Look Up!
“…turn back to God from idols,to be slaving for the living and true God, and to be waiting for His Son out of the heavens, Whom He rouses from among the dead, Jesus, our Rescuer out of the coming indignation.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)
Believers have been waiting for Jesus to return for about 2,000 years. It is not surprising then that we wonder if He will really come from time to time. Before Peter died, he warned that in the “last days” there would be those doubting that Jesus would return.
“…knowing this first, that in the last days scoffers will be coming with scoffing, going according to their own desires and saying, Where is the promise of His presence? For since the fathers were put to repose, all is continuing thus from the beginning of creation." (2 Peter 3:3-4)
The fact that there are more "scoffers" in the Church than ever before is actually a sign of the "last days". Regardless of when, the Scripture is clear that Jesus will return.
“...and as they were looking intently into heaven at His going, lo! two men stand beside them in white attire, who say also, "Men! Galileans! Why do you stand, looking into heaven? This Jesus Who is being taken up from you into heaven shall come thus, in the manner in which you gaze at Him going into heaven."(Acts 1:10-11)
2,000 years is a long time to wait but it is clear that He is coming. The wait will then be over and there will be no more scoffers.
Believers have been waiting for Jesus to return for about 2,000 years. It is not surprising then that we wonder if He will really come from time to time. Before Peter died, he warned that in the “last days” there would be those doubting that Jesus would return.
“…knowing this first, that in the last days scoffers will be coming with scoffing, going according to their own desires and saying, Where is the promise of His presence? For since the fathers were put to repose, all is continuing thus from the beginning of creation." (2 Peter 3:3-4)
The fact that there are more "scoffers" in the Church than ever before is actually a sign of the "last days". Regardless of when, the Scripture is clear that Jesus will return.
“...and as they were looking intently into heaven at His going, lo! two men stand beside them in white attire, who say also, "Men! Galileans! Why do you stand, looking into heaven? This Jesus Who is being taken up from you into heaven shall come thus, in the manner in which you gaze at Him going into heaven."(Acts 1:10-11)
2,000 years is a long time to wait but it is clear that He is coming. The wait will then be over and there will be no more scoffers.
But when?
The generation which sees "the fig tree" sprout.
"Now from the fig tree learn a parable: Whenever its bough may already be becoming tender, and the leaves sprouting out, you know that summer is near. Thus you, also, whenever you may be perceiving all these things, know that He is near-at the doors. Verily, I am saying to you that by no means may this generation be passing by till all these things should be occurring. Heaven and earth shall be passing by, yet My words may by no means be passing by." (Matthew 24:32-35)
It is true that no one knew the day or hour of His return 2000 years ago, not even Jesus.
"Now from the fig tree learn a parable: Whenever its bough may already be becoming tender, and the leaves sprouting out, you know that summer is near. Thus you, also, whenever you may be perceiving all these things, know that He is near-at the doors. Verily, I am saying to you that by no means may this generation be passing by till all these things should be occurring. Heaven and earth shall be passing by, yet My words may by no means be passing by." (Matthew 24:32-35)
It is true that no one knew the day or hour of His return 2000 years ago, not even Jesus.
“…concerning that day and hour no one is aware, neither the messengers of the heavens, nor the Son; except the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)
But certainly, Jesus knows now, and Paul says those watching will know when the time comes.
“…the day of the Lord is as a thief in the night -- thus is it coming!… now you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day may be overtaking you as a thief, for you are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of the darkness…be watching and be sober…” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-6, 9)
Again, that there are scoffers now is a sign of His coming. To these scoffers He will return like "a thief” – but not to those of us who “watch” - we will know.
“And there shall be signs in the sun and the moon and the constellations, and on the earth pressure of nations in perplexity, at the resounding of the sea and the shaking, at the chilling of men from fear and apprehensiveness of that which is coming on the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. And then they shall be seeing the Son of Mankind coming in a cloud with power and much glory.Now at the beginning of these occurrences, unbend and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is drawing near." (Luke 21:25-28)
So, I am looking up because I have looked it up. 😇
But certainly, Jesus knows now, and Paul says those watching will know when the time comes.
“…the day of the Lord is as a thief in the night -- thus is it coming!… now you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day may be overtaking you as a thief, for you are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of the darkness…be watching and be sober…” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-6, 9)
Again, that there are scoffers now is a sign of His coming. To these scoffers He will return like "a thief” – but not to those of us who “watch” - we will know.
“And there shall be signs in the sun and the moon and the constellations, and on the earth pressure of nations in perplexity, at the resounding of the sea and the shaking, at the chilling of men from fear and apprehensiveness of that which is coming on the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. And then they shall be seeing the Son of Mankind coming in a cloud with power and much glory.Now at the beginning of these occurrences, unbend and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is drawing near." (Luke 21:25-28)
So, I am looking up because I have looked it up. 😇