It feels as though I have heard my whole life that the Lord is coming soon. Sermon after sermon has been preached in my hearing. Calling the church to be ready for the soon return of Jesus. I’m sure that many others could make this very same statement. Really this message has been proclaimed by believers since Jesus left this earth to take His place in Heaven. For over two thousand years Christians have been watching for the Lord’s return and the worst thing the church could do now is stop watching.
While the church has seemly been waiting for the return of Jesus with eager expectation forever and not yet seen Him come, we must keep watching. God is not a lair and because He said Jesus would return for the church He will. You have encountered God through your faith and seen Him move in mighty ways in your life. You know that He is real and that the Bible is His word. So trust in Him and His word and know that Jesus is coming back.
Matthew 16:27 (ESV)
27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
Matthew 24:30 (ESV)
30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Luke 21:25–28 (ESV)
25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
John 14:1–3 (ESV)
14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
It’s true that many throughout history expected His return to come much sooner than it will. It is even possible that we today are expecting it much sooner than it will actually come. But God has not been slow in coming but has in reality tried to give everyone every opportunity to be saved. It is also worth noting that we would not be here to have this very conversation had the Lord already returned.
2 Peter 3:8–9 (ESV)
8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Watching for the Lord’s return does not mean staring into the sky hoping to see the moment Jesus comes down in all His glory. No, it is about always being prepared for His return that can take place at any moment. The Bible says that it will happen when we least expect it and that it will take place in an instant. That being the case, we should always be watching and be prepared for everything to change at any second. Our hearts must be ready because there will no longer be time to repent.
Matthew 24:44 (ESV)
44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
1 Corinthians 15:52 (ESV)
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
1 Thessalonians 5:2–3 (ESV)
2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
2 Peter 3:10 (ESV)
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Jesus emphasized our need to always keep watch for His return. He wanted to ensure that all those who believed in Him would always be ready. Jesus also pointed to the fact multiple times that His return could take place at any time. Comparing it to the days of Noah when the people lived life as normal until the very last second.
Mark 13:32–37 (ESV)
32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
Matthew 24:37–39 (ESV)
37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Always watching and knowing that the Lord could return any second will act as a driving force in our faith. Helping us to always live right, do our best to not allow sin in our life, and quickly repent when we fall. Because we know that we may not have the opportunity to pray tomorrow. So while we will have today we must keep watching and keep praying.
Luke 21:34–36 (ESV)
34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
The knowledge we have about the Lord’s coming should also drive our efforts in evangelism. As we know all too well that we may not have another opportunity to share the gospel with certain people. Our role as Christians is not just watching for ourselves but for others as well.
This is not the time to get comfortable and believe that you will have ample time to get right with God. As we have already seen His return will be completely unexpected and take place in an instant. Those who were not watching will be left behind.
So stop saying you need to get better about reading your bible, praying, and serving God with your whole heart. Don’t only know you should remove certain things that don’t align with God from your life. Take care of those things now and be ready for the moment Jesus returns. Don’t be found sleeping instead keep on watching and waiting for His soon coming return.
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