Question: # 215, When is Jesus coming back? Very important to know.
Answer: In Revelation 22:20, the Lord Jesus simply states, “Surely I am coming soon.” From our limited perspective, it is difficult to grasp Jesus’ “I am coming soon” statement, because it has been 2,000 years since Jesus made that declaration. To us, we tend to think of “soon” in terms of something happening immediately, in the near future, but to Jesus the concept of soon could refer to next week, next year, the next decade, the next century or even the next millennium or even longer. The Greek word,”tachu” which is translated “soon” does not mean “immediately” but “without unnecessary delay.” The meaning seems to be that events have been set in motion by Almighty God that will usher in Jesus’ return without unnecessary delay. Historic events are moving along according to God’s predetermined timetable. In Matthew 24, Jesus answers the disciple’s question, “What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Among the signs that Jesus mentions are false Messiahs, wars and rumors of wars, nation will rise against nation and famines and earthquakes, Christians will be hated, persecuted and put to death for His name’s sake. However, Jesus concludes this discourse with words of hope and encouragement, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).
For centuries Bible students have felt that Jesus’ second coming was going to be during their lifetime. Many of these students who have carefully studied, or carelessly studied, the Bible prophecies concerning Jesus’ return have even predicted months, days and years in which they believed Jesus was going to return. However, none of them have been correct and I can say strongly and knowledgably that none of them will ever be correct, because of what Jesus said about His return. “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, ‘keep awake.’ For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore, stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake” (Mark 13:32-37).
It is clear that God does not desire for us to attempt to calculate the day that Jesus is coming back. Anyone who attempts such a task is misguided at the least and could be a false prophet or a heretic at the worst. What we do know, however, is that Scripture does teach that Jesus will return and we are to “keep watch” and “be ready” and to live everyday in light of His imminent return.
I’m very hopeful, like all Christians in the past have been, that Jesus will return “soon” as in my lifetime, but I want to be prepared to face the final enemy called, death, and to look forward and long for His welcoming me into His presence with, “Well done, good and faithful servant, come and enjoy the happiness of the Master.” Those welcoming words can be anticipated by all believers, not because of our performance, our good works, but according to His grace. Because of His grace, He took our sins and placed them on Jesus at the cross and He transferred all of Christ’s good works into our account which enabled God to declare us to be sinless and righteous! Hallelujah, what a Savior!