I Shall Return
SPACEGeneral Douglas MacArthur, when he was forced to leave the Philippines during World War II, said dramatically; "I shall return." In due course he did return, and with the U.S. military he liberated those islands from the invaders. With far greater authority and power, Jesus Christ said, "I shall return". The Lord will return to earth, just as He promised, and he will liberate the world from its satanic invaders.
SPACEWhat a difference he will make when he comes to rule the earth as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He will liberate creation from bondage and decay (Romans 8:21), he will redeem believers' bodies, (Romans 8:22-23), and judge the dead. He will destroy all dominion, authority and power that has set itself up against him, including agents of the Antichrist (Revelation 19:11-21). He will destroy the last enemy called death (I Corinthians 15:26). He will make his blood-bought people a kingdom to serve God and rule and reign with him on earth (Revelation 5:10). He will return to feed the poor who "will eat and be satisfied" (Psalm 22:26). He will return to restore dysfunctional families as "all the families of the nations will bow down before him (Psalm 22:27). When Christ returns he will engender global peace, a real and lasting peace, in all of its physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual facets. He will return to lead and teach so that "all the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9). Then, "no longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest" (Jeremiah 31:34).
SPACEYes, Jesus will return, and I believe that return will be very soon. So what do we his followers do until he comes and sets up his Kingdom on earth. First, the followers of Christ are to "Keep The Faith." As Paul concluded his letter to the Thessalonians concerning his teaching on the Day of the Lord and our gathering to him, Paul wrote, "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter" (2 Thessalonians 2:15). How important it is and will be for the true believer in Christ to hold on to the words of the Gospel of Christ and the apostolic teachings. These words will carry the believer through difficult times.
SPACEIf you have not noticed, the attacks against Christians and the Scriptures are intensifying. It is time for the followers of Christ to stand firm and challenge the prophets of Baal. Lets see who will show up and answer prayer and bring salvation and healing to the hurting. For me and my house, we will stand with Jesus. Second, it is time to serve as agents of Christ's Kingdom here and now. The Kingdom of God has already come into our hearts and now we need to use the gifts and ministries he has given us for his glory. It is time to be faithful stewards of what Christ has given us. It's time to share your faith with others, to pray and lead others to Christ, it's time to pray and believe for the sick to be healed, it's time to share with others what God has done for you, it is time. Third, trust in the realities that cannot not be shaken. When Satan attacks and your world seems to cave in, trust the things that will never be shaken.
SPACEStrengthen your belief in God's immutable revelation. "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8). Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" (Matthew 24:35). We need to develop a greater confidence in the unshakable Christ for whom all things were created and by whom all things hold together (Colossians 1:15-20). For the future as well as the present we are securely "in Christ." Fourth, Rejoice, the Lord's Prayer Will Be Answered! At present we pray what Jesus taught us to pray, "Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven" (Matthew 6:10). Jesus prayer will be answered. The best is yet to Come!
Bro. Ken