The Return of Jesus?

My plans this weekend are fishing at Honey Moon Island with some gal pals on Saturday morning [yes women can catch fish] and on Sunday I am going to a shower for my friend Amanda who will be getting married in June. Sunday evening, I am planning on attending church. But I heard judgment is on May 21st which would disrupt any plans, mine and everyone else. There are those who believe Jesus is returning on the 21st.

Frankly, I don't believe Jesus is returning this Saturday, and I am not here to debate those who do. I believe it is most likely that I will be worshipping with my LifeBridge Church family on Sunday evening. But I could not pass up the opportunity to comment on the return of our LORD and KING Jesus who will return one day. Jesus in Acts 1, we read, said:

"'It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority (that is the specific years or dates which some in all ages try to predict of the Second Coming of Christ). But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'"


Jesus IS coming back.
When?
I don't know.

And though no one knows when - two things for sure: First, He is returning. And secondly, even if He tarries, anyone reading this blog will be dead within the next 50-60 years anyway, "Therefore...be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure...."

Until He returns, He has given His followers a mission: to be His witnesses. He has even given us the title of ambassadors and as such we proclaim His gospel message.

The Gospel..the Good News:

Jesus created you (John 1:1-4). He is Creator, King..owns it all.
The Bible tells us that all things are created by Him and for Him and for His good pleasure (Col. 1:16-17; Phil. 2).

BUT all of man has rebelled against God choosing instead to live life as our own ruler (Romans 3:23) with tragic results - "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23)

➢ WAGES - that is earned
➢ DEATH in the Bible is not only physical death, but separation from God.

THE GOOD NEWS - the GOSPEL (the message we get the privilege to proclaim as followers of Christ) - THOUGH THE JUST DUE WAGES OF OUR SIN IS SEPARATION FROM A HOLY GOD, “... THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE…through our LORD JESUS CHRIST!

God became a Man -- the unique God Man of the world - Jesus (Phil. 2:5-11)
JESUS – the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” [worthy sacrifice], the Lion of Judah [the rightful Ruler] (Col. 1:15-20; 1 Peter 3:18; Revelation; Hebrews; Romans; 2 Cor. 5:21)
JESUS – who made atonement [paid ransom for His subjects]
JESUS - in so doing conquered death, was raised, and now is seated on His throne ruling His subjects in the heavenlies.
JESUS – has reestablished in His subjects His kingdom.

Those who have put their faith in Him – (and only able to do so by His grace) - now live out “life” as a witness for our King until His return [2 Cor. 5:17; 1 Peter 1:3; Romans; 1 Cor. 15]

And how then shall we live? Read Col. 2:1-15...

....and so while fishing, going to wedding showers, attending church but do so as His ambassadors, on mission, seeking the lost - always.

Matthew 28:18–20: "And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Thank you LORD JESUS that you made it possible, by your death and on our behalf and in our place, to be reconciled to God, and to know and enjoy you forever.