A due date changes everything.
My wife Rebekah is pregnant with our fourth boy (I’m a glutton for punishment). The doctor says she’s due on October 7. We’ve been through the process enough times now that I know the drill. As October 7 approaches, my life will change. I’ll take my phone off silent and turn the ringer on loud, waiting for that inevitable call that will change our lives. And once she says, “It’s time,” I’ll drop everything I’m doing and run every red light between here and the hospital.
You and I have a due date. Jesus is coming back, and that changes everything! So, let me ask you a question: If Jesus was coming back tomorrow, what would you do today?
In our blog series on fancy theological church words, I’ve been assigned to write about eschatology, which comes from the Greek word eschatos, meaning “last.” So, eschatology is “The study of last things.” Perhaps you’ve heard the word before in the context of debates about the book of Revelation or end-times predictions. The point of eschatology, though, is not fanciful speculation about the exact details of the end of the world.
The point of eschatology is to focus on the future to help us live faithfully in the present.
Without getting into the weeds, let’s look at some basics of biblical eschatology:
First, Jesus is coming back.
- He is coming soon (James 5:8; Rev. 22:20).
- He will come in the sky (Acts 1:10-11; 1 Thess. 4:16-18).
- It will be a surprise (1 Thess. 5:1-2).
- Everyone will see it (Matt. 24:27; Rev. 1:7).
- We should be ready (Matt. 24:43-44).
Second, everyone will be resurrected (John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15).
Third, everyone will be judged (Matt 16:27; Rom. 14:10-12; Rev. 20:11-15).
- Those apart from Christ will be sentenced to eternal punishment.
- Those in Christ will receive their reward and have no need to fear (Rom. 8:1; Phil. 3:20-21; Titus 2:13).
Fourth, all things will be made new and we will live forever with our King (1 Cor. 15: 54-56; Rev. 21:1-8; 22:1-5)
What does all of this make you feel?
- Maybe you feel skeptical, because you’ve heard goofy end-times prophecies before.
- Maybe you feel uncomfortable, because you’d rather just live in the here and now.
- Maybe you’re scared, because you’re not sure what’ll happen to you.
- Maybe you don’t buy it, because it all feels so mystical and uncertain.
- Maybe you don’t want Jesus to come back yet, because there are more things you’d like to do here first.
Regardless, my prayer today is that as you think about Jesus coming back, you would feel hope. I pray that you will long for his return so deeply that you will join me in praying as Christians have done for the last 20 centuries, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
But before you stop reading, let’s return to our question. Remember, the point of eschatology is to focus on the future to help us live faithfully in the present.
If Jesus was coming back tomorrow, what would you do today?
The late Billy Graham tells the story of a golf outing he had with President John F. Kennedy, who was a nominal Catholic. Kennedy asked Billy Graham if he believed in the second coming of Jesus. When Billy said he most certainly did, Kennedy asked, “Well, does my church believe it?” Mr. Graham said it was in the creeds of the Catholic church, to which Kennedy responded, “They don’t preach it. They don’t tell us much about it. I’d like to know what you think.” After Billy explained what the Bible says about Christ’s return, Kennedy replied, “Very interesting. You’ve given me a lot to think about. We’ll have to talk more about that someday.”
Here’s how Billy Graham concludes the story. “The last time I was with Kennedy was at the 1963 National Prayer Breakfast. I had the flu. After we both gave our talks, we walked out of the hotel to his car together. At the curb he turned to me. ‘Billy, could you ride back to the White House with me? I’d like to talk with you for a minute.’ ‘Mr. President, I’ve got a fever,’ I protested. ‘I don’t want to give you this thing. Couldn’t we wait and talk some other time?’ It was a cold, snowy day, and I was freezing as I stood there without my overcoat. ‘Of course,’ he said graciously.” But then came November 22, 1963, and Billy Graham never saw President Kennedy alive again. Reflecting back, Billy Graham writes, “His hesitation at the car door, and his request, haunt me still. What was on his mind? Should I have gone with him? It was an irrecoverable moment.”
If Jesus was coming back tomorrow, what would you do today?
A due date changes everything! I can’t answer the question for you, but I hope you will prayerfully discern how the impending return of our King should affect how you live today. I’ll leave you with the words of Jesus’ friend Peter to an ancient group of Christians:
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:7-11