When Will Jesus Come Back?
Many people have tried to predict the return of Jesus Christ, yet none have been successful. In fact, God’s word assures our failed predictions. When prophesying about the destruction of the Jerusalem temple that would take place in 70AD, Jesus offers the following comment to His disciples: “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 point being, that when it comes to God’s timing, we have no idea when He will act. This might frustrate us, especially with all of the evil we see around us, but there is a good reason that God ‘delays’ His second coming.
Many know what it’s like to lose track of their child in a public space. Those with kids know all too well the rush of anxiety, fear, and concern that comes from not knowing where their son or daughter is. I can say confidently that I’ve never heard someone say that they just left their child and moved on. On the contrary, no stone is left unturned until the lost child is brought home in safety. Now, imagine being the Father of all creation, where every human being is your child. The tender heart of God earnestly seeks to reconcile all people to Himself, and to rescue them from the mire of darkness they are lost in to the fullness of life that can only be found in Him.
Thinking about God as a Father sheds a healthy light on verses like 2 Peter 3:9, which says: “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.” It is worth noting that God is all-powerful, and if He wanted to come back as soon as you finished reading this post, then He could. However, we see God is waiting for us to run home. He doesn’t want anyone left behind. Do we care for others in the same way that God does? Are we more interested in Jesus returning for our sake, or for His kids that are still lost?
Waiting for the return of Jesus might be difficult, but we have clear instruction in the meantime. As He Himself says: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.”. Our orders are clear: leave no stone unturned in reuniting Father and child.
