The truth about when Jesus comes back (Part 1)

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.  Matthew 16:26-27

Some focus on specific dates and times and signs for when Jesus returns.  Others doubt He even exists.  Some think it makes no difference, either way. Yet the real issue, assuming His existence, divinity, and imminent coming, is what He promises to do when He does return.  The truth about when Jesus comes back is that He will come to judge the world. 

Many overlook the overt purpose of the second coming of the Lord.  They use terms like "Judgment Day."  Yet they fail to acknowledge Jesus as the Supreme Judge on that day. In fact, Jesus, in their mind, is incapable of being "judgmental."  Didn’t Jesus say, "Judge not?”  So how can he return to judge the world?

When Jesus said, "Judge not," he didn't stop with those words alone.  His point in this teaching on judging was that everyone should expect to receive what they give.  If a person gives mercy, he will receive mercy.  And if a person judges, she will be judged in the same way that she judged.  Thus he said, "Judge not, and you will not be judged."  He also said, "If you don't forgive, you will not be forgiven."  In other words, he could just as well have said, "Forgive not, and you will not be forgiven." Would that mean we should not forgive?  Then "judge not" does not mean we should never judge.  

It means before we judge others, we should judge ourselves; and as we wish to be judged by others, so we should also judge others.  Usually we want mercy if we wrong someone.  Therefore, we should show mercy to those who wrong us, because God shows mercy to those who wrong Him.

God's ultimate expression of mercy was shown by Jesus dying for us; by dying in our place.  This act of forgiveness was also an act of justice.  Justice assumes judgment.  It assumes every good act is rewarded, and every evil act is punished.  We all want forgiveness and justice.  We long for it. 

We all long for our consciences to be clear, and for those without consciences to face the consequences of their vileness.  But will this ever happen?  Is it even possible in this world?

These questions are the essence of the meaning of Christ’s return, of our very deepest desires:  His return guarantees the promises of forgiveness and justice.  We all want this.