If Jesus Returns Tonight

[music] [music] >> Imagine that you knew, you knew for an >> Imagine that you knew, you knew for an >> Imagine that you knew, you knew for an absolute fact that Jesus was coming back absolute fact that Jesus was coming back absolute fact that Jesus was coming back before this day will come to an end. before this day will come to an end. before this day will come to an end. That would be amazing, of course, and of That would be amazing, of course, and of That would be amazing, of course, and of course that would also be impossible, course that would also be impossible, course that would also be impossible, impossible to know. We can't know the impossible to know. We can't know the impossible to know. We can't know the date or the time of Christ's return, but date or the time of Christ's return, but date or the time of Christ's return, but what if we did? What if we knew he was what if we did? What if we knew he was what if we did? What if we knew he was coming back at 10:00 p.m. sharp local coming back at 10:00 p.m. sharp local coming back at 10:00 p.m. sharp local time tonight? How would that change your time tonight? How would that change your time tonight? How would that change your day? day? day? Today on Ask Pastor John, if Jesus Today on Ask Pastor John, if Jesus Today on Ask Pastor John, if Jesus returns tonight. We are about to read Luke 12:35-48, We are about to read Luke 12:35-48, and we just read 1 Thessalonians 5. and we just read 1 Thessalonians 5. and we just read 1 Thessalonians 5. So, we are thinking a lot right now So, we are thinking a lot right now So, we are thinking a lot right now about Christ's return in our Bible about Christ's return in our Bible about Christ's return in our Bible readings. The question today is from readings. The question today is from readings. The question today is from Claire, a young woman and listener to Claire, a young woman and listener to Claire, a young woman and listener to the podcast. Pastor John, hello and the podcast. Pastor John, hello and the podcast. Pastor John, hello and thank you for APJ. This podcast is a thank you for APJ. This podcast is a thank you for APJ. This podcast is a constant stream of encouragement for my constant stream of encouragement for my constant stream of encouragement for my soul and of correction, too, in the soul and of correction, too, in the soul and of correction, too, in the right balance. Wonderful. Thank you for right balance. Wonderful. Thank you for right balance. Wonderful. Thank you for both kinds of precious gift to me. both kinds of precious gift to me. both kinds of precious gift to me. Jesus repeatedly calls his followers to Jesus repeatedly calls his followers to Jesus repeatedly calls his followers to live with watchful expectation for his live with watchful expectation for his live with watchful expectation for his return. In Luke 12:35-48, return. In Luke 12:35-48, return. In Luke 12:35-48, he says, "Stay dressed for action and he says, "Stay dressed for action and he says, "Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning and be like men keep your lamps burning and be like men keep your lamps burning and be like men who are waiting for their master to come who are waiting for their master to come who are waiting for their master to come home."

home." home." He praises the servant who is found He praises the servant who is found He praises the servant who is found ready, faithful, and active when the ready, faithful, and active when the ready, faithful, and active when the master arrives at night. Obviously, we master arrives at night. Obviously, we master arrives at night. Obviously, we need physical rest every night, so it's need physical rest every night, so it's need physical rest every night, so it's not a literal staying always awake all not a literal staying always awake all not a literal staying always awake all night. Metaphorically, though, how night. Metaphorically, though, how night. Metaphorically, though, how should I be living today as if I truly should I be living today as if I truly should I be living today as if I truly believe Christ could return tonight? believe Christ could return tonight? believe Christ could return tonight? What does staying dressed with lamps lit What does staying dressed with lamps lit What does staying dressed with lamps lit look like today? look like today? look like today? >> It's amazing to me, remarkable, >> It's amazing to me, remarkable, >> It's amazing to me, remarkable, how thoroughly the New Testament answers how thoroughly the New Testament answers how thoroughly the New Testament answers this question. I mean, just thinking this question. I mean, just thinking this question. I mean, just thinking about it, about it, about it, was good for me. So, let me see if I can was good for me. So, let me see if I can was good for me. So, let me see if I can pack into this little episode 10 pack into this little episode 10 pack into this little episode 10 transforming ways to live as we eagerly transforming ways to live as we eagerly transforming ways to live as we eagerly look forward to the coming of Jesus. So, look forward to the coming of Jesus. So, look forward to the coming of Jesus. So, here's number one. Let's start with that here's number one. Let's start with that here's number one. Let's start with that word eagerly. Um Hebrews 9:28, word eagerly. Um Hebrews 9:28, word eagerly. Um Hebrews 9:28, "Christ will appear a second time to "Christ will appear a second time to "Christ will appear a second time to save those who are eagerly waiting for save those who are eagerly waiting for save those who are eagerly waiting for him." him." him." And 2 Timothy 4:8, "The Lord will award And 2 Timothy 4:8, "The Lord will award And 2 Timothy 4:8, "The Lord will award a crown of righteousness to all who have a crown of righteousness to all who have a crown of righteousness to all who have loved his appearing." So, as we wait, we loved his appearing." So, as we wait, we loved his appearing." So, as we wait, we cultivate a heart of love and eagerness cultivate a heart of love and eagerness cultivate a heart of love and eagerness for the Lord's appearing. That's number for the Lord's appearing. That's number for the Lord's appearing. That's number one.

