Thinking about Christ's Return

Title: Thinking about Christ’s Return

I am a dispensationalist.  Some of you have no idea what I am talking about, others of you just shrugged, a few nod excitedly, and a minority of you are hissing with a cross up and preparing the holy water:)  I have sparred with people of the post-millennial persuasion over the years.  My favorite was when I was working at Dennys, a young guy found out I was a dispensationalist.  I don’t know how he figured that out, unless it was he knew what college I attended, but news flash, not everyone there was a dispensationalist.  Anyway, this guy discovered I was the bad guy...or at the least very wrong!  He proudly told me I’m a covenantalist!  I took that in stride.  A few days later we got our chance to talk about it.  Unlike the articulate, theologically astute people that I have clashed with over the years, this kid had no idea what he was talking about.  I finally said to him, “You need to go to your church, learn what you believe, and then come back to me.”  He wasn't happy with that but he dropped the argument.

I have also sparred with post-trib and mid-trib believers but I don’t think I’ve ever talked to a pre-wrath or amillennial.  It’s funny teaching Sunday School, calmly explaining that there are great Christians that do not believe in a future seven year tribulation.  Boy do I get some odd looks! 

Do you know what I have learned though?  Although theology is important, do you know what really matters?  Believing with all of your heart that, Jesus Christ is going to return, and that you will give an account of your life!  Every born again Christian holds this as true!  Matthew 26:64, “Jesus said to him, ‘You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.’”  Revelation 22:20, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”  John 14:3, “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.”  Titus 2:13, Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,”  Matthew 16:27, “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.”  Hebrews 9:28, “So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”  I Thessalonians 5:23, “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The other thing you have to realize is that tied to Jesus coming back, is the Great White Throne Judgment and hell.  Believers may debate the time difference between these two events but we know it is going to happen.  Jesus talks a fair amount in the gospels of those going into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Jesus claimed he was the only way to heaven and I believe him!  John 14:6, “ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  I hope you have repented of your sins and made Jesus your God or in Christian speak, “your Lord and Savior.”  It is very important that you do so!