Most Omnipotent Lord, by Your own words, You have told me that no one will know the timing of Your “Second Coming.” Efforts on my part to determine when that date will be seems foolish. I must be careful not to be misled by anyone who claims to know the date. You have made it clear that no one will be told the date and even Believers will be surprised by Your “Second Coming.” Your return will be sudden and unexpected, like the labor pains of an expectant, pregnant woman. Therefore, I must remain vigilant for the day when You will return. Since no one knows the actual date when You will appear a second time on earth, I should be ready at all times. I must focus on the reality that if You came today … how would You find me living … how ready would I be to meet You? I must live each day prepared to welcome You.
On the day of Your coming, You will intervene directly and dramatically in the affairs of the world. The old ways of the earth will pass away and You will establish Your New Kingdom. In the day that You appear, there will be both punishment and blessing. You will judge sin and put Believers into their place in Your Kingdom. First the dead will rise and they will be joined with those living on the earth at the time of Your coming. They will all be lifted up to meet You in the sky. Your “Second Coming” should be an encouragement and comfort to me when someone I care about dies. The same love found in Your church today will unite us again when You return to rule and reign for eternity. The thought that floods my being is that because You have come back to life, so will I.
Another comforting thought is that, like You, I will live forever. This is why all Believers should not despair when a loved one dies or world events take a turn for the worst. I must look to You to turn my tragedies into triumphs, my poverty into riches, my pain into rejoicing, my defeats into victories and my earthly life into a heavenly life. All Believers throughout history will be united in Your presence … safe and secure. In my resurrection, I should find comfort and hope concerning my future. I must realize that death is not the end because when You come I will be reunited with You … never to suffer or die again. All my desires and activities must be placed under the control of the Holy Spirit. Whether in life or death I know I live with You. I must trust the Holy Spirit to be instrumental in preparing me for Your “Second Coming.” And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Luke 12:40 You must also be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.