one. one. Second, Second, Second, be alert but not alarmed. be alert but not alarmed. be alert but not alarmed. Matthew 24:42, Matthew 24:42, Matthew 24:42, "Stay awake." Luke 12:40, "Be ready." "Stay awake." Luke 12:40, "Be ready." "Stay awake." Luke 12:40, "Be ready." Luke 21:40 36, "Be vigilant." Luke 21:40 36, "Be vigilant." Luke 21:40 36, "Be vigilant." Mark 13:23, "Be on guard." Luke 21:34, Mark 13:23, "Be on guard." Luke 21:34, Mark 13:23, "Be on guard." Luke 21:34, "Watch yourselves." So, all that's be "Watch yourselves." So, all that's be "Watch yourselves." So, all that's be alert. alert. alert. The point of all those texts is not that The point of all those texts is not that The point of all those texts is not that we don't sleep physically, but that we we don't sleep physically, but that we we don't sleep physically, but that we don't sleep spiritually or morally. don't sleep spiritually or morally. don't sleep spiritually or morally. We maintain a vital, living relationship We maintain a vital, living relationship We maintain a vital, living relationship with Jesus with Jesus with Jesus and alertness and alertness and alertness to how we can serve him. But alertness to how we can serve him. But alertness to how we can serve him. But alertness does not mean alarm because Matthew 24:6 does not mean alarm because Matthew 24:6 does not mean alarm because Matthew 24:6 says, says, says, "When you hear of wars "When you hear of wars "When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, see to it that you and rumors of wars, see to it that you and rumors of wars, see to it that you are not alarmed." are not alarmed." are not alarmed." We're not to be nervous We're not to be nervous We're not to be nervous and fearful. and fearful. and fearful. Third, Third, Third, be joyfully patient no matter what be joyfully patient no matter what be joyfully patient no matter what sufferings sufferings sufferings are required of us in the last days.

are required of us in the last days. are required of us in the last days. James 5:7, James 5:7, James 5:7, "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the coming of the coming of the Lord." the Lord." the Lord." And Peter adds, "Do it with joy." And Peter adds, "Do it with joy." And Peter adds, "Do it with joy." 1 Peter 4:12, "Do not be surprised at 1 Peter 4:12, "Do not be surprised at 1 Peter 4:12, "Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that comes upon you to the fiery ordeal that comes upon you to the fiery ordeal that comes upon you to test you as though something strange test you as though something strange test you as though something strange were happening to you, but rejoice were happening to you, but rejoice were happening to you, but rejoice in so far as you share Christ's in so far as you share Christ's in so far as you share Christ's sufferings that you may rejoice and be sufferings that you may rejoice and be sufferings that you may rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." glad when his glory is revealed." glad when his glory is revealed." Rejoice in suffering now Rejoice in suffering now Rejoice in suffering now so that you will know the fullness of so that you will know the fullness of so that you will know the fullness of joy joy joy at his coming. at his coming. at his coming. Fourth, Fourth, Fourth, keep yourselves pure. keep yourselves pure. keep yourselves pure. 1 John 3:2, "Beloved, we know that when 1 John 3:2, "Beloved, we know that when 1 John 3:2, "Beloved, we know that when he appears, he appears, he appears, we shall be like him we shall be like him we shall be like him because we'll see him as he is. Everyone because we'll see him as he is. Everyone because we'll see him as he is. Everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself who thus hopes in him purifies himself who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure." as he is pure." as he is pure." And 2 Peter 3:11, "Since all these And 2 Peter 3:11, "Since all these And 2 Peter 3:11, "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, things are thus to be dissolved, things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in what sort of people ought you to be in what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness lives of holiness lives of holiness and godliness?"

