With everything that is going on throughout the world today there is a lot of conversation and even predictions about the immediacy of the return of Jesus, the end times, the mark of the beast, and the antichrist. While I understand the need to have the conversation, I sometimes wonder if we are taking it too far. Is it possible that Bible prophecy is becoming a distraction in the lives of Christians? Before you get too excited about that question just bear with me.
I agree that we should think about when Jesus is coming back. In fact, He encourages it
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.”
There is nothing wrong with looking forward to his coming, however there is something wrong when that is all you do.
These are the last words that Jesus spoke to His disciples while He was still on the earth.
Acts 1:7-9 NIV He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (emphasis mine).
Here's the Mission
Matthew 28:19-20 NIV 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.”
When we become preoccupied with His return, which we know will happen, (2 Peter 3:9-10 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. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare), we can lose sight of the mission.
Until Jesus returns or until you breathe you last breath here on earth the mission has not changed. We need to preach the gospel and make disciples. God’s heart is to bring as many people to repentance as possible before the end comes. That is our mission.
We need to tell people about the good news of Jesus Christ because if we don't tell them they won't know. This is where your focus needs to be. When you become so preoccupied with times and dates then it is possible that Bible prophecy can become a distraction because it takes you off the mission.
Watch but don't become a Star Gazer
Matthew 24:42-44 NIV “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Watching doesn't mean don't work. You can do both at the same time.
Matthew 24:45-46 NIV “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.
Don’t let prophecy distract you from doing the work he requires before he comes.
When Jesus ascended to Heaven in view of the disciples, they were caught star gazing until a couple of angles snapped them out of it.
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.”
It’s ok to look up but don’t become a star gazer because when you do, Bible prophecy then becomes a distraction.
If all You are is a Star Gazer it could Cause you to Lose Your Love and Compassion
Let’s face it. It seems as we are moving further and further away from God's standards and principles. For those of us who love and know God and want to do His will this can be very discouraging, and we wish that Jesus would hurry and return. When we talk about our faith we often come under attack. Sometimes it leads to mocking and ridicule, so we pray that Jesus returns soon and take vengeance on our mockers. But that's not showing the love that Jesus wants us to show.
Matthew 22:35-40 NIV One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
To prove His love and forgiveness here's what He said when He was hanging on the cross after being beaten, spit upon, mocked, and ridiculed.
Luke 23:32-34 NIV Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 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. (emphasis mine)
Looking for Jesus to return should not create anger in you for those who don’t believe, but compassion for them, not justice and judgment. Yes, he is a God of justice, and he will judge the sinner, but before he gets to that end, he offers much more opportunities for mercy and grace.
2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 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.
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 and Work
Jesus is coming back and when He does you won't have to work anymore, but that is not today. Don't get distracted by what is going on in the word today, and don't get distracted by Bible prophecy. Stay focused on the mission.
Matthew 28:19-20 NIV 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.”
No one knows the date or the hour
Matthew 24:36-42 NIV “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. (emphasis mine).
It may be sooner than you think but until that day comes then work.
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.
I agree that we should think about when Jesus is coming back. In fact, He encourages it
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.”
There is nothing wrong with looking forward to his coming, however there is something wrong when that is all you do.
These are the last words that Jesus spoke to His disciples while He was still on the earth.
Acts 1:7-9 NIV He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 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.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (emphasis mine).
Here's the Mission
Matthew 28:19-20 NIV 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.”
When we become preoccupied with His return, which we know will happen, (2 Peter 3:9-10 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. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare), we can lose sight of the mission.
Until Jesus returns or until you breathe you last breath here on earth the mission has not changed. We need to preach the gospel and make disciples. God’s heart is to bring as many people to repentance as possible before the end comes. That is our mission.
We need to tell people about the good news of Jesus Christ because if we don't tell them they won't know. This is where your focus needs to be. When you become so preoccupied with times and dates then it is possible that Bible prophecy can become a distraction because it takes you off the mission.
Watch but don't become a Star Gazer
Matthew 24:42-44 NIV “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Watching doesn't mean don't work. You can do both at the same time.
Matthew 24:45-46 NIV “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.
Don’t let prophecy distract you from doing the work he requires before he comes.
When Jesus ascended to Heaven in view of the disciples, they were caught star gazing until a couple of angles snapped them out of it.
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.”
It’s ok to look up but don’t become a star gazer because when you do, Bible prophecy then becomes a distraction.
If all You are is a Star Gazer it could Cause you to Lose Your Love and Compassion
Let’s face it. It seems as we are moving further and further away from God's standards and principles. For those of us who love and know God and want to do His will this can be very discouraging, and we wish that Jesus would hurry and return. When we talk about our faith we often come under attack. Sometimes it leads to mocking and ridicule, so we pray that Jesus returns soon and take vengeance on our mockers. But that's not showing the love that Jesus wants us to show.
Matthew 22:35-40 NIV One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
To prove His love and forgiveness here's what He said when He was hanging on the cross after being beaten, spit upon, mocked, and ridiculed.
Luke 23:32-34 NIV Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 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. (emphasis mine)
Looking for Jesus to return should not create anger in you for those who don’t believe, but compassion for them, not justice and judgment. Yes, he is a God of justice, and he will judge the sinner, but before he gets to that end, he offers much more opportunities for mercy and grace.
2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 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.
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 and Work
- Watch because he is coming.
- Pray so your heart is always right before him.
- Work until he comes.
Jesus is coming back and when He does you won't have to work anymore, but that is not today. Don't get distracted by what is going on in the word today, and don't get distracted by Bible prophecy. Stay focused on the mission.
Matthew 28:19-20 NIV 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.”
No one knows the date or the hour
Matthew 24:36-42 NIV “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. (emphasis mine).
It may be sooner than you think but until that day comes then work.
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.
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