“They shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30).

Heaven! How does one even begin to wrap their mind around what this will be like? How do we begin to fathom, comprehend, and think through such an incredible reality? Can we?

My last two posts set the tone for our thoughts today, and yes, I do believe we can touch the hem of heaven to some degree. It is possible by faith. As I was pondering all this, I felt his Spirit place on my thoughts, “Draw near to me and I will draw near to you!” (James 4:8). And then it clicked! To know Him is to know His truth; and to know His love is to experience His grace and salvation; to think of Jesus, the Anointed Christ, is to feel the touch of His presence converging around us fresh and inviting; to ponder Christ’s life and His return is to contemplate on heaven itself. To confess Christ as Lord draws us nearer into a relationship to become more like Him; to become pure as He is pure, thus uniting our faith with His Spirit and then heaven begins to make sense (1 John 3:3).

You see, there is no truth in the Bible more important than that of our Lord’s return to earth. Just the knowledge of heaven and the Lord’s return has great impact and bearing upon one’s life and how you live today. Jesus’ first coming was to bring mankind salvation; his second coming will be to receive those who through faith and obedience have obtained that salvation (Hebrews 9:28; 2 Timothy 4:6-8). I do believe in a particular sequence of events that will lead up to His second coming. I also believe the Church’s rapture (the Lord removing His people from the earth) will occur prior to the great Tribulation which will be unlike the world has ever witnessed. We can read of these occurring events in the Book of Revelation; 2 Thessalonians 2; Daniel 12; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and other related passages. I read somewhere that one-fifth of the entire New Testament is directly concerned with the Lord’s return.

Allow me to share a brief overview of events through biblical teaching about Christ’s second return. One illustration is in the Apostle Paul’s First Thessalonian letter. Amazingly, Paul concludes each chapter with a reference to the Lord’s return (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:15-18; 5:23). Denver Sizemore comments that, “The Apostle Paul referred to it so often that the early believers concluded that the second coming was immediate. He wrote 2 Thessalonians to correct this view. The Bible is very clear as to the certainty of His return.” The one thing that is not revealed is the time of His return…all that mankind needs to know is how to be ready, for He will come at a time and hour that we least suspect (Mark 13:32-36). It will be a personal and visible coming as every eye shall see Him (Revelation 1:7-8). We won’t need to question His return because Jesus described it “as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:27). The dead in Christ will rise first and then those who are still alive will meet the Lord in the air along with those who have gone before us (1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18) and we shall be changed (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). In 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7, the Apostle Paul reminds us the Lord will come with His mighty angels from heaven. Jesus will return in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30). The Apostle Peter writes with such profundity about how Jesus “is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” He then concludes two additional and astounding truths, “The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare…So, then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him” (2 Peter 3:10,14). Maybe this is why I love watching big cumulous clouds pass overhead…it serves as a silent reminder about His second coming. Only by surrendering our life to Jesus Christ, who by His sinless life shed his blood at Calvary, can we be cleansed and blameless in His sight. Knowing this, we must make Jesus the Lord of our life TODAY! I’ve never known any greater peace than His peace…what a marvelous mystery. The scriptures say that on that day all shall stand amazed at His coming and “every knee shall bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father” (Philippians 2:10).

Let me tell you a brief story about my dad who, at 88 years old, joined the great cloud of witnesses and he did so with a smile on his face (Hebrews 12:1). I remember it so well. In 2009, my dad had a terrible fall fracturing his neck and shortly thereafter was placed in hospice care. It became obvious that his day was drawing near. On the last day I spent with my dad he had not spoken or eaten much. He lay quiet, peaceful, so serene as though he were asleep, but I began to talk to dad as I did everyday for nearly three weeks. Praying and scripture reading to him was a daily routine, even though he didn’t respond much.

It was on my last day as I was getting ready to head back to California, that I vividly recall praying my last prayer and then jokingly said, “Dad, I want you to know I am upset with you because you know how much I long to go to heaven and you’re going to beat me there!” With those very words, my dad opened his eyes, slowly turned his head, and looked straight into my eyes. He gave me a wink…the kind he would give me as a child to reassure me all was going to be okay. I fondly recalled all those times and as gently as he blessed me with that wink he resumed his position of peaceful rest. What can I say, I was beside myself as I was yelling for my mom and sister, “Come quickly, come!”

I left for home that day with a great pain in my heart, yet filled with joy and tears knowing my next conversation with dad would be in heaven standing before the great throne of God as we worship the King. Three days after my departure, dad went to be with the Lord on Easter Sunday, 2009. My dad and those we’ve loved don’t have to worry about time, busy schedules, or having to deal with the pain, suffering, agony, or anguish that life has a tendency to shower on us. They are currently enjoying eternity. Faith is powerful…it can move mountains; you can pray a prayer that can transform a hardened heart of a friend, a loved one, or an acquaintance and turn them from the world to believe in the living God! Remember—it’s God’s Holy Spirit who convicts a person that leads to repentance, but it’s our responsibility to tell others about Christ prior to His return.

I long for this day with a living hope, belief, and an amazing anticipation for His second coming! It is surreal, but by faith, very real and alive! I don’t fear death, darkness, or the Enemy whose mission is out to kill, steal away our joy, and to devour those in his path. My friends, neither do you have to fear life’s future if Christ is your rock and anchor, residing in you as a result of you personally accepting Him as Lord and Savior. The message of Christ is simple and powerful and with it comes salvation and benefits beyond measure. You, too, can look forward to receiving this remarkable, astonishing, extraordinary inheritance as you give your life to Christ our Champion. Keep in mind, to Him is the glory forever and ever! Yes, Heaven is inevitable!

There is so much in the Scriptures that speak of the second coming of Jesus, both in the Old and New Testament. Jesus’ parables and teachings are filled with such truth. I truly won’t be able to do justice in providing you a lengthy discourse on this subject, but I can whet your appetite in hopes you will diligently, meticulously, and carefully pursue the Scriptures on your own merit. And if anyone would like to further this discussion feel free to send me a personal email at DrRobertLozano.com.