by Michael A. Asher
The day is coming; even so, it is near. The most anticipated and prayed-for event in all human history is closer than it has ever been. Let us clearly hear the Word of God on this subject:
“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen” (Revelation 1:7, NIV).
Our instruction from God is to BE READY! While we cannot know the day or the hour, we can discern the conditions of the world spoken of in the Bible prior to the return of the King, Jesus Christ. God has forewarned us through prophecy of the future circumstances and events that will take place. The enemies of God will be vindictively tasked to mislead and deceive as many as they can from the truth.
The apostle Paul urges us to “do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:11, 12, NIV).
Do not be deceived! The day of the Lord nears. Stand firm in your faith until the end. Jesus told us there was only one way to be ready for his return and for all eternity. He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6, NIV).
Near the conclusion of his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus urged us to “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13, 14, NIV).
Many scoffers question the Bible predictions about Christ’s return, casting doubt about the prophecies and misleading people from the truth. As disciples of Jesus, we are to trust in God’s plan and his timing, rather than our own.
One of his closest disciples, Simon Peter, writes, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:9-13, NIV).
He Is Coming for His Bride
Not only is Jesus planning to bring justice to our world in the FINAL VICTORY, but he invites us to the most joyous celebration of all time! Our lead pastor at Christ’s Church, Brad Wilson, shared last Sunday, “The book of Revelation is not a book meant to confuse the church; it is meant to encourage the church. It tells us how history ends so we can live with confidence now!” If you missed Brad’s teaching last Sunday, you can check it out here.
The apostle John writes about the vision he saw, while exiled on the island of Patmos:
“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”
(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)
Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’ At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus’” (Revelation 19:6-10, NIV).
Can you imagine how glorious this celebration will be?!? This signifies the beginning of Christ’s kingdom and the triumph of God’s people over the fallen Babylonian empire controlled by the Antichrist and his demons. Picture the moment our Savior, the Bridegroom, arrives to partake in the marriage supper with his bride, the church. This is the moment in time where LOVE CONQUERS ALL! Jesus is the Lamb of God who is worthy to be worshiped for all time.
Conversely, picture yourself left out of this celebration, permanently separated from God in Hell. The choice is before you.
You are either with Jesus or against him. Choose this day whom you will follow.
He Is Coming on a White Horse
The apostle John continues describing his incredible vision:
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:11-16, NIV).
God will fulfill his promises exactly as he said he would. Jesus’ victory over death and sin culminates in his final victory over evil. Those opposed to God will meet their fate when, in their pride and arrogance, they face off with the Lord of all creation. Everyone who rejects Jesus will end up in Hell for eternity.
“Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur” (Revelation 19:19, 20, NIV).
The freedom to choose has been granted to you. God wants all to be saved, but he gives us the free will to declare who we will follow. We must know the difference between believing in God and making him Lord over our life.
The most important decision you will ever make lies before you. Will you choose Jesus, or choose not to follow him? Live every single day of your life as if this is the day the Lord will return! The end of the Book tells us several things that we can be confident will take place:
- Jesus Christ is coming back to claim his victory!
- Satan and his army will lose.
- Our job is to get ready for the feast, bringing as many people with us as we can.
Michael A. Asher is a financial controller who has nourished a lifelong love of the Bible by sharing God’s Word through creative writing. His first book, Choosing to Follow Jesus on This Journey Called Life, was recently released. You can find it here.