Introduction
Most students of Biblical Prophecy predict the soon return of our Lord. I respect most of
these scholars, and almost all of them say, the majority of prophecies concerning the return of Christ have been fulfilled. Evangelists, such as Billy Graham, and evangelistic pastors believe Christ's return is imminent. Does a view of Christ's return affect the motivation to witness?

Yes! In my opinion Jesus' soon return is the only sensible Biblical option open to us. However we must not make our interpretation of end time events a test of Christian fellowship or allow it to take us into detailed date setting. The bottom line is: Jesus will return!

1.    Jesus Will Return Note the . . Signs for His People. 21:7-11

A.    The . . Interest about Signs. 21:7
    7 "Teacher," they asked Him, "so when will these things be? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?"

B.    The . . Imposters and Signs. 21:8
    8 Then He said, "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name,
saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time is near.' Don't follow them.

C.    The . . Influence of Signs. 21:9
    9 When you hear of wars and rebellions, don't be alarmed. Indeed, these things must take
place first, but the end won't come right away."

D.    The . . Information about signs. 21:10-11
    10 Then He told them: "Nation will be raised up against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom. 11 There will be violent earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven.

    Most people are interested in the signs related to Jesus' return. In our text the disciples asked Jesus about His return, and many have expressed interest in signs ever since then. As we express interest in the signs we need to be careful we are not led astray by imposters claiming to be the Lord, and knowing the time of the return. (It is interesting the Lord said He did not know the hour of His return, but these imposters say they do). In our text Jesus told the disciples "many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time is near.' Don't follow them." Signs take place every decade; such as "wars and rebellions . . . earthquakes, and famines." Does the recent tsunami fulfill part of these signs? These signs influence several students of prophecy and give them information whereby some make the statement; "all signs have been fulfilled."
 

2.    Jesus Will Return Note the . . Stance of His People. 21:25-28

A.    His People Will Stand During the . . Shaking. 21:25-26
    25 "Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and there will be anguish on the
earth among nations bewildered by the roaring sea and waves. 26 People will faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming on the world, because the celestial powers will be shaken.

B.    His People Will Stand During the . . Shouting. 21:27-28
    27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near!"

    I love to see Christian people standing in difficult times. If given the opportunity I compliment them
for their stand, and try to encourage them to continue being bold. Our text says "People will faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming . . . celestial powers will be shaken." Many of God's people will not shake, but will stand, up lift up their heads, and speak up with a shout because their redemption draws near!
 

3.    Jesus Will Return Note the . . Sober Thinking of His People. 21:34-36

A.    The . . Devotion of One Thinking Soberly. 21:34-35
    34 "Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and
worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly 35 like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth.

B . The . . Dependance of One Thinking Soberly. 21:36
    36 But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things
that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man."

    A passages in 1 Peter 3:11 asks; "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness," (KJV) If we believe Jesus is coming soon this belief should affect out devotional life. Our mindset needs to be ready to answer questions unbelievers ask, and to back that up with a consistent and holy lifestyle. We cannot do that without a dependence upon the Lord and His presence in our lives. His strength is an essential requirement for the people who believe Jesus Will Return. Amen? Amen!