After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” Acts 1:9–11 (NLT)

Growing up in an Evangelical Pentecostal tradition, there was not a significant emphasis on Advent. To the extent that we were aware of Advent, it was in the context of “that is something that is observed by mainline churches.” It was a “religious ritual” with minimal significance.

However, the second coming of Christ was emphasized and anticipated continually. So, it gave me a sense of joy and satisfaction when I learned that Advent not only celebrated Christ’s birth, but it was a time for looking forward to his return.

At a time when interest and excitement for the second coming of Christ is in decline in many quarters, it is refreshing to see that not everyone has forgotten the promise of his return. Whether Christ comes today, or in my lifetime, or even a thousand years from now, it is important for us to live our lives with a sense of anticipation, hope, and preparation because none of us know the day, or the hour of Christ’s return.

When Christ returns it will be glorious, but the acclamation will not be unanimous. Not everyone, even among those who claim to believe, will be ready. How should we live our lives in view of the king’s return?

It’s Time to Prepare

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11–13 (CSB)

John the Baptist preached repentance, urging everyone to prepare themselves for the coming of the Lord. Advent is traditionally a time of preparation, reflection, and repentance. It is also a hectic time of year. It is easy to be swept away with seasonal busyness and miss the deeper meaning.

This time is meant for preparing for Jesus’ coming, as individuals, but also as members of his body, the church. While we celebrate Christ’s first coming as a baby in Bethlehem, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness and prepare for his second coming.

Paul urges Titus to remind everyone that God’s grace appeared, bringing the offer of salvation to everyone. In view of this, there is a manner in which we are to live. We are to live contrary to the flow and manner of the world. He uses words like sensible, righteous, and godly.

Advent is about preparing for a future event; Jesus’ coming at the end of time. God’s promises have never failed, and we can be confident that he will fulfill his word to return. Advent is an interruption to our typical holiday preparations. It demands that we examine ourselves and get ready to welcome Jesus.

A key warning in Scripture is against procrastination. We must not believe that we can wait until the last minute to prepare. Christ’s coming will catch those who are unprepared off guard, like a thief in the night.

The Return of the King

Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself. Philippians 3:20–21 (CSB)

There is a misunderstanding among some Christians regarding the nature of heaven and the resurrection. The ultimate future for believers is not a disembodied existence in heaven but in a resurrected life on a renewed earth.

Yes, we are citizens of heaven, but the king is returning to establish his kingdom here on earth. Jesus taught us to pray: Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 (CSB). As Christ-followers, we have a responsibility to embody and promote the values of heaven here on earth.

The imagery that Paul is conveying to his readers in Philippi is likened to the citizens of the city going out to meet the emperor when he pays them a state visit, and then accompanying him back to the city itself.

Our ultimate hope is not one of escape, but of triumph and victory as Jesus returns to establish his kingdom here on earth. Everything will be different to be sure because the day will come when Christ makes all things new. There will be a new heaven and a new earth.

King of Kings

And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelation 19:16 (CSB)

During this Christmas season, we not only look back to Christ’s birth in Bethlehem 2000 years ago, but we also look forward to the King’s return. Paul reminds us:

And so God has greatly exalted him, and to him in his favour has given the name which is over all names: That now at the name of Jesus every knee within heaven shall bow— on earth, too, and under the earth; And every tongue shall confess that Jesus, Messiah, is Lord, to the glory of God, the father. Philippians 2:9–11 (BFE)

We may be tempted to be discouraged as we look around us and see the conditions of the world today. We must not look through our natural eyes only, but with spiritual eyes we can see that the King is coming. The time for our redemption is nearer than when we first believed.

Our primary responsibility is to prepare ourselves for the king’s return. The king is coming to establish his kingdom here on earth.

Steve Ekeroth