Eschatology 101 (Part 4)

Having looked briefly at how Jesus will come again it is time to look at when.

There are two distinct themes about the return of Christ. One is that it is imminent, no one knows when he will come and it will be sudden. The other is that some things must happen first before Christ returns. In this post we will look at the immediacy of his return.

"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of man comes." (Matthew 25:13)

Talking of when he will return Jesus says, "But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Mark 13:32). It is important for us to remember this. The history of Christianity is full of people who can tell you exactly when Jesus will return. Of course all have proved false. What is important is that we are ready for his return. Jesus put it like this, "You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour." (Luke 12:40). Speaking of the unexpectedness of His return, this time in parable form, Jesus said, "the master will come on a day when he is not expected and at an hour that is not know." (Matthew 24:50). His advise is "watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." (Matthew 24:42.)

Writing of the closeness of His return, James write "You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (James 5:8). Also Peter writes "The end of all things is at hand; therefore be sober, and watch to prayer." (I Peter 4:7).

We are called to watch, to pray, to be ready, to prepare our hearts for his coming. We may think that many centuries have passed and his hasn't returned, but we must remember that no single man has every waited longer than maybe 100 years for his return. Our lives are short. Personally I have been waiting for his return for only 10 years. From where I stand he isn't late or delayed and if he came tomorrow I was only just ready.

Next we shall look at the things which must pass before he returns.

Blessings,

Gary