The return assurance

The Return of Christ in the Bible is an assurance for believers. At the close of his great discourse on the resurrection, the apostle Paul looks up and declares that "we will all be changed" as the "mortal puts on immortality." He even goes so far as to say that on that day, the Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 65:18) will be true, "Death has been swallowed up in victory!" Here is a good place to pause and understand that the message of the New Testament is hope for our present and our future.  Today we can have forgiveness of sins and the assurance that God loves us just as we are.  Today we can also look up because the return of Christ is a victory moment for the believer as well as the Church!    The instruction of Jesus to be alert in Matthew 24 are so that believers will "watch."  This was not to frighten readers but to make them aware that the temporal life we live is not all there is.  In truth, the Gospel message is in two parts.  First, the forgiveness of sins and new life in Christ. Second, the assurance of eternal life.  Romans 5-6 talk about this "great exchange."  In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul gives a command of comfort so that believers can "encourage one another with these words" Jesus is coming back!  Praise God! 

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