Vol.1 No.8

Q. 2000 years ago the masses expected a triumphant King. Today the masses expect a miraculous second coming. They do not recognize Avatar Meher Baba. Do you know why?

A. There are myriads of people expecting the return of Jesus; not only Christians, but also Muslims, who believe that Jesus will come back to prepare the way for Mohammed. But the expectation for the return of Jesus is established upon the promises of Scripture. Jesus said to His disciples, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself: that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3).

When Jesus ascended to heaven, the angels who ministered to the apostles, also confirmed this. “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

But we have significant warnings from Jesus, Himself, that there will be counterfeits. For example, “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Matthew 25:4). “For there shall arise false Christ’s, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24).

 The Bible is rich in its description of how Christ would return to the earth. For example, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him” (Revelation 1:7). By the way, those clouds represent the angels of heaven. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17. “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west: so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24:27). “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works,” Matthew 16:27.

 These are the characteristics of the Second Coming of Jesus. It will be audible, for there will be the shout of the archangel. Every inhabitant of the earth will see Him. He will come with His angels. He will come in glory. He will reward every man at that time. These clear statements are to help us discern the true from the false christs. They are no doubt the reason why Meher Baba is not accepted as the true Messiah.

Vol.4 No.2

Q. You say that Jesus is coming soon. How do I know that will really happen? Hasn't Jesus come back in a spiritual sense? If not, then why the delay?

A. The return of Jesus Christ is the blessed hope of the Church. Numerous are the scriptural promises referring to Jesus' Second Coming. It is mentioned 1518 times in the Bible. The New Testatment alone contains 380 references to Christ's return, one verse in every twenty-five.

Prior to His death, Jesus said to His disciples, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself-, that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14: 1-3).

The Lord's coming will be personal, visible and glorious. Our dear Saviour referred to it in unmistakable terms: "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven ... and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30). When He was ascending to heaven, two angels suddenly appeared to the marveling disciples saying. "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1: 11).

The apostle John beheld this event and depicts it in the glowing terms: "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him" (Revelation 1:7).

In spite of the clear teaching of the Holy Writ on the subject, many hold different views. To these dear people we shall read, "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of man; and unto them, that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." (Hebrews 9:28). According to this passage, when Christ will appear a second time, sin will have been done away with. Death will be no more (1 Cor. 15: 55), since death derives its power from sin (1 Corinthians 15:56).

The Lord's return will bring about the resurrection of the dead in Christ (I Thessalonians 4: 16,17). It will be a day of terror to the wicked (Revelation 6: 15-17). Those who serve Him shall be like Him (I John 3:2).

You asked why He has not come back yet. In 2 Peter 3:9, we read: "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some men count slackness, but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." The Lord is extraordinarily patient toward us. He longs to be perfectly reunited with each one of us. We were created to be loved by Jesus, to love Him in return. But our rebellion has separated us from Him. Yet, in His goodness He is drawing us with bands of love (Hosea 11:4, Jeremiah 31:3). By maintaining a connection with Christ by faith and the continual surrender of our will to Him, we will not only look for that day of His return; we will also hasten it (please read 2 Peter 3:10-14).

Vol.4 No.5

Q. How can I be prepared for Jesus' return?

A. There is no plainer answer to this question than that which Jesus gave to his disciples: And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man' (Luke 21:34-36).

Furthermore, James tells us "'Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh" (James, 5:7-8). If we heed the Bible, we can be a part of that group who exclaims: "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us" (Isaiah 25:9).