We have no reason to doubt that Jesus is returning.
Revelation 1:17-18 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if I were dead. But He laid His right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the living One. I died, but look--I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.
Revelation 21:5-6 And the One sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!" And then He said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true." 6 And He also said, "It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega--the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.
Revelation 22:12-13 "Look, I am coming soon, bringing My reward with Me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
From the very first verse of Revelation you will find that the purpose of this book is to reveal Jesus to us. Revelation was written to reveal his character, his power and his plan for the future.
While Jesus was here with us he made many "I Am" statements that are recorded in the Gospel of John to reveal to us different characteristics of who he is. In these statements he claimed to be everything that we need for this world and for eternity. In the book of Revelation Jesus' claims are supplemented with another "I Am" statement that reveals more about his character and power.
The book of Revelation reveals that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega just the same as God the Father is. The fact that this name is applied to both of them is a strong argument for the deity of Jesus. They are both eternal in both directions, from eternity past to eternity future, they exist now, they always did exist and they always will exist. They are one in their plans and purpose and in power.
Our creator cannot be caught off guard and there isn't any power that is greater that can keep his plans from happening. He doesn't have to rule from a position of power alone, the fact that he is all knowing and also present everywhere at all times tells me that there is nothing that surprises him and he is in complete control.
The Certainty Of Jesus Return
We must open up our understanding to the greatness of this event by sort of getting our arms around how important it is in the Scripture. Some have calculated that there are over 660 general prophecies, 333 about Christ, 109 fulfilled at His first coming, 224 at His second coming. So the Bible has much to say about His second coming.
Of the 46 Old Testament prophets, less than 10 of them speak of His first coming; 36 of them speak of His second coming. There are over 1,500 Old Testament passages that refer in some way to the second coming of Jesus Christ. One out of every 25 New Testament verses directly refers to the second coming of Jesus Christ. For every time the Bible mentions the first coming of Christ, it mentions the second coming 8 times.
The promise of God
God came through with his promises concerning Jesus first coming so we should take serious the promise of the second coming and what he promises will happen. (Isaiah 9:6, 11:1-5, 62:11 / Jeremiah 23:5-6 / Ezekiel 21:27 / Daniel 9:25)The words of Jesus
Jesus told us that he is preparing a place that isn't ready yet but when it is he will come back and take us home. (John 14:3 / Matthew 16:27, 24:30-31, 25:31, 26:63-64 / Luke 12:37-40, 17:28-30, 21:34-36)The guarantee of the Holy Spirit
The Spirit of Truth inspired the New Testament writers to give us scriptures that assure us that Jesus is returning and some of the details about what is going to happen. (1 Corinthians 1:4-8 / Philippians 3:20-21 / Colossians 3:4 / James 5:8 / 1 Peter 1:13 / 1 John 3:2-3)The humiliation of Jesus Christ
Is there any chance that God is going to allow the humiliation of Jesus to be the final chapter? The Bible has a lot to say about the future reign of the descendant of King David. The disgrace, disrespect and harsh treatment that he endured for our sake is not the end of his story.Isaiah 9:7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!The Alpha and Omega is coming back without a doubt, he is all knowing, he is everywhere and he is all powerful, there isn't anything that can happen to make this fact not come true.
Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: “The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.”
The next time he leaves Heaven it will be to gather up his children, it will happen suddenly and secretly like a thief in the night so you better be ready. (Matthew 25:1-30)
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Jesus' "I Am" Statements (diggingtheword.blogspot.com)
