12 April 2026

THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD

(Biblical Teachings on The Christian Life.: BTCL 29)

The Bible teaches about the Return of the Lord Jesus Christ in the OT as well as the NT. One out of every 13 verses in the whole Bible speaks about His Return to earth. That shows not only how important this Truth is but it also highlights how diligently we must be ready for this greatest event taking place on Planet earth! Jesus Himself warned us to be ready always so that we will not be caught unawares for He will come “like a thief in the night”.

The NT clearly shows us that there are two phases to His Return. The First Phase is known as “The Rapture” in which Christ will not come down to earth but will meet us “in the clouds in the air” (1 Thes.4:16-17). At the last Trumpet, the dead in Christ will rise first and then the faithful who are alive will follow, just like Enoch and Christ were taken up. Our vile bodies “will be changed in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye” to be like the Body of Jesus at the Ascension (1 Cor.15:52-52; Phil.3:20-21; 1 Jn 3:1-2). Only a holy remnant – the true committed disciples of Christ, will be taken up. Will you be among the remnant?

The Rapture will be sudden and unexpected – all the warning signs Jesus gave are about this event. The rest on earth will be left for God’s judgment in the Seven Year Tribulation when Satan through the Antichrist will rule the world. It will be a time of great suffering, sorrow and darkness under the rule of the evil one. That is why it is called “the Great Tribulation”.

The Second Phase will take place immediately after the 7-year Tribulation when Christ will return to earth in glory with His saints (who were taken up at the Rapture). The moment His feet touch the ground, the Mount of Olives will split into two and a great earthquake will take place (Zech.14:3-4). The Battle of Armageddon will take place upon His glorious Return when all His enemies – the enemies of Israel and the Church – will be totally wiped out in this battle. Those who were taken up at the Rapture will be with Jesus to witness this great event!

How can we get ready for the Rapture?
1. Make up your mind to be ready:
Christ told us to “watch and pray…for you do not know when your Lord will come” (Matt 24:42).
The only way we can be ready is to commit our lives totally to Jesus as our Lord.
2. Be busy in the Lord’s work:
“Occupy till I return”, says the Master to his servants (Luke 19:13b). To “occupy” here means to “trade” or “do business” on behalf of the Master.
3. Live a holy life:
“Everyone who has this hope (of being taken up) in him purifies himself just as He is pure …For without holiness no one will see the Lord” (1 Jn 3:3; Hebrews 12:14).

MAY WE BE READY ALWAYS SO THAT WE WILL NOT MISS THE BOAT!
MAY GOD HELP US TO BE READY AT ALL TIMES!

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