Our Lord Jesus is coming back!

The Day is at Hand, Part I

D.G. Miles McKee

“The day is at hand”

-Romans 13:12 [KJV]
 

To the family of God who were living in Rome Paul announces,“The day is at hand.”

More than 2000 years have passed since the inspired apostle wrote these words, nevertheless ´the day´ has not arrived… but it will. That day has been appointed and fixed by Divine purpose. We are closer than ever to the Return of Christ!

As believers, we eagerly look forward to this coming Day. Right now, we are living in the night (Romans 13:12). Indeed, the whole period from our Lord's ascension into heaven until His return can be characterized as night. It is a period of moral and spiritual darkness. It is a period during which the god of this world is blinding and leading men captive at his will (see Ephesians 4:14 & II Timothy 2:26).

It is true that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ has been and is shining. And yes, it is true that multitudes have been turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, but the great majority still live in spiritual darkness. It is high time to awake out of sleep (Romans 13:11).

The day is at hand!

Think of the millions upon millions who are still in Hindu and Islamic darkness. Think of the darkness of sin, superstition and idolatry. Think of the many in America and Europe who profess to follow the Lord´s Lamb yet who turn their backs on the clear teaching of His Word.

The world which God created is a beautiful masterpiece, but sin has marred it, and along with sin, suffering and sorrow flourish and prosper. It is a time of night, but be encouraged, "the Day is at hand."

So, what did the apostle mean by "the Day?" It was evidently a day well known to the believers in Rome. That´s why Paul doesn´t explain the expression to them. However, we can gather its meaning from his use of the word in other Epistles. For example, "He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day" (II Timothy 1:12).

"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).

"A crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day" (II Timothy 4:8).

Peter uses the expression "until the day dawn" (II Peter 1:19), and in the Epistle to the Hebrews we read "exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see THE DAY APPROACHING" (Hebrews 10:25).

What then is this day?
It is the day when the Bridegroom will come for His bride,
It is the day when the Redeemer will come for His purchased ones.
It is the day when the Shepherd will come for His sheep.
It is the day when Christ will come to fetch His ransomed people Home.
That day is Christ´s day. He is coming back.
This is our hope. He is coming back.

Writing to the Corinthians the apostle says, "So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in THE DAY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST" (I Corinthians 1:7-8).

We look for that day because it will be the day of our full redemption.

It will be the day of complete deliverance from all the awful consequences of sin in respect to the redeemed people of God.

We are “waiting for the adoption, that is the redemption of our body.” This corruptible body will put on incorruption, and this mortal will put on immortality, when that day dawns (see I Corinthians 15:52-54).

And that´s the Gospel Truth!