The divine purpose requires that those who desire something better in life for themselves and their families, must read God's Word, and act accordingly. They must make a personal stand for Truth and Righteousness, by rejecting the concepts and philosophies of natural man, and by seeking a better way of life. The disciple Peter declared that God "is calling out from the Gentiles a people for His Name" (Acts 15:14). This means that His followers will separate from the religious and social environment of humanity, and support those who are sincerely endeavoring to apply God's ways in life.

The great anticipation of all such lies in the belief that Jesus Christ is about to return to this earth. Though this might seem completely unreal and beyond belief, it is the only answer to a world bent on self-destruction. There is no other answer!

The Bible is very clear about this matter, for the Second Coming of Christ is the subject of hundreds of quotations in its pages; it was the stated conviction of the ancient believers; it was the policy of the Son of God himself; it continues to be the thrilling tenet of Christadelphians today. It will soon be confirmed in reality, when the great event actually occurs. And, we believe, that this will be very soon!

Christ Will Return Personally, Visibly, Literally
When the Lord Jesus ministered on earth, he constantly reaffirmed that, after a period of time in heaven, he would return. He said to his disciples: "Ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matthew 19:28). This, obviously, refers to a future time, when the disciples will be resurrected from death and given the place of honor over a restored nation of Israel. It certainly does not speak of immortal bliss in heaven, for they could hardly "judge the twelve tribes of Israel" there!

Later, as the Master was being received into heaven to spend two millennia as a "great high priest" on behalf of his disciples (Hebrews 4:14), a message of grand hope was given to the apostles gathered on the Mount of Olives: "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1: 11). There was no doubt about the literal nature of his ascent; similarly he will return bodily and physically at the appointed time.

1 John 3:2 declares: "When he shall appear... we shall see him as he is". His majestic presence will be obvious to all.

In fact, a prophecy to the Jews shows that the tribes of Israel would at last also acknowledge the one whom they crucified: "they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn" (Zechariah 12: 1 0).

If Christ is to come "in like manner" as the apostles saw him go; and if the Jewish people will "look on him whom they pierced", observing the wounds in his hands as the evidence of their former iniquity, then Jesus Christ must return personally, visibly and literally to the earth.

Christ Taught that He Would Return from Heaven
This, in fact, is what he constantly taught when upon earth. He claimed that his ascent to heaven was for the purpose of receiving a kingdom from his Father, and to return with authority to rule throughout the earth.

This was implied in his parable of a nobleman who "went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return" (Luke 19:12) at which time he rewarded his servants for faithfully occupying in the interim. His parables were always given to teach important lessons concerning his own work of salvation. But then Jesus also plainly instructed his disciples with the same principles: "The Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father and with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works" (Matthew 16:27). This clearly asserts that the Lord Jesus will return from heaven, at which time his servants will be acknowledged before him. He reaffirmed this to his disciples just before his crucifixion: "They (the peoples of the world) shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" (Luke 21:27).

The return of Christ will be accompanied with tremendous physical and social changes globally, so that ultimately, all nations will be forced to recognize his presence. The "cloud" spoken of, relates to the company of immortalized believers who will be associated with him in that day (the "witnesses" of Hebrew 12: 1).

The final prophecy of the Bible reiterates that teaching: "Behold I come quickly (i.e., suddenly, shortly); and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be" (Revelation 22:20).

Believers Receive Rewards at his Coming Advent
In every quotation mentioned, it is taught that the disciples of Christ are rewarded at his coming, and not before! The current church teaching of the immortality of the soul, and of saints winging their way to heaven at death, there to abide in eternal bliss, is opposed to true Bible teaching. Nowhere does the Bible suggest such a thing, and, in fact, vigorously denies it. This is clearly stated in Acts 2:34 to the Jews in Jerusalem concerning one of the greatest men who have ever lived: that "David (the "man after God's own heart": Acts 13:22) is not ascended into the heavens", but was "dead and buried" with the evidence of his burial place before the people.

There is no truth in the theological fable that immortal souls reside in heaven at death -- for if it were true, then there would be no reason for Jesus Christ to return to earth "with his rewards with him".

The apostle Paul anticipated receiving immortality at the coming of his Lord. About to die for his Master he declared confidently: "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8). The glorious prize of immortality was for a future period: it was "laid up". The day of its bestowal was obviously some time later.

Indeed, the signs of the times indicate that the time of rejoicing for Paul is now imminent. He will then be resurrected from death (an event in which he believed: 1 Corinthians 15:12) and meet his Lord in person.

The Apostles Believed that Christ Would Return
After the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven, the apostles went throughout the civilized world with the dynamic message of Christ's resurrection from the dead, and his eventual return to the earth.

The apostle Peter declared: "He (God) shall send Jesus Christ, who before was preached unto you, whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets" (Acts 3:20). He claimed that both Old Testament and the teachings of Christ were consistent: they all spoke of the establishment of God's divine kingdom on earth at a future time. It would not be until then, that the sin-stricken and strife-torn world that has only known violence and bloodshed by its inhabitants, would find relief.

The apostle Paul wrote: "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels... when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe" (2 Thessalonians 1:7,10). Paul looked forward to a change in society, when the followers of Christ would be elevated to positions of honor and glory (Revelation 5:9-10), and when their wisdom and spiritual abilities will be used for the benefit of mankind. That time will arrive when the Son of God appears personally on earth.

There are some 300 allusions to the return of the Lord Jesus found within the pages of the Bible. It is the fundamental teaching of the Scriptures, and the basis for a better future. Speaking of these "times of restoration" associated with Christ's visible and personal return, Peter declared: "All the prophets from Samuel and those that follow, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days" (Acts 3:24). If these things were untrue, then humanity is left with the hopeless future of increasing desolation and destruction by its own hands; neither can the apostate fables of the Christian church with its illogical immortal soulism provide any real hope. Hence, Paul argued: "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:19-22). He shows that because of the original sin of Adam in the Garden of Eden, mankind is under the curse of mortality, and therefore all ultimately find repose in the grave. The only hope apart from that is in a "resurrection of the dead". Since Paul talks about the physical body, he anticipated a time when dead believers would be brought from the grave, refashioned from the dust by God's miraculous power, and restored to life again. He speaks about a certain order of events: "But every man in his own order; Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death" (1 Corinthians 15:23-26). The resurrection program of God was introduced 1900 years ago, in His Son. The next stage will be at his Second Coming, when all who have understood the Gospel will be resurrected for judgment and reward. There will be a further period of 1000 years, during which Jesus Christ will establish on earth a divine political Kingdom (Revelation 20:5), which will conclude with a further and final resurrection. After that event, sin and death will be overcome and destroyed (ch. 21:4), and the whole world will become the glorious habitation of immortal beings, enjoying unity and fellowship with Almighty God.