"Jesus is Coming Soon"

In all of us dwells the hope that Jesus will soon return to catch away His bride. We have many sure promises that He will return. Let us examine enough of them to assure us that the Bible teaches it in no uncertain terms:

"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the dis-
ciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us,
when shall these things be? and what shall be the
sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"
Matt. 24;3. (Also read the entire 24th chapter.)

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all
sleep, but we shall be changed, In a moment, in
the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the
trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this
corruptible must put on incorruption, and this
mortal must put on immortality." 1 Cor. 15: 51-53.

"For this we say unto you by the word of the
Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto
the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them
which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall de-
scend from heaven with a shout, with the voice
of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and
the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which

are alive and remain shall be caught up together
with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the
air: and so shall we ever be
be with the

1 Thes. 4:15, 16, 17.

Lord."

"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering
together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in
mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by
word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of
Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any
means: for that day shall not come, except there
come a falling away first, and that man of sin be
revealed, the son of perdition." 2 Thes. 2:1-3.

These and an abundance of references besides show that Jesus is coming back to earth again. And every eye shall see Him, we are told.

"And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven
as he went up, behold, two men stood by them
in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of
Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?
this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into
heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have
seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:10, 11.

Just the time of His return we do not know. Jesus said concerning His restoration of the kingdom of Israel: "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own power."

However, the Lord has given some signs that will indicate the time of His coming so that the day shall not come upon us unaware. These are given in the 24th chap

ter of Matthew very completely. Paul adds to them in such a way that by a careful study it appears that Jesus will return to earth soon. As to the falling away which Paul speaks of, we have surely had that. It refers in all liklihood to the falling away of spirituality, which occurred as he prophecied, reaching the depths of wickedness in the dark ages.

The wars and rumors of wars have been fulfilled with a terrible vengeance even in our own times. Pestilence, famine, and the other signs have come upon the world. The Jews are returning in multitudes to Palestine. Plans are now under way to restore the fertility of the soil to take care of the Jews. Surely the portion of Scripture that refers to their return to Palestine is being fulfilled. And besides, the latter rain that is falling upon the earth is another definite sign that Jesus is coming soon.

"Coming soon," might be many years to come. Again it might be within a short time. The times and seasons are in the Father's Power. "Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh."

The three appearings of Christ are shown beautifully in Hebrews 9:26, 24 and 28. In John 14:20, 23; as well as in verses 2 and 3, Jesus comforts us by the promise of receiving us unto Himself.

W. E. B. in his well-known book, "Jesus is Coming," sums up the prophecies which we expect to be literally fulfilled at the second coming of Jesus:

That He shall come Himself,--

That He shall shout,

1 Thes. 4:16.

1 Thes. 4:16.

That the dead will hear His voice,- John 5:28.
That the raised and changed believers will be

caught up to meet Him in the air,

1 Thes.4:17.

That He will come to the earth again,

Acts 1:11.

To the same Mount Olivet from which He

ascended,

In flaming fire,

Zech. 14:4.

2 Thes. 1:8.

In the clouds of heaven with power and

great glory, Matt. 24:30; 1 Pet. 1:7; 4:13. And stand upon the earth,

Job 19:25.

That His saints (the Church) shall come with Him,- Deut. 33:2; 1 Thes. 3:13; Jude 14.

That every eye shall see Him,—
That He shall destroy Antichrist,
That He shall sit in His throne,-

Rev. 1:7. 2 Thes. 2:8.

Matt. 25:31;

Rev. 5:13.

That all nations will be gathered before Him, and

Matt. 25:32.

He will judge them,That He shall have the throne of David,—— Isa. 9: 6,7; Luke 1:32; Ezek. 21:25-27.

That it will be upon the earth,-
That He shall have a kingdom,
And rule over it with His saints,

Jer. 23:5.6.

Dan. 7:13,14.

Dan. 7:18,22,

27; Rev. 5:10.

That all kings and nations shall serve Him,-
Psa. 72:11; Isa. 49:6,7; Rev. 15:4.
That the kingdoms of this world shall become His
kingdom,--
Zech. 9:10; Rev. 11:15.
That the people shall gather unto Him,- Gen.

49:10.

That every knee shall bow to Him, Isa. 45:23.

That they shall come and worship the King,-
Zech. 14:16; Psa. 86:9.

Psa. 102:16.

That He shall build up Zion,--
That His throne shall be in Jerusalem,-- Jer. 3:17;

Isa. 30:20, 21.

That the Apostles shall sit upon twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel, Matt.
19:28; Luke 22:28-30.
That He shall rule all nations,-- Psa. 2:8, 9;
Rev. 2:27.

That He shall rule with judgment and justice,—
Isa. 9:7.
That the Temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt
(Ezek. chapters 40, 48), and the glory of the
Lord will come into it,-Ezek. 43:2-5; 44:4.
That the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,-

Isa. 40:5.

That the wilderness shall be a fruitful field,

Isa. 32:15.

That the desert will blossom as the rose,-Isa.35:

1, 2.

And His rest shall be glorious,

Isa. 11:10.

And many more we might mention. Moreover, let us remember that we celebrate the Lord's Supper "Until He comes." (1 Cor. 11:26.)

Objections Considered. Some dissenters allege that Death is the coming of Jesus. That is assuming too much. Let any one insert "death" in the following passage, as well as in many others, and you will see at once it does not apply:

"Hereafter shall ye see 'death' sitting on the
right hand of power, and coming in the clouds
of heaven." Matt. 26:64.