JESUS' 2ND COMING: When will "The End" come?
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I grew up in a religious environment where the end was always right around the corner. As a child growing up in the Jehovah's Witnesses, I was taught that Armageddon was imminent. Every world event, every natural disaster, every political development was a sign of the times. The organization had been predicting the end for 140 years. Starting with predictions for 1914, then 1925, then 1975, and various other less specific time frames. Each time the date would come and go, explanations would be given, and a new understanding would emerge. But the message remained consistent.
The end is just around the corner. I remember sitting in Kingdom Halls, their church, as a child, listening to talks about how we might not even finish high school before Armageddon came. I watched older members put off careers, delay having children, avoid higher education, and make major life decisions based on the belief that the world system would end any day now. Many of those people are now elderly, having spent their entire lives waiting for an end that never arrived on the predicted timetable. But here's the thing. Just because the Jehovah's Witnesses and countless other groups have been wrong about predicting when the end will come doesn't mean that there won't be an end someday. The question isn't whether their predictions were wrong.
They clearly were, but what our attitude toward the end should be as Christians. So, let's look at what Jesus himself said about this. In Matthew chapter 24, the disciples came to Jesus Jesus privately and asked, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" It's a natural human question, isn't it? We all want to know what's coming and we want to know when. We crave certainty in an uncertain world.
Well, Jesus gives them a lengthy response that includes various signs and events. But then he makes a statement that is absolutely crucial for our understanding. In Matthew 24:36, he says, "But concerning that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." Did you catch that? Jesus, the son of God himself, says that even he doesn't know when the end will come. Only the father knows. And yet throughout history, countless religious leaders and groups have claimed to know what Jesus himself said he didn't know.
In verses 42 to 44, Jesus continues, "Therefore stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Again, the emphasis is on not knowing the timing, but being ready regardless. This readiness isn't about calculating dates or looking for specific signs. It's about living faithfully each day. One of the most interesting things about apocalyptic predictions is how consistently wrong human beings have been when trying to interpret prophecy before it happens.
And there's no better example of this than the first century Jewish understanding of the Messiah himself. For centuries, the Jewish people had been studying the prophecies about the coming Messiah. They had analyzed every word of Isaiah, Daniel, Micah, and the other prophets. By the time Jesus was born, there was a strong consensus about what the Messiah would be like and what he would do. He would be a powerful military leader who would overthrow the Roman occupation, restore the kingdom of Israel to its former glory under David and Solomon, and usher in an age of peace and prosperity for the Jewish people.
But when Jesus arrived, he didn't match his expectations at all. Instead of riding in on a waror with an army, he entered Jerusalem on a donkey. Instead of calling for revolution against Rome, he said, rendered to Caesar the things that are Caesars's. Instead of promising military victory, he talked about his kingdom not being of this world. Instead of restoring Israel's political power, he was executed as a criminal. In fact, we see how deeply entrrenched these expectations were when in John chapter 6, after Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 people, the crowd was so impressed that they tried to make him king by force. Right?
Then Jesus had to withdraw to a mountain by himself to avoid their misguided enthusiasm. And it wasn't just the crowds. His own disciples shared these expectations.
You remember when James and John had their mother asked Jesus if they could sit his at his right and left in his kingdom? Or when Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked him for saying he would suffer and die and be kind to yourself, Lord. They simply couldn't reconcile their vision of a triumphant political Messiah with Jesus' teachings about suffering and servantthood. These misunderstandings persisted right up to the end with the disciples arguing about who would be greatest in the kingdom during the last supper itself. Even his closest followers didn't understand until after his resurrection. Remember the disciples on the road to Emmas in Luke 24? They lamented, "We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel."
They were still thinking in terms of political redemption, not realizing that Jesus was offering something far greater, spiritual redemption that would eventually transform the entire world. The Messiah did come, but he came in a way that virtually no one expected. Despite centuries of studying the prophecies, the first century religious experts who had devoted their lives to understanding these prophecies completely missed him when he stood right in front of them. And that should give us significant pause when we think about endtime prophecies. If the brilliant religious scholars of Jesus day with their deep knowledge of scripture could be so wrong about the first coming of Christ, shouldn't we be extremely humble about our understanding of his second coming? In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul writes, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face, now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."
