Much like Jesus' disciples we worry wonder and speculate about His return, the end times, the mark of the beast, and the antichrist. I lead a Bible study and one of the participants looks at every natural disaster, every move that Iran, Russia, or China makes as an indication that Jesus' return and the end time is imminent. That may be accurate, but this person is obsessed with the idea of trying to interpret and time biblical prophecy. But Jesus told His disciples to not worry about when He would return.
Acts 1:4-7 NIV On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
After telling them to not worry about the timing of His return the last thing that Jesus told His disciples was.
Acts 1:8 NIV But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Yes, Jesus does want us to think about His return.
Luke 21:25-28 NIV “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
But is it possible that we are taking it too far? Are we allowing Bible prophecy to become a distraction? Is our fascination with Bible prophecy distracting us from what Jesus really wants us to do?
Here are three ways we can become distracted by Bible prophecy.
It Distracts You from the Mission
Until Jesus returns or until you breathe your last breath here on earth the mission has not changed. Here's the mission.
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus wants our priority to be to preach the gospel and make disciples. This is what Jesus wants us to be concerned with. Until Jesus returns God’s heart is still the same. God’s heart is to bring as many people to repentance as possible before the end comes.
2 Peter 3:9 NIV The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Our focus should be the gospel. We are to tell people about the good news of Jesus Christ coming to make it possible for mankind to have a personal relationship with God Almighty. They won’t know if we don’t tell them.
It Can Make You a Star Gazer
The Bible tells us to watch for Jesus' return.
Matthew 24:42 NIV “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
But watching and waiting doesn't mean not working.
John 9:4 NIV As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
You can watch and wait at the same time.
Here's what the angels told the disciples when they were caught looking up as Jesus ascended to heaven.
Acts 1:9-11 NIV After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
The angels were saying stop gazing into the sky wondering what to do next, get to work. It’s ok to look up but don’t become a star gazer. Until Jesus comes, remain faithful to what he has called you to do. We must make sure that we are doing both watching and working.
Acts 1:4-7 NIV On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
After telling them to not worry about the timing of His return the last thing that Jesus told His disciples was.
Acts 1:8 NIV But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Yes, Jesus does want us to think about His return.
Luke 21:25-28 NIV “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
But is it possible that we are taking it too far? Are we allowing Bible prophecy to become a distraction? Is our fascination with Bible prophecy distracting us from what Jesus really wants us to do?
Here are three ways we can become distracted by Bible prophecy.
It Distracts You from the Mission
Until Jesus returns or until you breathe your last breath here on earth the mission has not changed. Here's the mission.
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus wants our priority to be to preach the gospel and make disciples. This is what Jesus wants us to be concerned with. Until Jesus returns God’s heart is still the same. God’s heart is to bring as many people to repentance as possible before the end comes.
2 Peter 3:9 NIV The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Our focus should be the gospel. We are to tell people about the good news of Jesus Christ coming to make it possible for mankind to have a personal relationship with God Almighty. They won’t know if we don’t tell them.
It Can Make You a Star Gazer
The Bible tells us to watch for Jesus' return.
Matthew 24:42 NIV “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
But watching and waiting doesn't mean not working.
John 9:4 NIV As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
You can watch and wait at the same time.
Here's what the angels told the disciples when they were caught looking up as Jesus ascended to heaven.
Acts 1:9-11 NIV After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
The angels were saying stop gazing into the sky wondering what to do next, get to work. It’s ok to look up but don’t become a star gazer. Until Jesus comes, remain faithful to what he has called you to do. We must make sure that we are doing both watching and working.
It Can Cause You to Lose Your Love and Compassion
It's easy to become discouraged and cynical when we see the trajectory of the world. The world is moving further away from Godly standards and principles. The Bible tells us this would happen.
2 Timothy 3:12-13 NIVnIn fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Matthew 10:21-25 NIV “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
Because we know that when Jesus returns, we no longer must deal with those who hate us because of our relationship with Jesus, we long for Him to return so that we won't have to deal with the world and all its mess. However, we forget what Jesus went through for all mankind, even those who hate you and hate Jesus.
John 15:18-21 NIV “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.
But rather than cursing those who hated Him Jesus asked His Father to forgive them.
Luke 23:33-34 NIV When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Rather than getting angry at the people who ridicule you because of Jesus we should have compassion for them. It's up to us to preach the gospel, the good news that Jesus came to the earth, the first time, so that they would not have to face the penalty for unforgiven sin.
Romans 6:23 NIV For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God offers all people mercy and grace and so should we. Don’t let the hope and expectation of the return of Jesus cause you to stop loving and reaching for those who don’t believe.
Watch, Pray, Work
Watch because he is coming. Pray so your heart is always right before him. Work until he comes. focused and keep doing the work until that day Jesus comes again. Yes, that day is coming, and it may be sooner than we all think, no one knows.
John 9:4 NIV As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
Jesus hasn’t come yet, that means it's still day. It’s time to get to work and not let the reality of his coming keep you from doing what he has called you to do. Stay focused on the task, don’t get distracted.
It's easy to become discouraged and cynical when we see the trajectory of the world. The world is moving further away from Godly standards and principles. The Bible tells us this would happen.
2 Timothy 3:12-13 NIVnIn fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Matthew 10:21-25 NIV “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
Because we know that when Jesus returns, we no longer must deal with those who hate us because of our relationship with Jesus, we long for Him to return so that we won't have to deal with the world and all its mess. However, we forget what Jesus went through for all mankind, even those who hate you and hate Jesus.
John 15:18-21 NIV “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.
But rather than cursing those who hated Him Jesus asked His Father to forgive them.
Luke 23:33-34 NIV When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Rather than getting angry at the people who ridicule you because of Jesus we should have compassion for them. It's up to us to preach the gospel, the good news that Jesus came to the earth, the first time, so that they would not have to face the penalty for unforgiven sin.
Romans 6:23 NIV For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God offers all people mercy and grace and so should we. Don’t let the hope and expectation of the return of Jesus cause you to stop loving and reaching for those who don’t believe.
Watch, Pray, Work
Watch because he is coming. Pray so your heart is always right before him. Work until he comes. focused and keep doing the work until that day Jesus comes again. Yes, that day is coming, and it may be sooner than we all think, no one knows.
John 9:4 NIV As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
Jesus hasn’t come yet, that means it's still day. It’s time to get to work and not let the reality of his coming keep you from doing what he has called you to do. Stay focused on the task, don’t get distracted.
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