COME, LORD JESUS!

COME, LORD JESUS!

Wanda Ritter

Today, most of us find a guarantee is a very important part of the way we live.  It helps us decide what we buy, what we eat, what we wear and what helps us function in today’s world.  However, many guarantees are subject to change and most are definitely limited. Some items state they have a lifetime guarantee, but who is going to cash in on that?  However, if a company goes out of business, their guarantee is useless.  Also, most guarantees are conditional.

There is one and only one guarantee that a person can really depend on and that guarantee is for eternity! No one else can make that statement.  Not only that, but it can be proven many times over.  This guarantee comes from the throne of God.  In keeping with these times, (end times) it would be well to check on the guarantee spoken of in the Bible.

Can we really depend on the Word of God for guidance and direction in our life today?  Eph. 4:30 says that “we are sealed for the day of redemption”.  That means we (the believers) are guaranteed to be redeemed at the last day.  In HebrewsS 7:22, it says, “Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.” Also, in I Thess. 4:17, the bible states, “After that, we who are still alive and are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Will God follow through with this guarantee?  Rom. 4:16 puts it this way, “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring..” (of whom we are, by being grafted into the tree.  (Rom. 11:19)

First, we need to accept the Word of God as TRUTH.  If we have ever doubted our salvation, which at times most people do, we must remember, salvation is by faith. However, there is a way to check the Bible for its accuracy. This can be done by looking at Bible prophecy.

Jesus’ coming to earth was prophesied many times in the Old Testament.

            A.        The place of birth - Micah. 5:2 - to be born in Bethlehem

                        Matthew. 2:1 - It came to pass

            B.         The time of birth - Daniel. 9:25   - the Anointed One comes

                         Luke. 2:1-2  - It came to pass

            C.        The mother  -  Isaiah. 7:14   - Born of a virgin

                        Matthew. 1:18 - Itt came to pass

            D.        His death   -  Ps. 22:16 - Hands & feet pierced

                        John. 20:27 -It  came to pass

            E.         His resurrection - Ps. 16:10 - Not abandoned to the grave

                        Matthew. 28:9  It came to pass

These are just a few of more than thirty-eight prophecies in the Old Testament concerning Jesus from his birth through his ministry, death, resurrection and ascension.  Every single one of these prophecies has been fulfilled.  The odds of that happening are greater than we can even count - something like 1 in a nonillionth. The Bible indeed has proven itself to be the true and living word of God.

If all these prophecies in the Old Testament have come to pass, even though the odds would be a uncountable times greater than winning the Lotto, we can be assured that when the bible says,  “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31), it is true.  Therefore, it makes sense that we should believe the prophecies concerning the return of Jesus.

In one book of the New Testament, every chapter mentions the return of Christ.  I Thessalonians 1:10 (NIV) “and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.”

Chapter 2:19  “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?”

Chapter 3:13  “May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”

Chapter 4:16-17  “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.

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Chapter 5:23  “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Acts 1:10-11  “They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? 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.”

One resurrection morning, almost 2000 years ago, a tomb was found empty.  The place where Christ’s dead body lay held only wrappings - the burial cloths. He was then seen alive by many people after that - the disciples, Mary Magdalene and others.  It was prophesied and because all the other prophecies came to pass, I believe it happened. Jesus himself told the disciples he would be killed and after three days, rise again (Mark 8:31). 

There is coming another resurrection morning, when graves will be opened and those who have trusted in Christ will rise first, and after that we who are still alive will be caught up in the clouds and meet the Lord in the air.  What a resurrection morning that will be for those who believe in the cleansing and saving power of the cross.

It is the time of year that spring has arrived!  You may not think it looks or feels like spring, but that doesn’t take away from the truth, it has indeed arrived.  This following poem, I wrote many years ago, may help explain this.

                                                                     The Lost Cloud

I saw a cloud go flittering by.

 It passed a kite that was learning to fly.

One side was gray and the other was white,

The air was cold, but the sun was bright.

 Much indecision caused it great pain:

Whether to snow, or whether to rain.

 I thought it such a funny thing,

 A cloud being lost between winter and spring.

Suddenly, one day, spring will burst forth in all its splendor.  Flowers will bloom, leaves will unfurl, the warmth of the sun will embrace us.  Even the smell of the damp earth will tell us spring is in its fullness. What a glorious panorama comes forth from the sleepy winter.

Yet, the glory of spring which promises hope to come, dims in comparison with the return of our Lord.  Can we be sure?  Yes, as sure as knowing spring will follow Winter.  As sure as knowing the trees will shake their branches and awaken after a long winter’s sleep.

As sure as the frozen streams will once again run and gurgle in their boundaries.  As sure as the red-winged blackbird will return to the bog to nest.  As sure as the crickets will fill the night air with their chirping.  As sure as the lilacs bloom in springtime.

We can be assured that our Lord is who he says and does what he says he will do. “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”   (Isa. 58:11)  He also says he will always  be there for us, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”   (Heb. 13:5) 

We can say with total assurance, “COME,  LORD JESUS!”