CHRIST WILL RETURN TO TAKE HIS CHURCH

_"... Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy,  ...  and to present her to Himself  as a radiant church,  ...”(Ephesians 5: 25-27)_

We are meditating on the compelling issues that demand the return of Christ.  According to McArthur, Jesus must return because the Church demands it.  Acts 15 is a very important chapter.  Let us see in detail what happened here.  Peter had just come back and reported that God is saving the Gentiles.  Then  Paul and Barnabas gave a report to the assembly of apostles and elders, of the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.  And then James, the half-brother of Jesus, spoke.  In verse 14, He said, “Simon (the other name for Peter) has described how God at first showed His concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for Himself.”  In other words, God has a purpose and that is to gather from the Gentiles a people for His name.  In verse 15 James continued, “The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written.”  Here James quoted the prophesies from Amos 9: 11,12 that the remnant of people and all the Gentiles who hear God’s name will seek the Lord. After this the Lord will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent ... and He will restore it. James meant here that God is taking out a people from all nations to Himself.  These are people who are saved through the grace of Lord Jesus just as the Jews. They formed the Church. Then the Lord will return. Then the tent of David, or the kingdom, the royal house will be rebuilt and it will be restored.  So we see a sequence here - the calling of the Church, the establishing of God’s kingdom and God’s return and rebuilding of the tent of David.

So dear friends, Jesus is going to return and establish His kingdom and in that kingdom all nations will be under the rule of Christ. The Church according to Paul is like a virgin waiting for her husband. (Ephesians 5: 25-27)  I Thessalonians talks about the Church waiting to be raptured. What a glorious event it would be!  Let us long for it with eager expectation.

*PRAYER* :  Dear Lord, the church demands the return of Christ.  You are taking out a people for You from all nations and form the Church.  You will establish Your kingdom and You will return and rebuild the fallen tent of David - the Israelites. Thank You for revealing this to me.  Amen.