The Rest of the Story!

“For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. (Matthew 16:27 NKJV)

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:3 NKJV)

“For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.  (Hebrews 10:37 NKJV)

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10 NKJV)

The Rest of the Story

Paul Harvey used to have an interesting story where he would leave the listener hanging and cut to commercial and then he would come back and tell the rest of the well-researched story. The Lord has done that with the story of his first coming.  The cross is not the end of the story.  The resurrection is not the end of the story.  The ascension back into heaven is not the end of the story.  The end of the story is that He is coming again.  

This Same Jesus

We read that angels said at his ascension, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven (Acts 1:11 NKJV).”  This event seems to be the coming of the Lord in Revelation 19 to set up His kingdom.  I know that there are a lot of disagreements among so-called Biblical scholars as to WHEN things happen at the Lord’s second coming, but there should be no doubt as to the certainty of His second coming.

Even the term “the second coming” has different definitions.  Some think that only refers to Revelation 19.  But I think the second coming involves the rapture of the church, the tribulation period, and the Lord’s coming to set up his 1000 year reign.  All of these events are part of His second coming as I read the Scriptures.  While the Jewish nation only expects His coming to set up His kingdom, we who are saved are glad that He is coming to deliver us from the judgments seen in Revelation 6 through Revelation 19.   

John records a door that was opened in heaven, and he saw the judgments taking place from heaven.  I believe the Apostle John represents the church.  And I don’t believe the church comes with the Lord in Revelation 19.  We read, “And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses (Revelation 19:14 NKJV).”  Because the armies are clothed in fine linen and because at the marriage supper of the Lamb, the bride is clothed in fine linen, it could be argued that the church is part of that army that comes to vanquish the enemies of the Lord.  However, most men would not be taking a new bride with them to war.  In the Old Testament a man who was newly married didn’t go to war for a year.  The believer’s battles are fought here on earth according to Ephesians 6.  When we get to heaven our fight against evil is over.  Thank the Lord!

Thanksgiving

At this time of the year when we set aside a national holiday to give thanks, we who are saved should be thanking the Lord for the promises made to us that He will come again.  No prophetic event stands between us and the rapture of the church.  We are told to wait for His Son from heaven, and that we have been delivered from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10 NKJV).  We are also told, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him (John 3:36 NKJV).”  

I am so glad that I am saved and that the Lord says He is coming for those of us who believe in Him.  I pity those who neglect or reject this great truth.  Now is the time to prepare, because when He comes He is not going to wait around for people to change their minds then.  He says, “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.  (Hebrews 10:37 NKJV).  I remember when I was delivered from the coming wrath of God and I hope those of you reading this remember your deliverance as well.

Bruce Collins

Meditation for the week of November 30, 2024

If you would like further conversation about the issues in these meditations, contact me at collinsbd@yahoo.com and I will try to accommodate you with a virtual Bible Study.