Hope (Part 7 of 0)

Hope In Jesus – Part 8

“This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

Return of Jesus to the Earth Hope is void without Jesus’ return.

Some people will not realize what happened. Others will notice that people are missing. Some people will watch as people disappear. Cars will crash amid great chaos, as drivers are not found. People on airplanes will suddenly evaporate, leaving only their clothes and jewelry. Everyone in the world will seek for answers while blaming someone, or something. The media will have more questions than answers.

This is the opening scene presented in the popular “Left Behind” series, as their interpretation for what will happen when Jesus returns to the earth. While this book (and movie) gives an entertaining view of what is called the Rapture, the Bible provides instead an accurate description of Jesus’ second coming. The Bible answers some basic questions such as:

  • Why will Jesus return to the earth?
  • When will he return? What will happen when he returns?
  • What signs can we expect before he returns?
  • Where will he return? How will he return?
  • How does this fulfill our Bible hope?

Why will Jesus return to the Earth?

Some people may think that it doesn’t matter if Jesus returns to the earth as long as they are safe in heaven. In an earlier article (May 2015) — “What’s in it for me?” — we learned that the true Christian hope is eternal life on earth (Matt 5:5). The Bible teaches that no man is in heaven today (John 3:13), but instead faithful disciples wait for the day of resurrection and judgment. So, why will Jesus return to the earth? He will return primarily as king to set up his promised kingdom, which will never be destroyed (Dan 2:44). His return will restore the kingdom to Israel, only this time as a perfect theocracy based in Jerusalem (Isa 2:2-4). Jesus will fulfill the promises to Abraham and David, as the savior of the world. He will come to put an end to this dysfunctional world and introduce peace and righteousness.

Jesus will also return to grant immortality to his ‘good and faithful’ servants (Matt 25:21). Jesus himself said, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done” (Rev 22:12). He will judge the living and the resurrected dead at one time, as appointed by God (1 Pet 4:5; 2 Tim 4:1; Acts 10:42). The Bible gives repeated direction that faithful believers will receive their reward when Jesus returns and not before (1 Pet 5:4; Dan 12:2; John 5:25-29). The “day of judgment” is frequently described as a time of both reward and punishment (2 Pet 2:9; 3:7; 1 John 4:17; Matt 10:15).

When will Jesus return?

Some Bible believers, since the time of Christ, have tried to use the Bible as a riddle to solve for the date of Jesus return. In the Old Testament, Daniel was able to use his wisdom and the previous inspired prophecies to determine the year that the Jews would return to Jerusalem from their Babylonian captivity (Dan 9:2). He studied Jeremiah’s prophecy and was rewarded with a visit from the angel Gabriel. The Bible also gives many prophetic numbers, and signs, for “times and seasons” (Dan 9:24-26; Dan 12:11-12; Rev 11:2; Rev 13:5). Jesus taught: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matt 24:36). Read that again. During his ministry, even Jesus didn’t know the date of his return! But, despite this, many have spent their time attempting to determine the date of Jesus’ return,

Jesus told his disciples that not only wouldn’t they know the date of his return, but that he “will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matt 24:44). Jesus wants his followers to be ready for his return every day, and any day. He warned his followers against attempting to determine the exact date. He gave parables about being spiritually awake and alert, but not about dates or times (Luke 12:35-40; Acts 1:7; 1 Thess 5:2-5).

What signs can we expect before Jesus’ return?

Human beings are naturally curious, particularly about the future. Some are concerned about tomorrow’s weather, while others think about the futures markets. Jesus’ followers asked him what signs to expect at the time of his return and he gave a reply in a passage called the Olivet Prophecy, because they were on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem (Matt 24:3). Jesus gave many signs about the “last days” prior to his return including:

  • Many false Christ’s will come and pretend to be Jesus (Matt 24:5, 23-24).
  • There will be many wars, famines and earthquakes (Matt 24:6-7).
  • There will be a time of tribulation for all people, including believers (Matt 24:8-10, 21, 29).
  • Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies (Luke 21:20). This echoes many passages from Old Testament prophets such as Zech 12:1-3; Zech 14:1-4; Joel 3:11-17.
  • There will be literal (or perhaps spiritual) signs in the sun, moon and stars (Matt 24:29).
  • Morality will be like the days of Noah, when evil and violence reigned (Luke 17:26-30).
  • The Jewish people must say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matt 23:39). God’s chosen people must cry out for Messiah and his salvation.

