For those who don’t know me that well, I work for a financial institution. Because financial institutions are regulated by government entities, audits occur frequently and sometimes without notice. My boss is known to demand audit reports at a drop of a dime and expects them on his desk pronto. Because of the urgency my boss places on these reports, my coworkers and I actively strive to have our reports in tiptop shape at all times. Having our reports ready at a moments notice is extremely difficult due to the volatile nature of my job but we do the best that we can given the circumstances. This state of being prepared and ready at a moments notice reminds me of something that all Christians should be prepared and ready for that will happen at any moment – Christ’s second coming.
We live in a world that likes knowing when things will happen. Astronomers can predict with great accuracy when and where the next solar eclipse will occur down to the nanosecond. Storm forecasters monitor the weather and can generally predict when the next rainfall will occur. But the only thing that people have attempted to predict without any success is the second return of Jesus. Everything that we know about Christ’s second coming can be found in Matthew 24 and in the book of Revelation but no date is recorded. We are told that Jesus’ return is certain but we were never given a date!
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” Matthew 24:36 NKJV
“Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.” Acts 1:6-7 NKJV
Even though we do not have a date, Scripture does warn us that Christ’s return is inevitable and we must be ready for it.
“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11 NKJV
“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.” Revelation 22:7 NLT
“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Matthew 24:44 NKJV
Imagine if Jesus provided the date of His return. Would there be any sense of urgency or any need to be ready at all times? Certainly not! I can guarantee that the vast majority of people would be doing their preparation at the last minute. People would be YOLO-ing their lives away until it was time to make things right with the righteous Judge. If that was the case, there wouldn’t be any sincerity in our decisions to follow Jesus. It definitely wouldn’t be a decision made out of love for Him but a decision largely made in the interest of self-preservation. If my boss provided my coworkers and I deadlines for our audit reports and the need to be ready at all times was no longer required, I can guarantee that negligence and procrastination levels would be out of control! But Jesus expects us to be ready at all times by being holy and living our lives for Him in obedience. Jesus is coming back for people who love Him and are expecting His return.
Being ready for Christ’s second return was heavily stressed in the Bible. Jesus used the parable of the Ten Virgins to explain how important it is to be ready at all times. Believers throughout the swinging centuries of time understood how consequential it was to be ready for the rapture. They lived with great expectancy and lived life moment by moment knowing that they could be snatched up at any second. But today it seems the church has forgotten the most important thing about the Christian faith – the King is coming! Jesus said the last days would be as in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:36-44). We are certainly living in the times of comfort and nonchalance. Very few today still put an emphasis on being ready for Jesus’ return. “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand” is no longer a phrase spoken behind pulpits nor on street corner soapboxes. Nightfall is upon us and many are sound asleep. We are closer to Christ’s return than we ever have been before. Let us not be in a spiritual slumber when He comes!
If Jesus came back right now, would you be ready or caught off guard because of the busyness of your life? If Jesus came back today, would you join Him in heaven or would you be left behind to endure The Tribulation described in the book of Revelation? Does the thought of His return make you want to rejoice or does it terrify you? Remember that Jesus is coming back for people who love and obey Him. If you feel in your heart that if Jesus came back today and you wouldn’t go to heaven, then I want to lead you in a prayer. If that’s you, please read this prayer out loud:
“Dear, Jesus. I confess that I am a sinner and have broken God’s commands. I believe You are the Son of God and I believe You died on the cross for my sins so I could have eternal life. Please forgive me of my sins and wash me clean in Your blood. Take my heart and be the Lord of my life. Make me a new creation and give me Your grace so I can live a life that is pleasing to You. From this moment on, I choose to follow You and to love You with all of my heart, with all of my soul, with all of my mind, and with all of my strength. Thank You for saving me, Lord Jesus. I pray that You help me to always be ready for Your soon return and to lead others to You while we wait for Your return. I pray these things in Your name. Amen.”
To close out this blog, I want to leave everyone with an exciting yet encouraging scene described in the book of Revelation. Although Revelation is often described as a book of doom and gloom, this one passage is one of my favorites and every time I read it it makes me want to shout hallelujah!
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called the Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He had on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:11-16 NKJV
Hallelujah! What a day that will be! Let us never forget that Jesus is coming and let us live every single day with this constant thought – the King is coming!
Joshua Hawk 