Jesus Christ came to earth the first time more than two thousand years ago. After His death and resurrection He returned to Heaven. The angels said to those who saw Him ascend into Heaven, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven” (Acts 1:11). There are more than three hundred references to Christ’s second coming in the New Testament.

1. Reasons Why Christ Must Come Again

There are at least six reasons why Christ must come again. The first is to fulfill all prophecies (Isaiah 9:6-7). The second reason is that He might triumph over death (1 Corinthians 15:51-55). The third reason is related to the fact that Jesus Christ is to be Lord over all (Philippians 2:9-11). A fourth reason is that Jesus will come to receive His people unto Himself as He has promised (John 14:1-6). Another reason why He must come, is that the holy vengeance of God must be shown. God is a holy God, and cannot tolerate sin (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). A sixth reason why Jesus must come again, is to regather and reign over Israel (Luke 1:32-33).

2. Some of the Signs of Christ’s Coming

Matthew 24 (in the Bible) lists definite signs that Jesus Christ gave, which will precede His coming. There will be wars and rumors of wars. Famines and pestilences will abound. Earthquakes will occur in many and different places. Another definite sign is described this way: “As the days of Noah were, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.” The days of Noah were characterized by extensive eating and drinking and irregularities surrounding the marriage relationship. Daniel 12:4 describes another sign, by saying that in the time of the end, “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (the World Wide Web on the Internet). Our day has seen an increase in travel (supersonic jets and interstate highways), extensive eating and drinking (eating establishments along the highways), irregularities in marriage (increase in divorce and illicit sexual activity), and a concern about famines and pestilences (a population explosion which threatens the food supply).

3. Duties of Christians Until Christ Comes

Some believe that we should run to the mountaintop and wait until the Lord comes. The Bible says we should be patient and wait with courage, for the coming of the Lord is near (James 5:8). The Apostle Peter says that because the end of the world is nearing—be earnest and thoughtful men of prayer—but most important of all, show deep love for each other. We are admonished to be on our guard watching for Christ’s return, and keeping sober, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet, the happy hope of salvation. Our labors should be aimed at pleasing God, so that we may be accepted of Him. Along with the free gift of eternal salvation, comes the understanding that God wants us to turn from godless living and from sinful pleasures—to a good, God-fearing life that is “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing, of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:1115).

All want to go to Heaven at Christ’s appearing, but there is only one way. A person can go to Heaven without health, without wealth, without fame, without a great name—without learning, without culture, without beauty, without friends, without ten thousand other things—but no one will ever go to Heaven without CHRIST. Accept Him now as your Savior, so that you need not come under His condemnation when He is the final judge.

BIBLE HELPS  |  Robert Lehigh, Editor  |  PO Box 391, Hanover, PA 17331 United States of America

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