Christ's Return

Dear Victorious,

We often hear about the second coming of Christ, and preachers tell us to look forward to this "glorious day." Help me understand what the practical implications of this are. Wouldn't it be just as good to die and go to heaven?

Robert P. - Bellevue, NE

Dear Robert,

No, the second coming of Christ is not the same as dying and going to heaven. They are two different events, and there are remarkable differences. Death as we know it today is a sad affair. Someone leaves this life and goes on to his or her final resting place - where they wait for Christ to return and raise them up from their slumber. During this process, of course, the human body decays - so what is raised up is a God-like spirit that will then be given a new body. We have no evidence that anyone goes to heaven when they die. People go to heaven when Christ returns for them.

What is so great about the second coming of Christ? Why should we look forward to it. I can think of several reasons. The first is physical. You see, we won't have to go through the dying process and there will be no "final resting place." Those of us who still have human bodies (i.e., are still physically alive) when Christ returns will get new ones instantly.

Beyond the physical, the more important aspects of Christ's return are significant indeed. Consider these:

1.. We'll have Christ's personal presence. We'll see Him face-to-face and be with Him forever in that state. It will be a new, permanent dimension to my relationship with Jesus.

2. We'll be redeemed from our old sinful nature. The battle that rages within us will be over. Our perfection in Christ will be complete. Think about it ... you'll be perfect!

3. All of creation will be restored. The created order will be restored. All of the world and everything in it will be as it was when God originally created it. No more will creation groan under the weight of sin.

I don't know about you, Robert, but I think these are very significant benefits to look forward to!