Christ's Return from the Sanctuary

Welcome, dear friends, to another vital study in our series on God's Dwelling Place! We've journeyed through the earthly sanctuary, seen its shadows pointing to Christ, and explored His ongoing ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. Today, we arrive at a glorious peak in our understanding: the promised return of our Lord Jesus Christ from that very heavenly sanctuary to take His redeemed people home forever. This isn't just a theological concept; it's the blessed hope that anchors our souls and gives meaning to our present walk with God.

The Certainty of His Coming

From the moment Jesus ascended to heaven, His followers have held onto the promise of His return. It was a promise given not just by Him, but confirmed by heavenly messengers.

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? 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 1:9-11

What a powerful assurance! The angels declared that the very same Jesus who ascended would return. He didn't just disappear; He "was taken up," and He "shall so come." This promise is the bedrock of our future hope. Jesus Himself had prepared His disciples for this, offering comfort and a clear purpose for His departure:

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. 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; that where I am, there ye may be also.

John 14:1-3

His return is not an afterthought, but the fulfillment of His loving plan to be with us eternally. He went to prepare a place, and He will return to take us to that prepared place.

His Ministry Concludes, His Return Is Imminent

Our understanding of the sanctuary message reveals that Jesus' priestly work in heaven is a specific, purposeful ministry. There will come a time when this work is complete, and then He will return. The Bible gives us glimpses of this transition.

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Revelation 22:12

This verse is highly significant. "My reward is with me" suggests that the investigative phase of His heavenly ministry, where characters are examined and decisions are finalized, has concluded. He is no longer interceding or mediating in the same way, but is now prepared to execute judgment and bestow rewards. His work in the heavenly sanctuary, which includes advocacy and judgment, will have reached its glorious culmination. When that work is finished, nothing will hold Him back from returning to earth.

The prophet Daniel also provides a vision of a heavenly judgment scene that precedes the establishment of God's eternal kingdom:

I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. ... I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

This portrays a scene of heavenly judgment where the "Son of man" (Jesus) is presented before God the Father ("Ancient of days"), leading to the bestowal of an everlasting kingdom. This heavenly work must be completed before Christ's final return to claim His kingdom on earth.

The Manner of His Return

The Bible is very clear about how Jesus will return. It will not be a secret event or a spiritual return, but a literal, visible, and glorious event.

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Revelation 1:7

This glorious return will be unmistakable. "Every eye shall see him," meaning it will be a global, public spectacle. It won't be a quiet, hidden event, but a grand display of divine power and majesty, announced by heavenly hosts:

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

The sounds, the sights, the resurrection of the dead – all point to an event of cosmic significance, fulfilling the angelic promise in Acts 1:11 that He would come "in like manner" as He went. Just as His ascension was visible to His disciples, so His return will be visible to all the world.

The Purpose of His Return

Why does Jesus return from His heavenly sanctuary? His primary purpose is to gather His redeemed people to Himself, fulfilling the promise He made in John 14:3.

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Matthew 24:31

This gathering is for salvation, not for judgment. Those who have accepted His sacrifice and lived in harmony with His will are the "elect" He comes to claim. They will be taken to the "Father's house" (John 14:2) to be with Him forever.

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. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

1 Corinthians 15:21-23

His return signals the end of sin's reign and the beginning of eternal life for His followers. It is the glorious climax of the plan of salvation, bringing an end to sorrow, pain, and death.

Conclusion

The sanctuary message culminates in this glorious hope: Jesus, having completed His redemptive work in the heavenly sanctuary, will return to take His people home. This is not a vague hope, but a specific promise, detailed in Scripture. He ascended visibly, and He will return visibly. He went to prepare a place, and He will come again to receive us unto Himself. Our understanding of His heavenly ministry gives us assurance that when His work as High Priest is finished, He will step forth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, ready to gather His children and bring them into the eternal joy of His presence. This is the ultimate fulfillment of God's dwelling place – not just with us, but us with Him, forevermore.

Reflection Questions

1. How does the promise of Jesus' visible return (Acts 1:11, Revelation 1:7) strengthen your faith compared to a belief in a secret or spiritual return?
2. What does the phrase "my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Revelation 22:12) tell us about the completion of Christ's heavenly ministry before His return?
3. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 again. What specific details about Christ's return bring you comfort and hope?
4. How does Jesus' promise in John 14:1-3 personally reassure you about the future?
5. Knowing that Jesus will return from His heavenly sanctuary to take His people home, how does this truth influence your daily life and choices?