We simply don't have perfect understanding. Our human perspective is limited. We're trying to understand eternal divine realities with finite human minds. Now, that doesn't mean we shouldn't study prophecy or that these parts of scripture aren't important. They absolutely are. But it does mean we should approach them with humility, recognizing that our understanding is partial and that God's ways are higher than our ways. I quote it all the time.
I'll quote it again. Isaiah 55:8-9. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. So, what should our attitude be toward the end? How should we live in light of the fact that Jesus will return someday even though we don't know when? First, we should live with readiness, but not anxiety.
Jesus' parables about his return consistently emphasized being prepared like the wise virgins who had enough oil for their lamps or the faithful servant who continued working diligently while the master was away. But this readiness isn't about fearful obsession with the end. It's about faithful obedience in the present. Throughout church history, those who have been most effective for God's kingdom haven't been the date setters or those obsessed with decoding prophetic timelines. They've been the men and women who simply woke up each day and asked, "How can I serve God faithfully today?" Whether the end comes in our lifetime or a thousand years from now, that's still the question we should be asking.
Second, we should focus on the mission that Jesus actually gave us rather than speculating about things he specifically said we cannot know. Just before his ascension, Jesus didn't give his disciples a secret code for calculating his return date. Instead, in Acts 1:8, he said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth." The disciples, still thinking about the restoration of Israel's kingdom, had just asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" Jesus essentially redirected them from speculation about timing to concentration on mission. It's as if he was saying, "Don't worry about that. Here's what I want you to focus on instead."
When we get caught up in endtime speculation, we're often doing exactly what the disciples were doing, asking when instead of focusing on the clear mission Jesus gave us. Our calling is to be witnesses, to make disciples, to love God and love our neighbors, to care for the poor and marginalized, to seek justice and mercy, to be salt and light in a dark world. Third, we should hold our interpretations of unfulfilled prophecy loosely while holding on to Jesus tightly. Throughout church history, sincere Christians have held all manner of different views about the end times. premillennialism, amillennialism, postmillennial millennialism, and numerous variations in between. People of genuine faith, deep biblical knowledge, and sincere devotion to Christ have reached very different conclusions about how to interpret these challenging texts. That suggests that we should be charitable towards those who understand these prophecies differently than we do.
The early church gave us the Apostles Creed and the Nyine Creed as summaries of essential Christian doctrine. And you'll notice that the specific details of end time prophecy don't appear in either. The timing and precise sequence of endtime events simply aren't core doctrines on the level of the salvation by grace through faith in Christ. In Romans 14:1, Paul wrote, "As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions." While he's addressing a different issue there, the principle applies. We shouldn't divide over debatable matters. Fourth, we should live with both temporal and eternal perspectives.
Yes, Jesus is coming back and will make all things new. But until then, we have work to do in this world. We're called to be good stewards of creation, to work for justice and shalom, to alleviate suffering, to create beauty, to build communities of love and grace. Sometimes an unhealthy focus on the world ending soon can lead to neglect of our present responsibilities. Trust me, I saw it all the time in my background as Jehovah's Witness. If you believe the end of the world is coming next Tuesday, why bother planting trees or addressing systemic injustice or investing in the next generation? But throughout scripture, we see God calling his people to seek the welfare of the cities where they live, to work for the common good, and to leave a legacy for future generations.
In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable of the talents where servants are entrusted with resources while the master is away. The faithful servants are the ones who put those resources to work, who take risks, who create increase, not the one who buries his talents out of fear. We're called to productive, creative engagement with the world, not fearful withdrawal from it. Jesus said in his prayer, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them. Fifth, we should live with hope, not fear. End time prophecies and scriptures aren't primarily given to scare us, but to assure us that God is in control, that history is moving toward a purpose, that evil and suffering won't have the final word. In John 16:33, Jesus says, "I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace.
