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Return of Christ

26th May 2008, mgh

 

2) The Bible says Jesus will Return

When Jesus ascended into heaven, it was clearly stated to the disciples that he would return to the earth. Jesus' disciples wanted to know if the restoration of Israel's kingdom, which had been taken over by the Romans, would soon occur.

The disciples were not given this information, but were given the commission to spread the message of the gospel of the Kingdom of God and of Jesus Christ's return to the earth to all people. The result of their dedicated work was the amazing growth and spread of Christianity. This is the record in the Bible

When they (the disciples) therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, “Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”
And he said unto them, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. "
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven”. (Acts 1:6-11)

It was made clear to the disciples at this time that Jesus would return in the same way as the disciples had seen him go into heaven, that is a visible return to the earth.

Many people thought Jesus was just a prophet. The apostle Peter affirmed that he truly believed that Jesus was the Son of God, and therefore the Messiah (or Christ).

Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”. And Jesus answered and said unto him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but my Father which is in heaven. " (Matthew 16:16-17)

Following this discussion, Jesus then told his disciples the fate that awaited him in Jerusalem. He would be crucified, but he would be raised from the dead and ultimately establish the Kingdom of God. He clearly states that he would 'come in the glory of his Father' and with power from heaven, at which time his servants would receive their reward.

"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (Matthew 16:27)

The final prophecy of the Bible, Revelation, contains the words of Jesus which says that when Jesus returns is the time when the faithful will receive their reward.

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:12-14)

Jesus used parables to explain to his followers aspects of his work in God's plan of salvation. He used the parable of the nobleman who went into a distant country, to receive a kingdom, and who later returned to reward his faithful servants, who had carried on his work in his absence. This parable was given because the disciples were under the impression that the kingdom would soon be established. Jesus' purpose was to explain that although he would leave them, he would return.

he added and spoke a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. " (Luke 19:11-12)

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