The Scriptures record for us that Jesus was born of a virgin; that he lived a sinless life; that he suffered a cruel death on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins; that he was buried and rose again the third day. These truths concerning our Lord Jesus are incontestable.
Concerning his resurrection, the Apostle Paul writes “that he [Jesus] rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas [Peter], then of the twelve [his disciples]: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me [Paul] also” (I Corinthians 15:5-8). Luke adds that “he [Jesus] showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them [his disciples] forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:2-3).
At his last gathering with the disciples, he told them “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses…unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received them out of their sight” (Acts 1:8-9).
Where is Jesus now? The writer of Hebrews tells us that “this man [Jesus], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God: from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool” (Hebrews 13:12-13). Peter explains further that he “is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him” (I Peter 3:22).
Jesus is in heaven right now, but he is coming back! He promised this even before his crucifixion. In an effort to find fault with him, the high priest asked Jesus “Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:61-62). John repeated the promise in the final book of our Scriptures: “Behold, he [Jesus] cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him” (Revelation 1:7).
Friend, Jesus is coming again to earth, not as a babe in a manger, but this time as King of kings and Lord of lords. Peter noted that “there shall come in the last days scoffers…saying, where is the promise of his coming…But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-9).
Believer, “be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh…behold, the judge standeth before the door” (James 5:9). When he comes, he shall make all things right. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:21).
From the Chaplain 