“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
We are given a beautiful promise within our faith that Jesus will return one day. This promise serves as a beacon of hope and assurance that we are never alone. As followers of Christ, we trust in His Word that tells us of His coming back to restore, redeem, and rule. This promise strengthens us in times of difficulty and inspires us to live faithfully, knowing that our Savior has not forgotten us. We can eagerly anticipate His return, as it is a fulfillment of His faithfulness and love for us.
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
Revelation 1:7
“Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.” – Revelation 1:7
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
Preparing Our Hearts
In anticipation of Jesus’ return, we are called to prepare our hearts. This is a time for us to reflect on our lives, to repent if necessary, and to realign our focus on the teachings of Jesus. Living with the understanding that Jesus will return gives us a sense of urgency in sharing His love and grace with others. It motivates us to cultivate our relationship with Him daily, making sure we are ready to welcome Him when He comes. Let us seize every moment to grow closer to God and to serve those around us.
1 Peter 3:15
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” – 1 Peter 3:15
Matthew 25:13
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” – Matthew 25:13
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
James 5:8
“You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” – James 5:8
Luke 21:36
“Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” – Luke 21:36
Signs of His Coming
In Scripture, we are presented with signs that will precede the return of Jesus. Understanding these signs helps us to recognize the time we are living in and encourages us not to be unaware. Instead of inciting fear, these signs can inspire hope as we realize that God’s plan is unfolding before our eyes. We are equipped to look for these indicators as a reminder to stay faithful and be ready at all times for when our Savior returns to take us home.
Matthew 24:6
“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.” – Matthew 24:6
Matthew 24:8
“All these are the beginning of birth pains.” – Matthew 24:8
Matthew 24:14
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” – Matthew 24:14
Luke 21:25
“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.” – Luke 21:25
2 Timothy 3:1
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” – 2 Timothy 3:1
Living in Expectation
We are encouraged to live with a sense of expectation regarding Jesus’ return. This expectation is more than just waiting; it’s about actively participating in our faith and living out our callings. As we wait for His second coming, we should embody Christ’s love and grace in all we do. This perspective transforms our daily lives and pushes us to be more compassionate, forgiving, and generous. Living in expectation reminds us that our earthly actions have eternal implications and that we will answer for how we lived our lives for Him.
Philippians 3:20
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 3:20
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
Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
Hebrews 9:28
“So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” – Hebrews 9:28
1 Thessalonians 5:6
“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:6
Joyful Anticipation
As we proclaim our faith in Christ, we can look forward to His return with joyful anticipation. This is not a time of dread but of celebration as we hold on to the truth that His coming will bring salvation, restoration, and hope. We can live with excitement knowing that our relationship with Jesus gives us eternal life, and we will be joyfully reunited with Him. This joy fuels our worship and inspires us to share that joy with others as we tell of the hope we have through Jesus.
Psalm 126:3
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” – Psalm 126:3
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
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 Peter 1:8
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” – 1 Peter 1:8
Luke 15:10
“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” – Luke 15:10
The Hope of Eternal Life
Jesus’ return gives us the ultimate hope of eternal life. This hope is the cornerstone of our faith, reminding us that we have a place in Heaven, free from pain and sorrow. Knowing that Jesus makes it possible for us to live forever gives us strength to endure life’s challenges and trials. With every passing day, we grow closer to that eternal promise. That hope keeps our hearts warm and facilitates our mission to share the good news with those around us. Let us embrace this incredible promise and share it with joy!
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Isaiah 25:9
“In that day they will say, ‘Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.'” – Isaiah 25:9
John 5:28-29
“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” – John 5:28-29
Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23
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
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the promise of Jesus’ return, we find encouragement and hope in our faith. We are reminded that He will come again to gather us, restoring our hearts and our world. While we wait, we should prepare ourselves and live with expectation, sharing the love of Christ with others. The signs of His coming help us remain vigilant while we live joyfully, anticipating the fulfillment of God’s perfect plan. Embracing the hope of eternal life motivates us to walk closely with Jesus, delighting in the assurance that we are His forever.
Let us continue to seek our relationship with our Savior, while also loving our neighbors. Some topics you might want to further explore can be found in this collection. You can deepen your understanding of freedom in Christ at freedom in Jesus or visit Bible Repository for even more insights.