What should we do while we wait for Jesus to return?

Recently, I attended my high school reunion in the town I grew up in.  This was the 30th anniversary of my graduation from high school, and I’m honestly amazed at how quickly the decades have flown by.  I know everyone seems to say things like that, but the brevity of life and the pace at which it takes place is quite surprising.

 During my high school years, I spent a lot of time thinking about the future.  Future plans, ideas, and goals frequently occupied my mind.  In general, I tend to be a long-term thinker so I would often envision what I believed my adult life would be like.  In many ways, the life I envisioned is quite similar to the actual life I’m living, but there are a few areas that are certainly different from what I expected.

 When I read Scripture, particularly prophetic passages, I think a lot about the future as well.  I wonder what the Lord has in store for the few brief decades I’ll be on this planet.  I wonder if I will be part of the generation that gets to witness the fulfillment of some of the long-standing promises God has made in His word.  I particularly wonder about the promised return of Jesus and all the events that we’re told will surround His glorious appearing.

 Jesus speaks with clarity and detail about some of these things in Mark 13.  He shared prophetic information that would have near-term fulfillment and information that would be fulfilled much later.  As we contemplate His return and the events He tells us will foreshadow it, it’s both fascinating and encouraging to see the promises of God carried out over time.

“But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, 16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 17 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 18 Pray that it may not happen in winter.”  (Mark 13:14-18)

 In this passage, Jesus reveals information that’s meant to tip off future readers of impending calamity.  He tells those who would one day read His words that a day was coming when they would see the “abomination of desolation” standing where he ought not to be.  This was a reference to the temple being sacrilegiously desecrated.

 The temple had experienced desecration in the past, but a desecration was coming that would be greater in severity.  This desecration was also prophesied by the prophet Daniel about 600 years earlier.

And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”  (Daniel 9:27)

 In 168 BC, Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed a pig to Zeus on the temple altar.  In AD 70, the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem and desecrated the temple as well.  Some might argue that this prophecy was completely fulfilled because of that event, but I believe Jesus was speaking in such a way that indicates this prophecy has an ultimate fulfillment that is yet to come.

 It’s true that Jerusalem experienced a time of severe calamity when the Romans besieged the city.  In that conflict, more than a million Jews were executed, crucified, or starved to death by the Romans, but the Bible speaks of a time of tribulation that will come upon this planet that’s more severe in nature than even that, and a leader called the Antichrist who will violently insist upon being worshipped by the nations.

“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.”  (2 Thes. 2:3-4)

Jesus warned the readers of His words to flee Jerusalem when they see this taking place, and to do so quickly, not even bothering to take their most basic possessions with them because the suffering that is to come will be severe.

“For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. 20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.”  (Mark 13:19-20)

Jesus speaks of a day to come when the earth will experience a time of tribulation that is more severe than it has ever experienced since the beginning of creation.  The book of Revelation shares many of the details regarding the wars, plagues, and persecutions that will take place during that era.

There are several views regarding this time of tribulation, but the view that has always made the most sense to me and seems to lend itself to the most plain reading of Scripture teaches that the tribulation will take place over the course of seven years.  It will be a time of God’s judgment on this unbelieving world, and a time of wrath shown toward Israel in connection to their historical idolatry and rejection of the Messiah.  (see Daniel 9 and Revelation 13)

I believe the church will be “raptured” or carried away to heaven prior to this seven-year period of judgment taking place.  I believe this will be the case for several reasons.  First of all, the church is not mentioned in the book of Revelation once the book begins speaking of the wrath that is to come.  Secondly, Scripture tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 that believers are not destined for wrath.  Third, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 describes additional details of this rapturous event.

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”  (1 Thes. 4:16-17)

I also believe that Scripture teaches that during the seven-year tribulation period, people will come to know Jesus and experience the blessing of His gift of salvation.  Jesus even says that for the sake of the elect, those days will be divinely cut short.

 In His mercy, Jesus also warned us of additional things to be aware of while we wait for His return.  Jesus cautioned us not to fall prey to the deceptiveness of false messiahs.

“And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.”  (Mark 13:21-23)

 Every generation struggles with false messiahs and false prophets.  We’re struggling with them at present as well, and there are many people who mistakenly believe what they teach.

 How can we be on guard against false teaching?  Let me offer a few suggestions.

 First, make sure your faith in Jesus is genuine.  If you know the real Messiah, you’ll be better equipped to spot imposters.

 Second, become highly acquainted with the teaching of God’s word.  Read it for yourself and don’t let yourself become overly dependent on the teaching or interpretations of others.  Don’t just listen to people talk about the word of God, confirm whether their teaching is accurate by searching the Scriptures directly.

 Third, understand that false prophets preach a common message.  They teach a theology that encourages you to find your deepest sense of satisfaction through satisfying your sinful appetites.  Their messages ring of greed and sensuality.  They excel at telling people what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear.  Jesus warned us of their power to influence people so we wouldn't fall prey to their schemes.

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.”  (Mark 13:24-27)

 The good news is that even though that season of wrath is something this world is going to experience, it isn’t going to continue perpetually.  Just as those days are decreed to begin, they are also decreed to end.  There will be signs in the sky preceding its completion, but eventually Jesus will return with great power and glory.  At His first appearing, He took the form of a servant and was born a humble child.  When He returns, His eternal power will be on full display and His lordship will be undeniable.

 So while we wait for the fulfillment of these prophesies, how should we occupy our time?  What should we be doing?

The primary reason we were created was to give God glory.  We glorify Him by trusting in the Son of God, Jesus Christ to rescue and redeem us.  We glorify Him by testifying to others of the miraculous work Jesus has done in our lives.  We glorify Him by using our gifts, talents, and resources to serve others and build them up.  We also glorify Him by demonstrating the fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) in our daily interactions.

 If you are united to Christ by faith, the future should not be a scary thing for you.  Everything Jesus spoke of in this passage will one day come to pass, but those who know Him have their names written in His book of life and will enjoy perfect peace in His presence for all eternity.

“The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”  (Revelation 3:5)

© John Stange, 2024