Students of prophecy have been saying, “It won’t be long now!” for generations. Their tone is breathless and their warnings urgent, sometimes frantic. Current events dovetail with biblical predictions, they say. Jesus is coming any moment!

The study of when Jesus will return has become a closet industry. But this isn’t unique to our time. And why? God given us so much teaching in His Word about how He will wrap-up history. It’s something He wants us to know. So how should it affect our lives?

Historic Views of Biblical Prophecy

Prophecy has always divided the Church. The early Church affirmed that Jesus would come again. About this there was no doubt. That’s where consensus breaks down.

Revelation 20:1-6 speaks of faithful believers reigning on earth for 1,000 years. Such early Church fathers as Papias and Irenaeus believed this refers to a literal 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth. They were “premillennialists,” believing that Jesus would return prior to the beginning of this millennium-long period.

Then in the early 5th century, the brilliant theologian Augustine concluded that the 1,000-year reign of Christ was a metaphor for His rule in the hearts of believers. This view, now called “amillennialism,” came to dominate for centuries. That term is really a misnomer. Augustine and his successors did not deny the reality of the millennium. They said that the 1,000 years represented the inner reign of Jesus in the hearts and minds of those who follow Him.

A third position emerged in the early 17th century. Commonly called “postmillennialism,” it says that “a golden age of spiritual prosperity” will “be brought about through forces now active in the world.” The millennium will begin when the majority of the world’s population turns to Christ. He will come back at its conclusion.

Throughout the ages, sincere and godly Christian theologians have held to each of these positions. Are there some things all Christians should be able to unite around when it comes to grasping what Scripture says about the final days of man’s time on earth? Yes!

He Will Return

First, the assurance of Christ’s return is deeply encouraging. The apostle Paul tells his disciple Titus that the second “appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” is a “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13). Knowing we will be with Jesus forever is a promise that refreshes us, day by day. And that we might be alive to experience it personally should bring a “wow!” to every Christian’s heart.

Second, knowing the Savior will come again challenges us to lead holy lives. John the apostle tells us that when Christ comes again, “we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” But this, he reminds us, carries a charge to each of us: “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (I John 3:2-3).

In other words, if we know we will someday be in the presence of the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords, and that He might come at any time, we should be living lives that please Him in every respect. We should want Him to find us walking worthily of the salvation He has granted us at the cost of His own life.

Third, “knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others” (II Corinthians 5:11). In other words, recognizing that God’s righteous anger will fall on those who refuse His gracious offer of salvation in Christ motivates us to persuade others to trust in Him for forgiveness and eternal life. We should live with a sense of conviction about our obligation to share the Gospel with those who have not yet decided for Christ.

He is coming. All will fall before Him, either as loving servants or terrified enemies. Christians should be about turning the latter into the former.

A Most Serious Matter

Fourth, the reality of the Lord’s return is a most serious matter. “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” writes the apostle Peter (1 Peter 1:13).

The fact that Jesus has not returned yet in no way diminishes the reality that He will. Preparing for His coming by living holy lives, joyfully anticipating His return, and winning others to a saving knowledge of Him should inspire us to do what Peter tells us.

Prepare our minds for action. Don’t be frivolous; be intentional, thinking clear — soberly — about how we should invest our lives.

Why Has He Delayed His Return?

Why has the Lord delayed His return? He is not obligated by our schedule. “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,” writes Peter. Instead, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (II Peter 3:8-9).

Wanting to gather more and more people into His fold, Jesus tarries. Having given Christians the privilege and duty to tell others the good news about Him, we need to keep sharing the great news about His atoning death, actual resurrection, and promise of forgiveness to all who will listen. And the great news that He will come again.

As John the apostle concludes Revelation, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). Amen, and amen.

Want to hasten the Lord’s return? Tell others about Him.