and godliness?" and godliness?" Fifth, Fifth, Fifth, be gentle be gentle be gentle and reasonable. and reasonable. and reasonable. That may sound like an odd priority uh That may sound like an odd priority uh That may sound like an odd priority uh for the for the for the in anticipating the the second coming, in anticipating the the second coming, in anticipating the the second coming, but listen to to Philippians 4:5, "Let but listen to to Philippians 4:5, "Let but listen to to Philippians 4:5, "Let your gentleness and and I know the ESV your gentleness and and I know the ESV your gentleness and and I know the ESV translates it reasonableness, translates it reasonableness, translates it reasonableness, but I've studied that word in all of its but I've studied that word in all of its but I've studied that word in all of its contexts and I still can't help but contexts and I still can't help but contexts and I still can't help but think that the old translation think that the old translation think that the old translation gentleness is is better. I think it's gentleness is is better. I think it's gentleness is is better. I think it's okay to go both ways, but but I think okay to go both ways, but but I think okay to go both ways, but but I think gentleness because it's parallel with gentleness because it's parallel with gentleness because it's parallel with not being pugilistic in some places not being pugilistic in some places not being pugilistic in some places um is is better. Let your gentleness be um is is better. Let your gentleness be um is is better. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand." known to everyone. The Lord is at hand." known to everyone. The Lord is at hand." How easy it is to become quick-tempered How easy it is to become quick-tempered How easy it is to become quick-tempered and harsh in times of crisis. Oh my and harsh in times of crisis. Oh my and harsh in times of crisis. Oh my goodness, we see that. goodness, we see that. goodness, we see that. Don't let it happen. Don't let it happen. Don't let it happen. Six, Six, Six, don't be deceived don't be deceived don't be deceived by powerful pretenders. In other words, by powerful pretenders. In other words, by powerful pretenders. In other words, watch, don't watch, don't watch, don't give in to deception. Matthew 24:4, "See give in to deception. Matthew 24:4, "See give in to deception. Matthew 24:4, "See that no one leads you astray.

that no one leads you astray. that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name saying, I For many will come in my name saying, I For many will come in my name saying, I am the Christ. am the Christ. am the Christ. And they will lead many astray." And they will lead many astray." And they will lead many astray." This is one of the reasons we need to be This is one of the reasons we need to be This is one of the reasons we need to be alert and vigilant over our minds and alert and vigilant over our minds and alert and vigilant over our minds and hearts to protect us from hearts to protect us from hearts to protect us from deception, which will be so rampant in deception, which will be so rampant in deception, which will be so rampant in that last time. Seventh, that last time. Seventh, that last time. Seventh, don't give in to hysteria. Go to work. don't give in to hysteria. Go to work. don't give in to hysteria. Go to work. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> You got a job, do it. >> You got a job, do it. >> You got a job, do it. In In Paul's day in Thessalonica, they In In Paul's day in Thessalonica, they In In Paul's day in Thessalonica, they were giving way to hysteria and quitting were giving way to hysteria and quitting were giving way to hysteria and quitting their jobs. their jobs. their jobs. "What's the point of working?" they're "What's the point of working?" they're "What's the point of working?" they're saying. "The Lord is near. Why work? We saying. "The Lord is near. Why work? We saying. "The Lord is near. Why work? We don't need any money." don't need any money." don't need any money." Paul tells them to stop being like that. Paul tells them to stop being like that. Paul tells them to stop being like that. Stop being alarmed. Go back to work. Stop being alarmed. Go back to work. Stop being alarmed. Go back to work. Here's what he says. "We hear that some Here's what he says. "We hear that some Here's what he says. "We hear that some among you are walking in idleness, not among you are walking in idleness, not among you are walking in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies." Second busy at work, but busybodies." Second busy at work, but busybodies." Second Thessalonians 3:11. Thessalonians 3:11. Thessalonians 3:11. This is basically what Jesus was getting This is basically what Jesus was getting This is basically what Jesus was getting at when he said in Luke 12:42, at when he said in Luke 12:42, at when he said in Luke 12:42, "Who then is the faithful and wise "Who then is the faithful and wise "Who then is the faithful and wise manager manager manager whom his master set over his household whom his master set over his household whom his master set over his household to give them their food at the proper to give them their food at the proper to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his time? Blessed is that servant whom his time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he master will find so doing when he master will find so doing when he comes." Love that.

