A few days ago I read an interesting phrase on the Internet: "Many want Jesus' return, but few accept to die to meet Him."

Obviously this situation makes sense, for as God originally created man immortal, man's own instinct desires immortality.

The return of Christ will be a remarkable day for the church, as it will be the redemption of the people.

A people that one day decided to obey and follow Jesus, regardless of the struggles and circumstances of this dark world.

Desiring, proclaiming and declaring the return of Christ should be something very strong in the churches, and this should be the deep desire of every Christian, as the apostle John did, in the book of Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, Yes, I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

For some people the day of Jesus' return causes fear just thinking about it, perhaps because: They have a feeling of loss in the life they lead in this world or because they have become so attached to their possessions that they do not want to lose them or because they feel unprepared, unworthy of salvation or because they deliberately sin and are almost certain that they will go to hell.

This is very serious, because all Christians should feel prepared for Christ's return and desire that day intensely and not be afraid.

Christians should be looking forward to the wonderful and final day of our lives in this world.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. 5 He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new! Then he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. 6 He said to me: It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

As good and happy as his life is in this world, nothing compares to what his life will be next to God, eternally.

Open your eyes, detach yourself from the things of this world, understanding that the things of this world are temporary, but our life with God will be eternal.

Just to remind you of something important: NOT EVERYONE WILL BE SAVED.

Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars — they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

Pastor Val Martins