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Jesus - Who is he?

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Updated : 11 Apr 2006

Jesus will come
a second time.

Sun through clouds

Christians expect Jesus to come again. The first time Jesus came was as a man, born as a baby, in an inconspicuous land where almost no one noticed or cared. The central theme of his teaching was the coming 'Kingdom of God'.

The second time Jesus will come as King to finally establish his kingdom. He will come initially to the same area, Jerusalem, but this time everybody will know and notice, everyone will see, his presence and reign will be unavoidable.

Jesus spoke directly about his return; He told stories whose central theme was his return; New Testament writers confirmed their expectation of his return and their understanding of the when, where, why and how of his return; and they encourage us to be prepared for his return.

 

Jesus said he would return again.

On many occasions Jesus spoke to his disciples, and others, about his return. The following are a few examples.

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. (Matthew 16:27 NIV)

"At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30 NIV)

The High Priest questioned Jesus at his trial...

Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." (Matthew 26:64; Mark 14:61-62 NIV)

At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. (Mark 13:26-27 NIV)

He says he has gone to prepare a place for those of us who trust Him. He is coming again to take us to be with him in that place.

"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." (John 14:1-4 NIV)

Behold, I am coming soon! (Revelation 22:12 NIV)

 

Parables about Jesus return.

Jesus told a number of his parables to illustrate the fact of his return. Three of these occur in Matthew's Gospel chapters 24 and 25.

The unfaithful servant (Matthew 24:45-51) knows his master has gone away and, instead of getting on with his duties, starts to abuse the other servants. But his master does return and the servant pays the consequences.

The parable of the ten maidens (Matthew 25:1-13) is about bridesmaids at a wedding. The story accords well with Jewish wedding practice. The bridesmaids are ready, waiting for the bridegroom to come and the wedding to start. But the bridegroom seems to be delayed and their lamps start to run out of oil. Some of the bridesmaids have brought extra oil, some have not and, going off to buy more oil, miss the arrival of the bridegroom and are locked out of the wedding.

The parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) records how a kings goes away to be crowned and in his absence he gives his servants items to be invested and traded while he is away. When he returns he calls his servants to account for the trust he has placed in them.

These stories remind us that Jesus is the King. He has gone and given responsibility to his followers while he is away. The stories all have a common theme. Jesus will return. His servants, those of us who claim to be his followers, will have to give an account when he returns. Those who don't want him as King will have to account for that too, on his return.

 

New Testament writers confirm his return.

Immediately after Jesus ascended back to heaven, even as the disciples watched Jesus go, some angels confirmed that he would return.

"Men of Galilee," they said. "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." (Acts 1:11 NIV)

Repeatedly, the new testament writers encourage their readers to live in the expectation of Jesus return.

Even when we celebrate Jesus' death at Communion (Eucharist, Mass), we are reminded by the New Testament writer Paul, that we will only do so "until he comes again".

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:26 NIV)

 

When? and Where? and Why? and How?

It will be a visible return, not secret or private, but public.

For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24:27 NIV)

But no one knows when!
Ignore anyone who predicts a date and time - they have been wrong before - and will be again. Just be ready. Whenever it is.

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24: 36-39 NIV)

"It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulphur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. "It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. (Luke 17:28-30 NIV)

A loud shout!
A trumpet blast!
Like a thief in the night!
But we should not be surprised but rather be ready!

According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep (died). 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. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:4 NIV)

He is coming to bring Salvation - to save us finally

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:28 NIV)

Many will laugh at the idea of his return

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 the 'coming' he promised? (2 Peter 3:3 NIV)

We shall be transformed, to be like him. But we need to play our part...

Dear friends, now we are like children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. (1 John 3:2 NIV)

He is coming to Judge the world

"See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him." (Jude 1:14 NIV)

Signs, Anguish, Perplexity, Terror, Apprehension

"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:25-28 NIV)

 

Being prepared for His return

While we await Jesus' return the call is to "REPENT!"
Jesus came to die so our sins can be forgiven and we can have peace with God. When Jesus comes again it will be too late to change your mind. Accept God's offer of peace and forgiveness today.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you - even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. (Acts 3:19-21 NIV)

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with holy angels. (Mark 8:36-38; Luke 9:26-27 NIV)

However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8 NIV)

God does not want anyone to perish - that is why he is patient

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. (2 Peter 3:8-10 NIV)

Be ready! Keep Watch!

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." (Matthew 24:42 NIV)

Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back - whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' (Mark 13:35-37 NIV)

Live a life worthy of God's mercy. His Holy Spirit helps us.

[We are taught] to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:12 NIV)

Live such good lives among the pagans that though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:12 NIV)

Finally, tell others and keep living as God's family.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Timothy 4:1-2 NIV)

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25 NIV)

 

Are you ready for His return?

Jesus makes it clear that he will return one day. Will that be a welcome event, or an unwelcome one?

Now is the time to accept Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Ask his forgiveness for your sins, become a member of his family, be filled with His Holy Spirit who is given to make our new relationship with God possible. Offer Jesus your life to use in any way he wants - he has good plans for you. Be ready for his coming, whenever it is.

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Copyright: NIV (New International Version). Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984, by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Ltd. a member of the Hodder Headline Plc Group. All rights reserved. "NIV" is a registered trademark of International Bible Society. UK trademark number 1448790