The Lord Jesus Christ will Come Again

While in my early twenties, I was asked to give a talk in sacrament meeting. For my topic, the bishop said, “Choose your favorite parable.” Wanting to focus on a more obscure parable of the Savior rather than one of the more common stories, I chose the parable of the fig tree.  

“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away (Matthew 24:32-35).”

The parable is short, only a few verses, and yet it was this parable that got me "all in!"  It was in studying for and giving that talk that a personal change was wrought in me and I knew I wanted to be an active participant in ushering in the second coming of Jesus Christ.

In discussing President Nelson’s most recent General Conference, one sister brought up the scripture that tells us Jesus will “come as a thief in the night.” Questions arose as to what this means, will He catch us unaware?  I was moved to believe that Jesus does not work in the dark, He works in light.  And as the parable suggests that as we are watchful we will know His coming is near: “when his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh.” 

In Doctrine & Covenants 106:4-5 we read: “And again, verily I say unto you, the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and it overtaketh the world as a thief in the night—Therefore, gird up your loins, that you may be the children of light, and that day shall not overtake you as a thief (italics added).”  As children of light, people who are watching for the Savior, we will not be overtaken, shocked, or tricked about the Lord’s second coming. 

To Usher In

As children of light, though we are asked to “watch and wait” for His coming, we are also asked to do much more!  

In the April 2020 General Conference, Elder Rasband instructed, “We live in that time prophesied; we are the people charged with ushering in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ; we are to gather God’s children, those who will hear and embrace the truths, covenants, and promises of the everlasting gospel. President Nelson calls it ‘the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on [the] earth today.’ Of that miracle I bear my witness.” 

Elder Rasband here encourages us to “gather God’s children.” Typically this leads to discussions of missionary service and temple and family history work.  These are worthy and important actions for sure.  However, what does it really mean to usher in the Second Coming!?  

To usher means to introduce, as a forerunner or harbinger (1828 dictionary). So if we are charged to usher in the second coming of Jesus Christ, does that mean  we will be the ones to announce His coming!?  This provides much greater context for “Surely the Lord doeth nothing save He revealed His secrets to the prophets (Amos 3:7).” As we hear the words of our prophet, will we not know when Jesus will arrive again?  

Our Part

And with that we can look to what President Russell M. Nelson has just told us: 

“My dear brothers and sisters, in a coming day, Jesus Christ will return to the earth as the millennial Messiah. So today I call upon you to rededicate your lives to Jesus Christ. I call upon you to help gather scattered Israel and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord. I call upon you to talk of Christ, testify of Christ, have faith in Christ, and rejoice in Christ!”

Jesus Christ will come again!  We are called to: 

       1. Rededicate our lives to Him

       2. Gather scattered Israel

       3. Prepare the world by testifying of our Savior 

No, we will not be caught unaware.  Jesus will not “sneak up on us” and sit there hoping we’ll notice Him.  Those who are watching and waiting, those who are listening — we will usher Him in! 

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It is neither too early nor too late for you to become a devout disciple of Jesus Christ. Then you will experience fully the blessings of His Atonement. You will also be more effective in helping to gather Israel.

— President Russell M. Nelson, CR Oct. 2024