comes." Love that. comes." Love that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Uh >> Uh >> Uh Uh when I was when I was a preaching Uh when I was when I was a preaching Uh when I was when I was a preaching pastor, pastor, pastor, that was my rock solid assignment. that was my rock solid assignment. that was my rock solid assignment. You've been set over a household. You You've been set over a household. You You've been set over a household. You got food to give them. Give them that got food to give them. Give them that got food to give them. Give them that every Sunday, and you're going to be every Sunday, and you're going to be every Sunday, and you're going to be blessed if the Lord breaks in, splits blessed if the Lord breaks in, splits blessed if the Lord breaks in, splits the clouds, and finds you studying for the clouds, and finds you studying for the clouds, and finds you studying for your sermon. your sermon. your sermon. I I want to be found doing what God has I I want to be found doing what God has I I want to be found doing what God has given me to do when he comes. given me to do when he comes. given me to do when he comes. That's what Jesus expects. Eighth, go to That's what Jesus expects. Eighth, go to That's what Jesus expects. Eighth, go to church. church. church. Hebrews 10:24, have you ever noticed the Hebrews 10:24, have you ever noticed the Hebrews 10:24, have you ever noticed the connection between the second coming and connection between the second coming and connection between the second coming and going to church? going to church? going to church? Let us consider how to stir up one Let us consider how to stir up one Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not another to love and good works, not another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as is the neglecting to meet together as is the neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some, but encouraging one habit of some, but encouraging one habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more, go to church another, and all the more, go to church another, and all the more, go to church all the more all the more all the more as you see the day drawing near. as you see the day drawing near. as you see the day drawing near. Meet together more Meet together more Meet together more as you see the Lord's coming as you see the Lord's coming as you see the Lord's coming approaching. Don't curl up in your chair approaching. Don't curl up in your chair approaching. Don't curl up in your chair at home.

at home. at home. Go to church. Go to church. Go to church. Ninth, Ninth, Ninth, give yourselves to regular earnest give yourselves to regular earnest give yourselves to regular earnest prayer, even prayer for the second prayer, even prayer for the second prayer, even prayer for the second coming. coming. coming. Fasting for the second coming, even. Fasting for the second coming, even. Fasting for the second coming, even. Jesus said, "You can't fast when the Jesus said, "You can't fast when the Jesus said, "You can't fast when the bridegroom is here, but the bridegroom bridegroom is here, but the bridegroom bridegroom is here, but the bridegroom is going to be taken away, and then you is going to be taken away, and then you is going to be taken away, and then you will fast." Why? Because you want him will fast." Why? Because you want him will fast." Why? Because you want him back. back. back. Luke 21:36, "Stay awake at all times, Luke 21:36, "Stay awake at all times, Luke 21:36, "Stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to praying that you may have strength to praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going escape all these things that are going escape all these things that are going to take place and stand before the Son to take place and stand before the Son to take place and stand before the Son of Man." of Man." of Man." 1 Peter 4:7, "The end of all things is 1 Peter 4:7, "The end of all things is 1 Peter 4:7, "The end of all things is at hand. Therefore, be self-controlled at hand. Therefore, be self-controlled at hand. Therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your and sober-minded for the sake of your and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers." prayers." prayers." So, pray to him day and night. He will So, pray to him day and night. He will So, pray to him day and night. He will not delay long over you and will not delay long over you and will not delay long over you and will vindicate you vindicate you vindicate you in your prayers. in your prayers. in your prayers. Finally, 10th, Finally, 10th, Finally, 10th, hasten the day of God hasten the day of God hasten the day of God by finishing the Great Commission. by finishing the Great Commission. by finishing the Great Commission. 2 Peter 3:12 says, 2 Peter 3:12 says, 2 Peter 3:12 says, "We are waiting for and hastening the "We are waiting for and hastening the "We are waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God."

coming of the day of God." coming of the day of God." Now, how do you hasten a day Now, how do you hasten a day Now, how do you hasten a day that the Lord has fixed with his own that the Lord has fixed with his own that the Lord has fixed with his own authority? authority? authority? And I think two passages point to And I think two passages point to And I think two passages point to answer. Acts 6 Acts uh chapter 1 verses answer. Acts 6 Acts uh chapter 1 verses answer. Acts 6 Acts uh chapter 1 verses 6 6 6 to 8 to 8 to 8 where the disciples asked Jesus after where the disciples asked Jesus after where the disciples asked Jesus after the resurrection, is it now time for you the resurrection, is it now time for you the resurrection, is it now time for you to establish the kingdom? And Jesus to establish the kingdom? And Jesus to establish the kingdom? And Jesus said, it is not for you to know times or said, it is not for you to know times or said, it is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed seasons that the Father has fixed seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority, but by his own authority, but by his own authority, but you will receive power. You will receive you will receive power. You will receive you will receive power. You will receive power power power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you when the Holy Spirit has come upon you when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses in and you will be my witnesses in and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. In other words, to the end of the earth. In other words, to the end of the earth. In other words, if you want to see the kingdom arrive, if you want to see the kingdom arrive, if you want to see the kingdom arrive, finish the mission. finish the mission. finish the mission. >> [clears throat] >> [clears throat] >> [clears throat] >> Which is what Matthew 24:14 says. >> Which is what Matthew 24:14 says. >> Which is what Matthew 24:14 says. This gospel of the kingdom will be This gospel of the kingdom will be This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as proclaimed throughout the whole world as proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations and then a testimony to all the nations and then a testimony to all the nations and then the end will come.

