The sound of a father’s footsteps approaching the front door – the same thing can mean different things to different people. For the two year old that sound may be the most exciting noise she’s heard all day. For the teenager who has just crashed the car it may elicit dread. For a child feeling scared and alone it may be the sound of comfort and relief. How we feel and respond to someone’s return depends on our relationship with them.

The Bible declares Jesus Christ will return to take those who trust Him to heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) and after this He will return again to judge those who remain on earth (Revelation 19:11-21; 20:11-15) (see Appendix). Jesus’s return to the earth is described as a universal, unavoidable, world altering event like none before. He will return to earth as the king, the judge of every nation and people. How each of us will feel at His return depends on our relationship with Him.

“And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for Him”.
 Hebrews 9:27-28

Trusting that because of Jesus I am forgiven for my sins and at peace with God means His return is something I look forward to. Jesus’ return is when my salvation will be fully realised, when I will meet my kind King face to face and share in His splendour. It will be a time of happy face emoji.

However, for those who have rejected Jesus, who have denied their wrongdoing and lived life without regard to the heavenly king, Jesus’ return will be a dreadful occasion. It will be a time of giving account of their life to the one who gave it to them and a time of punishment and fear.

Right now we have the chance to get to know Jesus as king, judge and saviour before He returns – to be the toddler excited for dad to come home and not end up before the judge without excuse. Which emoji are you when Jesus returns?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I believe that one day you will return as a saviour of those who trust in you and a judge of those who don’t trust in you. Help me now to know you, trust you and look forward to that day confident that I am forgiven and right with you because of your sacrifice. Amen.

Appendix: An outline of future events

Acknowledgement: This article was sourced from Outreach Media, Sydney, Australia.
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