The return of Christ
The Bible: revelation chap. 1, verse 7
By far the most powerful event facing humanity is the return of the Lord Jesus. There are a number of statements and references to this event in the Bible. The return of Jesus is linked to the resurrection of the righteous, that is, of all those who believed in the only true God and followed his commandments to the end. This is accompanied by the great world judgment on all people who have refused throughout their lives to be converted from their sins and to be reconciled with their Creator in order to be saved.
The return of the Lord Jesus marks the transition from the present age to the age to come and from the perishable to the imperishable life. It is the culmination of human history marked by war and death and at the same time the new beginning in the future paradise under the rule of God.
Jesus Christ says:
The Bible: Matthew chap. 24, verses 36-39
However, the Bible gives us clues by which we can recognize that the Lord's return is imminent: These include, among other things, events such as wars, plagues, famines and other catastrophes, which - similar to the contractions of a pregnant woman - increase over time will occur at ever shorter intervals and with ever greater intensity. While in times past such events were localized, they will eventually encompass the entire world. At the same time, the persecution of Christians will increase worldwide. This so-called “great tribulation,” which immediately precedes the return of Jesus, will be limited to a few years. This will be followed by the new age in which all the redeemed will live in peace and prosperity forever and ever.
Furthermore, in connection with the events of the last days, the Bible speaks of a person referred to as the “Antichrist.” He will rule over the entire world and use his power to fight the truth and all those who believe in God with all his might. The Antichrist will seduce many so that the majority of humanity will voluntarily follow him and worship him. Many churches will also join his anti-God agenda and thus fall away from the true God and His commandments. We can already see how the moral decline in society, especially in western industrialized countries, is continuing to progress. This situation will continue to worsen until the end. But despite his great power, the Antichrist will only rule for a short time until Jesus defeats and destroys him when he comes.
Jesus Christ says:
The Bible: Matthew chap. 24, verses 23-28
Jesus warned his disciples about people who pretend to be saviors and thereby lead many people astray. In fact, to this day there have been people claiming to be the savior of humanity or even Jesus himself. In doing so, they succeeded in winning over quite a few followers and getting them to willingly follow their false and pernicious teachings. These include people such as the Dalai Lama (see Buddhism), Haile Selassie (see Rastafari movement) and many others. While some deliberately dissemble to deceive people, there are also those who seem convinced that they are who they think they are. The reasons for this are different. Jesus pointed out that these so-called Christs would even perform great signs and wonders to impress people. But despite all attempts by people to copy the true Son of God, there are two crucial aspects that no one can fake or fake:
1.
Jesus lives forever because God raised him to immortal life. A normal person, on the other hand, is neither able to prevent his natural death nor can anyone credibly stage his own resurrection from the dead.
2.
Jesus will return from heaven with power and glory and an innumerable host of angels. This unique event, which no human being can replicate, will not be missed by anyone in the world.
The Bible thus gives us a sure clue as to how we will recognize the true Jesus. This is intended to protect us from allowing ourselves to be credulously seduced by self-proclaimed savior figures.
The Bible: 2nd Peter chap. 3, verses 8-10
One of the reasons why many people doubt the promise of Jesus' return is the long period of over 2,000 years since biblical prophecy. It is true that people in every era of history expected Jesus to return in their lifetime. This hope was and is justified, since the return of Jesus is undoubtedly certain. At the same time, however, the Bible points out that we humans have a fundamentally different sense of time than God. While our life on earth is determined by time, God exists independent of time. Therefore, what seems so long and endless to us is nothing more than a moment to God.
we die, then our eternal fate is decided once and for all; regardless of the question of when Jesus will return. Another reason that explains the long time it takes for the promise to be fulfilled is that God is patient with us because He wants as many people as possible to be saved. This fact shows us how much God loves us and how great his grace is.
Jesus Christ says:
"Therefore be you also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes."
The bible: Matthew chap. 24, verse 44
Jesus calls all people to be ready. So our task is not to speculate about the date of the Second Coming, but rather to strive to live a godly life on earth and to focus our attention on winning people to Jesus and eternal life. This also includes separating oneself from one's sins and everything that displeases God and using one's time in life in the interests of God. In this context, every person is called upon to seriously examine whether he or she is at peace with God.
Anyone who is connected to Jesus and lives in harmony with God's will can know that they are prepared for the day of the return and can look forward to the encounter with their Lord with confidence and joy. Jesus will raise those who have already died before his return from the dead and bring them to himself along with those who are still alive when he appears.
"He which testifies these things sais, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
The Bible: revelation chap. 22, verse 20