That’s the question every Christian asks, whether it’s in the front of the back of our minds. When’s Jesus coming back? Sooner rather than later, we hope—though considering the past 20 centuries, he’s taking an awfully long time to get round to it.
What did Jesus himself have to say about it? Well, this. You’re not gonna like it.
Mark 13.32-37 KWL - 32 Nobody’s known about that day or the hour.
- Neither the heavenly angels, nor the Son. Just the Father.
- 33 Look. Stay awake. You don’t know when it’s time.
- 34 It’s like a person abroad, who left his home.
- He empowered his employees to do their jobs—and he ordered the doorman so he’d stay awake.
- 35 So stay awake! You don’t know when the master of the house returns.
- Evening? Midnight? Sunrise? Morning? 36 When he suddenly arrives, don’t let him find you asleep.
- 37 What I tell you, I tell everyone: Stay awake!”
In short: “I dunno. And even if I knew, I’m not telling. You just need to be continually ready for it. On your toes. No slacking. Alert. Stay awake!”
Well, some of us can handle that command. Others really can’t. It’s why they’re running round like Chicken Little: “The sky’s falling! The End is near!” Everything they see in the news—contrary to Jesus’s instructions that these sorts of things will happen, but it doesn’t make it the End yet
On the other extreme, there are the Christians who are pretty sure Jesus is never coming back. ’Cause it’s been 1,984 years since he ascended to heaven, and assuming a conservative 30 years per generation, that’s 66 generations ago. (And don’t go reading anything into that number, wouldya? Yeesh.) Since Jesus doesn’t appear to be in any rush to return, patiently waiting for as many to be saved as possible,
Yeah, I don’t think it’s wise to adopt either extreme. Jesus fully intends to come back. If he’s not returning for the world for another generation or two, bear in mind he’s totally coming for you personally. You’re gonna die someday. So will I. So will everyone. We don’t know when that will be. “Stay awake” is as good advice for our personal day of reckoning, as it is for the world’s.