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 Issue 1

The Countdown to the Return of Jesus Christ

Five – Four – Three – Two – One – Zero… Blast-Off!!! We are all familiar with the final countdown when a rocket blasts off carrying an astronaut into outer space. That is a spectacular event! Think how much more spectacular it will be when Jesus Christ returns in astonishing power and great glory.

Right now, we are counting down… Three – Two – One – Zero, to the day that Jesus will do just that - come back to this earth in the clouds of heaven with enormous power and great glory. How many people realize that every day we are one day closer to the return of Jesus Christ? How many people actually believe what Jesus proclaimed – that He is coming back to this earth? If we believe our Bible – we know it is true! Jesus Christ is coming back. Jesus said there would be a sign announcing His return. “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30)

Jesus’ disciples were anxious to know when He would return. They asked Him, ”What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”

This is a Sinful World

For us, there is one question that is even more important than the sign announcing when Jesus will establish His Father’s Kingdom over all the earth – that question is, “Will we be ready when the countdown hits zero?” We know that great destruction is coming upon this evil world because of mankind’s rejection of God - and then shall all the tribes [families] of the earth mourn. We are very near the end of this age, and the end of all civilization, as we know it. History shows that all great nations eventually fall. What can we do to survive the coming catastrophe caused by sin? Who will be counted worthy to escape the terrible tribulation? Jesus, Himself, gives us the answer: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36)

Believe it or not, most of mankind only pays lip service to God – choosing to live their lives as they see fit. Jesus taught a way of life that requires service to our fellow man and obedience to God. The few who will be living lives of self-sacrifice – seeking first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, are called “The Elect.” It will be those elect Christians who will survive the last days. “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22)

Who Will be Spared

What must we do to be prepared for Christ’s magnificent return? The answer lies in knowing and understanding the good news that Jesus proclaimed when He said, “The good news of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14)

Who is looking for, and more importantly, preparing for the Kingdom of God? Remember, Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Thy Kingdom come.” (Matthew 6:10) We should not be surprised at how important Jesus personally considers this news of the Kingdom to be. After all, “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the good news [gospel] of the Kingdom of God.” (Mark 1:14)

The Kingdom of God will replace all the kingdoms of men on earth because none know how to obey and properly worship God. The instruction that Jesus gave us is to turn our lives around and believe the good news that He brought. (Mark 1:15) We are supposed to be like Christ. Everyone knows what Jesus looks like – right? Wrong! It is a common misconception that Jesus is easily recognizable. Most do not realize that all the populations of this world will not recognize Jesus, the Lamb of God, and will fight to prevent His return. However, Jesus Christ will have the victory. The good news is that God’s Kingdom will then be established on the earth, and ruled by Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14)

The Signs of Jesus Christ’s Return

Jesus speaks of an earth in turmoil just before His glorious return. He tells the disciples there will be religious deception, wars, famines and pestilence.

“…The disciples came unto [Jesus] privately, saying, tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places… And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many… But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:3-13)

We are indeed living in the last days. Make no mistake about it friends — it is not too late to put God’s way first in our lives. If we will seek God’s way, Jesus is faithful not to allow our destruction, but to protect and save us. How many days do we have left in the countdown to the return of Jesus Christ?