Beyond the Resurrection

Many Christians have come to view the events commemorated on Easter as the culmination of Christ’s work.  While the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus did finalize salvation and eternal life for all those who belief in him, this momentous act is but the mid-point of Christ’s work.
 
There are three groups of prophecies related to Jesus.  First are the prophecies that foretold his arrival on Earth.  Several Old Testament prophets spoke of the coming of the Messiah – a mighty king from the line of David who would restore the glory of Israel.  It is why we read passages from Isaiah during Christmas.  It is why Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  It is why shepherds and wise men alike marveled at the baby in the manger.  It is why King Herod was so struck with fear of being usurped that he ordered the deaths of all young males under the age of two upon learning of the birth of Jesus.  The child born in Bethlehem checked all the prophetic boxes.
 
The second group of prophecies pertained to the ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus.  These events were also spoken of by the Old Testament prophets and by Jesus’s contemporary, John the Baptist.  In the Gospels, Jesus himself refers to his fulfillment of these prophecies.
 
The third group of prophecies relates to the return or “Second Coming” of Jesus.  This group of prophecies is largely ignored by mainstream Christianity even though such prophecies are perhaps even more prolific throughout both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.  Jesus himself spoke of his return both in his earthly ministry and later when he gave The Revelation to his beloved disciple John.
 
There are numerous reasons why the prophecies about the Second Coming of Jesus are largely ignored.  They contain imagery that many find too confusing and complex to explain.  They are viewed as too dark and depressing (although I would argue the torture and crucifixion of Jesus is pretty dark, and the Church has no problem discussing that).  Another reason is the fear of losing credibility.  There is no shortage of charlatans and would-be Messiah’s who have hijacked the prophecies related to the Second Coming and made a mockery of them.  There is an understandable fear of get painted with the same brush as those who have twisted prophecies for their own gain.
 
But the return of Jesus is too important of an event to leave untaught.  I have been heartened to see more and more ministries taking on this subject.  But there is still a long way to go to bring it to its proper prominence in mainstream Christianity.
 
Why do I place such importance on this?  There are two reasons.  First, there is no greater message to focus the Christian world on spreading the Gospel than the urgency of Christ’s imminent return.  If you know that time is running out and you have anyone in your life who is not saved, you will most certainly be more motivated to minister to them.
 
The second reason is that I truly believe that we are getting close to Christ’s return.  No one knows the exact time of this event except for God, but Jesus did give us clues as to when it would be growing near.  I will discuss these clues, as well as the prophecies related to the Second Coming of Jesus in an upcoming blog series.
 
So as we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus this Easter, let us not lose sight of the fact that he will be coming back to reign on Earth as King of Kings, and he may be coming sooner than you think.