By Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

On a recent Sunday morning Gary and I arrived at our church service early. We were nearly the only people in the building. I played with my phone asking Siri, “When is Jesus coming again?” Processing took place . . . she was searching. Then Siri said, “I don’t see Jesus in your calendar.” It is fun to laugh—especially in church. Maybe God laughed, too.

Ponderings arose as it seems Jesus is continually coming again and again on a daily basis—through His people. When we humans respond to the Good News of Jesus’ love and say “yes” to Him being Lord of our lives then His presence embraces and challenges us. Changes happen. Not just to us, but also to family and friends therefore our world. How we use our time, talents, resources and the way we treat others—even our bodies—indicates respect for the life we are given.

Romans 8:33 speaks of a people in process in which God’s ways are continually sought and His presence felt within our lives as we serve our families and communities. What is also clear is that when this “faith walk” is only partially lived out, we become poor examples of God’s truth, and can harm the faith of others.

Jesus’ continual presence on Earth within the lives of believers is augmented by our “not forsaking the assembling of believers.” Yes. Church is a learning place which helps us truly allow the Lord’s love to be lived out. The Redeemer is there to help us grow more surely like Him. Until the day we die we will often be asking for the Lord’s help to truly live a Spirit led life.

Now, for the question: whether or not Jesus will return to the Earth. Yes, He will. After Jesus’ resurrection He lived among witnesses for 40 days. Then He was lifted up into the clouds. His promise to return in the same way is clear in Scripture and Revelations 1:7, says, “Every eye shall see Him,”

A passage in 2nd Peter 3: 1-3, speaks vividly of Christ’s return to the Earth, “scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation . . . ’ But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Those who have “believed and received” the Spirit of the Lord into their lives are privileged to be bearers of Christ’s love and mercy here on Earth. Our work is to share the truth of our Lord’s forgiveness and how He extends redemption followed by eternal life. 

In God’s right timing the Lord will come. Philippians 2:1, says, “. . . every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” 

“Come, Lord Jesus,” is the prayer of all who believe in Jesus Christ. 

About the author: Joy Le Page Smith is a Board certified clinical chaplain. Her articles and blogs are read in 32 countries. Joy’s four books are available on her home page at Healing-with-Joy.com where readers can view her children’s book titled, The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places.