“… denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12, 13).
The Second Advent, known also as the Return of Jesus or Christ’s Return, is based on the Scripture that Jesus promised to return to earth and rule His kingdom forever. The Second Coming should excite and encourage the new convert as well as the oldest saint and produce motivation to minister.
Important to avoid confusion, we should realize that the Second Coming (Advent) is in two phases: 1) the Rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), and 2) the Revelation of Christ coming in glory (Revelation 19:11-21). These two phases are separated by the Tribulation and other important events. The main single difference between the Rapture and the Revelation of Christ is that in the former, Christ comes “for” the Church and meets it in the air, and at the latter event Christ comes “with” His Bride (the Church) and lands on planet earth.
Why study prophecy? Where are we in the prophetic time table? Frankly, the first phase, the Rapture, is imminent. The next event in history! Is the finish line in sight? Consequently, we enthusiastically are “looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:13).
Elwood McQuaid, Executive Director for the Friends of Israel, says, “Many people today want to know if we’re in the last days. There is an easy way to tell. You just need to know what you’re looking for.” Several current trends (not signs) provide insight into how far into the end times we have progressed.
Image Over Substance: decision making based on appearance and polls rather than proven substance.
The Plunge Into Apostasy: 2 Thessalonians 2:3, a “falling away” from the true faith and the Word of God.
Materialistic Madness: recent uncovered corruption, deception and thievery in the world of high finance and the near collapse of their corrupt system (1 Timothy 6:10).
Suppression of Israel: This “suppression” is the conscious international exclusion from consciousness of a thought or feeling. Jihadist fanatics desire to make Israel a mere memory (Zechariah 14:2,3).
We are told in 1 Thessalonians 4:18 to comfort one another with these words. Personally, I believe we are living in the last days, and time as we know it is short. Jesus tells us to be ready for His Return, not to get ready! Are you ready? If not, why not? “Even so, come Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). -- Dr. Henry Lutz is a retired pastor and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter
DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 28; Zech. 5-8; Revelation 19
Great Quote: Faith is the eye by which we look to Jesus. A dim-slighted eye is still an eye. A weeping eye is still an eye. An injured eye is still an eye.""Faith is the hand by which we lay hold of Jesus. A trembling hand is still a hand. A maimed, deformed hand is still a hand. Faith is the tongue by which we taste how good the Lord is. A feverish tongue is still a tongue. Faith is the foot by which we come to Jesus. A lame, slow hurting foot is still a Foot. George Muller
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