“He Comes Soon!”

October 27, 2008

“This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven.” (Acts 1:11). “Some day soon that great event will take place. How soon? It cannot be far off. Glance down Bible history for a moment. It is significant that God has been in the habit of doing some great thing with reference to salvation, at the turn of 1000 years or of 2000 years. The date of Adam is approximately 4000 B.C. The plan of salvation in which God the Judge was to step down from His judgment throne to take upon Himself the guilt and penalty of human sin in order that He might satisfy His justice, maintain His government, and at the same time open the flood-gates of mercy to lost sinners, was pre-figured in the sacrifices which He instituted when He made coats of skins and clothed Adam and Eve. The initial step in the fulfillment of this plan He took 2000 B.C., when He called Abraham to be the progenitor of the Jewish nation from which would come the Savior who would die and pay for sin. The next step He took in 1000 B.C., when He started the dynasty of David, from which line of kings the Messiah and Savior would come. The next step was taken in A.D. 1, when God, in the Person of His Son came to earth, became incarnate in the human race by virgin birth, and died on Calvary’s Cross, the substitionary atonement for sin. That was His first Advent. The second Advent of the Son of God is predicted in Scripture. All indications point to the fact that the second Advent is near at hand. The Church has been in existence almost 2000 years. It would seem logical that God would repeat His custom of doing something of great importance at or near the turn of these two millenniums.” (Kenneth S. Wuest – Adapted.) Time is running out, God’s clock is winding down. No one knows precisely when the Heavenly shout will be given, the angelic trumpet sounded, and Jesus Christ descends in the clouds to raise the dead, claim His saints, and judge the unbelieving and the evil. But it must be soon. Indeed, our Lord indicated it could be at any moment. First Century apostles and believers took that seriously and attempted always to be on watch. How much closer to His reappearing must we be nearly 2000 years later! When was the last time you or I actually thought about, were on the lookout for, prayed for, or earnestly desired the return of Jesus? If we have to stop and think about it, it has been too long! It should be our daily habit! O Lord Jesus, when are you returning? Will it be today, tomorrow, or soon? “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

- Larry Atkin, Preacher