The return of Jesus to the earth

A Promise

In John 14:3, Jesus uttered a clear and unambiguous promise, “I will come again”. He undoubtedly promised his disciples that he would return to the earth and that they would personally be with him at that time. In Luke's account of the life of Jesus the promise was very well defined; Jesus said that they would occupy twelve thrones ruling over the twelve tribes of the restored nation of Israel.

"I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Luke 22:28/30

The teaching of these two passages is consistent with what is found throughout the Bible, an examination of which will reveal that its major feature is the work Jesus will accomplish in the FUTURE. Here are some verses taken from both the Old and New Testaments which speak about God’s intention to send his Son again into our world.

"The Lord hath sworn in truth to David...of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne” Psalm 132:11

"For unto us a child is born....and the government shall be upon his shoulder" Isaiah 9:6

“And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you" Acts 3:2

The quotations listed above reveal that Jesus is to return for a purpose. That purpose is of great importance to individuals and to the world. God has declared that He will give the world a just and wise ruler and so replace the 6000 years of human mis-rule and misery, with a period of joy and happiness for mankind. The nations of the world will consequently benefit greatly as a direct result of this plan if they are obedient to Jesus, and none more so than the nation of Israel because the kingdom of God will be established in their land - the land of Israel.

Jesus is to be king

Shortly before his death, Jesus, questioned by Pilate, answered him with these words -

"Thou sayest that I am a King. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth" John 18 37

It was Pilate himself who ordered that the title “JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS” be written on his cross. One day, we believe not very far away from now, these words will come true.

Divine education

When the kingdom is established the scriptures show that a time will come when DIVINE LAW will emanate from Jerusalem, the seat of government of Israel's King. The nations will earnestly seek this law, recognising the folly of previous generations and so make the decision to learn about God's ways and flow to Jerusalem to the newly-built Temple. Here they will worship their Creator, the God of Israel and Jesus the King, and here they will be taught the way of truth. Consider the following passages. (see Isaiah 2:1-5, Jeremiah 16: 19, Zechariah 6: 12-13).

"...the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and fall nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD". Isaiah 2:2-5

"O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit". Jeremiah 16:19

"Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both". Zechariah 6:12-13

Blessings from God

There are many references in the Bible to the future blessings which Jesus, the King of the Jews, will pour on his people. The scriptures again are so plain on these matters and the following passages need no comment by way of explanation.

“Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God shall bless us” Psalm 67:6

“And they shall build houses and inhabit them, and they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them” Isaiah 65:21

“As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you” Isaiah 66:13

A lasting peace

Peace is a commodity that has eluded the world leaders, some of whom have sincerely attempted to make the world a safer place for us all. Those who have laboured to this end have pitifully failed in their desire, for today the world is full of trouble However this goal will not elude the King of Israel. Zechariah the prophet says, "He shall speak peace to the heathen (or nations)" (chapter 9:10), and Isaiah says, "my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places" (Isaiah 32:18).

A personal invitation

One marvellous aspect of the teaching of the scriptures is that you can share in the blessings of the FUTURE AGE. The Bible contains this hope for man and Jesus himself has extended to us this invitation,

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me...whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” Matthew 16:24-25

The price is high indeed and this is because God's reward is exceedingly great. Isaiah says,

“Incline your ear, hear, and your soul shall live” Isaiah 55.3

One minute to midnight

The promise of the return of Jesus is not one which God has made rashly. God keeps his promises and shortly it will surely come to pass. In one of his parables, Jesus spoke of his return as a bridegroom coming to receive his bride. In the parable, there were ten virgins, five were wise and five were foolish. All ten were waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom. He came at midnight, and only those who were prepared were admitted to the wedding feast, the five foolish virgins were rejected because they had not adequately prepared themselves. HAVE YOU?