The Promise We Live By

Jesus will return. Scripture says it, we believe it, and we order our lives around it. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). The same Lord who came in humility will come again in power and glory.

The apostles heard it first-hand. Angels said He would return the same way He ascended (Acts 1:11). John adds a sweeping promise: “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him” (Revelation 1:7). This is not a metaphor or a myth. It is the certain, bodily, visible return of our King.

What Scripture Says Will Happen

The Bible gives a clear, trustworthy roadmap. We receive it plainly.

- A sudden, unmistakable appearing of Christ in glory (Matthew 24:27, 30; Revelation 19:11–16).

- Resurrection of the dead in Christ and transformation of the living (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; 1 Corinthians 15:51–57).

- Gathering of Christ’s people to Himself (Matthew 24:31; 1 Thessalonians 4:17).

- Judgment Seat of Christ for believers’ works and rewards (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:10–15).

- Global tribulation, lawlessness, and a final man of sin opposed to God (Matthew 24; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12; Revelation 13).

- God’s covenant faithfulness to Israel displayed and fulfilled (Romans 11; Zechariah 12–14).

- Christ’s reign on earth, the defeat of His enemies, and the final judgment (Revelation 19–20; Psalm 2).

- New heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells (Revelation 21–22; 2 Peter 3:13).

These events are not distant theology. They define the hope, urgency, and holiness of everyday discipleship.

Watchful Hearts, Busy Hands

Jesus calls His servants to be prepared and productive, not passive. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:13). Readiness looks like faithfulness in the ordinary means of grace.

- Open the Word daily and obey promptly (Psalm 1; James 1:22).

- Pray with persistence and expectancy (Luke 18:1; Colossians 4:2).

- Keep in close fellowship with a local church (Hebrews 10:24–25).

- Serve with your gifts where needs are real (1 Peter 4:10–11).

- Share the gospel clearly, simply, and often (Romans 1:16; Acts 1:8).

- Give generously and steward time and treasure for eternity (2 Corinthians 9:6–8; Matthew 6:19–21).

Faithful servants stay at their posts, confident that the Master’s return will vindicate quiet obedience (Luke 12:35–48).

Gospel Urgency in the Last Days

The King’s return fuels mission. Jesus ties the end of the age to global proclamation: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

God’s patience means salvation for many (2 Peter 3:9, 15). The clock is ticking, and the harvest is great. Evangelism, church planting, and disciple-making belong at the center of our calendars and budgets.

- Learn to tell your testimony in two minutes and the gospel in three points (Acts 26; 1 Corinthians 15:1–4).

- Adopt an unreached people group in prayer and support (Romans 15:20–21).

- Train believers to share and to follow up with discipleship basics (2 Timothy 2:2; Matthew 28:18–20).

- Saturate your community with Scripture and compassion (Titus 3:1–8; Matthew 5:16).

Holiness That Hastes the Day

Eternal hope produces present holiness. Peter ties promise to purity, urging godly lives in light of the coming Day (2 Peter 3:11–12). The pursuit of holiness is not optional; it is family resemblance.

“Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). Grace trains us to renounce ungodliness and to live uprightly as we await the appearing of our Savior (Titus 2:11–14).

- Guard your heart from lust, greed, and pride (Proverbs 4:23; 1 John 2:15–17).

- Confess sin quickly and walk in the light (1 John 1:7–9).

- Keep short accounts with people; forgive as you have been forgiven (Ephesians 4:31–32; Colossians 3:12–15).

- Order your home around the Word and prayer (Deuteronomy 6:4–9; Psalm 78:5–7).

Comfort for Weary Saints

Suffering will not have the last word. Our King promises resurrection, reunion, and rest. Death will be swallowed up by life, and tears will be wiped away (1 Corinthians 15:54–57; Revelation 21:4).

Truth steadies the soul. “Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). In affliction, the promise of His coming anchors hope and sustains endurance (Romans 8:18–25; 2 Corinthians 4:16–18).

Staying Sober in a Sensational Age

Scripture warns against date-setting and speculative frenzy. “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has set by His own authority” (Acts 1:7). The call is sobriety, not sensationalism.

Sound doctrine protects from deception. Test every claim, stay in context, and let clear passages interpret the complex (2 Timothy 4:3–5; Acts 17:11).

- Refuse to build timelines from headlines; start with the text (Matthew 24:35).

- Hold secondary views with humility and primary truths with conviction (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).

- Keep the cross central, not conspiracies (Galatians 6:14).

