“Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! – Revelation 22:20
Jesus is coming back. Did you know that? Scripture promises the return of Christ. However, some may wonder why it has taken Him so long to return. Doesn’t the Bible say Jesus is coming quickly? It has been nearly 2,000 years since Jesus and His disciples discussed His return, so where is He? The word quickly used in Revelation 22:20 comes from the Greek word, tachy, which simply means without delay or suddenly. Jesus never taught that He was coming back during the time of His disciples. Jesus even said that He did not know the day nor the hour in which He would return (Mark 13:32). Thus, Jesus never taught that His return would be imminent, rather that His return would be at the opportune time – without delay. So, what is the opportune time, what is Jesus waiting for? 2 Peter 3:9 states, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” Jesus is very patient with the unbelieving world, and He desires their salvation. Christ will not return until every person who would place their faith in Him does so. Jesus even said in His Olivet Discourse that the gospel must be preached throughout all the world to all the nations before His return (Matthew 24:14). Surely, the disciples did not think that Jesus would return right after the Great Commission was given, instead Christ will come when the mission of the church is accomplished. Additionally, Jesus taught that He would return after the tribulation, not before (Matthew 24:29-30, Mark 13:24-26). Christ seems to suggest that there are many things that must first take place before He is at the gates ready to return. So, does that mean that we should not be prepared for His coming? On the contrary, none of us are guaranteed our very next breath. We must always be ready to meet our Lord and Savior. Likewise, Mark 13:35 states, “Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming – in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning – lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” Therefore, we must be watchful and spiritually prepared as we look for the signs of our Lord’s coming, so that His coming does not surprise us like a thief in the night. We do not want to be found sleeping when our Master returns. The church must continue the mission of sharing the gospel as we eagerly wait for Christ to return.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 states, but I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
We can be confident that our Lord is coming and when He does, He will be victorious. When He comes, Jesus will end the evils of the world and make all things right. He will resurrect those who have fallen asleep in Christ and gather His elect from the four corners of the Earth. The church will be transformed and be made like Christ in the twinkling of an eye and we will reign with Him in His Kingdom forever. Let us be ready to meet our Lord, whether it is when we take our last breath or when we meet Him in the air at His 2nd coming. What a day glorious day that will be! Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Christ will return, are you ready?
Alice Ann says
Wonderful message, I pray that we are ready to live with Our Lord eternally!