COMING AGAIN: John 14:1-3; II Peter 3: 3-10

Charles Dickens wrote this opening for his novel written in 1859 but based on the French Revolution of 1775: 

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”

Friends, with whatever discernment I have at this point in my life, it seems to me that these days we live in are the best of times and the worst of times. The best of times, because God’s true church is alive and aware and the Spirit is using some unexpected ways to get the attention of the lost people all around us.

I think of what Wycliff Bible Translators is doing, and what the peoples of the world are doing with God’s Word and I am amazed. American Indians are in the midst of revival, muslins are converting, and occasional God stories are around.

But it is also the worst of times because never in the history of our country has the stability of the family, especially marriage, been threatened as it is now. It is my hope and prayer that there will be a movement back to Christian values and to an acknowledgment of God in society in general. But I fear it is too late for that. I think that God is still pouring out his grace upon us in these last days before he will pour out his wrath in the Tribulation period. He is not willing that any should perish but all come to repentance.

When I read what I had wrote I said to myself, “You have the whole thing right there.” The best of times, the worst of times, the last days, the Tribulation, and God is not willing that any should perish. I’d like to follow those thoughts a little deeper and see where they lead.

It was the best of times – President Obama and Candidate Clinton are saying it is the best of times since so many things have changed “for the good” since since 2008 – the economy, human rights, political policies, financial stability and wealth, jobs, and the like. I don’t know what they are smoking – but many seem to agree – wealth and prosperity, big houses, big banks accounts, big cars, big social media, $ 800 I-phones, big vacations, lots of designer drugs, the list is endless.

What kind of legacy are we leaving?

But it’s all empty window coating and idol making: It is said that 43 million Americans move each year, we say “We work harder than any other people on the face of the earth. What on earth are we looking for? And I think the answer is that we’re looking for heaven. We’re looking for paradise, but no one recognizes it.”

We keep moving from place to place because we cannot find the happiness we seek. We’re hoping to find heaven—even though we wouldn’t say it in those words. Instead we say it in empty situational TV comedies, that are nothing more than politically and socially correct noisy and rude attempts to portray lifestyles desperately seeking happiness and stability and always failing.

I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:11 that says “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.” We were made to know God, to love him and to serve him. In the words of Augustine, “O Lord, our hearts were made for you, and we will not find rest until we find rest in you.” There is no greater time in history to make God’s word available.

BUT It was the worst of times. It is not difficult to find evidence on the negative side of the ledger. Perhaps the most obvious example is the attack on marriage and family. Suppose we roll back the clock just 2 years. Who would have believed how fast our nation has allowed and now embraced Gay marriage?

My concern at this point is not with the people on the other side of this issue. After all, they are only acting on their presuppositions. Why should we be surprised when lost people act like lost people? Gay marriage, like the current buzz over “gender-free restrooms,” are just the latest manifestation of humanity in full-throttle rebellion against its Creator.

My greater concern is with the people inside the church who ought to know better. Too many Christians either don’t see this as a big deal (“Let them do what they want. It doesn’t affect me.”) or they don’t want to get involved (“I don’t like controversy.”). But this is a battle where Christians ought to be leading the fight for moral values in our society. Too many of us have been silent for too long.

Then we have issues over abortion, legalized drugs, pornography on television, the internet, and in music – where will it stop? We use to have pornography in our head, now we have it our heart. How many celebrities are dying weekly?

The worst issue is the prevailing intentional theological confusion over salvation: Is Jesus really the only way to heaven?  

Erwin Lutzer predicted this would be the dominant issue of the early 21st century. Events since then have proved him correct. Praying in Jesus’ name has been banned at many public gatherings. Now we are told that Islam, Christianity and Judaism all worship the same God, and those who say Jesus is the only way are called bigots.

We are an angry, edgy, nervous nation. Our usual self-assurance has been replaced by a critical impatience. I see it every day when I drive in traffic. In the old days if you paused for a second when the light turned green, people waited patiently. Now they hit the horn and then they hit it again. We get angry quicker, and when we get angry, we really get angry. I confess that I see the change in myself as well.

The Apostles’ Creed. “I believe … he will come again to judge the living and the dead.” These simple words consist of two complementary truths:

1) Jesus is coming again.

2) Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead.

The New Testament refers to the second coming of Christ in over 300 verses. That means one of every 13 verses deals with some aspect of our Lord’s return to the earth. It is so central to the New Testament that Christians everywhere have always believed that Jesus will return someday. Jesus said in John 14: 3, “I will come again.”

The Scriptures clearly indicate He will return two times (one at the Rapture and one before the millennial reign on earth). Here are five words that help us understand what that means. His second coming will be …

Personal (It will be Jesus and not some substitute)

Literal (Not a vision or a dream)

Visible (“Every eye will see him”)

Sudden (Not a gradual return)

Unexpected (Like a thief in the night).

