For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. (Matthew 16:27)

Three Things True

The Bible is the story of Jesus Christ from Genesis to the Revelation. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John unveil the nature of the Son of God in earthly form. Throughout His ministry, Jesus told His followers He would go to Jerusalem and be betrayed. He would be mocked, spit on, flogged, and then killed. On the third day, Jesus said He would rise again. Jesus was arrested, crucified, and rose on the third day. The work of spreading the gospel of redemption was given to twelve men. After forty days, Jesus ascended to His Father. The apostles carried the message of Jesus Christ until every creature under Heaven had heard the good news. A vital part of the message of Jesus was the belief He arose from the dead and that He was coming back.

It seems the early disciples believed so strongly in the return of Jesus they thought He would return in their lifetime. After two thousand years, He has yet to return, and no one knows when God will send His Son.  Jesus affirmed three things to be true. First, He was coming in the glory of His Father. Second, He would be accompanied by the hosts of angels. Third, all souls will receive the divine judgment of salvation or condemnation upon His return. No man knows the time of the return of Jesus, but there is no doubt that day will come when least expected, like a thief in the night.

Jesus said He was coming back. The angels testified Jesus was returning. Paul and other writers wrote to the first-century disciples encouraging them to continue in the faith with the knowledge that Jesus would return. There is nothing more specific than the second coming of Jesus. Paul described the return of Jesus with a great noise and the instantaneous destruction of Earth and the hosts of heavenly planets and stars. Nothing will be left. All will be burned up in a giant conflagration. Some people believe in a rapture where Jesus returns secretly. The only thing right about that false doctrine is that Jesus is coming back, but there is nothing secret about it. Every eye will see the Lord coming. There will be no one who does not hear the shout of the archangel and the trumpet of God. Rest assured – Jesus is coming back.

When Jesus returns, He does not return alone. He will come in the glory of His Father with His angels. A heavenly host of divine beings will attend Jesus. Angels have always been a vital part of the redemption story. One angel in one night killed 185,000 trained warriors. Angels have cared for God’s people, and when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane praying, an angel appeared to Him from Heaven, strengthening Him. Jesus died on the cross, but He returns with a host of angels. The world rejected the Son of God, and one day the Son of God returns with the authority of Heaven. A carpenter’s son, considered a criminal, was mocked, spit upon, beaten, and crucified, and when Jesus returns, He will be the Son of God as the eternal Judge of all men. He is coming back, but He is not coming back alone.

When Jesus returns, all men will be placed before the judgment bar of God to receive the things done in the body, whether good or evil. Everyone will receive their reward according to his works. Salvation by faith alone will not be a measure. The salvation of the soul will be according to the works of men in the context of their obedience. Judgment will be measured by faith, grace, mercy, and love but also obedience, works, action, and diligence in doing the will of the Father. For most people, the return of Jesus will be a day of dread. There will be no joy, happiness, or excitement when the trump of God sounds. The return of Jesus ends human history and begins eternal terror for those unprepared. Few will be saved. Only a few will be happy to see Jesus. Most men reject the word of God. Jesus will judge all men according to divine truth. Most of humanity will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. The few who are saved will enjoy the blessings of eternal life. Jesus is coming. He is bringing angels. His judgment will be complete. Are you ready for Jesus to come – today?