Jesus Is Coming Soon: A Call to Readiness
The promise of Jesus’ return after the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled is central to the Christian faith. It serves as both a hope for believers and a reminder of our responsibility to live according to His will. As we anticipate His coming, as we fast approach the end of the time of the Gentiles and on the cusp of the Millennium, let us not forget the words of Revelation 22:20: “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” The imminence of His return calls us to examine our lives, embrace the Great Commission, and persevere in faith, knowing that Jesus’ return is not a distant dream but an impending reality.
Hope in the Promise of His Return
Jesus outlined these signs in passages such as Matthew 24, describing wars, famines, earthquakes, and the increase of wickedness as precursors to His return. These are not random events but markers for us to recognize the urgency of the times. The regathering of Israel, the spreading of the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 24:14), and the rise of false prophets all serve as signs that the fulfillment of prophecy is drawing near.
Jesus’ promise to return is accompanied by physical signs as we approach the end of times. It is not just a forewarning but a beacon of hope. In John 14:3, He says, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. This statement echoes the imagery of the ten virgins and the wedding ceremony described in Matthew 25:1-13. Just as the bridegroom arrived unexpectedly and those who were prepared entered the wedding feast, Jesus will return to take His faithful followers to the ultimate celebration—the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). It represents our adoption and Glorification. This highlights the importance of spiritual readiness and vigilance as we await His coming.” This assurance highlights God’s enduring plan for humanity’s redemption. His return will bring the ultimate fulfillment of the promises, the covenants made to both Jews and Gentiles, uniting all who believe in Him under the rule of the glorified Christ.
In the timeline of biblical prophecy there is 2,000 years from Abraham to Jesus and another 2,000 years from His first coming to His anticipated return—emphasizing God’s meticulous plan for salvation. The restoration of Israel and the culmination of the time of the Gentiles mark pivotal stages in this divine timeline. This timeline reflects the words of 2 Peter 3:8-9:
“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
This reveals that God’s timing is not dictated by human impatience but by His desire to fulfill all prophecy and bring as many as possible to salvation before the second coming of Christ.
The Dual Role of the Messiah and God’s Plan for His Brides
Central to understanding God’s redemptive plan is the dual role of the Messiah. At His first coming, Jesus came as the suffering servant, Ben Joseph, reconciling humanity to God through His sacrifice on the cross. In this role, He established a spiritual covenant that extended grace to all—both Jews and Gentiles. However, His second coming will fulfill His role as Ben David, the triumphant King who will establish His Kingdom and restore all things.
Part of this divine plan involved the temporary setting aside of Israel, His first bride, not as a punishment but as an act of grace. Romans 11:11-12 reminds us that through Israel’s temporary rejection, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. God’s taking of a second bride—the Church—was not a replacement and as we are warned but a part of His plan to extend His covenant to all nations. This second bride was tasked with the Great Commission, to spread the Gospel and prepare the way for Israel’s eventual restoration.
Our responsibility as the second bride is clear: we are to honor God’s covenant with His first bride. Paul’s words in Romans 11:18-20 caution us not to become arrogant but to remember that we are grafted into the root of God’s promises to Israel. As the Church, we are called to provoke Israel to jealousy through our faithfulness and to pray for her restoration, recognizing that God’s promises to Israel remain irrevocable (Romans 11:29).
Living with Purpose and Readiness
The knowledge that Jesus could return at any moment should inspire us to live intentionally. In Matthew 24:42-44, Jesus warns us to “keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” This vigilance is not born of fear but of a readiness to align our lives with God’s will. As followers of Christ, we are called to make disciples of all nations, fulfilling the Great Commission and preparing for His Kingdom.
This readiness involves more than outward action; it requires inner transformation. The process of justification, sanctification, and glorification demonstrated in the Baptism of Jesus mirrors our spiritual journey. We must grow in the likeness of God, cultivating the fruits of the Spirit and demonstrating the attributes of Christ in our daily lives.
Supporting Israel as Part of God’s Plan
The restoration of Israel is a significant part of biblical prophecy and a reminder of God’s covenant faithfulness. Romans 11:25-26 speaks of a time when “all Israel will be saved” after the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. Supporting Israel is not merely a political stance but a recognition of God’s redemptive plan for His chosen people. As Christians, we are called to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6) and to stand with Israel as an expression of our faith in God’s promises. The reestablishment of Israel serves as a signpost for the unfolding of end-time events and underscores the urgency of proclaiming the Gospel to all nations.
The Adversary’s Distractions
While we await Jesus’ return, we must remain vigilant against the adversary’s schemes. Just as Jesus rebuked Peter with the words, “Get thee behind me, Satan” (Matthew 16:23), we must recognize that even well-meaning individuals can become obstacles to God’s mission. Criticism, judgment, and complacency are tools the enemy uses to sow doubt and hinder the progress of the Gospel.
When you fall, as you will, remember to rise again, for the work you have done in the name of the Lord even as a sinner is never in vain. To believe otherwise is to succumb to the adversary’s lies. God’s grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Let this truth strengthen our resolve to continue serving Him.
The Signs and Urgency of His Coming
Though no one knows the exact day or hour of Jesus’ return (Matthew 24:36), Scripture provides signs to guide our vigilance: wars, natural disasters, and the increase of wickedness (Matthew 24:6-12). These signs point to a groaning creation eagerly awaiting its redemption (Romans 8:22-23). Hosea 6:2 offers a symbolic parallel of which we must draw hope for Israel: “After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will restore us, that we may live in His presence.” This aligns with the concept of a divine timeline—2,000 years representing two days in God’s time, with the third day symbolizing His millennial reign. For those who have not been blinded by the god of this world, the timeline of the return of Jesus, the Israeli's Ben David is in our midst. These signs should not instill fear but deepen our urgency to share the Gospel and live lives that reflect His truth.
Encouragement for Believers
The promise of Jesus’ return is a source of great encouragement for believers. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18,
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
Our hope is eternal, and the challenges we face now are temporary. Knowing that Jesus will return to complete the work of redemption should inspire us to remain steadfast and faithful.
Yet our Glorification is far from the end of our purpose in God's plan. We will return with Ben David to claim His throne and nurture the Israelites as they are allowed to prosper in the land and accept their Messiah. This role reflects our ongoing responsibility to serve in His Kingdom, supporting God's ultimate plan for unity and redemption.
A Call to Action
As we await His coming, let us not grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9). Let us be bold in proclaiming the Gospel, unwavering in our commitment to the Great Commission, and diligent in preparing our hearts and lives for His return. The restoration of Israel, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the ultimate glorification of believers remind us that God’s plan is unfolding as promised.
Jesus is coming soon. Let us live with the urgency of this truth, standing firm in faith, and fulfilling His mission with joy and anticipation. Maranatha—come, Lord Jesus!
