"Cutesy Time is over..Red Robe...Christ is Coming Back!.."

Is it too much to assert that we are living in some of the most pivotal and consequential times in the annals of history? I realize that is a big statement given history's monumental events. However, for the Believer who is watching for the signs of Christ's return, it is becoming increasingly evident that His return may be coming within our lifetimes.

To the skeptic, if Christ is to return, of course, the passing of time equates to His return nearing. So he no doubt wonders what's the big deal and why should he waste time contemplating the beliefs of Christians and the return of their God. If that's you please hear me out.

What leads me and others to this conclusion that His coming is soon? Like the disciples in Matthew 24 many of us would ask Jesus "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?"vs 3

"Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains." vs4-8

Christ always used examples that everyone could relate with in order to help them better understand. So on the topic of His return, He likens the coming of the end of the age to the beginning of birth pains. Birth pains as you know are often unexpected, and sudden, and one cannot ignore them even if one wants to. They are typically persistent and intensify the nearer one gets to giving birth. It's not just apparent to the mother but to all those in her midst that she is getting very close to giving birth.

This world is no stranger to wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes in various places I'll give you that. However, the increasing frequency of these factors that Christ described would mark the "beginning of the birth pains" in conjunction with an astounding number of fulfilled prophecies and other signs of the end of the age which have reached a record crescendo making it crystal clear to the discerning that His return is very near.

Even in this, I can see the mercy of God. He could easily just return, destroy all that is evil, and establish His kingdom forever today. Maybe He will but I believe that in allowing these "birth pains" He is extending time to quicken men's souls, like a siren warning ahead of a great event, to get them to look up to Him for deliverance before the hour is too late. Remember God "wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:4 We who belong to Christ are to "...stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." Mt 24:42

This is where I am going to switch gears and take a tough love approach because cutesy time is over. The stakes are way too high. If you don't know Jesus, you hate Jesus, you don't give a flying flip about Jesus, or Jesus to you is a crutch for weak-minded people... you deserve to have someone tell you the unvarnished truth about what Christ's return means. So strap in because your eternity is in the balance. If you want me to lie to you and tell you everything is going to be fine, if you are good enough God will accept you, and other happy talk that has no basis in the truth....this is the wrong blog. If you have the guts to hear the truth...stay tuned.

Let's start with this question, what Jesus are Christians expecting to return? You see in the gospels Jesus was the suffering servant Isaiah prophesied who humbled Himself and died for the sins of the world. Then after Jesus was buried the scripture says "..So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths.." John 19:40 So what? Stick with me. It's reasonable to assume that Jesus's crucified bloody body soaked those linens red as a result of his sacrifice right? Well it is this "blood of Jesus, His Son," that "purifies us from all sin."

1 John 1:7

This is how Jesus, God's Only Son, made a way for you and me to have a relationship with the living God and to be made right with God. This is great news for everyone but especially the skeptic. However, our loving God gives all men free will. The will to choose Him and to believe in Him by faith or to reject Him. Would He really be a loving God if He didn't allow His creation free will? So if my friend you choose to reject Christ, I must warn you in the hopes that you will not harden your heart but instead repent and believe.

When Jesus does return, He isn't returning to turn the other cheek and wash His disciples' feet. He is returning to judge all mankind, satan and his demons, and all creation. This time His robe will not be drenched in His own blood but in the blood of His enemies. Read Revelations 19:11-16. It will not be the meek and mild Jesus returning but an all-powerful King of Kings judging all men and beings in the scales of His making with absolute perfection and complete justice.

You see the skeptic declares there is no loving God of the Bible and hides behind arguments like how can a good God allow evil and wickedness? But despite their accolades, accomplishments, and human influence they are spiritually blind and their limited intelligence in contrast to an infinitely intelligent God renders them fools.

The Bible says "The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalms 14:1 Consequently, these fools have no hope beyond the grave if they harden their hearts to God. In vain they argue innumerable reasons why God can't possibly exist as they fill the gaps of their understanding with their self-created panacea of gods to satisfy their imaginations and to attempt to control their fate.

However, this approach presents a significant problem for the fool. For instance, what certainty of absolute perfect justice do they have? They contend so strongly that all men deserve justice on earth. They ridicule the Christians by recounting injustice after injustice as proof that their God has no eyes to see, no ears to hear, or power to intervene but will their gods of sell fulfillment, self-indulgence, ego, and pride give them or those they care about the justice they crave after this mortal life leaves them disillusioned and found wanting resolution that always escapes their grasp? They will not. Justice will escape them and instead, they will judged before a perfect God who knows all and "has both the power to take your life and the authority to cast your soul into hell." Luke 12:5

What? "Do you suppose, O man-you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself-that you will escape the judgement of God?" Romans 2:3

It's a certainty that all will be judged before Christ but for those who put their faith and trust in Christ all the injustice, the evil, the heinous senseless acts of wicked men perpetrated against the innocent & the righteous on earth, will ultimately get complete justice in eternity. God will prove Himself to be faithful just as He promised to deliver true and perfect justice.

.."in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8

Like a caring Dr. who compassionately but firmly tells a patient that he has a life-threatening infection instead of lying by saying he may be a little ill to avoid offense. In love, I implore you, please don’t be a fool. Understand that while the blood of Christ was shed to save men's souls and God's greatest expression of His love, to reject His blood and redemptive plan is to damn one's soul.

Wake up, friend! Repent and believe. Watch for His coming and let His blood cover your sins. Don't be deceived, trust me you do not want to be an enemy of God. Be warned that if you reject Him, you will be counted among the enemies of God and when He comes it will be your blood that will stain His robe red. Christ is coming back!!!

image of a Crown of Thornes plant

"Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God." Revelations 19:11