We read in Mark about wars and rumors of wars and earthquakes. Then we read that the gospel message will go out to all nations.
Have you ever wondered if we are getting close to Jesus coming back? If you knew you only had a few days left here on earth, what would you do?
Would you go sightseeing? Would you clean your house? Would you quit your job? Would you give everything to the poor? Would you pray? Would you stop doing things that you would normally do?
Over the years, there have many that predicted the time of Jesus coming. They have fooled a lot of folks. Many with their false predictions have made a fortune! Do not believe any of them.
Yes, I know it is tempting to take certain events that are mentioned in scripture and try to add a certain amount of time to them to come up with an approximate date. We can all do that. I’ve done that myself. I will really be surprised if I am still here in the year . . . I am not going to tell here what I think, because I could very well be wrong.
Jesus said:
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Mark 13:32
Jesus also said to watch.
Paul gave the Thessalonian church specific instructions as to what they needed to be doing.
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
LIFE APPLICATION
It would be easy for us to come up with a date that we think we’ll see Jesus and stop all the work He has for us to do. Jesus said to watch. We need to be ready. Individually, we could go anytime. Collectively, it could be now or it could be a very long time from now. No one knows.
Do not be anxious about the end. Stay busy with what God has for you to do. Try not to focus on when Jesus is coming. It’s enough to stay ready for whenever that date is. It’s enough to keep on keeping on.