Understanding the Imminence of Christ’s Return
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ will return to this earth. This belief is foundational to Christian theology and has been eagerly anticipated by believers throughout the ages. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” The Bible’s message is clear: Jesus is coming back soon, and His return will be sudden and unexpected.
Signs of His Coming: What the Bible Says
The Bible provides various signs that point to the return of Jesus. In Matthew 24:3-14, Jesus speaks of wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, and persecution as indicators of the end times. However, He emphasizes that these are just the beginning of the birth pains. Jesus urges His followers to remain vigilant and discerning, understanding that these signs are reminders of His imminent return.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 describes the moral and spiritual decline that will characterize the last days. It warns of people becoming “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” These descriptions resonate with the current state of our world, reminding us that we may be closer to Christ’s return than we realize.
Living Ready: How Should We Prepare?
Knowing that Jesus could return at any moment, how should we live our lives? The Bible instructs us to live with a sense of urgency and readiness. Matthew 24:42-44 urges us to “stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” This passage highlights the need for spiritual alertness and preparedness.
To live ready, we must first ensure that our relationship with Jesus is secure. Romans 10:9 states, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Salvation is the foundation of readiness. It is through faith in Jesus Christ that we are reconciled to God and made ready for His return.
Daily Living with Eternity in Mind
Living ready for Jesus’ return also means living with eternity in mind. Colossians 3:2 instructs us to “set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” This mindset shifts our focus from temporal concerns to eternal values. We are called to live lives that reflect the character of Christ, pursuing holiness, righteousness, and love.
Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages believers to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” Our lives should be marked by a pursuit of godliness, with our eyes fixed on Jesus, our ultimate goal.
Encouraging One Another as We Wait
As we anticipate Jesus’ return, the Bible also emphasizes the importance of encouraging and supporting one another. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” The community of believers plays a vital role in helping each other remain steadfast and focused on Christ.
Are You Living Ready?
The return of Jesus Christ is a certainty. The Bible calls us to live with this reality in mind, ensuring that our hearts and lives are aligned with His will. We must be vigilant, living in a way that reflects our anticipation of His return. The question remains: Are you living ready?