- Chapter 2: "I Am Coming Soon!"

THE BOOK OF REVELATIN PROVIDES strong reinforcement to the prophetic declaration of the other Christian Scriptures: Jesus is coming again. The promise that the Creator God has a divine timetable for inaugurating a new order on this earth is not some novel idea advanced by over-zealous handlers of the Scriptures. In evangelical churches there has always been an expectant hope of Christ’s return to earth based on His own stated promises. The record is clear: many times during His earthly ministry, Jesus declared that He would come again to intervene in human history. From the first century of the Christian era to this present time, every generation of believers has expressed its hope for, and expectation of, Christ’s return to earth. Wherever sincere Bible students turn in the New Testament, they find continual reminders that an overwhelming “day of the Lord” is coming and that, in fact, it is imminent!
Who can ignore Jesus’ own words on the subject? At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matthew 24:30; Matthew 24:31; Matthew 24:36) The apostle Paul had similar words with the same significance for the believers in Thessalonica:

You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. (1 Thessalonians 5:2-4) The apostle Peter wrote the same message of caution and spiritual preparation to the believers addressed in his second letter: The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. (2 Peter 3:10-12) The Revelation ends with this brief message from the risen and glorified Christ: “I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20). The message of the Revelation that Jesus, the Lamb alone found worthy, is the ultimate victor is closely intertwined with the outline of His return to earth as King of kings and Lord of lords.