King Jesus is Coming: Preparing for His Glorious Arrival

Read the Bible in One Year: OT 2 Samuel 16-18, NT Luke 17:20-37

It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.

Luke 17:30

Jesus is the soon and coming King.

Jesus, in response to the question by the Pharisees as to when the Kingdom of God would come, answers, giving crucial indicators and guidelines. The basic fact is that the kingdom of God will come, there is no question or doubt that. Jesus will return. He is the soon and coming King. The first time He came as a helpless babe, to live and die to redeem us. The second time, however, He will return as the Judge to establish His eternal kingdom.

Jesus reminded the Pharisees, that the kingdom does not come with observation or their hostile questioning. Their doubting eyes were unable to see or receive the kingdom of God. He reminded them that the kingdom of God was right in their midst, because the King was among them.

Then Jesus turns to the disciples, teaching them how to prepare for the coming Kingdom of God.

• Wait for God’s perfect timing: The kingdom of God comes after the cross. However strong the tendency was to skip the cross and go straight to the kingdom, Jesus makes it clear to the disciples that His suffering would come soon, at the hands of the present generation and only then would the kingdom come. Jesus can only come again in glory because He first came in humility and submission unto death on the cross. Jesus will return when the time is ripe for judgment.
• Watch out for deception: Jesus warns His disciples of coming deception. There would come a day after He left the earth, when Jesus’ disciples far and near, would long for the Messiah’s return. Satan taking advantage of that longing would create confusion and false Messiahs to deceive. Jesus warns the disciples not to go after or follow them.
• Prepare for a surprise: Jesus points to the times of Noah and Lot, that while the world continued with its normal routines of life, while they ate, drank, married, and gave in marriage, the floods and judgment came. So also, it will be when the Son of Man is revealed, there will be a sense of normalcy. The day of His return will be business as usual.
• Plan to be unattached: When the floods came during Noah’s time, it is easy to imagine people trying to hold on to their possessions, while they themselves perished. Lot’s wife turned to a pillar of salt because she disobeyed God and looked back on Sodom, presumably with regret and longing. Jesus warns His disciples to take heed, reminding them that the real priority is their souls rather than lingering over worldly possessions.
• Prepare to be caught up: While the return of Jesus would be on any normal day, the event itself would be stupendous and completely out of this world. Jesus clearly states that at His return, there will be a clear distinction based on readiness. Those who are prepared and awaiting His return would be one who is taken up and the others would be left behind. And this would happen in the twinkling of an eye.

Jesus’ return is imminent. May we be watchful and prepared for the glorious return of our soon and coming King Jesus.

Ponder

1. How does the certainty of Jesus’ imminent return impact your perspective on life and the choices you make today?
2. Take a moment to assess the state of your soul and your spiritual readiness. What steps can you take to draw closer to God and strengthen your relationship with Him?
3. How do you handle the tension between eagerly longing for Jesus’ return and patiently waiting for God’s perfect timing in your life?

Scripture Writing: 1 Peter 4:7

Song: Days of Elijah

For more daily devotions like this – At the Potter’s Wheel (Kindle)