Daily devotion – Jesus is coming!
The Urgency of the Hour
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
— 2 Peter 3:9
There is an urgency to the hour in which we are living.
Peter warned that “scoffers will come in the last days”, questioning the promise of Christ’s return and suggesting that everything will simply continue as it always has. Their argument is not new. It was already being heard in Peter’s day, and it continues to be heard today.
Peter reminds us that such thinking deliberately forgets what God has already done. The world that existed in Noah’s day was judged by God through the flood. Genesis 6–8 records a generation that had become increasingly wicked, yet in the midst of that darkness, Noah walked with God.
God’s patience should never be mistaken for His absence.
The fact that Christ has not yet returned does not mean He is not coming. It means that God, in His mercy, is giving people opportunity to repent. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise.” His apparent delay is an expression of His longsuffering.
And this is precisely why the Church must take the return of Christ seriously.
Sadly, there is a growing tendency within parts of the professing Church to dismiss Bible prophecy, mock the expectation of Christ’s return, or treat the study of the last days as though it were an unnecessary distraction. Some even suggest that biblical teaching concerning the Second Coming is merely a recent theological development.
But the testimony of Scripture is unmistakable.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible points forward to the coming of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom. The return of Jesus is not a minor doctrine tucked away in a few obscure passages. It is woven throughout the Scriptures.
Jesus Himself repeatedly warned His followers to be ready.
“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
— Luke 21:36
The danger for the Church is that we can become so occupied with building our own little kingdoms that we lose sight of the coming King.
The church at Laodicea provides a sobering warning. Jesus said:
“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.”
— Revelation 3:17
Laodicea had become satisfied with itself. It had an impressive outward appearance, but Jesus saw the spiritual reality beneath the surface.
Could we ever make the same mistake?
We can become so focused on numbers, buildings, programs, influence, reputation and earthly success that we forget that Jesus is coming again.
Our calling is not to make ourselves comfortable in this present world. We are to faithfully proclaim Christ, make disciples, preach the Word, love people, and eagerly await the return of our Lord.
And perhaps one of the clearest indicators of our spiritual condition is how we respond to the thought of Jesus returning.
Does the sound of His coming fill us with anticipation?
As C. H. Spurgeon expressed it, “The sound of His approach should be music to our ears.”
If the thought of Christ returning causes fear, indifference or even irritation, perhaps we need to stop and examine our hearts.
Peter asks the question that should challenge every believer:
“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?”
— 2 Peter 3:11
The answer is clear: holy lives, godly hearts, faithful service and watchful expectation.
We do not know the day or the hour. But we know the promise.
Jesus Christ is coming again.
Therefore, let us not be found sleeping. Let us not be distracted by the spirit of the age. Let us not become so absorbed in building earthly kingdoms that we neglect the coming Kingdom of God.
Let us keep our eyes lifted toward heaven.
Let us proclaim the Gospel while there is still opportunity.
Let us pray for the lost.
Let us encourage one another.
Let us live holy and godly lives.
And let us listen for the trumpet.
The urgency of the hour is not a reason for fear—it is a call to faithfulness.
Jesus said:
“Watch therefore, and pray always.”
So, Church, look up! Our redemption draws near.
Maranatha—our Lord, come!