“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” – Matthew 24:36
Promised Coming
We all look forward to the day when Jesus will return, and the scriptures remind us of this powerful promise. Throughout the Bible, God reassures us that Jesus will come back for His followers. This promise is a source of hope and comfort for us. We can rest in the assurance that true justice and restoration will happen in God’s perfect timing. This anticipation helps us to live our lives with purpose and commitment to our faith. Just as Jesus ascended into heaven, we eagerly await His second coming, believing that it will bring ultimate salvation and peace. As we prepare for that glorious day, we should encourage one another to remain steadfast in our faith, ready for when that moment arrives.
Acts 1:11
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:11
Titus 2:13
“While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” – Titus 2:13
John 14:3
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” – John 14:3
Revelation 3:11
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” – Revelation 3:11
Matthew 24:42
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” – Matthew 24:42
Signs of His Return
As we look forward to Jesus’ return, we see that there are many signs that he has given us to look for. These signs serve as a reminder to stay vigilant and alert. Jesus mentioned various events that would occur before His return. Times of distress, natural disasters, and moral decay are just a few indicators we might notice in our lives. Instead of causing us fear, these signs should motivate us to deepen our faith, share the gospel, and prepare ourselves spiritually. Being aware of these signs can help us to be ready for His coming and inspire us to live for Christ during our time here on Earth.
Matthew 24:30
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” – Matthew 24:30
Luke 21:28
“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” – Luke 21:28
Matthew 24:6-7
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” – Matthew 24:6-7
1 Thessalonians 5:2
“For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:2
Revelation 22:12
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” – Revelation 22:12
Encouragement to Remain Faithful
As we await Jesus’ return, He encourages us to remain faithful. It can be challenging in today’s world, but we are called to stand strong in our faith and carry out the Great Commission. Jesus has provided guidance through scripture so that we can live our lives with purpose and hope. Remaining faithful includes daily prayer, reading our Bibles, attending church, and fostering our relationships with others in Christ. By encouraging each other, we can grow together in our faith and become more like Christ. Let’s not forget that our actions and choices can influence others to seek Him, especially in these last days.
Matthew 25:13
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” – Matthew 25:13
2 Timothy 4:8
“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4:8
Hebrews 10:25
“Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25
1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58
Revelation 2:10
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” – Revelation 2:10
The Urgency of the Message
The return of Jesus comes with a message that needs to be spread urgently. We are commissioned as followers of Christ to share the good news of His return with everyone around us. We should live out our faith and testify about the love of Jesus, preparing others for His coming. Evangelism is not just a duty; it’s a privilege. Lives can be transformed by hearing the Gospel, just as ours were. We can take every opportunity to talk about Jesus and encourage others to seek Him. People are searching for answers, and we can point them towards the hope that we have in Christ, showcasing our love in action.
Mark 16:15
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'” – Mark 16:15
Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20
Romans 10:14
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” – Romans 10:14
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
Luke 19:10
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10
Hope in His Return
The anticipation of Jesus’ return is a source of deep hope for us as believers. We look forward to a future where all things will be made new, and the pain and suffering of this life will be wiped away. This hope shapes our mindset and our actions today. It encourages us to renounce worldly distractions and stay focused on eternal things. We find reassurance that every trial we face now serves a purpose and that our joy will be complete when we stand in His presence. This hope allows us to endure hardships and to shine brightly in a world that needs the light of Christ.
Romans 8:18
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18
Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21:4
Philippians 3:20-21
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” – Philippians 3:20-21
1 John 3:2
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” – 1 John 3:2
1 Peter 1:13
“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” – 1 Peter 1:13
Prepared Hearts
As we await the return of Jesus, it’s crucial that we keep our hearts prepared. Living with an attitude of readiness ensures that when He comes back, we will greet Him with joy rather than fear. This preparation involves nurturing our relationship with God, seeking forgiveness, and growing in love and faith. We should practice obedience to His word and truly embody the love of Christ in our lives. The way we live now can influence how we feel when He arrives. Having prepared hearts allows us to be confident, knowing we have lived according to His teachings. Let us encourage one another to stay on this path of grace and truth.
Matthew 24:44
“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” – Matthew 24:44
2 Peter 3:14
“So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” – 2 Peter 3:14
Luke 12:35
“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.” – Luke 12:35
James 5:8
“You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” – James 5:8
1 Thessalonians 5:4-6
“But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the incredible promise and reality of Jesus’ return, we realize how important it is for us to stay prepared, faithful, and hopeful. His promise of coming back should motivate us to live in a manner that honors God. We should share the gospel and encourage our friends and family to seek Him. The signs of His coming remind us that we need to be alert and grounded in our faith. Each day is a gift, and we must make choices that lead us closer to Him. May we cultivate our relationship with Jesus, knowing that He is our hope and our future.
We invite you to explore more topics on how you can deepen your understanding of the Bible. For more insight, check out our complete list of Bible Resources. You can also read about future events in the Bible that point to our Savior’s return.