One day, the curtain will close on this life as we know it. Man will meet his Judge, a destiny none can avert. And while this reality strikes fear in the hearts of many, to the true believer, nothing could be more worth anticipating. To his own, the coming Judge offers both a challenge and a comfort: it is better to die in–even for him, for we shall surely rest from our labors. The poet John Donne aptly summed the saint’s pilgrimage, praying, “Keep us, Lord, so awake in our callings that we may sleep in thy peace and awake in thy glory.” The essence of Christ’s heavenly message to his followers as concerns his return could not be stated in any better words.
Christ’s Return
Jesus desired that his followers would be certain of his promised return. The intriguing aspect of this return is the absence of a fixed timetable; we are not privy to the exact moment of his arrival. Echoing his earthly declarations, Christ reiterates the element of surprise: “I am coming like a thief” (Revelation 16:15)! This certainty of his return should fill us with anticipation and a sense of preparedness.
This surprise element is crucial. Thieves, by their very nature, do not share their itineraries with their intended victims. Their sudden appearance is part of their modus operandi. While Christ’s return is not for malevolent purposes, the element of surprise serves as a powerful call to preparation. Just as a homeowner, aware of a potential threat, would remain vigilant (Matthew 24:43), so should we, the masters of our spiritual houses. In 1 Thessalonians 5:2, the Apostle Paul affirms this reality: “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” Peter, in 2 Peter 3:10, further amplifies this truth, emphasizing the finality of Christ’s return when “the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.”
For believers, this news is undoubtedly the most glorious revelation. It signifies that our faithful labor will not end in vain when we depart this world. Being “in the Lord” means his return is synonymous with our ultimate reward. Therefore, we are exhorted never to lose heart (2 Corinthians 4:16-17). Why has Christ promised to return? What is his grand intention?
To Consume Evil
One of Christ’s aims in returning is to dismantle and consume all evil utterly. As 1 Corinthians 15:24-26 declares, “Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule, authority, and power, for he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” Every sorrow, every tear, every instance of mourning, and every agonizing pain that stems from the pervasive evil in this world will be undone. Revelation 21:4 offers this beautiful promise of rest and comfort. Christ will not permit evil to endure indefinitely. He is coming to transform ashes into beauty and tears into laughter. Evil will be consumed, and those who perpetuate it will face his righteous judgment.
To Complete His Reign of Righteousness
Christ’s return also signifies the glorious culmination of his righteous reign. Since his ascension, the world has remained in a state of deception. However, Christ will make all things perfectly complete. His return will mark the end of the kingdom of grace on earth. This precious gift of eternal forgiveness, available now, is temporary. We are urged to receive it while it lasts. The end of grace will usher in the beginning of the kingdom of glory, a glorious, eternal existence where saints receive new and glorified bodies, sharing in the splendor of Christ and the Father. It is a future for which we must diligently prepare.
To Cheer Up His Saints
Finally, Christ is returning to bring immense joy and cheer to his saints. This life’s most thrilling experiences pale in comparison to the unbridled joy of finally being with Christ. All that we may now treasure-–travel, education, business ventures, relationships, celebrity status–are no match to the profound experience awaiting us in heaven. As Pastor John Piper profoundly stated, “There is no fullness of joy without the fullness of Jesus.” This promise of joy should uplift our spirits and give us hope.
Christ, in John 16:21-22, likens the believer’s wait to the experience of childbirth. Just as the pain of labor is a necessary precursor to the joy of bringing a new life into the world, our current struggles and sorrows prepare us for a moment of unparalleled rejoicing when we are united with Christ in heaven. And the most beautiful aspect of this coming joy is its permanence; no one can ever snatch it away from us. Given such an astounding plan, Christ has provided essential admonitions for our journey.
Christ’s Admonitions
Stay Awake
Christ’s repeated command in Mark 13:32-37 is crystal clear: “Stay awake!” Spiritual lethargy is the gravest adversary a believer can face. The absence of a fervent desire for a disciplined spiritual life should instill a healthy fear within us. The very motivation for this discipline is the promise of Christ’s sudden return. Jesus’s exhortation to “stay awake” is a vital warning against spiritual complacency and distraction. Therefore, we are called to:
- Prioritize our spiritual lives: Stop relegating Jesus to mere convenience rather than deep conviction.
- Live authentically: Cease treating Christianity as a checklist of religious activities. Such a superficial approach can lead many “double-life” Christians to a devastating rejection.
- Maintain perspective on this world: Remember its temporalness and sinful nature. Do not fall for its fleeting allure.
- Grip God’s purpose tightly: Do you know his specific calling for your life? Be fully awake to it and pursue it with diligence.
Stay Clothed
Throughout the Old and New Testaments, clothing symbolizes our standing before God. Adam and Eve, exposed by their sin, were covered by God’s gracious provision (Genesis 3:21). This act of divine clothing signified that despite the marring of their relationship due to sin, it was not utterly destroyed. God, in his grace, clothed them, indicating an opportunity for reconciliation if they turned back. Does his grace clothe you?
Clothing also symbolizes our identity. Zechariah 3:3-5 illustrates this powerfully with Joshua, who stood before the angel in “filthy garments.” Yet the angel declared, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.” It serves as a potent reminder that despite the Devil’s accusations concerning our failures, our identity in Christ is secure and unshakeable. We belong to Christ not by our merit but by his sovereign election.
When we are clothed by grace through his election, we exhibit attitudes and behaviors that bear witness to Christ. Our new, righteous clothing may not garner the fleeting praise of the world’s “emojis,” “follows,” or “shares.” But we must keep them on. They may not fit into the temporal “handsome and beauty” standards of this world. Yet, we must keep them on! For the One who cherishes us as the “apple of his eye” is on his way. He speaks to you today with the utmost urgency and love: “Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!” Click the “Receive Christ” link on the Kuza website to learn more.