“I’ll be back”… Arnold Schwarzenegger “The Terminator” 1984

 

     Through the years those words would become a household phrase. They have been repeated so much they have become a running joke. However, they are not the most famous nor important promise of an impending return. Jesus told us in John 14:2-3 “In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 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.” Also, in Acts 1:11 the angel said “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Jesus IS coming back and the big question is when? “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” Matthew 24:36 This passage was repeated in Mark 13:32. Why is it so important to emphasize the fact that none of us know? If someone did know when, it would be all over the news every day. One reason is to weed out false teachers that claim to know God’s business. However, I think the most important reason is to give us a sense of urgency.  Matthew goes even further in Matthew 25:13 when he says, "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” We all have people in our lives that upon Christ’s return, would be facing an eternal separation from God. Some of these people could be as close as a sibling, parent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or child. Maybe a best friend.  “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.’ Mark 16:15-16. This is The Great Commission. The family singing group Cain has a song called “The Commission” in which the chorus says:

“Go tell the world about me
I was dead but now I live
I've gotta go now for a little while
But goodbye is not the end.”

Think about those in your life that may not know Christ as their Savior. What could you do to reach them? How far would you be willing to go to bring them to Jesus? There may be that one person that only YOU can reach. So, live in the joy of Christ’s love but, remember to watch and tell, because no one knows when that day will come.

 

Have awesome week and remember what the song says, when it comes to Jesus, goodbye is not the end!