Disciples of Christ are wise to watch for signs in the nation of Israel. Prophecies such as Psalm 83 identify an invasion of Israel by the surrounding nations in the last days. Also, the ancient proclamation, “I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you” (Gen 12:3) still applies today regarding Israel and other nations. But to attempt to use these signs to determine the exact date is pointless and futile.

Where will Jesus return?

The Bible gives one clear answer to what location Jesus will return to on earth: Jerusalem. When Jesus ascended to heaven, an angel specifically told his followers, “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). He ascended from a special point on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, and other scriptures confirm that this is the location of his return. Zechariah gives an incredibly detailed description regarding Jesus’ return: “On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south” (Zech 14:4). This is no surprise, since God called Jerusalem His eternal capital, and scripture is filled with passages emphasizing this chosen city of peace (Isa 24:3; 62:6; Zeph 3:16-20; Zech 8:3; 14:11; Psa 135:21).

How will Jesus return?

Jesus will descend from heaven in the same way that he went to heaven (Acts 1:11). How did he ascend? After his resurrection, human dimensions of time and space have no longer limited Jesus. He entered rooms without going through doors (John 20:19). He could disappear in front of people (Luke 24:31). His appearance seemed to change (Luke 24:31; John 21:4, 12). We have additional descriptions in Mark and Luke that Jesus was visibly elevated from the earth when he ascended to heaven. His followers actually watched him ascend to heaven! This is the same way that the angel told Jesus’ followers how he would return (Acts 1:11). His return to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem will be a visible event to all peoples.

Jesus compared his return to lightening, which is visible from one end of the sky to another (Matt 24:27). He wanted his disciples to know how obvious his return would be, so that they would not be fooled or deceived. “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it” (Matt 24:26). Jesus has not returned invisibly and he hasn’t returned secretly as another person. He is seated at his Father’s side until the time is right, by God’s providence, to return to earth and set up his promised kingdom (Matt 26:64; 2 Thess 1:7, 10; Rev 1:7).

How does this fulfill our Bible hope?

The Bible hope involves immortality, promises, love, peace, kindness, joy and so much more. But the foundation for our hope lies on the foundation of Jesus Christ. If Jesus had not been resurrected, then there would be no Christian hope today. “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” (1Cor 15:17-19). If Jesus doesn’t return from heaven in the future, as he promised, then Christians have an empty faith. The Bible hope cannot be complete until Jesus returns, because all faithful believers will receive their reward at the same time, together. Even great men of faith such as Abraham, Joseph, Moses and David are dead (asleep) today, waiting for their resurrection and reward. “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (Heb 11:39-40).

Jesus’ return to set up his kingdom fulfills the promises given to Abraham, David and the prophets. He must return to earth in order to set up his kingdom in Jerusalem. He will return in great glory, with all the angels (Matt 25:31). He will return to fulfill many Bible prophecies and resurrect his deceased faithful followers. Jesus will return because God will send His Son to conclude His ultimate plan to fill with His glory the entire earth: “But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD” (Numb 14:21).

“Dream as if you’ll live forever…live as if you’ll die today.” James Dean “When Jesus comes, the shadows depart.” Author unknown

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thess 4:16).

The Bible says:

  • Jesus will return to the earth, visibly in Jerusalem. (Acts 1:6, 10-11; 1 Thess 4:13-17; Matt 24:27-31)
  • Jesus gave many signs that will occur before he returns. (Matt 24:30; Matt 24:5-24; Luke 17:22-30).
  • Jesus must return in order for anyone to receive the reward of immortality. (Heb 11:39-40; 1 Cor 15:51-57; John 5:28-29). Chicago, Ill Ecclesia