During the pandemic, much of the focus has been preventive and prescriptive. Preventive in using face coverings, handwashing, and social distancing to minimize the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus. Prescriptive in encouraging vaccines to help immunize people from the virus. Much attention has been paid to alter our habits and lifestyle. COVID-19 has spurred a sense of gravity, with the balance of health and the reality of death. For the believer in Christ, we do have a living hope, which supersedes any trials or tribulation and even death itself. In a heavy discussion about both believer’s death and future bodily resurrection with the second coming of Jesus Christ, Paul concluded with the following simple phrase, “Encourage each other with these words” (I Thessalonians 4:18).

At different stages in the history of the Christian church, both the expectation and the teaching of the LORD’s return comes to the forefront. Sometimes, the expectations cloud our understanding of the truths of the Second Coming of Jesus.  Even some believers in the church in Thessalonica practically stopped life based on their overzealous anticipation.  Some teachings about the LORD’s return have been distorted.  It has not been uncommon for certain false teachers to give dates and times of Jesus’ return.  More than a decade ago, in the bay area, a false teacher advertised the exact date of the LORD’s return on a billboard by main interstate highway. Jesus clearly stated, “It is not for you to know the times or dates of the Father has set” (Acts 1:7) Sometimes, the false fanatical promotion has adverse effects on believers, who may altogether avoid the topic of the LORD’s return in attempts to separate themselves from false teachers.  As a result, they may lose the sense of anticipation as well as not follow the Scriptural directive to “encourage each other with these words”.  Let us give three implications of the LORD’s return that may give traction for us to live in balance in truth and application.  Be mindful, be ready and be active for the LORD’s return.

Be Mindful

The LORD’s return or the Second Coming of Jesus Christ refer to both the future and glorious return of Jesus Christ to earth at the end of the ages. (I Thes. 4:13-18) The return will be visible and physical as Jesus comes from heaven. Matthew 24:30-31 states, “Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Now, there are two aspect to be mindful of about the LORD’s return, which can be either positive or negative. For the believers, it is positive because it is the day of final salvation and reunion with Christ as their glorious hope. (Matt.20:31, Phil. 1:6; 1Cor. 1:8; 2Tim. 1:12, 4:8; Eph. 4:30) As for unbelievers, it will not be pleasant, but rather negative as the LORD’s return will be the day of final judgement and wrath. (1Jn. 4:17; Rom. 2:5, 16)

Be Ready

From the words of Jesus, Luke 12:40 says, “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” This idea of “be ready” is repeated in many other places connected to Jesus’ Second Coming (Matt. 24:42; 25:13, I Thes. 5:1-5 among others). What does it mean to be ready? First of all, the LORD’s return gives us all confidence of His victory and salvation. Particularly, it gives us the confidence of his victory and the salvation of our mortal bodies from sin once and for all to have a glorified resurrected body that is pure, immortal, and incorruptible (1Cor. 15:35-49).

Anticipating Jesus’ return is not passive, but rather it is a pursuit of godly conduct with active hope. Titus 2:12-13 states, “training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, waiting for the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” To be ready for the LORD’s return in His grace is to make choices and live in such a way to please him rather than be ashamed over poor choices and conduct when Jesus appears.

Be Active

For believers, the return of Christ is good news. As for unbelievers, it is bad news because of final judgment. So, as the LORD wills for time allowance before His return, there are opportunities for even the vilest sinners to repent. Any day before the LORD’s return, can be a day of salvation for someone. As God has given us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18), we must faithfully preach the gospel (2 Tim. 4:1-4). Not only should we be active in sharing the gospel, but active in our faith. In the pastoral epistle, Paul charged Timothy to fight the good fight of faith until the appearing of our LORD Jesus Christ. Since Christ’s return is imminent, it is closer than we think. With this in mind, it encourages us to persevere, to finish faithfully in our lives before the LORD no matter what stage of life we find ourselves.

COVID-19 is not the first or the last crisis. There will be other crises and challenges for us all. However, the LORD’s imminent return should galvanize our lives to continue to live for His glory. Be encouraged, the LORD is coming soon.