How Will We Know if it’s Really Jesus Who’s Returned?

Q: One of my friends keeps talking about Jesus returning to earth someday. But how will we know if it’s really Jesus? Maybe it will be someone just claiming to be Jesus. Or maybe He’ll be born in a foreign country and we won’t even hear about Him. — M.R.

A: When Jesus came into the world over 2,000 years ago, He was born in an obscure corner of the Roman Empire — and almost no one heard about Him, until His followers began taking His message elsewhere.

But the second coming of Christ won’t be this way! When Christ comes again — as He repeatedly promised to do — He will appear in the heavens with glory and power, accompanied by a host of angels. All the earth will see His coming, and even His enemies will realize they have been opposing the Son of God. The Bible says, “‘Look, he is coming with the clouds,’ and ‘every eye will see him, even those who pierced him’. … So shall it be!” (Revelation 1:7).

We can barely imagine this, of course — but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen! And when He comes, He will destroy all evil and rule the world in perfect righteousness and justice. This is why the Bible calls His return “the blessed hope — the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

The real issue, however, is this: If Christ were to return before you finished reading this column, would you be ready — or would He find you unprepared and lacking in faith? Don’t ignore Christ or push Him off into a corner, but put your faith and trust in Him today. Then learn to walk with Him every day, so that you will be among those “who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

(c)2018 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.