“Jesus is coming again and this is how it will happen.”
“No. This is how.”
On and on it goes. Speculation abounds. “Experts” know it all (or so they think). It goes without saying no one really knows the day or the hour.
But there is one thing we can or should all agree on: we need to be prepared for that day. Sadly enough, there are even people who have taken that to an extreme or a warped view. We have the doomsday prophets who convince people to join their extremist cult. We have “prophecy buffs” who have Jesus coming at every changing world event. This is not a 2000 thing. This is a “from-the-very-beginning-of-the-church” thing. Ever since Jesus left, there have been those who have gone to extremes about His return. (Who can forget the Left Behind series)?
Now…I believe Jesus will return, AND (here is something so astounding astute it will amaze you): we are closer today than yesterday. 🙂
Maintaining a proper balance between being prepared and “when” has and always will be a challenge. On the one hand, we need to keep our eyes to the sky looking for His return; on the other we must not look under every rock trying to figure out when.
We live with expectation; we don’t live with hyper fear or hyper speculation, i.e. guessing. Jesus will come when it is His time. When the Father says, “Go.” Until then…B.E. R.E.A.D.Y. Be prepared. Be expectant.
We absolutely need to be ready for Jesus to return, Bill, but we shouldn’t waste time on speculation as to when. That’s been totally up to God from the beginning. We cannot know the day nor the hour. In the meantime, let’s be about the Father’s business.
Blessings!
I agree and especially with your last statement. Thanks Martha
I am going to throw a “Back to the Future” reference into this conversation. I think simply knowing the date/time of what the future hold would change that future significantly.
To quote Doc Brown, “No! Marty! We’ve already agreed that having information about the future can be extremely dangerous. Even if your intentions are good, it can backfire drastically!”
If we really knew the exact moment of Jesus’ coming, I think the evil in this world would get even more bold and more destructive. I think God has held that mystery so close to His chest so that when the time comes, The evil in this world will be taken by surprise.
First, I like your reference to BTTF. You are my new best friend. 🙂 🙂 But I most definitely like and agree with your assessment of evil knowing and how it will be taken by surprise. I love it!
Totally agree with the above comments. Father, may we wait for Your return with excitement and over joyed anticipation. While we wait, may we glorify our Lord, by actively working for the kingdom of God as if we anticipate Your return to be this very day. Help us to serve, reach the lost, and carry out the mission of the church as we were instructed in Acts. 1Timothy 1:17
Thanks for the prayer Gail. Anticipating the coming of Jesus should fill us with a renewed sense of urgency for others.
As always – appreciate what you share. And wow, wish I could have read this in September,2025. It was dejavu back to ’88. And it seemed like the majority were on that band wagon and labeled any Christ follower who didn’t agree with the idea of nailing down a day as an unbeliever. Maybe I am wrong but what I observe is it seems the “prophecy fanatics” lose sight of living every day with etwrnity in view and the Great Commission/Ambassador mandate. Felt very lonely. Thankful for a couple friends who didn’t “shun” me over that time. Was rough. And so thankful for this reminder that there are more of us “crazy, naive” folks who believe we are not intended to “know the day or hour”
Blessings. Forever grateful for all OVCF taught me as a newbie follower of Jesus. And I am still learning, lol. Will be until I get Home to our Forever Home. Love you guys.
Hi Crystal! It is so good to hear from you. hope you are doing well. And yeah, it is time for us to stop the date setting and the prophecy hunting and get down to “Be ready for what He comes.” I look forward to that day in my forever home. So thankful we were able to help you find Christ and get direction. Please stay in touch.