From the Pastor's Desk

When I was growing up, preachers talked often about the return of Christ. In the last few decades, those messages have largely disappeared from the western church. About 27% of the Bible is prophecy. If those things are not being preached, something is missing. It means more than 1/4 of the Bible is being overlooked.

The world can be a dark place. It's hard to see light and hope. Constant media headlines reveal struggle and pain. God's promises are true, and He will bring them to pass. He gives eternal hope, the promise of Heaven, and the reminder that He will come again.

One out of every 30 verses in the Bible mentions the return of Christ or the end of time. Of the 216 chapters in the New Testament, there are well over 300 references to Christ's return. Twenty three of the 27 New Testament books mention His coming. In the Old Testament, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Moses, David, and most of the minor prophets refer to Christ's return.

Instead of fearing the end times or battling uncertainty over future events, studying and knowing God's Word gives power to live in peace. "Our citizenship is in Heaven, and we eagerly await a savior from there" (Phil. 3:20). "We are looking for and hastening the coming...Look for new heavens and a new earth...Looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace" (2 Pet. 3:12-14). God is still in control, even when things are difficult around us. The knowledge of Christ's coming should comfort us, motivate us to holy living, awaken us from spiritual sleep, and spur us to bring others to the Lord before it's too late (1 Thess. 4:18; Col. 3:4-5; 1 Thess. 5:4-6; Dan. 12:2-3).