“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
The Mystery of Christ’s Return
We often find ourselves thinking about the mystery surrounding the return of Christ. The promise of His coming back is filled with hope and anticipation for us as followers of Christ. This mystery is significant, allowing us to live our lives with purpose and meaning as we wait. We should remain watchful and prayerful, trusting in God’s timing and trusting that He has a plan for us. While we may not know the exact moment of His return, we can rest assured that it will happen, and this keeps our hope alive and our hearts focused on righteousness.
Matthew 24:36
“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
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
Matthew 25:13
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” – Matthew 25:13
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
In pondering the signs of the times, we understand that the world will experience a variety of events that indicate the nearing return of Christ. Jesus spoke of wars, famine, pestilences, and natural disasters, urging us to pay attention and remain vigilant. These signs act as reminders for us to stay close to God so that we are prepared and not shaken by the events around us. Rather than creating fear, these signs can fuel our faith, as they assure us of the unfolding of God’s prophetic plan.
Luke 21:10-11
“Then he said to them: ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.'” – Luke 21:10-11
Matthew 24:7
“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” – Matthew 24:7
Mark 13:8
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginnings of birth pains.” – Mark 13:8
Revelation 6:8
“I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.” – Revelation 6:8
2 Timothy 3:1
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.” – 2 Timothy 3:1
The coming of the end times reminds us of the incredible hope we have in salvation through Jesus Christ. We are reminded that while this world faces turmoil and challenges, we carry the promise of eternal life with Jesus. This assurance should inspire us to share our faith with those around us, bringing hope and light in dark times. The end times should encourage us to be diligent in our spiritual walk, knowing that our redemption is near and God’s promises are certain.
Romans 10:9
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
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
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 3:20
Acts 2:21
“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Acts 2:21
Living in readiness for Christ’s return is essential. We are called to be faithful servants, preparing ourselves spiritually so that we remain alert and ready for His coming. This means engaging in prayer, worship, and studying God’s Word, so we are equipped to face any challenges that may arise and be a light to others. It is important for us to remain proactive in our faith, allowing it to transform us so we may glorify God while we wait on His promises.
Luke 12:35-36
“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.” – Luke 12:35-36
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
1 Peter 4:7
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.” – 1 Peter 4:7
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
Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
Understanding the urgency of the end times calls us to spread the message of the Gospel far and wide. As Christians, we have the great commission to share the love and hope of Jesus with others, so they too can find salvation and eternal life. This is our responsibility, a task we should take seriously in these times. We can feel encouraged knowing that many will respond to the call of Christ and this beautiful truth can transform lives even in uncertain circumstances.
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
Mark 16:15
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'” – Mark 16:15
Luke 19:10
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
2 Corinthians 5:20
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20
As we look ahead to the coming of the end times, we can find comfort in the reward that awaits those who remain faithful to Christ. The promise of eternal life and being in the presence of God is our ultimate hope. We are encouraged to remain steadfast in our faith and work toward that glorious day. The Lord sees our efforts and will bless us for our faithfulness, reminding us that all we do for Him is never in vain. Together, we can rejoice in knowing what we have to look forward to as we endure life’s challenges with perseverance and grace.
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
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 5:12
“Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – Matthew 5:12
1 Corinthians 9:24
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” – 1 Corinthians 9:24
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
Final Thoughts
As we have explored the topic of end time prophecy, we find that this subject is both profound and meaningful. We are reminded of Christ’s promised return and the signs that indicate His coming is near. Through scripture, we gain insights that strengthen our hope and understanding of our salvation.
In our everyday lives, we feel the urgency of sharing the love of Jesus with others while living in a state of readiness for His return. We can trust that God has a divine plan for us, and we should encourage one another to remain steadfast in our faith as we navigate these times. Together, let’s keep focused on the great reward that awaits us as we endure and remain faithful.
For further exploration on related topics, consider reading about Jesus returning and why life on earth is temporary.