Audio Transcript
Imagine that you knew — you knew — for an absolute fact that Jesus was coming back before this day will come to an end. That would be amazing. And of course, that would also be impossible. We cannot know the date or time of Christ’s return. But what if we did? What if we knew he was coming back at 10pm sharp, local time tonight. How would you change your day? Today on Ask Pastor John: if Jesus returns tonight.
We are about to read Luke 12:35–48. We just read 1 Thessalonians 5:1–18. So, we are thinking a lot about Christ’s return in our Bible readings. The question is from Claire, a young woman and listener to the podcast.
“Pastor John, hello to you and thank you for APJ. This podcast is a constant stream of encouragement for my soul and of correction too, in the right balance. Thank you for both kinds of precious gifts to me. Jesus repeatedly calls his followers to live with watchful expectation for his return. In Luke 12:35–36, he says, ‘Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home.’ He praises the servant who is found ready, faithful, and active when the master arrives at night. Obviously, we need physical rest each night, so it’s not a literal ‘staying always awake.’ Metaphorically, how should I be living today if I truly believe Christ could return tonight? What does staying dressed with lit lamps look like today?”
It’s amazing to me — remarkable — how thoroughly the New Testament answers this question. I mean, just thinking about it was good for me. So, let me see if I can pack into this little episode ten transforming ways to live as we eagerly look forward to the coming of Jesus.
1. Eagerly wait.
So, let’s start with that word eagerly. Hebrews 9:28: “Christ . . . will appear a second time . . . to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” And 2 Timothy 4:8: “The Lord . . . will award to me [a crown of righteousness] . . . and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” So, as we wait, we cultivate a heart of love and eagerness for the Lord’s appearing. That’s number one.
2. Be alert.
Be alert, but not alarmed:
- Matthew 24:42: “Stay awake.”
- Luke 12:40: “Be ready.”
- Luke 21:36: “Stay awake at all times.”
- Mark 13:23: “Be on guard.”
- Luke 21:34: “Watch yourselves.”
So, all of that means be alert. The point of all those texts is not that we don’t sleep physically, but that we don’t sleep spiritually or morally. We maintain a vital, living relationship with Jesus and alertness to how we can serve him. But alertness does not mean alarm, because Matthew 24:6 says, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed.” We’re not to be nervous and fearful.
3. Be patient.
Be joyfully patient no matter what sufferings are required of us in the last days. James 5:7: “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.” And Peter adds, do it with joy. First Peter 4:12–13: “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” Rejoice in suffering now so that you will know the fullness of joy at his coming.
4. Keep yourself pure.
Fourth, keep yourselves pure. First John 3:2–3: “Beloved . . . we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” And 2 Peter 3:11: “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness!”
5. Be gentle.
Be gentle and reasonable. That may sound like an odd priority in anticipating the second coming, but listen to Philippians 4:5: “Let your [gentleness]” — and I know that the ESV translates it reasonableness, but I’ve studied that word in all of its context, and I still can’t help but think that the old translation gentleness is better. I think it’s okay to go both ways, but I think gentleness (because it’s parallel with not being pugilistic in some places) is better. “Let your [gentleness] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.” How easy it is to become quick-tempered and harsh in times of crisis. Oh my goodness, we see that. Don’t let it happen.
6. Don’t be deceived.
Don’t be deceived by powerful pretenders. In other words, watch and don’t give in to deception. Matthew 24:4–5: “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.” This is one of the reasons we need to be alert and vigilant over our minds and hearts: to protect us from deception, which will be so rampant in that last time.
7. Don’t give in to hysteria.
Don’t give in to hysteria. Go to work. Got a job? Do it. In Paul’s day in Thessalonica, they were giving way to hysteria and quitting their jobs. “What’s the point of working?” they were saying. “The Lord is near. Why work? We don’t need any money.” Paul tells them to stop being like that. Stop being alarmed. Go back to work. Here’s what he says: “We hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies” (2 Thessalonians 3:11). This is basically what Jesus was getting at when he said in Luke 12:42–43,
Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
I love that. When I was a preaching pastor, that was my rock-solid assignment. You’ve been set over a household. You’ve got food to give them. Give them that every Sunday, and you’re going to be blessed if the Lord breaks in, splits the clouds, and finds you studying for your sermon. I want to be found doing what God has given me to do when he comes. That’s what Jesus expects.
8. Go to church.
Go to church. Have you ever noticed the connection between the second coming and going to church? “Let us 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” — go to church all the more — “as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24–25). Meet together more as you see the Lord’s coming approaching. Don’t curl up in your chair at home. Go to church.
9. Pray.
Give yourselves to regular, earnest prayer — even prayer for the second coming, fasting for the second coming even. Jesus said you can’t fast when the bridegroom is here, but the bridegroom is going to be taken away, and then you will fast (Matthew 9:15). Why? Because you’ll want him back. Luke 21:36: “Stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” First Peter 4:7: “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” So, pray to him day and night. He will not delay long over you and will vindicate you in your prayers.
10. Finish the mission.
Finally, hasten the day of God by finishing the Great Commission. Second Peter 3:12 says we are “waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God.” Now, how do you hasten a day that the Lord has fixed with his own authority? And I think two passages point to the answer. Acts 1:6–8, where the disciples asked Jesus after the resurrection, “Is it now time for you to establish the kingdom?” And Jesus says,
It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
In other words, if you want to see the kingdom arrive, finish the mission, which is what Matthew 24:14 says: “This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” So, how do you hasten the day of the Lord? We give ourselves to finishing the Great Commission.
Let me end where I began: May the Lord give us eagerness and love for his second coming. The Lord will give a crown of righteousness to all who have loved his appearing.
