Advent is defined as:

• the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.
• the first season of the Christian church year, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays.
• the coming or second coming of Christ.

So we celebrate the Birth of Jesus during the Christmas season, but we also wait expectantly for his return. When Christ returns, all will be made right in this world because it will be completely made new. In order for this to happen, the final judgement must take place. Those who follow Jesus and believe in their heart that he is the Son of God who died for our sins because we need a Savior do not have to fear his return. For we will live for eternity in God’s presence with no pain, sadness, or evil of any kind. We will be blessed to live the lives God originally intended at Creation before sin entered the world.

With the recent rapture predictions from September and October of this year, this topic became more front and center for me to write about… 

Advent is here, so I find it fitting to discuss what is to come of this world upon Christ’s Return. In case you missed it… the Rapture didn’t happen in September OR October. We are still here and it is December. The false prophets proved themselves to be just that…FALSE.

The following 2 verses from Scripture warn about False Prophets: 

In Matthew  7:15 Jesus states, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”

And in Romans 16:18 Paul warns, “For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”

Jesus meant every word when he stated, “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows” in Matthew ‭24‬:‭36‬. 

This is why the false prophecies are so frustrating because they try and twist this Scripture just enough to mislead others.  For people, who claim to have heard from God telling them the exact day or even time frame of Christ’s return, to lead others astray really hurts my heart. It makes me feel the urgency of people believing the truth that only comes from knowing Scripture. 

In order to “know” Scripture, you must read it for yourself, study the words, and absorb the meanings of what has been written for us within context. Pray and seek wisdom from God to better understand what you are reading. He is very generous especially when his children are longing to know him more.

A good way to know early on whether a prophecy is from God when others are sharing is to ask 2 questions: 
1, Has this person claimed to have a prophecy in the past and been wrong?
2, Does what this person is saying align with God’s character and what Scripture says about him? 
If the answer to 1. is “Yes” and/or 2. is “No,” then I would get away from them as quickly as possible and prevent others from listening to their lies as well. 

I hadn’t really looked much into the rapture or end times prophecies in the past. I read about them in Scripture but never truly went any deeper. I didn’t realize how much was already written out for us. As my eyes have been opened to how broken this world is, I’m seeing more and more how Jesus could be coming back any day now.

There have been some songs that I’ve been reflecting on how I view living in eternity with God.  Since I’ve started truly digging into God’s Word and being in deeper fellowship with other believers,  I am able to perceive these first 2 songs differently than I did when I was younger. 

The song “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe is a prime example of “imagining” being in Heaven with God.

I used to feel mixed emotions when hearing this song as it is typically one played at funerals. I used to be fearful of dying too soon or of Jesus coming back while I was still alive on Earth.  I knew even then that one day I’ll be entering Heaven. The idea of the unknown that awaits me once Jesus returns, left me somewhat fearful of leaving the life I already knew. My fear stemmed from “all I’d be missing out on” and “how much more I could do for God’s glory.” I was missing the point…

It has only been in the past few years that I have had an awakening of sorts to the whole Truth. I’ve mostly come to terms with the fact that if I am no longer breathing on this side of Heaven, whether that be due to Jesus returning or simply just my time to move on,  God would not have anything left for my physical body to accomplish. More importantly, when I’m with God that is all that will matter.  There’s no better place to be than at the feet of God’s throne doing nothing but worshiping him. It’s just conflicting with our human nature to look forward to the end of our days with anticipation rather than trepidation. 

2 years ago, I was driving home when I happened to look up at the bright blue sky to see clouds spread out and seemed to go on and on into the distance. As I got closer to home with the clouds still above me, I had to thank God for his creation. That is when a thought occurred to me about how we should have excitement fill our hearts when we think about going to be with God. 

The specific scenarios that came to mind related to being on a road trip and the similar yet different feelings that come from being on the way to a destination versus traveling back home. 

Seeing mile marker signs and landmarks, as well as bits and pieces of the location you are headed toward continue to build excitement for what’s to come (at least if you are looking forward to being wherever you are going). Much like, being a kid or even adult on your way to the “most magical place on Earth,” and seeing that welcome gate as you’re driving into Disney World, you feel a rush of finally arriving where you have been looking forward to going for a while.

And then thinking about how it may feel when we see the signs that we’re getting close to home as the trip comes to a close. Those landmarks can help sustain you for the rest of the way and then feel the relief upon arrival after a long journey.  The US Space and Rocket Center is an example of this for those who live in Huntsville, AL. If you pass the Saturn V rocket on your way out of town (Rocket City), and once you spot it on your way back that’s how you know you’re close to home. When I would come home after a long trip, seeing that rocket always put a smile on my face because I knew I was back where I needed to be.

When it is our time to go to Heaven, I believe we will feel the range of emotions for both of these experiences as we are headed to a place we have longed for and are so excited to see, yet it is also our home for all eternity!

The summer before 9th grade, I went to a church camp that changed my life. A big memory came from worship in the chapel one night. I was still grieving the loss of my grandfather from a year and a half before. I distinctly remember hearing a loving whisper reassuring me that “everything will be okay”. That stuck with me. I knew then, as long as I have God that I can’t be defeated by any darkness because I have his marvelous light inside my heart. A day after, I was dancing alone in the dorm room to worship music. The song “There Will Be a Day” by Jeremy Camp came on, and I remember being thankful my 4 roommates were all out so I could express my joy and experience the amazing hope the lyrics provided me! 

Over the years I learned more and more about what Scripture says about the end times. I’ve held onto the promise that there will be no more tears, pain, or fears when I’m face to face with God my Father, King, and Creator! I’ve begun being able to look forward to Heaven whenever my time to enter may be. I think of those that have passed on before me and it brings me peace knowing they called Jesus their Lord and Savior because that means they will be there to meet me when I arrive. 

I recently saw a short video regarding the rapture predictions of Sept 2025 that was disheartening. A young woman couldn’t wrap her mind around why so many who believed that Jesus was coming at that time expressed excitement about going to Heaven. It hit hard that she doesn’t know Jesus and the glory that awaits those who follow him! 

These 2 songs are newer, so I will let the lyrics speak for themselves: 

So as we await Christmas Day and celebrate the first coming of Jesus let’s not forget that he is coming back. Whether we are still here to see it or we have already moved on, he will return. We need to remember that we have a place at God’s Table in the Kingdom of Heaven. When our time comes, our Father, God will say “Welcome Home!” and unlike where we are today, we will know that’s where we belong!