In turbulent times, leaders often deliver messages that shake their colleagues’ preconceived notions. During my career, I delivered messages that changed the company’s direction, resulted in job losses or sometimes promotions, and expanded roles and responsibilities. I started several companies and had to unwind a few. Each opportunity came with unique communication challenges. Now that I have left the business world and moved to church leadership and mentoring, what challenges might I find?
Sometimes, leaders want to adjust Biblical messages to align with the culture. Big mistake! For example, how do I encourage leaders to communicate about which version of Christ shows up next time He returns? It is a message with eternal consequences and runs counter to the teachings and wishes of many churches. As an early Christian, I was taught about the Christ of love and forgiveness. While that is an accurate picture of Christ, leaders need to help their teams buckle up for a different ride. Based on 2 Timothy chapter 3 and Christ’s teachings in Matthew, I am convinced we are moving into the end-time period. If I am correct, are church leaders ready to tell their congregations the truth about Christ?
In the first century, the Jewish community hoped the Messiah’s appearance would end the Roman empire. They imagined Him coming as a great warrior with a massive army. After all, they had suffered through the Egyptian years, the Babylonian captivity, and now the Romans! But The Father had given Christ a much greater responsibility for His first visit. Christ came to “destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8). In rescuing us from Adam’s sin, He reconciled us with God the Father so that we may have “life, […] and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). During His first visit, He was the Lamb, slain on the Cross for the love of His friends (John 15:13-17). He reconciled us to His Father and paid our debt born from Adam’s sin and the transgressions of generations (Romans 5:15-19).
That version of Christ departed this natural world and sent the Holy Spirit as the helper for those who believe. As He ascended, He left us with the charge to go and make disciples of all the earth. To teach them to observe “all” He had taught (Matthew 28:18-20). As leaders in our churches, ministries, families, schools, and businesses, we have this challenge to deliver the news of Christ’s love and acceptance for all who receive and obey Him. But we are also responsible for teaching about the version of Christ coming next. It will be the same Christ but with a very different mission.
The next time Christ comes and touches the earth, the warrior that the Jews hoped for will be on full display. The time of the Lamb’s longsuffering will have passed. The opportunities to accept Christ as Lord and Savior will be gone and God’s judgment will be upon the world. This is not the rapture; it already occurred. Christ does not touch the earth during the rapture. We are caught up in the sky with Him when He comes for His faithful (1 Thessalonians 4:16 & 17). As leaders, we must deliver this truth to our friends, family, and colleagues. If they are around and see Christ on the horse, they missed the rapture and their salvation opportunity, or they have survived hell on earth as tribulational saints. There are no other options.
Revelations 19:11-21makes it clear that Christ is coming back with His just sword of vengeance against the evil of this world. All who did not accept the gift of Christ the Lamb will perish by the Sword of the warrior Jesus. Christ is mounted on a white warrior steed. He is called faithful and true, and His eyes are like a flame of fire. An army accompanies Him, and He will strike the nations and rule them with a rod of iron. He is not returning as the all-loving, ever-accepting Jesus we have been trained to expect. No, that version of Jesus returns in heaven, not during this time. Sadly, many of our churches continue to teach a version of Christ that accepts everyone and their sin and never brings judgment. These church leaders spread that lie because that version of Jesus fills the pews, collection plates, and sells books.
As leaders, be willing to speak honestly and give the truth written in the Bible. Christ loves each of us. He gave His life so that we could be reconciled to the Father. It is a free gift, available to all, regardless of what you have done in the past. But that gift will end at a future, unknown date, and Jesus Christ will return to the earth and destroy those who are still steeped in sin. It is inevitable. Therefore, leaders, teach your people about both versions of Christ—the Lamb and the Warrior— before it is too late. You are held to a higher standard.