- Submit to wise, accountable leadership in a faithful church (Hebrews 13:7, 17).

Living as Citizens of the Coming Kingdom

Heaven’s citizenship shapes earth’s conduct. “But our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). We live now under Christ’s lordship as ambassadors of His kingdom, longing for His appearing and laboring until He comes.

The resurrection guarantees that nothing done for the Lord is wasted. “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Stability and zeal go together when the finish line draws near.

- Work excellently, witness kindly, rest weekly (Colossians 3:23–24; 1 Peter 3:15; Exodus 20:8–11).

- Practice justice, mercy, and humble walking with God (Micah 6:8).

- Seek the good of your city without bowing to its idols (Jeremiah 29:7; 1 John 5:21).

- Keep an open Bible, an open home, and an open hand (Romans 12; Hebrews 13:1–3).

Final Word: Come, Lord Jesus

The church finishes where the Bible finishes, in longing and certainty. “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20). The King will return, and His reward will be with Him (Revelation 22:12). Until then, we trust, obey, and endure.

Pressing farther into the Word clarifies convictions, deepens worship, and strengthens witness. “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16). The return of Christ is a whole-Bible doctrine.

- Key passages to study together:

- Old Testament foundations: Genesis 12:1–3; 2 Samuel 7; Isaiah 2; 11; 53; 60–66; Ezekiel 36–37; Daniel 2; 7; 9:24–27; Zechariah 12–14.

- Jesus’ teaching: Matthew 24–25; Mark 13; Luke 21; John 14.

- Apostolic focus: Acts 1; Romans 8; 11; 1–2 Thessalonians; 1–2 Corinthians 15; 2 Peter 3; Jude.

- Revelation’s panorama: Revelation 1–22.

- Big themes that thread the story:

- Promise and fulfillment through covenants with Abraham, David, and the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Luke 1:32–33).

- The Day of the Lord, both near and far horizons (Joel 2; Zephaniah 1; 1 Thessalonians 5).

- Kingdom already and not yet—present obedience, future glory (Matthew 6:10; Romans 14:17; Revelation 11:15).

- The triumph of the Lamb over the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet (Revelation 12–20).

- Difficult texts worth careful, humble work:

- Daniel’s seventy weeks and the timeline of restoration and Messiah (Daniel 9:24–27).

- The man of lawlessness and restrainer (2 Thessalonians 2:1–12).

- The Olivet Discourse and its near-far fulfillments (Matthew 24–25).

- The millennium and first resurrection (Revelation 20:1–6).

- Hermeneutical guardrails:

- Let Scripture interpret Scripture; track themes across covenants and testaments (Luke 24:27).

- Keep plain words plain; avoid allegorizing fulfilled prophecy that the New Testament treats literally (Matthew 5:17–18).

- Distinguish Israel and the church while rejoicing in one plan of God fulfilled in Christ (Romans 11; Ephesians 2:11–22).

- Major on what is clear; hold charitable convictions where godly expositors disagree (Romans 14).

- Discipleship in light of the end:

- Catechize believers in core doctrines: creation, fall, redemption, church, last things.

- Train every member to share the gospel, disciple a new believer, and multiply groups.

- Establish family worship rhythms: Scripture, singing, and prayer around the table.

- Form habits of fasting, generosity, and hospitality that loosen the grip of the world.

- Shepherding through suffering and opposition:

- Prepare saints for marginalization and persecution with a theology of the cross (John 15:18–21; 1 Peter 4:12–16).

- Anchor funerals and grief care in resurrection hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; John 11:25–26).

- Teach lament and steadfast joy together (Psalm 42–43; Philippians 4:4–9).

- Engaging the nations and Israel:

- Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the salvation of Israel (Psalm 122:6; Romans 10:1; 11:26).

- Prioritize unreached peoples in sending and support until all hear (Matthew 28:18–20; Revelation 7:9–10).

- Love neighbors next door while lifting eyes to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

- Stewardship with eternity in view:

- Budget for kingdom priorities; live simply to give sacrificially (2 Corinthians 8–9; Matthew 6:19–24).

- Vocation as mission: do faithful work as unto the Lord and witness with integrity (Colossians 3:22–24; 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12).

- Sabbath rest as an act of trust in the Lord of time (Hebrews 4:9–11).

- Memory verses for watchful living:

- Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Titus 2:11–14; 2 Peter 3:11–13; Revelation 22:20.

The King will return. His Word stands, His plan unfolds, and His people endure by grace. Hearts anchored, hands engaged, eyes up. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.