When will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?” (Luke 21:7). Over the centuries, Christians have asked these two questions. And in every generation they’ve believed that Jesus was coming back in their lifetime because of signs and events that they observed during their day. Yet, 2,000 years later, we’re still trying to find the answers to these questions.
Instead of giving the disciples a specific time, Jesus gave a warning, “Don’t let anyone mislead you” (Luke 21:8). To ask “when” is to ask the wrong question. Instead, Jesus gave us these commands: “Watch out!” (Luke 21:34) and “Keep alert at all times” (Luke 21:36). Why these emphases? Are we supposed to watch for specified signs and to match these signs with fulfillments in current events? Let’s take a look.
“Watch out!” doesn’t mean we should look for the signs of His return, but for the dangers of misinterpreting these signs and mistaking them for conclusive proofs that the end of the world is here. These signs—false Christs and teachers, apostasy, conflicts, wars, disasters, earthquakes, famines, pandemics, persecution, the hatred and martyrdom of Jews and Christians (Luke 21:8-17)— have been fulfilled in every generation. Jesus made it clear, “Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately” (Luke 21:9).
Christ will return. That’s His promise (Luke 21:27). When? We don’t know (Mark 13:32-33). Is it near? Yes, it is nearer now than it was yesterday (Romans 13:11-12). Imminent? “The Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2). Soon? Perhaps today.
Jesus came as our Savior some 2,000 years ago. He will come again as Judge (John 5:22,27; Acts 17:31). “Don’t let that day catch you unaware” (Luke 21:34).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Nehemiah 8:1-18
More:
What do these Bible passages—Romans 13:11-14; 1 Thess. 5:1-10; 2 Peter 3:3-15— say about how we should live as we wait for Jesus to return?
Next:
Do you think Jesus will come back in your generation? Why? Are you ready? Are you longing for His return? Why or why not?
Soldier4Christ on May 1, 2011 at 5:41 am
Thank you so much for this devotional k.t., there is so much truth in what you wrote. So many times in the past year I myself have said that I don’t think that it will be long before our Lord returns yet today I am still waiting. Though I am looking forward to seeing Christ return to gather His bride I am more so looking forward to the day that He calls me home. No matter if He comes today or in a 1000 years I know that I will be there to see it and that brings me great joy.
lak on May 1, 2011 at 8:41 am
These have been days (“With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.” 2 Peter 3:8) where I linger long with Abba in my prayer closet. It is there that I am taking inventory of my heart and my discipleship with each groaning of our earth.
I ask myself if I am ready for our Lord’s return. If my lamp’s wick is trimmed and oil is with me. May it be so.
Come Lord Jesus.
jon_sumner on May 1, 2011 at 8:43 am
Like the rest of the world my life is a mess. This world is in a state of hoplessness that it is longing for someone anyone to pull it out of the ditch. prefect situation for the rise of the anti-Christ, and if the anti-Christ is here the real one can’t be too far behind. Lord Jesus come!
eppistle on May 2, 2011 at 8:45 am
On my way home from from Buffalo, I listened to a radio show in which Rev. Harold Camping declared that Jesus would return on May 21. I was amused that somebody would violate Matthew 24:36 so blatantly. But this devotional reminded me that I often violate other commands regarding the Lord’s return on too consistent level. How often do I violate the commands to “Watch out!” (Luke 21:34) and “Keep alert at all times” (Luke 21:36)? I should be living a life in which I would leave behind no unfinished business if Jesus came today and not doing anything that would put me to shame if He did come today.
daisymarygoldr on May 2, 2011 at 11:07 am
Very well articulated, KTS! Indeed, the signs of Jesus’ return have been fulfilled in every generation and yet Jesus still has not returned. Was that a hoax? Many Christians including C.S. Lewis find this promise of Jesus “most embarrassing” (Essay “The World’s Last Night” (1960), The Essential C.S. Lewis).
Clearly, in saying “Watch out”, Jesus was addressing not just His disciples in the 1st century. His warning is relevant to every generation that exists between the Pentecost and the rapture, regardless of whether we are dead or alive.
We do not need to stand around gazing at the sky or the scriptures, speculating the time of Christ’s return. There is much work to do. We are told to “Watch out!” and make sure to feed God’s household (Luke 12:42). Back then, due to ignorance of scriptures the people of Jesus’ day were not watching for His first coming. Had they been watching, they would not have missed the day of His first coming. Today, if the Church faithfully feeds the flock, then we can avoid the danger of misinterpreting or mistaking the signs to miss His second coming.
Jesus has predicted that the church will be deceived and has warned us to watch out (Mark 13:6; 21-23). Watch, in the spiritual sense means to stay awake. If I am alive I need to be alert and not fall into temptation. I ought to keep a close watch on how I live and the right teaching (1 Tim 4:16) so as to not be deceived by false prophets.
Just in case He delays and I died i.e. to fall asleep in Christ, then I must be wise as lak mentioned above, to bring along extra oil in my lamp. So yes, I am eagerly expecting Jesus to return in my generation. “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay” (Hebrews 10:37)
mike wittmer on May 2, 2011 at 4:21 pm
k.t.: Thanks for the reminder not to get caught up in the date setting hysteria, but to live with the expectation that Jesus could come back at any moment. I think it gets easier to long for his return when we lose someone close to us, for we hope for Jesus to bring them back with him when he comes. I need to remind myself that Jesus himself is that close person–and so I should also want him to return for his sake.