When the Trumpet Sounds

When the trumpet sounds.  All the great religious leaders of the world – Buddha, Mahomet, Confucius – were deeply venerated by their followers. Tremendous pains were taken to preserve the mortal remains of these famed leaders. There are magnificent temples in India that enshrine one of the Buddha’s teeth. The same human characteristic can be seen in the Orthodox and Catholic bodies of Christendom. How greatly people honour the relics of the saints – they revere all manner of robes, statues, and ancient articles. This worldwide and prolific testimony to the ordinary trend of human nature leaves no doubt at all that, had it been possible to do the same with the body of Jesus, it too would have been preserved and venerated (cp Jn 20:11-15).

But there are no relics of Jesus. His tomb was empty on resurrection morning!

If Jesus, therefore, was true in prophesying his death and resurrection, he must have been true also in prophesying his return to the earth in power and glory, for it is hardly likely that he would be correct in the first prediction but wrong in the second. The marvel of his return is not greater than the marvel of his victory over death!

THE KING WHO IS COMING

Who is this Christ who is “coming soon”? John said –

I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness, he judges and makes war. His eyes burn like a bright flame, and many crowns are on his head. And a name is written on him that no one knows but himself ... And his name is inscribed upon his robe and upon his thigh – King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Re 19:11-16).

With trembling awe the prophet, Daniel wrote –

As I looked, thrones were placed and one that was ancient of days took his seat; his raiment was white as snow ... his throne was fiery flames ... a stream of fire issued and came forth from before him; a thousand served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. (7:9-10, RSV)

And again Daniel dreamed and saw

visions during the night, and behold, with the clouds of heaven One came who was like the son of man ... and to him was given dominion ... which shall not pass away, and his kingdom is one that shall never be destroyed (vs. 13-14, RSV).

With intense excitement, Paul wrote –

The Lord Jesus himself will come down from heaven with his mighty angels, surrounded by a blazing fire. Then he will exact vengeance upon those who refused to know God ... And on that day of his coming, he will be glorified in his saints, and all who believe in him will be filled with wonder (2 Th 1:7-10).

Those glowing testimonies could be multiplied many times, all of them telling of the amazing glory, the indescribable majesty, of the day when Christ returns. Possessing a sure hope of the dawning of that great day, we rejoice!

THE PROMISE CONFIRMED

How certain is the promise of Christ’s return? How will he come? What does “soon” mean? What will be the result? So many questions! But they do have answers –

A CLEAR PROMISE

If you doubt that Christ ever did promise one day to return to this earth, you should read the following: Mt 24:30; 25:31; Mk 8:38; 1 Th 3:13; 4:15-16; 2 Th 1:7; Tit 2:13; He 9:28; Ju 14, 15; Re 1:7; 16:15; and many others.

It seems hardly possible for language to be any clearer! How can it be reasonable to deny that Christ, who meant exactly what he said about his going back to heaven, also meant exactly what he said about his coming back to earth? Yet there are those who do doubt it, and who try to alter the impact of the promise –

This book is now also available as an  ebook from Smashwords When  the Trumpet  Sounds  - Ebook version