Look Up!
“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, LOOK UP and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:25-28 (Emphasis added) NKJV.
In just a little while here in New Zealand it will be Easter. It’s the time when we remember why Jesus came to the earth the first time; for redemption. It’s a wonderful time of year and great opportunities abound to tell others of the reason for the season.
Churches all around the world will be running special services, putting on crusades and youth camps, and running outreaches of all description. Many who usually don’t go to church will at least be considering it — so let’s be asking the Lord who we can invite to an Easter service.
But as sure as Jesus came to the earth, lived, was crucified, died, buried, then rose again and ascended into heaven, just as sure as that happened, He is coming again! Jesus came the first time to redeem us from our sins. He will come the second time, this time to redeem us from the earth.
In Luke 21:25, our text for this Brief Word, Jesus gives the Disciples an answer to their question as to when would these things happen.
Here’s some of the signs Jesus mentioned.
- there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars
- and on the earth distress of nations
- with perplexity
- the sea and the waves roaring
- men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth
We are certainly seeing those things on the earth in our day.
The single most certainty in Bible prophecy is the second coming of Jesus. In fact, the second coming including the Rapture is mentioned 329 times in the Bible. One teacher says it is the second most frequently mentioned doctrine, (second only to the doctrine of Salvation). The return of Jesus to the earth a second time is mentioned so many times in the Bible that it cannot be denied.
As these signs become more and more intense, and as the world becomes more and more bent on evil and turning away from God and His ways, this truth of the second coming of Jesus will become more and more significant, and will become a source of great hope to believers. There is an increasing desire and passion in the saints for Jesus to come again and take us home.
At Easter time one thing many of us will be doing is celebrating communion. We will be remembering Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection, through taking the emblems of the bread and wine, symbols of Christ’s body given for us and His blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Over the years I have celebrated communion in various places and settings. I often think of the many places and environments people celebrate communion. Some in ornate church buildings with ceremony and celebration. Some under the shelter of a tin roof, with the simplicity of modest surroundings. Others will be sharing the Lord’s Supper in secret, because of the political environment where they live.
Still others — I have to say — will be sharing communion on a beautiful balmy white sandy beach on a tropical island somewhere, gentle zephyr breeze blowing, palm trees gently bending in the breeze…! OK, I dream of being there for communion I really do!
But one thing communion speaks of, is that just as Christ came the first time, He is coming again.
Paul says this. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 NKJV.
We are living post His first coming and pre His second coming. So when we take communion we are declaring to the world and the spiritual realm, the death of Jesus for the redemption of our soul from sin, and the second coming of Jesus for the redemption of our body from the earth. Communion is something we do in between these two events.
So in reality the second coming of Jesus is the culmination of our Salvation. After that, we are forever with Him.
Here’s a big question: Are you and I ready for His second coming? Are you and I eagerly waiting for His coming again?
I can hardly wait! I’m looking forward to that great day. When my Saviour will come with a great shout and with trumpets sounding, and I will be caught up to be with Him forever!
Paul lays out what will happen.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 NKJV.
So in the midst of all the pressures, and evil, and fearmongering going on in the world, let’s remember Jesus is coming back again! That thought, that truth, the words about it, are to bring comfort to us.
This Easter, remember His first coming and the redemption from sin He won for us. Also remember our redemption from this earth He will accomplish for us very soon.
Now when these things begin to happen, LOOK UP and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:28 NKJV.
Image by master1305 on Freepik