the end will come. the end will come. So, how do you hasten So, how do you hasten So, how do you hasten the day of the Lord? the day of the Lord? the day of the Lord? We give ourselves to finishing the Great We give ourselves to finishing the Great We give ourselves to finishing the Great Commission. So, let me end where I Commission. So, let me end where I Commission. So, let me end where I began. began. began. May the Lord give us May the Lord give us May the Lord give us eagerness eagerness eagerness and love for his second coming. The Lord and love for his second coming. The Lord and love for his second coming. The Lord will give a crown of righteousness to will give a crown of righteousness to will give a crown of righteousness to all all all who have loved his appearing. who have loved his appearing. who have loved his appearing. >> Yeah, amen. There's this glorious task. >> Yeah, amen. There's this glorious task. >> Yeah, amen. There's this glorious task. We don't quit our job just yet. We don't We don't quit our job just yet. We don't We don't quit our job just yet. We don't stare off into the sky. We don't give in stare off into the sky. We don't give in stare off into the sky. We don't give in to hysteria. We don't give up to to hysteria. We don't give up to to hysteria. We don't give up to idleness. We cultivate a heart of eager idleness. We cultivate a heart of eager idleness. We cultivate a heart of eager love for his appearing with busy hands love for his appearing with busy hands love for his appearing with busy hands working the tasks in front of us to do. working the tasks in front of us to do. working the tasks in front of us to do. It's about everyday faithfulness right It's about everyday faithfulness right It's about everyday faithfulness right up until the clouds split apart. Until up until the clouds split apart. Until up until the clouds split apart. Until then, let your gentleness be known to then, let your gentleness be known to then, let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand. That's an everyone. The Lord is at hand. That's an everyone. The Lord is at hand. That's an amazing text. I'm going to be thinking amazing text. I'm going to be thinking amazing text. I'm going to be thinking about that today. about that today. about that today. Let your gentleness be known to Let your gentleness be known to Let your gentleness be known to everyone. everyone. everyone. The Lord is at hand.

The Lord is at hand. The Lord is at hand. Thank you, Pastor John. Thank you, Pastor John. Thank you, Pastor John. And on all of this, be sure to check out And on all of this, be sure to check out And on all of this, be sure to check out Pastor John's 2023 book, Come Lord Pastor John's 2023 book, Come Lord Pastor John's 2023 book, Come Lord Jesus, Meditations on the Second Coming Jesus, Meditations on the Second Coming Jesus, Meditations on the Second Coming of Christ, if you want to meditate on of Christ, if you want to meditate on of Christ, if you want to meditate on all of this more. Come Lord Jesus, all of this more. Come Lord Jesus, all of this more. Come Lord Jesus, Meditations on the Second Coming of Meditations on the Second Coming of Meditations on the Second Coming of Christ. Christ. Christ. But of course, we don't know when Christ But of course, we don't know when Christ But of course, we don't know when Christ is coming back. It could be in a century is coming back. It could be in a century is coming back. It could be in a century or two centuries. or two centuries. or two centuries. And that means we still have to wake up And that means we still have to wake up And that means we still have to wake up to alarms. to alarms. to alarms. We still have to find jobs. We still We still have to find jobs. We still We still have to find jobs. We still have to make money. We still have to pay have to make money. We still have to pay have to make money. We still have to pay the bills. And that means we will go on the bills. And that means we will go on the bills. And that means we will go on facing the temptations of money fears. facing the temptations of money fears. facing the temptations of money fears. I'm Tony Reinke. We do that next time, I'm Tony Reinke. We do that next time, I'm Tony Reinke. We do that next time, Surviving Financial Panics. That's next Surviving Financial Panics. That's next Surviving Financial Panics. That's next up on Thursday. Thanks for listening to up on Thursday. Thanks for listening to up on Thursday. Thanks for listening to the Ask Pastor John podcast. We'll see the Ask Pastor John podcast. We'll see the Ask Pastor John podcast. We'll see you then.