When will Jesus come again?
For Meditation (Rick Hutton)
We’re wrapping up our Let the Little Questions Come to Me series this week with the appropriate and important question, When will Jesus come again (and why is he taking so long)?
This is a curiosity question, but it’s so much more. It’s also a question of trust. The Bible is full of references about Jesus returning (maybe even as many as 1845!), but it’s been over 2000 years since he ascended, is he really going to come back?
Thankfully the answer is Yes! And Jesus’ return is good news, because when he does return, we will be with him fully and forever! Think back to the best day you’ve ever had. For Christians, when Jesus returns, our best day will pale in comparison to what we’ll experience and have on that day and for eternity. Until then, though, we have to wait, but we wait with high expectations and hope knowing that we’ll have joy beyond our wildest imagination when Jesus returns.
Think back to something that you really wanted and that you knew you were going to get but that you had to wait for. How did you feel while you waited? Did you tell other people about it? When you got it, what kind of emotion bubbled up in you?
Jesus will return and he will make all things new. Because this is true we can have hope and joy even as we wait.
1 Thessalonians 5:1–6
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:10–11
He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.