Christ’s Coming – How Will It Find Us?

By Thomas L. Wade

    The return of the Lord was an event anxiously awaited by the early church. But this anxious waiting for His return was not just because they thought He would return in their lifetime. Nor was it just a desire to escape the difficulties of life. There was a deeper motive and desire accompanying this longing.

    Colossians 3:1-4 says: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." The affections of the early Christians were not on the things of this life. Their life was totally swallowed up in Christ. He was to appear, and they were to appear with Him in glory. This was their life, their hope, that Christ was returning for them!….

    The teaching of Christ’s coming has survived the ages. His coming is still proclaimed, but the glorious appearing and blessed hope has lost its brightness among the riches and things of this life. The temporal has fed and satisfied souls and they have need of nothing – not even His return.

    An honest evaluation of our attitude concerning His return may help us see if we have been snared. Does the thought of His return bring a joy and hope to our hearts? Do we love His appearing? Is it a glorious appearing that will unite us to our Lord, our Life, our Saviour Jesus Christ? Or has it lost its glory and its charm and become just an event that we know will happen? How will the rapture find us, or death, if it comes first? How will it be for us – a glorious appearing or a day of sorrow? Now there is time to change!

    – Arranged from Wesleyan Herald.