The Imminent Return of Christ

The word imminent means “likely to happen at any moment; impending.” When we speak of the imminence of Christ’s return, we mean that He could come back at any moment. There is nothing more in biblical prophecy that needs to happen before Jesus comes again.  Is the return of Christ really an imminent event that could happen at any time, even today?

When Jesus prepared to leave this world, His spoke of His return. “When will these things happen?” (Mark 13:4). Jesus responded, “Of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come” (verses 32-33).

His followers were to live prepared, because He could return at any time. In John 14, Jesus taught, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also" (v. 3).

John 14:3 NKJV

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Romans 8:19–25 NKJV

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

The Bible says that Jesus’ return is near, and we are to wait eagerly for it.

James encourages us to “be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near”.

Behold! I tell you a mystery First Corinthians 15:51–52 states, "Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet." Paul clearly believed and taught that some believers will be alive when Jesus returns. In a "moment" we will be changed.

2000 years ago, the Sadducees had a tradition in which they believed the Messiah would show up four days before Passover. They kept the gates of the Temple open so that He could walk right in to His rightful place. Because of this, Jewish nationalistic fervor was at its peak on this day. The Romans would have all troops activated and on alert for this day. They feared the Jews would try another revolt under some religiously zealot radical as had happened in the past. Tensions were very high on that day. This day of all days Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem on a donkey fulfilling the prophecy of:

Zech 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Jesus went down that road on a donkey. It was a donkey that had never been ridden. This donkey had yielded its back to its Creator and willingly carried Him down that road. That donkey happens to be a lot like us when we came to Jesus for salvation. We come, used to having our own way, but knowing we have met our Creator and need to yield our life to Him. What an honor to be of use to the Creator of all things! The crowds that had witnessed Lazarus resurrection shouted “Hosanna” which means, “Save us now!” Yasha anna in Hebrew. They are quoting

Psalms 118:25-29 O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you. The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us.  You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. They are saying Jehovah (LORD) save us! To come in the name of the LORD is to come in His authority. He has made His light to shine on us. For Jesus declared, He was and is the Light of the world!

Here comes Jesus to make another triumph entry will you be ready.

Three things I want to leave you with: First, we are to make sure we know Christ. If Christ will return at any moment, we cannot wait to believe; we are called to do so today.

Second Peter 3:9 teaches, "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." Second, we are called to live holy lives. Second Peter 3:14   "Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace." Third, we are called to share Christ with others.                        The Great Commission calls us to make disciples of all nations: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20)

There's a passage in the New Testament

You are nearer to this than when you (first) believed" (Romans 13:11). In other words, we don't know when it's gonna happen but we know it's a whole lot closer than it was when we first came to know Christ.

People want to know when they look at all these world events is where is all this going. The wonderful thing about the Book of Revelation, it tells you where it's going and it tells you how it ends up and it tells you that we win, that Jesus Christ is victorious.

When you know that in your heart, it settles you down and you can live your life everyday with the confidence that, you know,

"I don't understand what's going on right now, but man I'm on the right team and God's in control and He sees all of this and He's gonna bring me through with my hands up high. Prophecy should not be a discouragement to people, but rather a motivational and exciting.

The Bible says, "If these things are happening, lift up your head, because your redemption is drawing nigh."