December 6 - Return

December 6 - Return

Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, Luke 21:25-28

After the distress of all of the persecution, the excitement begins. From the Old Testament, both Mark and Matthew quote Isaiah - the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give light, the stars will fall from the sky, the heavenly bodies (planets) will be shaken. Piece by piece the heavens will implode.

Old Testament apocalyptic literature is filled with these warnings. Jesus uses passages from Ezekiel 32:7 and Joel 2:10 as He speaks to His disciples. When we move to the Revelation, we will see more and more of this type of prophecy occurring, using words of Jesus and text from the Old Testament.

In Luke, we find that the sea is roaring and tossing because of the upheaval in the heavens and that men are terrified because they don't know what is coming in the world. (Luke 21:25-26) All of these things are signs that proclaim the coming of the Son of Man.

All three of the synoptic Gospels tell us that Jesus says the Son of Man will come in a cloud with power and glory. I will keep saying over and over that His return will be very clear to everyone on earth. When He arrives, everyone will see this occurring, everyone will know what is happening. Men will be terrified, even those who know what is happening. But, we will all be fully aware of the power and glory of the Son of Man.

Does it seem odd to you that everyone on earth will mourn His arrival? No. Because when Jesus shows up in the clouds, when we hear that trumpet blaring the news of His arrival, it signifies the end. There are no more chances, there is no more mercy and grace. The end has come, it will be finished.

But, for those who are His elect, the children of God, those who have a relationship with Him, the trumpet call signifies a gathering. From the ends of the earth, all will be gathered, no one will be missed.

Jesus says in Luke 21:28, "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

We are the children of God. We have been adopted into His kingdom. Though we face persecution and trouble, stand and lift up your heads. Our redemption draws near.