All of us in God’s Church have been waiting for Christ’s return for years. Some have even set dates. Does the Bible predict Christ’s return? The answer is absolutely yes. Does Scripture give details about His return? Once again, the answer is an absolute yes. Christ will return, most assuredly. He has promised it—and He never lies (Titus 1:2).
Was the Church ready for Christ’s return when Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong began to proclaim the good news around the world? No, it certainly was not! I personally am among the firsthand witnesses who can testify to this fact. But, most importantly, is the Church ready today? Are we ready to complete the mission for which we have been called? We must each answer that question individually (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Grow Spiritually
If, as the Bible commands, you have been baptized by immersion after genuine repentance (Acts 2:38), are you growing each day in grace and knowledge? Are you being faithful to the commitment into which you entered at baptism? Are you drawing closer to your Creator every day? How much progress have you made since you were called? Can you affirm that you have grown significantly ever since a minister laid hands on you for the reception of God’s Spirit? Are you, today, less carnal—less selfish? Have you grown in understanding of God’s word and His plan for mankind? These questions demand answers—and proofs. All of us need to grow in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:17–18). All of us need to grow in the love of God (Jude 20–21).
I remember a friend—a philosopher—who interpreted the Bible in his own way. He was convinced that his way of understanding God’s teachings was right. It made more sense to him because he thought it more “reasonable” and easier to put into practice. He took certain Bible verses out of context—verses that were more pleasing to the human mind and easy to understand—and based his religion on the principles contained therein.
My friend firmly believed in Christ’s teaching, “whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Certainly, this is the basis of all commandments ruling human relationships. But although many people in the world say they believe in these words of Christ, they usually apply them in their own way. They do unto others on their own terms, and love others according to their own definition of love.
Many years ago, during one of my Radio Luxembourg broadcasts, I told the audience that love is the foundation of true Christianity. One listener wrote to me with great joy: “You are right, Mr. Apartian, love is what matters. To enjoy life, we should think with love, act with love and make love”! That man did not really understand what I had explained on the air, but he was satisfied with his “logical” interpretation of “love.” It was his belief—his conviction, his religion—based on his own interpretation of the Bible. That was how he adapted God’s definition of love to his own carnal understanding. The type of love he believed in was rooted in the physical realm. He ignored totally the spiritual aspect of love.
Family Love
Before our conversion, none of us could understand the true meaning of love in our human relations—including the meaning of love in marriage, which Paul describes in his epistle to the Ephesians. We did not comprehend that physical marriage is a parallel of the spiritual marriage between Christ and His Church. Yet we learned these truths when we entered God’s Church and began to walk on the road of true conversion.
In Ephesians 5:22–33, the Apostle Paul vividly describes true love in the context of marriage. Sadly, there are not that many couples today in which the husband and the wife love and respect each other in the profound way Paul described. They do not consider their marriage as a commitment that will help them to grow spiritually. For many, these days, marriage is a stumbling block that tempts each mate to focus on the flaws of the other. Instead of growing in love for each other, husbands and wives drift apart. This is not how to have and maintain peace and joy in marriage and the family!
Parents should teach their children the way to follow, and should correct them when necessary. Remember that all correction must be given in love, and be accompanied by an explanation the child can understand—this is a biblical principle!
Notice God’s command to children: “obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth’” (Ephesians 6:1–3). This injunction also applies to adults in God’s Church, since those who have been baptized and have received the Holy Spirit are the children of God. We will be transformed into spirit beings at the resurrection of the dead—one of the reasons why Christ’s return is so awaited and desired. “But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter, and all we are the work of Your hand” (Isaiah 64:8).
Christ’s Example
Christ did not come to this earth to “get” something, but to give everything—including His very life—so that you and I could one day share in His eternal glory (John 10:27–30). That is true love—pure and unselfish. After their conversion, the Apostles also laid down their lives in service to God, teaching and proclaiming the true Gospel of the Kingdom of God. They set for us the example so that we could follow the right way that leads to the goal for which we were born. Regrettably, not long after Christ’s death and resurrection, some in the Church began to drift away from the Truth, instead of growing spiritually in grace and knowledge. Today, similarly, in the final era of God’s Church, false teachings abound in many groups of God’s people, and are accepted by those who are not careful to prove the Truth for themselves (1 Corinthians 11:18; 2 Peter 2:1–3).
Of course, true Christianity is rejected by the world today. There are thousands of different churches, all proclaiming to be the true Church, while preaching opposing doctrines. But where are we in God’s Church, nearly 2,000 years after Christ’s death and resurrection? True Christianity is proclaimed by a very few, believed by a very few, and practiced by a very few. As Christ said: “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
When Will Christ Return?
The Apostles—including Paul—thought Christ would return during their lifetimes. Yet, in retrospect, they should have known better; Christ revealed to His disciples an outline of specific prophetic events leading up to His return (Matthew 24:3–31). Today, there are wars and rumors of wars. The human race has the means to put an end to all life on Earth. Christ said, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened” (vv. 21–22). Thankfully, Christ will return just in time to put an end to human madness and to stop global cosmocide.
Over the last few years, subtle and not-so-subtle events relating to end-time biblical prophecies have fallen into place with increasing speed and frequency. What was unthinkable even a decade ago is now a reality. Even in the world, people talk about the prophecies of “the end of the world,” and of predictions concerning calamities that will change the world as we know it. Many talk about Christ’s return—but few really believe in it! The nations have turned away from God. People reject the authority of the Bible in their lives (Jude 8).
Is Christ more important to you than your life or death? Paul wrote: “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again” (Philippians 1:23–26).
A tireless worker, Paul was willing to endure the consequences of his total submission to Christ. He did his part. He certainly accomplished his mission. Near his death, he declared: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6–8).
God’s Church is a team—a body, a family—of members, working to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the world, and teaching those whom God is calling to escape the world’s evils. We are the temple of God. We must grow in grace and in knowledge, and we should seek above all to help our fellow human beings fulfill the purpose for which they were born. If we spend more time with our Bibles, and if we seek to know ever more deeply how to practice the love of Christ, our waiting time for Christ’s return will be easier and shorter.
We must open wide our eyes. We must each be seeking to do our part to accomplish the mission for which we were called. Study the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1–13) and learn its lessons as they relate to Christ’s Second Coming.
As God’s people, we ought to grow in love for—and unity with—one another. As Peter wrote, “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For ‘He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:8–12).
Many of us have awaited Christ’s return for decades. But our wait for Him will soon be over. Let us press on to, and be diligent to have, an intimate relationship with Christ, our Creator. Let us press on and be increasingly converted, to have a better attitude, and overcome our carnality, to be ready for Christ’s return.