Resurrection Life of Jesus Church

THE WORLD-WIDE RETURN OF JESUS
As early as during the 5th century (500-401 B.C.), Greek scholars held the view that the earth was a globe. Eratosthenes of Cyrene calculated the circumference of the earth in 240 B.C.¹ He was also the first to calculate the axial tilt of the earth.²

The theory that our planet is flat started to circulate in Europe. Roman Catholicism embraced the flat earth theory and the Protestant movement used their belief in the Bible to oppose this point of view. The sad thing is that there are Christians today who continue to embrace this erroneous belief.

Jesus told the people standing on the temple ground that when He returned, two men would be working in the field, one would be taken up to meet Jesus and the other left behind. Two women will be grinding at a mill, one shall be taken and one left behind on earth. Matthew 24:40-41

Luke wrote an additional event where two men are sleeping in bed; one is taken and one is left behind. Do local people work and sleep at the same time? Hardly, but what if Jesus knew that people on the other side of the globe were sleeping while the other half worked? This would indicate the God-man was aware of the fact that half of the world is bathed in sunlight and the other half is dark. Luke 17:34-36

Jesus warned the people to be alert since they would not know when He was going to return. In each of the examples, only one of the two was born again. verse 42

Jesus then provided an example of what He meant. verse 43

IN THE MEANTIME
There are no salvation chapters found throughout the four Gospels where the God-man outlined how to be born again and ready for heaven. He stressed to Nicodemus the need to be born again, but did not offer specifics. John 3:1-11

The Son of God stated that unless God the Father draws a person, no one can receive salvation. John 6:44

Jesus affirmed that those people who are His sheep will never perish. John 10:27-30 Jesus declared that no one can come to God the Father without Him. John 14:6

Jesus asserted that it was necessary to repent. Mark 1:14-15

It was not until after the day of Pentecost that the steps to salvation were finally laid out by the apostles Peter and Paul. Acts 2:37-39; Romans 10:6-13

BE READY
The God-man told the crowd to make ready for the second return since no one knows the day or the hour when it will occur. Repentance is the key. This is how Jesus becomes your Lord and Savior. Matthew 24:44

The Son of God acknowledged that faithfulness is a quality desired by God the Father and will result in great rewards. verses 45-47

We will be judged by our words and actions. Matthew 7:20-23

Evil men will focus on enriching themselves and living a sinful life. They won’t make ready for the second coming because they aren’t born again. The God-man spoke assuredly that He will deal harshly with such evil people. Matthew 24:48-51

SUMMARY
Christians should be mindful of the fact that Jesus is returning in the future. But we should also be conscious that we also have a departure date set by God when the physical body dies.

Thus, we should not only look for the second coming of Jesus, but also for our own personal departure from earth. There is only one thing you can do to be prepared when your time is up – be born again! Is your name written in the Book of Life? Revelation 20:15