Do you live in the reality of Jesus’ return? Or is it a bunch of religious mumbo, jumbo to you?

Let me share sound doctrine with you. (By the way, take time to read these Scriptures. If now is not a good time – come back – when you can absorb what they say.)

• Following Jesus’ assention to heaven in Acts 1:9, verse 10 says, “As they were looking intently into the sky as He was going , when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”

(italics mine)

• Matthew 24:27, “For as lightening that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
• 1 Thessalonians 4:15, “We who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet Him ahead of those who are in their graves. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.
  
• The closing words of the Bible, Jesus says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Rev. 22:20

There are many more…

So how does this tie in with all the unrest and shaking we see in the world? Remember last week, we talked about contractions – similar to when a woman gives birth? Jesus describes what the earth will be like at the end of the age. He says, “All these are the beginning of birth pains.” (Matthew 24:8) Birth pains – prior to His second return.

Let me ask you something. When in history can you recall not only the events I outlined last week, but almost each year something MAJOR happening around the world.

• 2004 Tsunami in Southeast Asia
• 2005 Category 5 Hurricane Katrina – southern part of the United States
• 2008 Housing and real estate market crash that has affected the entire world
• 2010 Earthquake in Haiti
• 2011 Tsunami in Japan

I feel quite sure I’ve missed something. So we have these major events plus ALL the other big things happening as well. In addition to this – Europe has moved to ONE currency. And our president often speaks about the “Global Community” and being united globally. We even see how a lone leader was received in 2008 by the world community . Obama was running for President and traveled abroad. You would have thought the Messiah had arrived at the welcome he received from foreign nations.

The Bible talks about there being a one world leader at the end of the age. (Rev. 13:3) (I do not believe President Obama to be the man the Bible calls anti-Christ.) My point is – we see the reception the world gave to one man. And the willingness to be served by one leader.

One thing to keep your eye on is Israel. Also, keep your eyes open to any leader or charismatic figure promising peace to Israel… (We can talk about this another time. But Israel is key at the end of the age.)

I encourage you to ask the Lord to help you see the happenings of the world through His eyes. Jesus is coming back…

Friday: What day or year will it be?