What If? – Part 2

Good day to each of you reading this column and Bible Lesson on the above topic.

What if you looked up into the sky and saw the clouds moving so much faster than before, lightning and thunder that shook you out of where you standing, and noise or some type of instrument coming from the skies?

What if you saw the sky turn completely white, whiter than snow and an image coming from the skies? What would you think and how would you respond? Would you be full of fear and trembling? Would you drop to your feet and put your face to the ground?

What if you thought the world, as you knew it, would be no longer and you, as well as all your loved ones were going to perish, and the earth will be left with no inhabitants. Will it be meteors? Comets? Or will it be our enemies launching a nuclear attack with total devastation?

Ponder these thoughts for a moment and ask yourself what if? How about a quick chuckle—

Grandchildren are God’s reward for not killing your own children.

Mother: You’re 30 and all your friends are married—You should be married.

Daughter: You’re 65 and all your friends have hip replacements—You should get a hip replacement.

And, Why are dogs’ bad dancers? Because they have two left feet.

Such morbid thoughts in these troubling times or what if? Turn to Luke 21: 25-28 (FF) “And there will be signs in the sun, moon and stars; and upon the earth nations in despair, as when in terror of the roaring and raging sea: men expiring from fear, and apprehension of what is coming upon the world; for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then shall they witness the Son of Man coming in a cloud, with transcendent power and majesty. But when these begin to appear, stand up and raise your heads; because your redemption then draws near.

The “What if” from above is answered for in these times of trouble and despair, our faith is simply that Jesus will return in bodily form to assemble his kingdom on this very earth.

So here is a where if? Where is Jesus coming? We know that he is coming in a cloud and we know that he is assembling his kingdom but where?

All leaders, heads of state, presidents, dictators, and those who are appointed to rule have a place to rule, so should Jesus.

Turn to Zechariah 8:3 (NIV) This is what the Lord says; “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.”

Turn again to Micah 4:1 (NIV) In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains (nations); it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. NIV notes the following: The phrase “in the last days” describes the days when Jesus will reign over his perfect kingdom (see 4:1-8). The “mountain of the Lord” is Mount Zion. This will be an era of peace and blessing, a time when war will be forever ended. We cannot pinpoint its date, but God has promised it will arrive (See also Isaiah 2:2, Jeremiah 16:15, Joel 3:1 ff, Zechariah 14:9-11, Malachi 3:17.

As you read the Bible, you will see that when Jesus comes, and we hope very soon that the place will be in Jerusalem. But why Jerusalem? Look to (II Samuel 7:12-14 FF) Your days, however shall be completed, and you shall sleep with your fathers, but I will raise an heir after you who shall come from your loins, and I will fix him in your kingship. He shall build a house to My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingship forever! I shall be his Father, and he will be My son.

The double witness is added in the New Testament—Luke 1:32-33—To Mary, before she gave birth to our Saviour, the Angel Said: “He shall be great, and shall be call ed the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

We have established that Jesus will assemble his kingdom in Jerusalem and why he chose Jerusalem. Jesus left nothing to chance—Look at what is said in Revelation 11:15 (FF) Then the seventh angel sounded; when loud voices were heard in heaven which said, ‘The kingdom of the world has become that of the Lord and His Messiah; and He shall reign in the eternities of the eternities.

Halleluiah! Jesus will be coming in a cloud, with transcendent power and majesty. But when these begin to appear, stand up and raise your heads; because your redemption then draws near.

This is not by chance or by a possibility—This will happen as sure the sun rises and sets, so be prepared and enjoy each moment as each day for This is the Day the Lord Has Made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Two down and two to go—Until next time, Revelation 22:20-21 (FF) He who witnessed these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” So be it; come Lord Jesus! The blessing of the Lord Jesus continue with the holy. Amen.

Jeff