Acts 1: 11 makes it clear that Jesus himself will one day return to the earth. It will be “this same Jesus” who is coming again. Twice in one verse Luke uses the word “same” to tell us something crucial about the Second Coming.

The same Jesus who left will one day return. And he will return the same way that he left. If plain English can have any meaning at all, those words teach us that Jesus is coming back personally, literally, visibly and bodily.

We might also add that his coming will be sudden and unexpected. Luke 24: 50-52 informs us that as Jesus reached out his hands to bless his disciples, he began to rise from the face of the earth—evidently without any warning whatsoever. We can assume that his return to the earth will be no less astonishing and no less surprising.

This Same Jesus. This is truly an astounding thought.

The same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem is coming again.

The same Jesus who grew up in Nazareth is coming again.

The same Jesus who turned water into wine is coming again.

The same Jesus who walked on water is coming again.

The same Jesus who healed the nobleman’s son is coming again.

The same Jesus who raised Lazarus is coming again.

The same Jesus who entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday is coming again.

The same Jesus who was betrayed by Judas is coming again.

The same Jesus who was whipped, beaten, scourged, mocked, and condemned to death is coming again.

The same Jesus who died on Skull Hill is coming again.

The same Jesus who rose from the dead on Easter Sunday morning is coming again.

The same Jesus who ascended into heaven is coming again.

That’s what we mean when we say that Jesus is coming again. The actual, historical figure that lived 2,000 years ago on the other side of the world is returning to the earth one more time.

Kind of blows your mind, doesn’t it? There awaits in the future an event more marvelous, more startling, more amazing, and more blessed than anything that has happened in the last 2,000 years. I speak of the literal, visible, bodily return of Christ to the earth. No event may seem less likely to modern men and women; no event is more certain in the light of inspired Scripture.

The final great act of human history will take place—not in Tokyo, New York or London—but in Jerusalem, and in the nations surrounding Israel. Are we living in the last days? No one knows for sure. But consider these facts:

1. There is a clear pattern of events laid out in the Bible concerning the last days. If you put together the various strands of prophetic teaching from the Old and New Testaments, you discover a fairly detailed picture of the end-time landscape—morally, politically, spiritually, militarily and economically.

2. There is an amazing similarity between our world and the world the Bible describes at the end of time. If you doubt that, take your Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. See how well they fit together.

3. If that is true, then we may indeed be the generation privileged to see the coming of Jesus Christ.

4. Every sign points in one direction—it won’t be long now.

A Word from Peter - But before we sell our houses and move to the mountains to await the Lord’s return, as some misguided souls have done in the past, let us heed the words of II Peter 3: 3-10. In this passage Peter addresses a puzzling question—one that bothered believers in the first century and troubles thoughtful people today. Why hasn’t the Lord returned already? What is he waiting for? Does the 2,000-year delay mean that he isn’t coming at all? Should we give up our Christian hope? Listen to Peter’s answer:

“First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”

But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”

This passage is full of important truth that deserves close consideration. Here are three points to ponder:

1) Despite what the scoffers think, the Second Coming is certain because God promised it.

2) The Second Coming will usher in a day of judgment for the ungodly.

3) The Second Coming is delayed to give people a chance to come to Christ.

Here is the good news. The “delay” the scoffers talk about is actually God’s gift to them. He purposely delays the Lord’s return in order to give men and women more time to repent.

Verse 9 reveals God’s tender heart toward the lost. He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. He does not enjoy sending people to hell. Contrary to popular opinion, he is not some crazed old man in a white beard, laughing while he hurls lightning bolts to the earth. For 2000 years he has held back the final judgment in order to give rebellious men and women a chance to surrender their arms and yield allegiance to Jesus Christ.

As the Creed says, Christ will eventually judge the living and the dead. All must stand before him and give an account. No one can escape that day. We need not fear God, nor the future of Jesus’ return.

But our problem as a country and as a church is clear: We have the leaders and church members to share the gospel and God’s word but it’s the people hearing it that are the problem - They are afraid to die. I am talking about America and the church as a nation. We’re afraid to die because we are so prosperous that this world has become like heaven to us. We love our wealth so much that we can’t bear to let it go.

Are You Ready? I know of several Christians who meet new people in their lives with these words: “Jesus is coming. Are you ready?” One even wears a little pin on his lapel with the words “Are you ready?” to remind himself that he won’t be here forever. What about you? Are you ready? Are you living in the blessed hope of His return?

This is why I think these are the best of times; these are the worst of times. And I think the situation for believers will get simultaneously better and worse as we march toward the climax of human history.

Let me say plainly that I don’t know when Jesus will return. I don’t know and I won’t set a date. I hope he comes soon. He might come today. I do know this: Jesus will return when everything is ready in God’s plan. Not a moment earlier, not a second later.

But until then we live in the promise of His return as told in the Apostle’s Creed.

Amen.