In the world you have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world." The biblical vision of the future is ultimately hopeful. Creation restored, tears wiped away, death defeated, and God dwelling with his people. Revelation 21:3-5 gives us this beautiful picture. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more.
Neither shall mourn nor outcry, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." That is not a vision that should produce anxiety or fear. It's a vision that should fill us with hope and purpose. The end of the story is good news. So, where does this leave us? How do we navigate life not knowing when the end will come?
I think of second Peter chapter 3:11 and 12, which asks, "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God?" Peter doesn't encourage his readers to try to figure out when the day will come, but rather to focus on who they are becoming while they wait. We're called to live as citizens of God's kingdom now, embodying its values and priorities in our daily lives. We're called to the ongoing work of spiritual formation, becoming more like Christ day by day. We're called to participate in God's redemptive work in the world, being agents of healing, reconciliation, and hope. In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Paul writes, "Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you, for you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. So then let us not sleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up just as you are doing. Notice Paul's emphasis not on figuring out when the day will come, but on living as children of light right now, encouraging each other, and building each other up. One of the strange ironies of end time obsession is that it often distracts us from the very things Jesus called us to focus on.
Jesus told us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. He told us to make disciples, to care for the least of these, to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. None of those commands is contingent on knowing when the end will come. All of them are things we can and should be doing today, whether Jesus returns tomorrow or a thousand years from now. I've come to believe that the healthiest approach to the end is to live as if Jesus might return today, but to plan and work as if he might not return for a very long time. This keeps us both ready and responsible, both heavenly minded and earthly good. Does Jesus speak about his return?
Absolutely. In John 14:3, he assures his disciples, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am, you may be also." The promise of his return is meant to comfort us, not confuse or frighten us. In Acts 1:1, after Jesus ascends to heaven, the angels tell the disciples, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. The certainty of Christ's return should motivate our mission, not distract us from it. So when will the end come?
I don't know. The Jehovah's Witnesses were wrong about 1914, 1925, 1975, and all their other dates. Countless other groups and individuals throughout history have been wrong as well. Jesus himself said that no one knows except the father. But here's what I do know. Today matters. The way we live today matters.
The love we show today matters. The people we serve today matter. The witness we bear today matters. The hope we embody today matters. In Matthew 6:34, Jesus tells us, "Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself, sufficient for the day is its own trouble." We're called to faithful presence in the here and now, trusting God with the future that we cannot see or control. So, instead of obsessing over when the world will end, let's focus on how we can help make it more like God's kingdom today.
Instead of trying to decipher prophetic timelines, let's devote ourselves to loving God and loving our neighbors. Instead of fearfully withdrawing from a world we think is about to be destroyed, let's joyfully engage in God's redemptive work in that very world. After all, in Matthew 28:20, Jesus promises, "And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age." Whether that end comes in our lifetime or long after we're gone, that promise sustains us. Christ is with us now through the Holy Spirit. We don't have to wait for the future to experience his presence and power. The Bible ends with a prayer in Revelation 22:20.
He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." That should be our heart's cry, too. Not because they're trying to escape this world and its problems, but because we long for God's justice, healing, and restoration to be complete. Until that day comes, we have good work to do as agents of that very justice, healing, and restoration. The end will come when it comes, and it will be what God has always intended it to be.
Our task isn't to predict it, but to participate fully in God's work until it arrives. Let this be our prayer. Father Aba, in a world full of uncertainty and fear, help us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. Keep us from being distracted by speculation about times and dates that you have kept within your own authority. Instead, fill us with your spirit each day that we might be faithful witnesses to the love, grace, and truth of Christ. Give us wisdom to interpret your word with humility, charity toward those who understand differently, and a focus on the central truths of the gospel. Help us to live each day as if it might be our last, loving deeply, forgiving freely, and serving generously.
And yet, give us the vision to work and plan and build as if we have a thousand years, creating beauty, pursuing justice, and investing in future generations. We look forward with hope to the day when Christ will return and make all things new. But until that day, may we be found faithful in the work you've given us to do. In Jesus' name, amen. [Music]
