If you are convinced that Jesus will return, are you busy with the matters He left you on earth to accomplish? The timing of His second coming may come as a surprise but its certainty should not.
There are a lot of interesting Christian bumper stickers out there. One of my favorites reads, “Jesus is coming; look busy.” I always get a satisfying chuckle out of that one. It’s not bad theology, either. We should busy ourselves with the matters He left us on this earth to accomplish.
What’s frustrating is when there are details of His return that we remain confused about. The parts in the Scripture that don’t fit into a simple box can bother me. In pride, I want to believe I can figure it out and succinctly explain it to others in a simple bullet-point list.
Jesus’ return isn’t like that at all. We don’t even know when He will return. The Apostle Paul described it as what a thief invading a home would feel like. We know that Jesus isn’t coming to take something away from us, but He has promised to take us away.
5 About the times and the seasons: Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-4.
To those who belong to Jesus, His return will warrant an unprecedented jubilation. To those who have rejected Him, terror will instantaneously steal their hearts. In that moment of realization, they will grasp that they should have never dismissed Jesus because He will accept their wishes at that time.
If a crime is being committed, what happens to the criminal and the victim when the police show up? The same person arrives, but their reactions are entirely different based on what they are doing at that moment. For the victim, great relief emerges to know that help has come and the dire situation is over. For the criminal, panic overtakes as the individual seeks to escape from the just consequences of the actions.
When Jesus returns, it will be just like that. One resurrected Messiah will descend, and two responses will be present. Since you know He is coming and you are going with Him, it shouldn’t cause fear. You should welcome His return even if you don’t know when it is.
Take time to investigate your heart and your readiness for His imminent return.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
