Why must Jesus return to earth? Why does God not let heaven and earth pass away, and then judge the world and introduce eternity?
After Jesus worked on earth for three and a half years, he blessed his disciples and was lifted up to heaven. We call this Jesus' ascension. Right afterward, two angels stood with the disciples. They said to them: “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11 NKJV) That has been the church’s message throughout time. Jesus will return to judge the world. Today, we will ask the question: Why must Jesus come back?
Jesus must return to fulfill the many promises in the Bible about his coming. There are over a hundred promises that Jesus, the Messiah, would come to earth the first time. They were all fulfilled exactly. There are 318 promises about Jesus' return in the New Testament. First, he will come invisibly to the naked eye to bring believers home to him in heaven. Seven years later, he will visibly return to judge the world.
Jesus taught that he would return. He proclaimed several times that he would come back. Jesus said: “In my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:2–3 NKJV)
Jesus must return to reunite the bride and groom. The church is called the “bride” in the Bible and Jesus is called the “groom” (Revelation 19:7–9 NKJV). They must be united in a wedding that will take place in heaven. This happens right after Jesus has taken his church home to heaven. This event is called the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:17 NKJV). Those who are saved are hastily taken to heaven while those who were not ready will be left behind to a world with seven years under God's judgment, with chaos and enormous suffering under the violent rule of the Antichrist.
Jesus must return to judge the world. The Bible says that God has entrusted the Son with the task of judging the world: “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son.” (John 5:22 NKJV)
Jesus must return for Israel's sake. “And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east.” (Zechariah 14:4 NKJV) Those who were not prepared when he came the first time will then be judged by him, some to everlasting life – while others will lose life and be eternally lost (Matthew 25:46 NKJV). Jesus will then build a new temple in Jerusalem and sit on a throne in his new temple (Ezekiel 44; Matthew 19:28 NKJV). From there, he will reign over a whole world for a thousand peaceful years (Revelation 20:4 NKJV). The Millennium, as we call it, will be a peace kingdom for all nations in the world, with Israel at the center. To Jerusalem, all will come to worship Jesus for a thousand years – without war, sickness, and suffering (Isaiah 33:24; Zechariah 14:16 NKJV).
Jesus must return to demonstrate his power over Satan. When Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree, the tree of knowledge, they handed over the governance of the world to Satan (Luke 4:6 NKJV). When Jesus died for man's sins, he broke this bond (John 12:31 NKJV). Now Jesus is the King of the earth. Therefore, he must return to earth to stop the devil's destruction, deceptions, and ravages on God's earth and among God's creatures (Revelation 20:3, 8 NKJV). God cannot allow the devil to forever harm and destroy his creation (John 10:10 NKJV). Enough is enough.
Jesus must return to end this age. Jesus talks about “this age” and “the one to come” (Matthew 12:32 NKJV). When Jesus visibly returns at the end of this age, the devil and his angels will be put in a prison inside the earth called “the abyss” (Revelation 20:1–3 NKJV). There he will be chained until the day of judgment, which comes right after the thousand years are over (Revelation 20:7 NKJV). Then comes the final judgment over mankind who have not yet been judged (Revelation 20:11–15 NKJV). Heaven and earth will then perish and burn up, and a new heaven and a new earth will emerge (2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 21:1 NKJV). A new age called eternity will start. Paul says:
“Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, after He has put an end to all rule and all authority and power.”
1 Corinthians 15:24 NKJV. See also Hebrews 9:26; 1 Peter 1:20 NKJV
In one of the last chapters of the Bible, we can read one of the Bible's strongest messages. It is to you who listen to this message and are not saved: “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15 NKJV) If you read this article and are not saved, I recommend you first read the prayer of salvation on our website (see link below). Reflect on what you have read until you understand the message. Then, you can receive Jesus and be saved by praying this prayer. Then you will receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. You will have a place in God's eternal heaven – an indescribably beautiful place that Jesus has prepared and made ready for all who receive him. Jesus is the only way to salvation. The Bible says:
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12 NKJV
Svein-Magne
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