Last Saturday, Harold Camping predicted that the world would experience the rapture and a set of events would begin that would culminate in the end of the world as we know it. His false predictions have been the fodder of late-night comedians and everyone is laughing. But the topic of “last things” is a serious biblical matter and one that many of us never take anytime to consider. What does the bible say about the end of days? What should our attitude be towards the return of Christ? And finally, should our eschatological outlook inform our everyday living?
The bible is clear, one day Christ will return in triumph to gather his bride. In Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, he writes:
“For the Lord himself will descend(AL) from heaven(AM) with a cry of command, with the voice of(AN) an archangel, and(AO) with the sound of the trumpet of God. And(AP) the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive, who are left, will be(AQ) caught up together with them(AR) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so(AS) we will always be with the Lord.”
This is a future, real event in which the reality of Christ breaks into the reality of our fallen world. Paul tells us that we who are alive will be caught up into the air in a twinkling of an eye. This is the second coming of Christ. The first time he came, he was weak, humble and meek. This time, he will come as the ruling king, triumphant and glorious—every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.
Jesus was clear, “’concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven,(B) nor the Son,but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36). Yet, the reality of Christ’s return should fill our imagination each and every day. Paul writes, “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). For Paul, he desired earnestly to see Christ return triumphantly and believed that there was reward for such desire. We should have the same desire and same belief. More than anything else, we ought to desire to see our Lord return in glory and know that we will be rewarded for such faith.
The return of Christ should also give us encouragement in troubling times. Paul writes, “Therefore encourage one another with these words [concerning Christ's return]” (I Thessalonians 4:18). We should be encouraged with the reality that Christ is coming back and soon. The world is troubled, we are broken, and it seems that the rulers and principalities of this world care nothing for the things of God. In a world where we can easily be discouraged, we find our hope in Jesus and his return. In setting our minds on this upcoming event, we will find joy and peace that will anchor us in any storm.
The reality of Christ’s return should inform our everyday living. Jesus shares a parable in Matthew that exhorts us to live our lives in view of his return:
1“‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like(A) ten virgins who took their lamps[a] and went to meet(B) the bridegroom.[b] 2Five of them were foolish, and five were(C) wise. 3For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6But(E) at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7Then all those virgins rose and(F) trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and(G) those who were ready went in with him to(H) the marriage feast, and(I) the door was shut. 11Afterward the other virgins came also, saying,(J) ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12(K) But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you,(L) I do not know you.’ 13(M) Watch therefore, for you(N) know neither the day nor the hour.”‘ (Matthew 25:1-13).
Unfortunately, many of us, myself included, live our lives without his return in mind. This leaves us lethargic in faith, lax in character, and unmotivated in the things of Christ, unwise virgins for sure. This should not be the case! Christ is returning. We should live as if Christ’s return is utter reality, “working out [our] salvation with fear and trembling”, and sharing the gospel like there is no tomorrow–this is what it means to be wise virgins. Christ is returning, let’s live like it.
Harold Camping was wrong and he deceived many with his false prophecies. But make no mistake, Jesus is returning in glory. And when he does, no one will be laughing.
