The shirt was bright red with big, unmistakable lettering across the entire front. When I wore it I looked like a human stop sign.
It was the 80’s and in the church circles I ran in it at that time, it was very common for Christians to live by the motto: “What you believe in your heart, you’ll confess with your t-shirt!” Ask my wife, I have a thing for t-shirts. Someday I’ll show you my collection. They are all archived and boxed up for future generation to discover…and…well…marvel.
There is one classic t-shirt that I can’t seem to find though. It was either misplaced, worn out, tossed out or given away. I’d love to get my hands on it again – not to wear it, of course. Frankly, I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t fit, ‘cause I’m no longer a 140 pound skinny teenager (here’s to wishing though)!
The reason I want to find it is because of the truth it presented. The message on this fire-engine red shirt was undeniable – both to myself and to those that would see it on my frame. The white lettering spelled out what I know to be true, but can often loose sight of quickly. The shirt simply said:
Jesus is
Coming Back
Very Soon!
There is a whole story that goes with this famed red shirt and someday I’ll tell you more about it.
But for now will you let those words sink in. Go ahead and read them again. Jesus is…coming back…very soon. I wore that shirt with conviction in the 80’s. The disciples around the time of the 1st Century (after the ascension) were also convinced Jesus was coming back soon. Between then and now a lot of time has transpired. Do we still believe Jesus is coming back? Soon? Or has this fundamental truth gotten lost in the move? Have we gotten so busy that we’ve forgotten to keep watch for his return? Maybe for you today, it’s a matter of life and death. Perhaps you have not given your full life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and you’re not certain of your eternal destination. Or maybe you’ve got apathetic and wandered in your faith. Don’t leave your relationship with the Lord to chance.
Jesus is coming back. He is our Soon-Coming King!