IS JESUS COMING SOON?
Every generation seems to have people who believe they are living in the final days before the return of Jesus Christ. Wars erupt, nations threaten one another, earthquakes occur, diseases spread, morality declines, and religious teachers announce that these events prove that the Lord must be coming soon. Some set dates, others construct prophetic timetables, and still others attempt to identify modern nations and political leaders with biblical prophecy. Yet the Christian must ask a more important question: What does the Bible actually say about when Jesus will return?
There is no question that Jesus Christ is coming again. Jesus promised, “I will come again, and receive you unto myself” (John 14:3, KJV). When Jesus ascended into heaven, two angels told the apostles, “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 1:11, KJV). Paul likewise taught that “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, KJV). Therefore, the second coming is not speculation. Christ will return.
But does the Bible tell us that His coming is “soon” according to a timetable that we can calculate? Jesus gave a very plain answer concerning the time of His return: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36, KJV). After His resurrection, the disciples asked about God's timetable, and Jesus answered, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power” (Acts 1:7, KJV). If the apostles were not given a date, Christians today should be extremely cautious about anyone claiming to know when Christ will return.
Some attempt to use wars, earthquakes, famines, and political turmoil as signs that the second coming is immediately approaching. Matthew 24 is often used for this purpose. However, we must carefully consider the context. Jesus' disciples had called His attention to the temple buildings. He answered, “There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down” (Matthew 24:2, KJV). Much of the chapter concerns the coming destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred in A.D. 70. Jesus even said, “This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled” (Matthew 24:34, KJV). Those signs served a purpose for people who could recognize them and flee. Jesus instructed, “Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains” (Matthew 24:16, KJV).
When Scripture discusses Christ's final return, however, the emphasis changes from recognizable signs to unexpectedness. Jesus said, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:42, KJV). He compared His coming to a thief: “If the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched” (Matthew 24:43, KJV). His conclusion was unmistakable: “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44, KJV).
Paul taught the same thing. “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2, KJV). Peter likewise wrote, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” (2 Peter 3:10, KJV). A thief does not ordinarily announce the precise hour of his arrival. The comparison stresses that the Lord's coming will be sudden and unexpected.
Peter also warned Christians against becoming discouraged because Christ had not yet returned. Some would ask, “Where is the promise of his coming?” (2 Peter 3:4, KJV). Peter answered, “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8, KJV). God's measurement of time is not ours. What appears to mankind as a long delay does not mean that God has forgotten His promise.
Why has Christ not already returned? Peter explains: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9, KJV). God's patience provides mankind additional opportunity to repent. Every day before Christ's return is another opportunity for sinners to hear the gospel, obey Christ, and prepare for eternity.
When Jesus does return, it will not be a secret event. John wrote, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him” (Revelation 1:7, KJV). Paul says the Lord will descend “with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, KJV). The dead will be raised. Jesus declared, “The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth” (John 5:28–29, KJV). This will be a universal resurrection leading to eternal consequences.
Christ's coming will also bring the present world to its conclusion. Peter wrote, “The heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat” (2 Peter 3:10, KJV). He continued, “The heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat” (2 Peter 3:12, KJV). This description should cause us to think less about predicting dates and more about preparing our souls.
The great question, therefore, is not merely, “Is Jesus coming soon?” The greater question is, “Am I ready if Jesus comes today?” Whether Christ returns during our lifetime or a thousand years from now does not change our responsibility. Our lives are brief. James wrote, “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14, KJV). We may meet Christ through His return, or we may first meet death. Either way, our opportunity to prepare is limited.
Jesus illustrated this truth in the parable of the ten virgins. Five were wise and five were foolish. While they waited for the bridegroom, “they all slumbered and slept” (Matthew 25:5, KJV). Suddenly the announcement came: “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him” (Matthew 25:6, KJV). Those who were prepared entered the marriage celebration, and “the door was shut” (Matthew 25:10, KJV). Jesus concluded, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 25:13, KJV).
Christians should eagerly anticipate Christ's return. Paul spoke of those who “love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8, KJV). Titus describes Christians as “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13, KJV). John concluded Revelation with the beautiful prayer, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20, KJV).
Is Jesus coming soon? He may come today, tomorrow, centuries from now, or at some other time known only to God. Scripture gives us no authority to set a date. What Scripture does tell us with absolute certainty is that Jesus is coming again. The date is God's business; preparation is ours.
Instead of watching the news trying to calculate the day of His return, we should watch our lives. Instead of attempting to identify supposed modern prophetic signs, we should examine whether we are faithful to Christ. Jesus' warning remains as urgent today as when He first spoke it: “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44, KJV).
Jesus is coming again. We do not know when. Therefore, we must be ready all the time.