A volta de Jesus
A volta de Jesus é uma das maiores promessas da Bíblia. Cristo prometeu que retornará em glória, e os cristãos vivem na expectativa desse dia triunfante.
A promessa do retorno
Jesus prometeu aos discípulos que voltaria. Os anjos confirmaram essa promessa na ascensão, e os apóstolos ensinaram que Ele virá com poder.
And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they were looking steadfastly into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white apparel; who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.
Os sinais e o momento
Ninguém sabe o dia nem a hora. Jesus alertou sobre falsos sinais e nos chamou à vigilância constante, pois Ele virá como ladrão na noite.
But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only. And as were the days of Noah, so also shall be the coming of the Son of man. For as in the days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and they knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so also shall be the coming of the Son of man.
But of that day or hour knoweth no one, not even the angels that are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Watch therefore: for ye know not in what hour your Lord cometh. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through. Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.
A glória da segunda vinda
Cristo voltará nas nuvens, com poder e grande glória. Os mortos em Cristo ressuscitarão, e os vivos serão arrebatados para encontrá-lo nos ares.
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars of heaven shall be falling, and the powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send forth his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats; and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Vivendo na expectativa
A certeza do retorno de Cristo nos chama a viver em santidade, aguardando novos céus e nova terra onde habita a justiça.