The second coming of Jesus Christ to pick His Church

The bodily resurrection of all the dead will take place someday. Believers in Christ Jesus will rise to everlasting blessedness while unbelievers will fall to judgment and everlasting punishment.

A chance to see heaven

When man fell, God with all His loving kindness created a way for us to be righteous again. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to come down to earth to die for our sins. The plan was perfect and it happed as decided―Jesus Christ died and resurrected and by Him all people who believe gain access to the Father as if there was no barrier before. This means He became the way to heaven (John 14:6). He is the only way to life away from condemnation. Jesus Christ brought salvation to us.

Salvation is not a ‘thing’ that we have just to go to heaven; neither is it a leverage for which we can negotiate to have God’s mercy. Salvation is more than that. It is a way of life; a precious priceless gift that became free because we could not afford it. The Son of God had to endure persecution and die a very shameful death to ensure we do not perish but be saved. Once you understand this your perception of salvation will automatically change.

Jesus Christ’s second coming

Even though we should not take salvation for granted because it is the key to heaven, the Bible still says that we will be taken to glory someday. Despite the tribulations that the saved face every day, the rough journey they have to endure will be fruitful someday. It is a hope that will never fail (Romans 5:3-5). Christ promised that at the end of time, He will come back for the believers so that they may be with Him forever (John 14:3). This time, not in another form, but He will come Himself. Why would He be coming back and He already did His job satisfactorily? That’s a pretty nice question. The Messiah said that He would be coming back for His bride, the Church, to take her to heaven. The Church is the whole body of believers globally; those that have been saved.

Paul addresses the people of Thessalonica about the second coming of Christ. These are people who had been so fascinated by Christ that it became an obsession. This obsession had reached extreme proportions and they had even stopped working. All they believed was that Christ was coming very soon and they needed not to indulge in their normal lives. They wanted to sit around and wait for His return as they sang hymns and praised the LORD. Interestingly enough, two millenniums later Christ is not back yet.

God wants everyone to receive the eternal gift of reconciliation

 If Paul had not addressed this issue, they still would have been waiting, probably dead of hunger because they did not want to work. Some Christians have the same mindset and they must understand that as long as Christ has not yet come life should still go on (1 Thessalonians 4:11). However, we should stay ready for no one knows the time or the hour (Matthew 24:36; 25:13). But at least we know that Christ will come after the Gospel has reached the corners of the world; such that everyone has heard of it. Therefore if anyone perishes, it will be as a result of choice and not lack of knowledge. Above all, God wants no one to perish. He wants every single soul saved (2 Peter 3:2). These are the end times and Christ’s return is imminent.

He will come like a thief (1 Thessalonians 5:2) meaning that it will be spontaneous, without warning or prior notice. Several believers will be caught unawares and that is why Paul writes to encourage the Thessalonians and us too to always be ready (verse 4). According to 1 Thessalonians 4:16 & 1 Corinthians 15:52, in the twinkling of an eye a trumpet shall sound and Jesus will descend. Those who died in Him will rise and those who are alive (and saved) will rise too to meet Jesus in the air. We will be given new glorified bodies and our old ones will die.

Tribulation and judgement

After that, hell breaks loose on Earth. Great tribulation will prevail and the time of grace will have elapsed. The book of Revelation contains information about this horrible time. The unbelievers will be left behind after Christ has picked His bride. The Antichrist will rise to persecute those that remain (Revelation 12:1-6). After the earth is done away with, the unredeemed will face judgment. The wicked will be condemned to eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-14). There will be gnashing of teeth and wailing in hell. Honestly, it will be horrific and not anyone would like that eternal experience. This is why we should spread the Gospel so that no one we know faces the terrible end.

It is also important for all saints to remain pure as they prepare to meet the bridegroom. It will be unfortunate when Christ returns and finds that you are not ready. No one knows when exactly will be the end of time. Anyone claiming to have a specific time for Christ’s return is a liar. See Matthew 24:36.

³⁶ “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of ^a]heaven, but My Father only.

This is a call for all individuals to accept salvation. It is also a call for believers to remain steadfast in the faith as they await Christ’s return.