Harold Camping received a lot of attention for declaring that Judgment Day would begin around dinnertime on May 21, 2011. Few people believed him—even his receptionist admitted that “no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen” (Matthew 24:36). The secular world had much fun at Camping’s expense, planning apocalyptic survival parties and playing R.E.M.’s rock song It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine). Even those who interviewed Camping didn’t take him seriously. One anchor closed her segment on his prediction with a knowing smirk, “Let’s hope he’s wrong.”
That’s where all who love Jesus must disagree. We’re the first to say that Camping’s aim and method were wrong. No one can predict when Jesus will return, and Camping’s convoluted and implausible argument for May 21, 2011, was not particularly promising. We were right to declare that Camping was wrong, but we also should have wished that he wasn’t.
We should feel a twinge of sadness every night before we drift off to sleep, for we’ve lived another day without the return of our King. The Lord’s Prayer includes the line, “May your kingdom come soon” (Luke 11:2). As far-fetched as Camping’s prediction was, his spectacular miss should prompt us to reassess our deepest longings. Will we only scoff at his delusion, or will we also remember how much we want our Lord to return? Perhaps we aren’t excited for Jesus’ return because we’re too easily pleased with the present. As one preacher said, “It’s hard to pray, ‘Thy kingdom come,’ when your kingdom has had a good year.” Thank God for the good life you presently enjoy, but don’t allow His current blessings to distract you from praying, “Our Lord, come!” (1 Corinthians 16:22).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Kings 2:13-25
More:
Examine 2 Peter 3:11 and 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 to learn how Jesus’ expected return should inspire you to live for Him.
Next:
What prevents you from longing for Jesus’ return? What steps can you take to prepare for His coming?
dabac on April 24, 2012 at 3:59 am
There’s one major issue why I – while thinking and praying for coming of God’s kingdom – would like to postpone it:
For my wife, mother, and bunch of family and friends to be baptized and saved. (My daughter is still a child so I’m sure she’s would be saved anyway)
I yearn for the Judgement day to come quickly, but I feel sad at the same time because it’s my selfish nature, because I want quick getaway.
So two passages come to my mind:
Phil 1:23-24: “I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.”
2 Pt 3:9: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
mike wittmer on April 24, 2012 at 9:18 am
dabac:
You are right on. Having unsaved family members and friends does complicate our yearning for our Lord’s return, and you are right to feel conflicted. I think this is just another example of how the Fall complicates our lives, so that even our desires cannot be as neat and clean as they otherwise would be. May God graciously bring your loved ones to Himself!
dabac on April 25, 2012 at 4:34 am
Thanks Mike, really thank you.
GChoo on April 24, 2012 at 9:40 am
Mike, thank you for today’s devo.
Selfishly, i wish for God’s kingdom to come soon. However, i do pray that just like what God wanted is that every human being will come to repentance before His return. I still have loved ones, relatives and friends who have yet to know God. Concidentally, last Sunday’s worship, the minister mentioned that in the UK only slightly more than 10% of christians attend church presently. It is really a concern. Christians in some workplaces are not allowed to wear the cross (sacked for this reason) and church buildings turned into secular use as congregations shrink.
Yes, we truly need to pray (all the time) that all will repent by the time God’s kingdom comes back again.
jimgroberts on April 24, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Jesus task on earth was to seek and save those who are lost as a good shepherd. He has given us this roll and told us to go into the highways and byways to call the lost that the wedding hall will be filled with guests.
While it is day let us be busy with this task. The sooner the number is received the sooner the Lord will return.
There are other requirements mentioned such as enough blood of the martyrs has to be spilled – a great falling away – 4 corners of the earth should hear the gospel – etc.
We hasten the day by doing His will. Let us be ready doing His will when He arrives.
regina franklin on April 24, 2012 at 8:01 pm
Dear Mike,
Thank you for the reminder of the beautiful truth that our reality and fulfillment are not in this world, but we do remain here for a specific purpose–that of ambassador.
Dabac–praying for your family.
dabac on April 25, 2012 at 4:38 am
Thank you Regina!
I pray for yours and Mike’s.
winn collier on April 28, 2012 at 11:38 am
These prayers to God: “Come” and “Help” and “Mercy” are my favorite prayers. They all remind me, as you do, of who is King and who reigns – and will one day wrap it all together. Thanks.
daisymarygoldr on April 28, 2012 at 10:24 pm
What prevents believers from longing for Jesus’ return? Those who are slothful and sleeping will not be eager for Jesus to return. People who did not invest their talents in God’s Kingdom will not look forward to the Master’s return because all will have to give an account of what we received from the Lord.
All— refers to anyone who is given the stewardship of a house or church—namely pastors, elders, deacons, evangelists, missionaries, Sunday school teachers, husbands and housewives. A faithful servant will be found feeding his household. Feeding alludes to providing spiritual food i.e. to teach God’s word.
The evil servant instead of teaching God’s word will be beating fellow Christians, partying, and getting drunk (Matthew 24:49). When the Word is not taught people grow spiritually weak, and are full of carnality. As a result that house will be marked with materialism, illiterates- untaught in God’s word, unhealthy individuals who are demoralized, disobedient, quarreling and carousing.
These people probably don’t even want Jesus to return yet, because they are having too much fun. And Jesus is too much of a spoilsport to their merry-making, eating and drinking— just like those people who were living during the days of Noah. Noah is a good example of a faithful servant. Being the head of his household and the spiritual leader to his wife, sons and his daughters-in-law, Noah taught them God’s word. And how did I know this?
The Bible says, by faith Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood (Hebrews 11:7). So, those who are worried about your families, the question to you is: have you made an effort to save your family from God’s wrath? There are some who teach a believer has a sanctifying influence on their unbelieving spouse and children. Know this, no one will be saved simply by being close to or even related to another person who is a Christian.
Salvation is not a hereditary thing. Noah’s Ark is a picture of salvation which God has provided for us in Jesus Christ. Just as Noah and his family had to go through a doorway, each and every one member needs to go through Jesus Christ (John 10:9) in order to be saved. And how can your family call on Christ to save them if you don’t tell them about Him?
If you have not shared God’s word with your family members, because you don’t want to thrust the Bible down their throats; or if you are not talking to them about Jesus’ return because some call it scare tactics; then you have every reason to wish for delay in His coming. But that does not in any way prevent the Lord’s imminent return.
So, what steps can you take to prepare for His coming? Preach the word of God. And if you are diligently teaching your spiritual or biological family to be ready for His return, then you need not worry, but simply trust God. He is full of mercy and desires for none to perish but is waiting patiently so that “everyone in your household can be saved” (Acts 11:14). How can the betrothed bride of Christ not be excited about His return?