For a long time, the return of Christ didn’t stir excitement in me. In fact, at one time, it produced dread.
Before I was born again, the idea of Jesus splitting the sky was terrifying. I had been taught the difference between the Great White Throne Judgment and the Judgment Seat of Christ, and I knew the consequences! But after I was saved, why was I still afraid of the Second Coming? I mean, I get why, when I was not born again, the return of Jesus wasn’t good news for me because it meant living through the hell of the Tribulation and then eternal death! And fear should DEFINITELY be a response to the Second Coming for anyone who is still not born again. My friend, today is the day of salvation!
But why, even after I was born again, have there been times when I still wasn’t excited about the Second Coming of Christ?
Well, first, let me say, there IS a legitimate reason to have fear about the return of Christ when someone we love is still not yet born again. And while that fear is valid, it should drive us to pray fervently and be led by the Spirit in all we do so we don’t miss even one opportunity to share the Gospel with them!
But God’s Word reminds us that we, as His children, should have a confident anticipation about His Second Coming!
“And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” (1 John 2:28)
Confidence or shame — those are the only two options. Which one is ours depends entirely on whether we’re truly abiding in Christ. The opposite of shame is anticipation.
Then John says a few verses later: “every man that has this hope in him purifies himself.” (1 John 3:3) Hope and purity move together. If you’re not anticipating His return—like I wasn’t—ask yourself, “Why?” For me, it’s because there were many areas of my life where I was not “abiding in Christ.” In other words, there was something impure in my life. The garbage I was allowing into my mind, the worldly of success I worked to project, my love of money, and stinginess with my time, etc. The Bible reminds us how our lives will be tested when Christ appears:
“every man’s work shall be made manifest… because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” (1 Corinthians 3:13)
Some of our work survives the fire. Some doesn’t. That’s not a salvation issue—it’s a surrender issue. And when we surrender every corner of our lives, we gain “a blessed hope” in the return of Christ. We are “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13) Then, we are not bracing for judgment, we’re looking forward to seeing Jesus face to face!
We will never be excited about the Second Coming of Christ unless we have first appropriated the First Coming of Christ into our lives—genuinely and completely. Did you know that the return of Christ isn’t a fringe topic in the New Testament? In fact, it’s referenced in roughly one out of every twenty-five verses. God clearly wants this constantly on our minds!
So—which are you? Scared or anticipating?
My friend, settle this today. Appropriate the First Coming of Christ by receiving the glorious gift of salvation! Then, each day, surrender every room to Him and purify your life. Surrender produces eternal joy and peace that passes understanding. You can have it now. Praying the following Psalm has produced a seismic shift in my own life as God has faithfully used it to help me surrender all that enemy ground to Him. I promise—God does every area of your life better than you do!
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23-24
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I don’t want to meet You in fear or in shame. Search every area of my life I haven’t surrendered. Thank You for Your gift of salvation, which means I will never suffer eternal death, and I don’t have to ever be afraid. Make me ready. Make me watchful. Keep me diligent to protect every area of my life the enemy wants to steal. Make me more like You, Jesus! Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
