The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
A common response in reference to the return of Jesus Christ is that people have been saying for decades that there are signs indicating his return, so why should we believe it now? One of the reasons is that there are more signs than ever before, all converging at this moment in history. More importantly, however, is that Jesus himself said there was coming a time when he would return.
II Peter 3 answers this question in greater detail. “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of his coming?’…The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance“(verses 3-4 and 9-10).
Jesus said that he would return in John 14:2-3. He told his disciples that “…I go to prepare a place for you. 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.”
After Jesus rose from the dead and walked upon the earth for 40 days, it is recorded in Acts 1:10-11 that as people were watching him ascend to heaven, “…two men in white clothing stood beside them; and they also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have seen Him go into heaven.”
So, why do some choose to mock and not believe that Jesus will return? Maybe it is because they do not want to admit that they are accountable to a creator. The Bible teaches that he will come back as a King to judge the world. Let’s face it, he came the first time to show people their sinfulness, and how to live righteously with purpose and meaning, but after 2,000 years humanity still has not gotten it right. Mankind has had all this time to receive God’s grace and redemption but has refused, choosing instead to live anyway it wants to apart from God’s love and grace.
It’s not a matter of if Jesus comes back, but only when, and that time is rapidly approaching. Why has Jesus not come back earlier, with the world being the way it is? The answer is found in the same passage quoted above, II Peter 3:9-10: “The Lord is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
Perish from what? It is to be delivered from our own sinful nature. See, dear readers, it is not a matter of good outweighing the bad for eternal salvation. It is not based upon works, but rather on receiving the free gift of grace made possible through Jesus Christ. Admit that you are a sinner who has chosen to live separated from God. Believe that Jesus was and is God in human flesh, who died and rose from the dead for you, so that you may experience forgiveness and be delivered from the bondage of sin. Call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for your salvation. Acts 4:12 says, “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”
The question once again is not will Jesus come back? The real question is what will be your response to it? Will you “welcome his appearing”(II Timothy 4:8) and “have confidence in the day of judgment”(I John 4:7), or “shrink away in shame”(I John 2:28)? Which will it be, dear friend?
