How very important it is to know that we are standing on the sure foundation, and to “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).

Therefore we must know whether Jesus has promised to come again; whether His appearing will be visible; how many will witness it; in what manner He will come; and who will receive Him.

The Lord, the source of all wisdom, briefly answers all such questions. The Lord will return again. He says: “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself” (John 14:2, 3). Luke also declares, in Acts 1:11, “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.”

Then, will His appearing be visible?—Yes. His disciples watched Him ascend till a cloud received Him out of their sight. He went away in visible form, and the word is, He “shall so come in like manner.” John testifies to the same fact: “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him” (Revelation 1:7). He will not come quietly, manifesting Himself to only a few, but every eye shall look upon Him. The manner of His coming will be “with power and great glory.” Paul affirms: “The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8).

Only those who have been looking for Him will receive Him, and to such He will appear “the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). In these days of perplexity we may look for false christs, just as the Lord has told us. Satan will appear in many forms, and will personate the Saviour as far as he can. He will deceive, “if it were possible, . . . the very elect” (Matthew 24:24); but the elect of God will not be deceived, for it will not be possible. Paul says: “Ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness” (1 Thessalonians 5:4, 5). God’s people will not be deceived by false christs; for they cannot imitate the glorious appearing of our Saviour. No; he or she that is acquainted with the Lord will believe what He has said. He or she will remember the manner in which Jesus has said He would appear; and to know and believe what He has said will deliver everyone from the snare of the deceiver.