Many believe that the return of Christ is a single event. The truth is: there are two distinctive stages to His return. And each one changes everything we know about heaven and earth.
The Lord’s return to take home His bridal congregation, the marriage of the Lamb in heaven, and the visible kingdom of peace on earth are closely linked and characterise the faith of New Apostolic Christians. The Apostles play a central role in this, for they keep Jesus’ promise alive and prepare the believers for the coming of the Lord (CNAC 10.1.1; 10.1.3, CNAC-QA 557). When exactly that will be is known neither to humankind nor to angels, but only to God: “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24: 42; cf. Luke 21: 36).
The bridal congregation consists of those believers who have received the rebirth out of water and Spirit and “who believe in Jesus Christ, and who follow Him” (CNAC-QA 561). It constitutes the core of the church and—despite all human diversity—is characterised by a living faith and consistent following of Christ. In this community we see how God’s promises are being implemented today. This not only calls for theoretical knowledge, but also a living faith and concrete preparation for Christ’s return to take home His bride (CNAC 10.1; 10.1.1).
The rapture will be sudden. Are we ready?
The rapture transports the bridal congregation directly into the presence of God: this is the first stage. This congregation is symbolically depicted in Revelation 12: 5 as “the child”, that is, as a child of the Lord who is born to serve Christ. This image illustrates the protective function and calling of the believers. This is immediately followed by the marriage of the Lamb, the union of Christ and the bride (CNAC 10.2; CNAC-QA 566; 567).
In divine services and devotions, this faith and hope echoes through the call in the prayer “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” and through petitions to be accepted at the Lord’s return. These petitions are not only found in the freely spoken opening and closing prayers, but also in parts of the Lord’s Prayer (Liturgy of the New Apostolic Church 1.2.1; 1.2.3; 3.1).
The kingdom of peace: the gospel will be preached unhindered
After the marriage of the Lamb, Jesus Christ will return to earth and establish the kingdom of peace. This is the second stage. The Catechism says: “Jesus Christ will then reveal His divine power on earth for all to see (Revelation 1: 7)” (CNAC 10.4; CNAC-QA 571–578). The kingdom of peace marks the end of the great tribulation.
“Christ’s kingly rule, in which He includes His own as a royal priesthood, will last a thousand years—which symbolises a long, but limited time (Revelation 20: 6)” (CNAC 10.6). During the kingdom of peace, Christ will take away all power from Satan. “According to Revelation 20: 1–3, Satan and his followers—the powers opposed to God—will be ‘chained’ and cast into the ‘bottomless pit’” (CNAC-QA 572) and the gospel can be preached unhindered.
Who holds all this together? The Apostle ministry
Jesus Christ will return. This is a key statement of the gospel. Ever since His ascension into heaven, the Apostles of the early and latter time have proclaimed the return of the Lord” (CNAC 10.1). And New Apostolic Christians confess this in the Creed: “I believe that the Lord Jesus rules His church and thereto sent His Apostles, and until His return still sends them, with the commission to teach, to forgive sins in His name, and to baptise with water and Holy Spirit” (CNAC 2.4.4).
“The orientation of the congregation to the return of Christ is another significant characteristic of the Apostle ministry” (CNAC 7.4.1). It becomes clear how divine promises and church practice mesh. The Apostles ensure that the hope of Christ’s return is not pushed to the fringes. In fact, they make it clear that we can experience aspects of Christ’s return in word and sacrament already today. Above all, Jesus Christ is truly present in Holy Communion. And we can hear His voice in the preaching today.
“Come, Lord Jesus!” How this changes everyday life
Christians have been waiting for the return of Christ for almost 2,000 years, but God’s understanding of time differs from our concept of time (2 Peter 3: 8). Our waiting is not passive or inactive, but active: faith, prayer, and our conduct in everyday life combine to form a constant readiness for Christ’s return (CNAC 10.1 et seq; 10.1.6).
This central event is the subject of the New Apostolic Creed. In the Ninth Article of Faith it states: “I believe that the Lord Jesus will return as surely as He ascended into heaven and that He will take to Himself the firstfruits of the dead and living who have hoped for and were prepared for His coming.”
“Come, Lord Jesus!” is the essence of our prayers and sums up everything, the Chief Apostle said. “The question is, do we still really believe in it? If we believe in it, this prayer will have an effect, a concrete effect on our conduct in daily life, on our thoughts, words, and deeds,” Chief Apostle Schneider emphasised. “I know I am not saying anything new, but I really don’t have anything more important to say than, ‘Come, Lord Jesus!’”
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