'This is it!'

The Lord Himself will descend from heaven . . . Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up.   — 1 Thess. 4:16-17

Have you ever had a time when you thought the Lord was coming right then? Many believers in Jesus are so eager to “meet the Lord in the air,” as Scripture puts it (1 Thess. 4:17), that they have felt “This is it!” at one time or another.

My wife, Sue, who once worked in a Christian nursing home, recalls being aboard an elevator at the facility when she had “second coming” thoughts. She had closed the door and started up to the second floor when the elevator came to a half. Sue was stuck between floors. As she waited, there was a jolt and a quick flash of light — and then nothing again.

Sue recalled later that the power of the light and movement startled her and made her think that something unusual was happening. In that moment, her mind went toward the much-anticipated return of Jesus. It was a “This is it!” moment.

Whether we have experienced this feeling is not important. What is absolutely vital is that we know we are ready at any time for the Lord’s return. If we have received Jesus as our Savior — we will find ourselves anticipating with excitement His appearing — eager to “stir up love and good works” in one another as we “see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:24-25).         — Dave Branon

A little while — then Christ will come;

The glorious hour draws nigh

When He will come to take His bride

To dwell with Him on high. — Gilmore

READ:  1 Thess. 4:13-17

Christ’s second coming is as certain as His first.

The Bible in one year:

• Job 28-30

• Proverbs 15:12-21