Look Up

There are a lot of people who have mixed feelings about the second coming of Christ. I know that when I was younger, it incited feelings of uncertainty and even fear in my mind, even though I knew I was in Christ. Others look at Jesus’ second coming with a sort of morbid fascination, checking off each and every major world event that could possibly be a “sign of the times.” In some cases, these people even try to predict when it will happen despite how Jesus said that even He doesn’t know when He’s coming back (Matthew 24:36)!

However, neither of these is the correct approach to this event of utmost importance. In Luke 21, Jesus is teaching in the temple shortly before His death on the cross, and He says this: “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). 

In the preceding verses, Jesus told the people that there would be signs in the sky and distress on the earth. People would be greatly afraid of what was to come. He even says in a stark and surprising statement, “the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Luke 21:26). But then He says, “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27). In the same chapter, talking of the signs of the times, Jesus says “when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near” (Luke 21:31). He then calls those listening to His words, as He has warned many times already, to “stay awake at all times” (Luke 21:36).

It doesn’t take a Biblical scholar to see that what Jesus said is coming true. The world forsakes morals, death and disease run rampant, and we truly live in an unpredictable, uncontrollable world. But it has always been this way. Ever since man sinned against God, the world has been broken, spiraling out of control until the one eventual day when Christ returns to right every wrong and make all things new. Since Jesus’ ascension, all believers have lived in anxious anticipation of the day when He comes back in victory.

So what should we do?

Jesus tells us: LOOK UP.

Look up and raise your head towards the sky, because when you see these things and see the day of Christ’s return drawing near, it means redemption is drawing nearer! The Kingdom of God is drawing nearer. Stay awake; don’t fall asleep, but live for Jesus and bring others to Him.

In a world full of uncertainty and pain, dread and hurt, it is a comfort to know that Jesus told us all of this would happen. But it is an even greater comfort to know that the one who knew all of these things would take place is the one who loves us, died for us, and is ready to save whoever calls upon His name. He is our redemption. When we see the day of His coming approaching even closer, it means that Jesus is drawing closer. And for those of us who have been redeemed by His blood, He is coming to take us to our eternal home in His loving arms.

If you don’t know Christ and aren’t ready for that day when He returns, run to Him. He loves you and wants to “take you to [Himself], that where [He is] you may be also” (John 14:3). But if you do know Him, live for Him and look up, for our redemption is drawing nearer with every passing day!