From the Pulpit
Text: At that time, men will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And He will send His angels and gather His elects from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens (Mark 13: 26-27 NIV).
The second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is real, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself talked about it. The apostles emphasized it in their teachings. The Church continues to proclaim it so that no one will be caught unawares. This Sunday’s theme: “The Second Coming of Christ” serves to remind us once again that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back to the world, and that we should endeavour to keep the second coming of the Lord in focuses in our Christian pilgrimage. Even though some people have taken it lightly, claiming that things will always remain the same. What is slowing the Lord’s return is God’s mercy so that more sinners will repent and be saved (II Peter. 3:10).
The second coming of the Lord, unlike his first coming will be a day of reckoning. He will come in his immense power and glory to judge the living and the dead. It is a day when everyone will receive his/her due reward for all that he/she has done (II Corinthian 5:10, Revelation 22:12). The second coming of the Lord will be sudden (I Corinthian 15:52; I Thessalonica 5:3; II Peter 3:10). It will catch many unawares as no one knows the day and time he will come. As no one knows the exact time of the Lord’s return, no one will be able to make last minute preparation. It is for this reason that the Lord Jesus Christ warns that we should always be ready for his second coming (Mark 13:33)
As it is the Day of Judgment in which no one can escape (Revelation 1:7), it will be like the days of the flood when no one was able to escape, except Noah and his family who heeded God’s warning.
It is never too late for anyone to start preparing for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. This preparation begins with the acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as one’s personal Lord and Saviour, remaining immovable in Him as well as abounding in His work (I Corinthian 15:56). With this, one will not be found wanting on the day of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lo, He comes with clouds descending
Once for favoured sinners slain
Thousand thousand saints attending
Swell the triumph of His train
Alleluia
Christ appears on earth to reign
Every eye shall now behold Him
Robed in dreadful majesty
Those who set at naught and sold Him
Pierced and nailed Him to the Tree
Deeply wailing
Shall the True Messiah see.
A & M. 51 verse 1&2.
The Very Revd Adewale Adebiyi Ph.D
The Provost