#280: Yes, Jesus Will Return

The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

When I was a senior in High School, in 1988, a retired NASA engineer Edgar C. Whisenant wrote a book called 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988. The book, which he self-published, placed the expected date of the Rapture between September 11 and September 13 of 1988, and became a massive bestseller. By the time the end of the year was reached, more than 4.5 million copies had been sold. Whisenant was certain he had the date right. He said, “Only if the Bible is in error am I wrong; and I say that to every preacher in town. I would stake my life on it.

As we know, Jesus did not return in 1998. But that didn’t stop the author. Whisenant’s later books predicting the Rapture in 1989, 1993, and 1994. Undertandably, they did not sell nearly as well as the first one—but he kept right on making those predictions despite the clear teaching of Scripture that we are not meant to know the date and time of Christ’s return.

Here’s what Jesus said in Matthew chapter 24 - “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” He went on to say “keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Scripture tells us we do not know when Jesus is returning, but it is very clear that Jesus will return. In fact, it’s a promise.

For 2,000 years there has been a promise that believers like you and me have held on to. It’s a promise made to us by Jesus. It gives us comfort in our suffering. It gives us peace in our confusion. This promise gives us joy in the midst of sorrow. It is the promise of Christ’s return.

The disciples of Jesus in the NT were absolutely convinced that Jesus would return. His resurrection was proof. His ascension was proof.

After the resurrection of Christ, as the disciples stood watching, Jesus ascended into the sky and returned to the Father. Listen to Acts 1:9-11 - “as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “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.”

I was talking with a friend this week about the return of Jesus. There are two extremes. The first is living with no thought to the coming of Christ. The second is becoming so obsessed with the signs of Christ’s coming that we forget what He has called the church to do.

From the first century up to now, Christ followers have always believed that Jesus could return at any time. Why? Because He promised…because He said so.

I believe we are missing an earnest expectation of the return of Christ. I believe in His imminent return, meaning He can return at any time, even today.

What if you knew Jesus was coming today? Would it impact how you live your life? Would it impact your thoughts, your focus? We don’t know when, but we do know He is coming.

The last words of Jesus in the Bible are found in the book of Revelation chapter 22 verse 20. He says, “Surely, I am coming soon.”

Today’s Challenge: Jesus has promised his return. Will you dare to believe his promise? Will you live your life believing and expecting his return at any moment?