Is the Return of Christ soon – and – Is it important?
Followers of Christ all over the world have their attention turned toward the Middle East and the events surrounding Israel over this past month. On October 7th when Israel was attacked by Hamas, humanly speaking, the entire Middle East took on a different look. Thousands have died in Israel and Gaza in the days since, plus others in Lebanon, Syria, and in other skirmishes around the area. Further, as the days have followed, the United States, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Russia, and China have all taken stronger and stronger military positions in the region. Warships, ground troops, and various armaments have been gathered in and around the region. Among those who love the Lord, a rising sense of expectation grows. As these things all come together in the Middle East, more and more followers of Jesus are wondering, whispering, and contemplating with growing anticipation that something is changing, something is happening, and something is up. Is the Return of Christ soon – and – Is it important?
Two Questions in the Bible Help Us Consider This Question
In two different passages, we read of two specific questions that the disciples ask Jesus and observe His response to each of them. As we consider each briefly, we will understand better how important the return of Jesus Christ is, and what we should do in light of it.
The Discourse on the Mount of Olives
Jesus and the disciples were leaving the temple across the Kidron Valley and up the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24). As they went, the disciples pointed out to Jesus the beauty of the temple and all its buildings. Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Of course, this came as a bit of a shock to the disciples who were walking with Him. They were surprised and wondered what He meant. As they sat down on the Mount of Olives still looking toward Jerusalem and the temple, the disciples asked, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
In this text, Jesus answers one of their two questions. He skips, “Tell us, when will these things be?” and answers, “And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Over the two chapters (Matthew 24-25), Jesus describes what the signs of His coming will be. In these, Jesus describes, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matt 24:6-8).
Jesus encourages faithfulness, readiness, watchfulness, and endurance. He uses parables to drive these principles of living home to the disciples (and us). Jesus explained, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matt 24:36).
The Conversation at the Ascension
After Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus and the disciples were again on the Mount of Olives. Luke describes it this way:
And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:4-5).
Although they were learning more of God’s plan for them, there was still a major question burning in their hearts. The disciples asked, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6).
Jesus replied to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:7-8).
Notice, in this account, the disciples expected Jesus’ physical kingdom to begin soon. They asked Him, “How soon, Lord?” Jesus emphasized that the timing is not the most important thing for them to focus on; instead, they needed to embrace the power to be witnesses around the world.
As Jesus then ascended into heaven, the angel told them, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
So, Is the Return of Christ soon – and – Is it important?
The disciples asked Jesus key questions. To which, Jesus told them of His second coming, generally. He did not give them specifics, although He described a time of trouble for Jerusalem, upheaval all over the world, and the necessity of being faithful until that time. Further, when they pressed Him on when He was going to set up His kingdom, Jesus told them to use the power they received through the Holy Spirit to be witnesses.
From Jesus’ response to the disciples, we can answer both of these questions:
- Is the return of Christ soon? With world events as they are, it seemingly is. For sure, it is sooner than it was 2,000 years ago when Jesus told them about these things. There seems to be everything in place for a soon return of Christ. The Middle East is in an uproar, we have had pestilences, and the world’s climate is as active as ever. As we look around, nothing would discourage us from thinking the return of Christ is near.
- Is it important? The soon return of Christ is important to us. As we anticipate the return of Christ, we must use the power God has given to us through the Holy Spirit to witness for Jesus Christ. The people in our families, our neighborhoods, our towns and cities, our regions, countries, and the world need to know about Jesus Christ. When Jesus left, He left us with the power to witness and a powerful message of salvation in Jesus Christ. Therefore, we need to use that power faithfully and consistently to tell others about salvation through Him.
Jesus is returning soon! This has always been true and seems sooner than ever. For sure the events in the world remind us of that reality.
What then should we be doing? We need to be faithful to live lives of obedience and preparation for the return of Jesus while faithfully, joyfully, and diligently sharing the good news of the Gospel with the world around us.
As you watch the news, read online, and consider what is happening in our world, rejoice in the promised return of Christ and then go share Jesus Christ with someone in His power.
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