BE READY FOR THE RETURN OF THE LORD


 

BE READY FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD

25“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world.

For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

27And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

LUKE 21:25-28

COMMENTARY

Following the stories of his second coming, Lord Jesus made to his apostles during his last trip to Jerusalem; this narrative of Luke in particular, throws a different light over the events.

It contains three main elements which are always present in all scatological narrative of the return of Lord Jesus:

1 - SIGNS IN HEAVEN AND EARTH

Here our Lord mentions signs, changes, alarming changes and phenomena happening in the celestial elements in general. In the cosmology of our Fathers, to mention ‘the Sun, the moon and starts’, it was to include not only our Solar system, but all our cosmos. The whole of creation. But Lord Jesus also announces changes in the ‘sea and the waves’, which is a natural consequence when the alteration on the Sun and Moon take place.

Lord Jesus warns of terrible changes, and premonition of changes that will alarm the people of the world in the last days.

This was always a warning sign for all humanity, who at least in this manner, they should realize that something important is at hand, which they cannot control and that at the danger of death, they should return to their Creator in repentance.  But sadly, our Lord foretells that the people will worry, only about their physical existence, but no mention of conversion is done.

 2 - THE WHOLE WORLD WILL SEE THE RETURN OF CHRIST IN GLORY

But our Lord also warns, that every person alive, faithful or not, will see his second coming in Glory.

It won’t be a single, secretive events, like many think it would be. Neither as to ‘rescue some in secret’ or in a private manner as his First coming. Our Lord said that ‘every eye will see Him, event those who nailed Him on the cross’ (Revelation 1:7). But by the time this occurs, last minute repentance will be in vain. The Creator whom they ignored for so long, is coming as a Judge, ‘In power and Great Glory’, to bring into account all who will be alive by then.

3 – CHRISTIANS, RAISE YOUR HEADS

But our merciful Lord Jesus, after giving warnings about the Great Tribulation (v.10-12), He consoles us, by telling us that when we see these changes in the celestial world and the Earth, we should not worry like the unbelievers and sinners do, but we should be of good appearance, not showing terror like the world does, but happiness, knowing that our Savior is at hand, and the time of our redemption is finally here, for all of us, not just some ‘secret’ group. All of who await the return of the Lord in faith and obedience (See verses 34 to 36).

Omar Flores.

 

 

 

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