For many years, preachers, teachers, theologians, and churchgoers alike have all proclaimed that the coming of Jesus is very soon. “Get your house in order;” “your redemption draweth nigh;” and “the end of the world is near” are just some of the phrases that have been echoed in churches, on street corners, and in revival meetings. Despite these passionate pleas for vigilance, we have been desensitized to the urgency of Christ’s coming. Our current “postmodern” society, and perception of Christ’s delay in redeeming His people from this earth contribute to our lack of readiness.1
The Bible’s book of Revelation, however, makes it very clear that Jesus is coming–“Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him!”2 Notice in this encouraging promise the word “shall.” “Shall” doesn’t suggest speculation, supposition, or conjecture, but rather, definite promise, guarantee, and surety. Jesus is coming!
Revelation not only assures us that Jesus is coming, but it also confirms for us that He’s coming real soon! Jesus says in Revelation 22:20, “Surely I come quickly.”3 This statement of Jesus regarding the imminence of His coming is a reiteration of what He said in Matthew 24 when He described that state of the world just before His coming.
And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?’ And Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.’4
Many of the aforementioned occurrences have either transpired or are transpiring. Deception, calamity, strife, natural disasters, and false prophets are rampant in our world. Globally, the climate of war is also escalating by the minute. And while we may experience daily tests and trials, there is still hope! Jesus is coming and He’s coming soon!
Revelation closes by telling us that Jesus wants to spend eternity with His people, and is coming for those who love and obey Him.5 Persons who do not love or obey Him would be unhappy to live infinitely with Him and reside in the Holy City.6 Yet, Jesus desires for everyone, regardless of background or past, to accept Him as their personal Savior. He wants you, me, and all of humanity to live with Him eternally. He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”7
Praise God for the following promises: 1) Jesus is coming; 2) His coming is soon; and 3) He wants us to be ready when He comes enabling us to live with Him forever!
With these words, may our collective prayer be, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”8
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CARLTON P. BYRD, D.MIN., is Senior Pastor of the Oakwood University Church in Huntsville, Alabama and the speaker and director for Breath of Life Television Ministries.
*All scriptural texts are taken from the King James Version unless otherwise indicated.
1 Revelation 7:1-3
2 Revelation 1:7
3 Revelation 22:20
4 Matthew 24:3-13
5 John 14:15; Revelation 22:12, 14.
6 Revelation 22:15.
7 2 Peter 3:9
8 Revelation 22:20.
This article is part of our 2018 September/October Issue
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