Daily devotion – Jesus must come soon.
Jesus Must Come Soon!
2 Timothy 3:1–7
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come…”
Paul wrote these words to Timothy around AD 66–67—almost 2,000 years ago. Yet when we read them today, it is difficult not to recognise the world in which we are living.
Paul describes people as “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” and then continues with an even more sobering list: “unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
These are not merely words on the pages of Scripture. We see them displayed before us every day.
As we go about our business and venture into public places—whether shopping centres, city streets, workplaces or even our roads—we can see these attitudes and behaviours appearing before our eyes. The words Paul wrote nearly 2,000 years ago seem remarkably familiar in our generation.
Consider just two of his descriptions: “without self-control” and “brutal.” How accurately these words describe the rebelliousness and lawlessness of the human heart that we see around us.
My heart especially goes out to the innocent young people growing up in this generation and wondering what sort of world awaits them. I also think of those in their golden years—the elderly—who can find the world increasingly difficult, aggressive and frightening. This world is becoming far from a welcoming place for either.
Recently, I was speaking with other believers about Bible prophecy. Like many Christians I speak with, they wanted to understand more about eschatology—the study of the last days and the things that Scripture says will come upon the earth.
But one comment particularly struck me.
They simply said:
“Jesus must come back soon!”
As those words were spoken, I found myself struck suddenly once again about just how true that statement seems to become with every passing day—even every passing hour.
Our church takes prayer seriously. We believe prayer is not simply something we add to our Christian lives; it is an essential part of our relationship with God. And it is significant that the final prayer recorded in the Bible is a prayer concerning the return of Jesus Christ.
John, exiled on the island of Patmos, received the revelation of Jesus Christ and was shown the prophetic events recorded in Revelation. As the book closes, Jesus gives this promise:
Revelation 22:20
“Surely I am coming quickly.”
And John responds:
“Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
What a prayer!
“Come, Lord Jesus!”
Remember also what happened in the days of Noah. Genesis tells us:
Genesis 6:5
“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
Humanity had spiralled so deeply into wickedness that God judged the earth with the Flood.
Jesus Himself later referred to the days of Noah when describing the circumstances surrounding His return.
Our world today is again displaying many of the characteristics Scripture warns us about. We see increasing lawlessness, violence, hatred, selfishness, rejection of what is good, and a growing disregard for God and His Word.
We do not know the day or the hour of Christ’s return. We must never attempt to set a date. But we do know His promise is certain.
Jesus is coming again.
And His return should not cause the believer to live in fear—it should cause us to live in readiness.
If you are a Christian, are you ready for His coming?
Are you walking faithfully with Him?
Are you praying?
Are you serving?
Are you sharing the Gospel?
Are you living in such a way that, if Jesus came today, you would have no need to be ashamed before Him?
The world may be spiralling further into darkness, but the Church has a glorious hope.
Jesus must come soon!
And when He comes, every promise concerning His return will be fulfilled.
So let us lift our voices with John:
“Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”