.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Revelation 22:12
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” – Revelation 22:12
Matthew 24:30
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” – Matthew 24:30
Living in Expectation
As believers, we are encouraged to live in anticipation of Christ’s return. This expectation shapes our lives and our decisions. When we grasp the reality that Jesus could return at any moment, we are motivated to live righteously and love others. It is an invitation to be prepared and to reflect Christ’s love in our daily actions while we wait joyfully for His glorious coming.
1 Peter 3:9
“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.” – 1 Peter 3:9
Titus 2:13
“While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” – Titus 2:13
James 5:7
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains.” – James 5:7
Matthew 24:44
“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” – Matthew 24:44
Philippians 3:20
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 3:20
The Signs of His Coming
The Bible gives us various signs that herald the return of Jesus. These signs are meant to prepare our hearts and minds, encouraging us to remain vigilant in our faith. We can observe these signs in our surroundings, helping us understand the times we are in. By being aware, we can deepen our commitment to Christ and encourage others to seek Him as we look forward to His return.
Matthew 24:6-7
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” – Matthew 24:6-7
Luke 21:25-26
“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” – Luke 21:25-26
2 Timothy 3:1
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.” – 2 Timothy 3:1
Matthew 24:12-13
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” – Matthew 24:12-13
Revelation 3:11
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” – Revelation 3:11
The Impact of His Return on Believers
When Jesus returns, it will have a profound impact on us as believers. We will experience joy, reward, and ultimate fulfillment. This moment will signify the end of our struggles and the beginning of our eternal life with Him. Knowing this encourages us to share the good news with others and live with hope, making the reality of Christ’s return a central part of our daily lives.
Romans 8:18
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18
Colossians 3:4
“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” – Colossians 3:4
2 Corinthians 5:1
“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” – 2 Corinthians 5:1
Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21:4
1 John 3:2
“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.” – 1 John 3:2
The Call for Righteous Living
In light of Christ’s return, we are called to live lives of righteousness. Our behavior and choices matter, as they reflect our faith and readiness for His coming. We should be mindful of our actions and seek to align ourselves with God’s will. This pursuit of holiness is a way to honor God and a testimony to those around us, demonstrating the impact of Christ in our lives.
1 John 2:28
“And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” – 1 John 2:28
Matthew 5:14
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” – Matthew 5:14
Ephesians 5:15-16
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:15-16
2 Peter 3:11-12
“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.” – 2 Peter 3:11-12
Matthew 24:46
“It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.” – Matthew 24:46
Comfort in His Return
Finally, the return of Jesus Christ offers us profound comfort. In times of trouble and uncertainty, we hold onto the hope that He will come again. It reassures us of His love and the ultimate victory we have through Him. Let us encourage one another with this hope and remember that we are never alone in our struggles, for our Savior is coming back for us.
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Matthew 28:20
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20
Final Thoughts
As we consider the return of Jesus Christ, we should feel a sense of hope and excitement. Jesus’ promise to return assures us that He is always with us, caring for our hearts. We have been called to live in expectation, aware of the signs around us that lead us towards His coming. This expectation encourages us to live righteously, shining our light in a world that needs His love.
Let us encourage one another, sharing the joy that comes from knowing that Jesus will return to wipe away our tears and take us home. We can trust that this moment will lead us to an eternal life full of peace and hope. In our everyday lives, let’s reflect His grace and love, preparing ourselves and those around us for that glorious day.
As we await His return, consider exploring other topics related to our faith, such as the coming of Jesus Christ or the final judgement. Each of these topics enriches our understanding and strengthens our hope.