Is This It?

There has been much speculation and anticipation about this week’s Feast of Trumpets, which begins on the 23rd and runs through the 24th. Is this it? Will this be the week that Jesus comes for his bride, the church? Is this the time that all Christians have been watching, waiting, and praying for? 

No one knows for sure, but we are all called by Jesus to live our lives watching and waiting. That part of our calling is clear and certain? Watch and wait! Live with expectancy! 

Matthew 25:13 (NLT) 

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return. 

That verse from the parable of the 10 Virgins was Jesus’ warning to those who might grow weary and distracted in the time of waiting. I would like to offer two questions for this week. 

What if He comes this week? 

Be ready! Repent of your sins, believe in the name of God’s only begotten Son-Jesus. And may our Lord and King find us watching expectantly for Him. 

Luke 12:35-40 (NLT) 

“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 

36 as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 

37 The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! 38 He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready. 39 “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” 

What if He doesn’t come this week? 

I pray that He will give us the endurance and patience to continue watching and waiting for the time when He will come. The grave is still real, and we are still mortal! Our only hope is in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That part has never changed. 

Romans 8:23-25 (NLT) 

And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. 

24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) 

The reality is this…If the promise of Jesus’ return is not true, then none of the gospel of Jesus is true. If the cross and resurrection of Jesus are true, then the return of King Jesus for the church is also true. 

For those who mock and scoff at those who are confidently and patiently waiting for the return of our Savior and King, I give this word of warning from Jesus. 

Luke 21:33-36 (NLT) 

Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. 

34 “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. 36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” 

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen, 

Terry Cooper 

Lead Minister