What would you do if you knew Jesus was coming to earth tomorrow morning to collect all His children and put an end to the world? Will you be excited or will you perhaps feel a bit nauseous? 

Certainly, we’ll start getting everything in order. Well, we probably won’t spend too much time on earthly goods, because after Jesus comes, they and the whole earth will no longer exist. 

Maybe we’ll take an overview of our life, see where we’ve gone wrong and maybe work in a good confession session. Fortunately, we know the theology and know that we go to heaven not because of our own works, but because of what Jesus had done for us. Thank goodness for that. 

Perhaps the names of a few loved ones who are spiritually lost will come to mind. We can then approach them and plead with them to seek reconciliation with God. 

We will rejoice at the thought of the world’s suffering finally ending. We will anticipate eternal rest and the cessation of suffering. 

And yes, I suspect we’ll be a little scared. We’ll be afraid to exchange the familiar for the unknown. We know we’re going to heaven, but we don’t know the exact details of the journey. It’s only human to fear the unknown. 

However, the Bible tells us that we don’t know the exact time or place of Jesus’ return. Just as we can’t predict a burglary, we can’t pinpoint the moment of Jesus’ arrival. 

When people then trumpet some date that will be the final coming of Jesus, I’m a little scared at first, but then when the date has come and gone, I’m just angry. Those people make a joke about our Lord’s coming and take many others astray with them. 

When I then read that John writes the following, I wonder in which category he falls. Does he also lead his readers down the wrong path? 

18Children, time is just about up. You heard that antichrist is coming. Well, they’re all over the place, antichrists everywhere you look. That’s how we know that we’re close to the end. 

Here John is not talking about a date or a year just around the corner. If one looks at the original Greek, one sees that it refers to the last period that has arrived. This period can take years, even centuries. 

We don’t need to fear now, but we should ensure we’re ready if Jesus were to return today. Additionally, reach out to loved ones who haven’t yet accepted Jesus. Jesus could return any moment, and we want to ensure they’re prepared to join Him. 

 Scripture
1 John 2:18-23 

Reflection
Are you ready for Jesus’ coming?
What do you still have to do to be ready?
Who do you have to help to be ready? 

Prayer
Jesus, I yearn to see You. Please prepare me and help my loved ones understand Your imminent return, whenever that may be. Amen.