When ordered to evacuate the Philippines in the early days of World War II, General Douglas MacArthur made a promise to his troops and to the Filipino people: “I shall return.” Some two years later, MacArthur kept that promise by striding back onto Philippine soil as the victorious Supreme Commander of the forces in the Southwest Pacific Area, declaring “I have returned.”

After piloting his spacecraft Friendship 7 on the first American spaceflight to orbit the earth, John Glenn returned to earth to receive a hero’s welcome. Having traveled over 75,000 miles during his historic mission, Glenn was welcomed back by President John Kennedy and a ticker tape parade in New York City.

In literature, published in 1955 and more recently in film as well, J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy has presented its volume three: The Return of the King. In that concluding tale, Aragorn, the Ranger, steps out of his self–imposed exile to assume the throne as King of the realms of men.

Famous returns are as old as history itself. Yet, the most famous of all returns is yet to occur—the return of Jesus Christ to this world. And, like MacArthur did for those he cared about, Jesus has assured us that, in fact, he will return someday.

“Though we will not be able to fully unlock the mysteries of the future, there’s no reason for dread or fear. Jesus is coming back!” —Bill Crowder

One of our favorite things to do at the end of a long journey is to return home. But what does longing for home look like when we’re the ones waiting for Jesus to come back? How do we set our sights on the glorious day of Christ’s return—the day everything will be made whole—when our current reality is full of broken pieces that never seem to fit together? In I Will Come Again, author Bill Crowder invites you to experience the freedom and hope rooted in Jesus’ promise to return to this world. Shape your life today trusting that one day all things will be made new!