Pastor’s Corner: “Jesus Encore”
Acts 1:11 (NIV) – 11 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.” Revelation 1:7 (AMP) – (Look!) 7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes (nations) of the earth will mourn over Him [realizing their sin and guilt, and anticipating the coming wrath]. So it is to be. Amen.
There is an inscription on the dome of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. which few people know about. It reads, “One far-off divine event towards which the whole creation moves.” A visitor once saw that inscription and asked one of the guides what it means. The guide hesitated for a minute and then replied, “I think it refers to the second coming of Jesus Christ!”
We are officially in the Christmas season! Traditionally Christmas is seen as a time of preparing to celebrate Christ’s birth (Advent – which means coming). But for the first century believers it was a time to focus on Jesus’ Second Advent (Coming). There is a JESUS ENCORE! He is coming back and the whole earth waits in anticipation. Just like a concert where the audience cheers and claps, shouting for a return of the artist, we as believers cheer, clap, shout, worship and praise for the return of our savior Jesus! We are longing for Jesus’ Encore – He is Coming again!
Advent is a season of preparation that reminds us to long for Jesus. Just as the people in darkness waited for the Messiah’s first coming (Matthew 4:16), so now we await His return. We need to keep both of Jesus’ advents (1st and 2nd coming) in mind as we prepare our hearts.
In His first coming, Jesus suffered and died as our Savior. In His second coming, Jesus will return as Judge and reigning King. The season of Advent invites us to look back to the humility of His first coming in order to prepare for the glory of His second coming. The author of Hebrews wrote, “He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28). The Apostle Paul wrote that we are to “…wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own…” (Titus 2:13-14).
In the crazy times we are living many people are asking, “Where is history heading?” The Bible teaches that God controls the clock of destiny. Amid the world’s confusion, God’s omnipotent hand moves, working out His unchanging plan and purpose. Jesus Christ is coming to earth again. It is Christ who is in control, and He will determine the outcome.
One day Jesus is coming back. He will return on the clouds for his church. It will start with the sound of a trumpet and will conclude with those in Christ rising up to meet him in the air. What a glorious day that will be! Life as we know it will change. We will be with Jesus for eternity. What a difference it will make!” It is remarkable, when you stop and get specific about it. Think about how many things we take for granted will suddenly be removed or changed drastically. Let us not become weary and cease cheering, clapping, shouting, worshipping and Praising for the Jesus Encore!
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton