The return of Jesus Christ is imperative because when Jesus was taken up to heaven, the angels declare “Men of Galilee," … why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." This is the assurance that we all Christians have. Paul also teaches that same truth in 1Thess. 4:16:"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first." The apostle John sustains that teaching as well. In Rev. 22:12 we read "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done."
Rev. 22:7:"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in his book."
While talking about the fact that the return of Christ is an imperative, I should underline that the second coming of the Lord Jesus will be divided in two phases. The first one will be to take his people (the church, the body not the building) with him1Thess 4:16, and the second phase of that second coming will be to establish his millennial kingdom after the tribulation period when the Lord will put his feet on the Mount of Olives. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming north and half moving south." (Zach. 14:4)
Because we know that Jesus-Christ will return, that should motivate us to walk in sanctification. Jesus had a lot to say about sanctification in the book of John, chapter 17. In verse 16 the Lord says, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world,” and this is before His request: “Sanctify them in the truth: Thy word is truth.” Sanctification is a state of dedication unto God; a state of being set apart for God. And all believers enter into this state when they are born of God, notice the Bible doesn’t say when they go to church or were raised in the church, but when they are born of God through Christ. “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). This is a once-for-ever dedication, eternally unto God. It is an intricate part of our salvation, our connection with Christ (Hebrews 10:10).
Sanctification also refers to the practical experience of this dedication unto God, being the effect of obedience to the Word of God in one’s life, and is to be pursued by the believer earnestly (1 Peter 1:15; Hebrews 12:14). Just as the Lord prayed in John 17, he has in view the setting apart of believers for the purpose for which they are sent into the world: “As Thou didst send Me into the world, even so send I them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves may also be sanctified in truth” (v. 18, 19). That He set Himself apart for the purpose for which He was sent is both the basis and the condition of our being set apart for that for which we are sent (John 10:36). Sanctification is very important for a Christian. The author of the book of Hebrews supports that idea by saying in Heb 12:14:"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."
The coming of the Lord is a message of hope for the believers. It is true that the believers live in a world hostile to them today. However, the message of Christ's return gives hope to the saints. People live because they hope that tomorrow will be better. Even those who experience the worst situation today, find strength when they think about what tomorrow may bring. Though they are not sure, but they still have hope. The Bible teaches that Christ will return to rapture all those who put their trust in him by accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. So, they are not like the unbelievers. Christians are sure about their future. And anyone who put his/her trust in Him, (Jesus-Christ) will have that same assurance that Christians have. In Rev 22:7, 12, the Bible teaches that the Lord will come back soon.
The most important aspect of Christ’s return is the fact that he will take the Christians with him. In John 14:1-3 we read: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." This is a message of true hope that comforts the children of God in whatever situation they may find themselves in this world.
We have seen that the return of Christ is imminent and unexpected, that the return of Jesus Christ is an imperative, and the coming of the Lord is a message of hope for the believers. So as children of God, we can be happy because our future is secure. And friends, if you are reading this, please ask the Lord Jesus to open your eyes and mind so you can understand the word of God and believe it.
Our prayer is that those who do not know the Lord yet may invite him into their lives. For those who are Christians, we should pray that the Lord will continue his work in us and give us the strength while we are waiting!
Sermon prepared and Preachedby Pastor Samedy Frantsner