Desiring the Return of Christ

One of my favorite verses in the bible is Titus 2:13. Here Paul exhorts us too where our focus should be as we live our lives here on earth when he says we are to be "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." Our focus is to be on heaven, not on the trials of this world. And when we have this focus we will be more faithful to the things God has called us to here on earth.

In Luke 17:20-37 Jesus gives us one of His more extensive teachings on His Second Coming. What I find interesting though are the first 8 verses of chapter 18. In Luke 18:1, after the extensive teaching in chapter 17, Jesus says, "then He spoke a parable to them(the disciples) that men always ought to pray and not lose heart." As I read this, it struck me, are we honestly praying for Christ to return, or have we lost heart? Do we have a sincere desire to see Him appear? Is our focus on heaven, or here on earth?

In the parable that follows, called the parable of the "Unjust Judge," we get a lesson on prayer. In this parable Jesus draws a contrast. We have a judge that Jesus says does "not fear God nor regard man." We also have a widow who would not give up in seeking justice for a wrong done against her. The widow shows such persistence that the judge finally gives in to he request, not because he desires to do the right thing, but to simply rid himself of the burdonsome widow. Now if we do not see the contrast Jesus is making here, would could jump to the wrong conclusion on what Jesus is teaching us.

Jesus is not teaching us that we can nag God into doing something for us. He is not teaching that we are a burden to Him. What Jesus is telling us is that if justice can be gained through persistence on this unjust earth amongst unjust people, will not God surely bring justice in His timing. The question is, are we persistntly seeking God to fulfil His promises to us and for His will to be done?

Let us ask ourselves, is it God's will for Christ to return? Absolutely it is! Is it God's will for us to seek His will ragarding His plan for this earth? You bet it is. Are we actually praying as Christ did, "not My will Father, but your will be done?" Sadly, I think far more of us are focussed in prayer upon our will and needs, instead of God's will and promises.

The last prayer in the bible, is the next to last verse in the bible, from Revelation 22:20. Here John the apostle cries out, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" Do we actually pray for Jesus to return? When Jesus instucted the disciples in how to pray in what we call the "Lord's Prayer," He said we should pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Do we realize that if we pray for the kingdom of God to come, we are praying for Christ to come?

If we were focussed upon the return of Christ and the kingdom of God as we should be, we'd live far more fruitful lives for Jesus here on earth. We'd have a passion for the lost realizing He could return at any momemnt and would be faithful in being His witnesses. We'd truly strive to be obedient, not wanting to be ashamed at His appearing. We'd be faithful in fulfilling the "Greatest Commandment" to love God above all others and love our neighbors as ourselves. But does this describe this world, and more importantly, Christ's church today?

Verse 8 in Matthew 18 gives a troubling view from heaven of this age. Jesus asks a question after stating that God will justly avenge His own here on earth. That question; "...Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" When we see a question asked in this imperitive in the Greek language, sadly, the answer is always no. When Jesus comes, will He find His people desiring His return with all of their heart? No. When Jesus comes, will He find His people passionately seeking to "save that which was lost?" No. When Jesus comes, will He find His people showing their love for Him by living obediently to His commands? No.

1 John 2:28 tells us, "And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His appearing." If Christ were to return today, would you be confident in the life you are leading for Him, or ashamed? Do you desire His return or the things of this world more? Do lost people mean anything to you? How you answer these questions can show you whether you are living in God's will or not. If you are not, are you willing to repent and change? Or are you content to be ashamed before Him?