Every Christian believes that, at some time or other, Christ will come again, but there are many opinions as to where, how, and when He will come. One express scripture statement upon the matter ought to suffice to set the Christian’s mind entirely at rest, and such a statement, so far as it relates to the “where” and “how” of His coming for believers, we have in these words: “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 up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:16-1716For 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: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up 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)).
Where He comes is thus distinctly told us—to “the air.”
If, by grace, we indeed believe in our hearts on Jesus the Saviour, then we are made ready by Him this moment to meet Him when He comes from heaven with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God in the air.
How will He come to the air? He will descend from heaven, but not as He did 1900 years ago—to enter this world in weakness, to become the Man of Sorrows, and to die a sacrifice for our sins upon the tree—but as the risen Man, glorious, triumphant, to call to the Father’s house on high the blessed company of all the redeemed.
“The Lord Himself,” saith the Scriptures, and these words win the heart. Himself, who washed us from our sins in His own blood—Himself, who is now our daily Strength and Hope—Himself, the Jesus whom we love, will come.
How will He descend?
“With a shout.” Such a shout as a commander gives to his troops, and which his men understand. This assembly-call, this rallying cry, this voice of the Lord, each one of His people, whether asleep or awake, shall hear, and to it in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, all shall respond.
“With the voice of the archangel.” Mortal man is weak; the angels “excel in strength;” at that day the mightiest of them shall pass on the Lord’s word, and angels shall see those who sleep in Christ, leave earth’s dust, and rise victoriously to the clouds, as did Jesus Himself.
“With the trump of God.” “For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” That great assembly-call of the Lord shall bid the saints enter into the full blessedness of His resurrection; the “redemption of our body” shall have come, and with the sound of those silver tones shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
But when shall these things be? We ask not when shall the times and seasons be fulfilled, and Jesus come to this earth. We inquire, when will He come to the air? His own words supply the answer: “Surely I come quickly” (Rev. 22:2020He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)).
“Surely;” there is no mistake, it may seem to be a long time, but He says, “I come quickly.” For a wise purpose, the hour of His coming is hidden. Did we know the secret, it may be we should forsake the daily expectant attitude, and watch and wait no longer for Him.
May our hearts respond with our “Amen: even so, come Lord Jesus,” to His sure word, “I come quickly.”