(Condensed from Words in Season)
Intro: Authority of the Scripture:
As is the case in dealing with Biblical matters, if we want to have authority for what we believe and teach we must look for a “thus says the Lord.” We must not rely on tradition, opinions, church history and the like as a basis for believing in the Word of God.
We read in Psalm 119:89 “Your eternal Word stands firm in Heaven.” (NLT) It must be our aim to be like the “Bereans” in Acts 17 who were commended because “they searched the Scriptures…” So, what is the authority we have in God’s Word that Jesus is coming again?
Should Christians be looking for the return of the Lord Jesus? Can we know when He will return for His Church? The answer to the first question is a resounding yes. On the second question posed, the Bible says we cannot know the time He will return. There have always been those in the history of the Church who have tried to pinpoint the time of the Lord’s return. Those who have done so have brought reproach and ridicule upon the Lord’s Church by their actions.
In light of the fact that we cannot know the timing, what should be our attitude be in regard to the fact that He is coming again as He promised? The Bible is full of many promises of the return of Jesus for His own.
We have the testimony of Jesus Himself, the testimony of the holy angels, and the testimony of the writers of the Epistles to validate this promise; He is coming again! Just one verse and one instance of testimony should and would be enough for a faithful Christian, but the fact that there are numerous accounts in the New Testament of this hope, reality, and promise should reinforce our faith in the Word of God.
Part I: How Do We Know Jesus is Coming Again?
The Testimony of the Lord Jesus
We have the testimony of the Lord Jesus Himself in John 14:1-4. In telling the Disciples of His upcoming death, He gave them the promise that He would come back for them.
The Testimony of the Holy Angels
At the Ascension we have the comforting words of the holy angels. In Acts 1:11 they give the Eleven these great and comforting words: “why do you gaze up into the sky? This SAME Jesus who you see go up into Heaven will return in like manner.” This passage, along with the one in John and others in the New Testament tell us that Jesus will keep His word and come back for us personally.
Part II: How Do We Know Jesus Is Coming Again?
The Testimony of the writers of the Epistles.
All throughout the Epistles we have the teaching that Jesus is coming again. In I Thessalonians 1:10 the Christians at Thessalonica, and we today, are told to “wait for His Son from Heaven.” In I Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul assures us that “the Lord Himself” will come back for us. We have the same admonition in Titus 2:13. We must be looking for the return of the Blessed Hope.
But while we are admonished to be a people who are always on the alert and looking for His coming, we must also be a people who are active in His service. We must be waiting and watching every day, but also we must be a people, who because we are saved, are working for the Lord in His Kingdom. We must be thankful to have been called out of a kingdom of darkness into the marvelous light of the Gospel. (Col. 1:13-14)
Since we are now in the light of the Gospel, we must be seeking to help the lost find their way into the light of the Gospel. We must also be found seeking to strengthen the saved.
Keep looking up! Jesus may come today! This attitude must translate into greater service. It must motivate us to love the lost more and concentrate our labors in that behalf.
These passage have established the authority that Jesus is coming back! Do we know when? No, we do not. But we know that according to Romans 13:11 “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than we first believed.”
Larry Miles is Co-Editor of www.wordandwork.org and preaches monthly at Mackville, KY Church of Christ.