The return of the King

There are few Bible subjects that garner as much attention as the study of Eschatology, or of the “end-times.” Probably more groundless speculation and careless interpretation has been focused on “the last days” than any other Bible subject.

Doubtless, you have heard several people claim to have studied the Bible in great detail and “discovered” the exact day and time when Jesus would come again. Perhaps some of you remember the ill-famed book “88 Reasons Jesus is coming in 1988.” Well, it turns out – Jesus didn’t come in 1988 or 2008. Friends, this arbitrary date-setting is nothing more than conceited conjecture and a colossal waste of time and resources. Had it pleased God to tell us exactly when Jesus was returning, He could have easily done so in His Word. He didn’t. In fact, the Bible (and Jesus Himself) repeatedly tells us that no one knows the day or the hour of the return of Christ, or the end of the world (Matthew 24:36). Regardless of the empty claims of the fame-seeking doomsday prophets, no one knows when the end will come.

To further this argument, allow me to point your minds back to the last conversation Jesus had with His disciples here on earth. In Acts chapter one, it is some 40 days after the resurrection of Christ. He has shown Himself alive by many infallible proofs and has gathered His disciples to the top of the Mount of Olives to give them some final instructions before ascending back up into heaven. There, this fledgling little band of brothers, not fully comprehending what is taking place, has some questions for their Lord. They ask Him, “Will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Struggling to understand the purposes of God, they want Jesus to immediately throw down the shackles of Roman rule and make Israel a super-power again. Yet, His response to them speaks volumes about how all of us should address the study of end-time theology. Jesus answers their question in Acts 1:7 by saying, ‘It is not for you to know the times and seasons which the Lord has put in His own power.”

Here is a clear message from Jesus Himself; we don’t need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. If we needed to know, He would have told us. Over and over again, the Holy Scriptures make it clear, that we are not to try and hypothesize when Jesus will come… instead, we are to live with the certainty that He will come.

Sure, there are those who call us naïve and foolish for holding on to some “archaic belief.” But may I remind you that the Bible tells us we can expect criticism for believing in the imminent return of Christ. In 2nd Peter, the proven Apostle tells his readers that in the last days, scoffers (mockers) will show up and ask, “Where is this Jesus?” With great swelling words they will challenge our faith by saying, “You all have been claiming for generations that Jesus is coming… well, where is He?”

Peter instructs us that we are to remind these scorners that God does not work on the same timetable as mortal men. One day with God is no different than a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. God is not bound by time like we are. God is not pressed for time like we are. 2 Peter 3:9 states, “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.”

That verse has been the source of all kinds of scholarly debate. But rather than entering into the theological quagmire – let us simply say that God hasn’t forgotten the promises He made to His people. God is not slack, like men often are. Or further yet, God really isn’t even behind schedule… but is long-suffering to us-ward (and it would do many people good to note the “us-ward”) not willing that any should perish. The only reason why God has not brought about the end yet, is that not all of His elect children have come to faith in His Son, and He is not willing that any of them should perish, but that all of them should come to repentance.

But that day will come, Peter goes on to say. Like a thief in the night. When you least expect it, the end will come.

When is Jesus coming, is not really the question we need answer. Instead, I ask,

Are you ready for Him when He comes?

The only way to be ready, is to get ready.

Have you trusted in the finished work of Jesus at Calvary for the forgiveness of your sins and His resurrection as validation for believing He is who He claimed to be?

The King is coming!

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