Reflection

Are you ready for the second Advent?

Major Howard Webber looks ahead to Christ’s return

AMONTH after submitting my book Gift Beyond Measure: Inspiring Poems for Christmas for publication, I woke up in the night. ‘It’s not complete,’ I thought. ‘There’s something missing.’ I lay there till dawn wondering what it could be, before I realised that everything in the book was referring to the birth of Jesus 2,000 years ago. There was nothing regarding the future, the fact that Jesus will return – his second Advent.

In the morning I phoned the publisher and asked whether it was too late to add one more poem to conclude the book. He told me the idea sounded good, but that he would need to receive it very soon. I had no idea what I was going to say and I needed time to read up and write down what the Bible had to say about Christ’s return.

When Jesus ascended to Heaven, two men in white told the apostles that Jesus would return in the same way as they had seen him go (see Acts 1:11). Revelation 1:7 describes Jesus as ‘coming with the clouds’, saying that ‘every eye will see him, even those who pierced him’. He will come with ‘power and great glory’ (Matthew 24:30), with eyes blazing like fire (see Revelation 1:14; 19:12) and with a face that shines like the sun (see Revelation 1:16).

But when will that day be? Matthew 24:14 tells us how ‘this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come’. But verses 36 to 39 make it clear that no one knows precisely when Jesus will return. The unbelieving world will be getting on with their day-to-day lives unprepared, as when the flood suddenly swept everyone away in Noah’s time. The day will come as ‘a thief in the night’ (1 Thessalonians 5:2). However, as Christians we live in expectation of that day – when it comes, it shouldn’t surprise us.

The Bible makes it quite clear that life on Earth as we have known it will not continue indefinitely; we are moving towards a climax. Creation is groaning more so than in St Paul’s day (see Romans 8:22). Humankind has spoilt so much of this wonderful planet and is now capable of destroying it completely, whether by nuclear power, pollution, eradication of plant and animal species or the effects of human activity on the climate. None of this would have been thought possible a hundred years ago!

Can the direction in which the world is travelling be reversed, as many hope, or are these some of the signs Jesus had in mind that would precede his return? We know there will be more to come as that day approaches. ‘Nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world’ (Luke 21:25 and 26).

Whenever it is that Jesus comes, may he find us ready. ‘Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the day approaching’ (Hebrews 10:24 and 25).

WHEN JESUS COMES AGAIN

The day is drawing ever near When Christ will come, will reappear; No virgin birth, no manger bed, No shepherds, Magi, cattle shed.

But from above the clouds, the skies, He’ll come as King with fiery eyes; His face as radiant as the sun, A splendour seen by everyone.

Yes, he who hammered in each nail And did Christ’s hands and feet impale, Together with the baying crowd Who shouted ‘crucify!’ out loud.

Those Pharisees and Pilate too, And all who claim they never knew, Will kneel and weep at seeing him, The Crucified, return as King.

With tears of joy and bended knee, Those praying, labouring ceaselessly, Will worship, praise, rejoice, adore, The One, so long, they’ve waited for.

So be prepared for that great day, When death, pain, tears, he’ll wipe away, And faithful souls he’ll gather in To spend eternity with him.

MAJOR HOWARD WEBBER

Retired Bournemouth