When Will Jesus Come Again?

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3

I was speaking at a family conference in northern Minnesota in the late summer of 1988. While ministering there I was introduced to the pastor of the largest congregation in the county, a vibrant young man whom anyone would like immediately. I did not doubt that he was a most capable speaker who attracted the people of the surrounding communities to his ministry. Randy positively bubbled over with joy, especially at the thought of Christ's return. “After all,” he confidently informed me, “Jesus will return this very year!” Although I endeavour to live in anticipation of Christ's imminent return I was less certain of the timing of that return, so I was interested to discover the reason for his certainty.

That young pastor referred me to a book which generated no small stir among his friends. Written by a NASA scientist, the book detailed the reasons why Jesus must return in 1988 and assured Christians they could expect Christ’s return within the year. That was my introduction to a runaway best seller of 1988 — 88 Reasons Jesus Will Come in '88. You may recall that Jesus did not return in 1988 and when Mr. Whisnant's timetable was ignored by the Son of God he wrote a second book which was likewise a wildly successful best-seller in Christian bookstores throughout North America. This book was modestly entitled: 89 Reasons Jesus Will Come in ‘89.

Many preachers were swept along in the excitement generated by Whisnant’s books in 1988 and in 1989. Those ministers sagely agreed that all the signs were right for Jesus return. Unfortunately, Jesus did not consult the timetable others had set for Him. Nevertheless, books detailing the time of His return continually multiply to this very day as men ignore Christ’s words: It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority [Acts 1:7].

Perhaps it would prove helpful for us to explore this question together during this hour. Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. These are the opening verses of the fifth chapter of this first Thessalonian letter. Paul was seeking to establish these shaken saints in their newly found faith so that they could stand firm; and that is my desire also.

The Certainty of Christ's Return Is Established. Of this we may be assured … Christ has promised to return. Remember Christ’s words of consolation recorded in John 14:1-3: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. I am bold to state at the outset of the message that this promise is foundational to the Christian Faith. If an individual denies this promise, how can such a one avow faith in Christ? How can one who does not anticipate the return of the Lord Christ to receive His own aver the Christian Faith?

In the text Paul speaks of the day of the Lord. The terminology must be somewhat confusing to some because it is so frequently distorted to mean something foreign to the intent conveyed by its use in the Word of God. What is this day of the Lord mentioned by the Apostle? There are twenty-two references to the day of the Lord in the Bible, sixteen of which occur in the Old Testament and six of which are found in the New Testament. It is a distinctly Jewish concept and not a Greek concept at all. Perhaps it would be helpful if we were to examine a few of these places where the day of the Lord is mentioned in the Word of God.

Isaiah is the first of the prophets to warn of the day of the Lord [Isaiah 13:6,9]; he speaks of that day as a day of judgement and desolation, as does Ezekiel [Ezekiel 13:5 and 30:3]. The whole of the prophecy of Joel is concerned with the day of the Lord [Joel 1:15; 2:1,11,31; 3:14]. Likewise, among the Minor Prophets, Amos [Amos 5:18], Obadiah [Obadiah 15], Zephaniah [Zephaniah 1:7,14], Zechariah [Zechariah 14:1], and Malachi [Malachi 4:4], each alike speaks of the day of the Lord as a time of judgement on sinners and as a time of deliverance for believers. Especially do each of the prophets speak of the destruction of sinners and warn that the nations shall be called to account. These references to the day of the Lord in the prophecies of the Old Testament point to judgement for those dwelling in the earth and for deliverance of the saints.

In New Testament references we are able to gain a little more insight into that day, for in these brief references the Apostles speak of deliverance for believers. Peter, preaching on Pentecost spoke of the day of the Lord. Quoting from Joel he warned:

The sun will be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood

before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

Then, so that none would misunderstand the significance of what he was saying he broke into an importunate plea, again quoting from Joel:

And everyone who calls

on the name of the Lord will be saved.

[Acts 2:20,21]

That note of compassion based upon the knowledge that judgement from the Lord is coming still marks apostolic preaching to this day. Since it shall be a day of judgement, let the wicked forsake his way and let him turn to the Lord for mercy. Here in Peter’s words is the first suggestion that something more than judgement is associated with that day.

Perhaps it should not be surprising that Peter, writing in his second epistle general, spoke again of the day of the Lord as a day of judgement when the heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare [2 Peter 3:10]. The tenor of his message in his second letter is not unlike that of the message delivered on the day of Pentecost, except that this time he uses this knowledge to urge Christians to live holy and godly lives as they live in anticipation of these awesome events. According to Peter, then, knowledge of the Day of the Lord should change behaviour both in believers and in outsiders.

Paul, writing to the Corinthians in his first letter, spoke of a Christian under discipline by the Lord, but one whose spirit [would be] saved on the day of the Lord [1 Corinthians 5:5]. In the second letter to that same Corinthian congregation he stated that he would boast of the Corinthians in the day of the Lord Jesus [2 Corinthians 1:14]. In his second letter to the Thessalonian church, Paul speaks again of that day, tying the revelation of the day of judgement with the unveiling of that man of sin known as the Antichrist [2 Thessalonians 2:2].

This brings us back to our text … 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3. There Paul makes the transition from a thorough discussion of the rapture of the saints of God and the events associated with that glorious occurrence to a discussion of the expected response of the child of God to the knowledge of Christ’s coming. Included in his discussion of response of the godly is a statement concerning the timing of the event; and it is this issue which occupies our attention in this hour.

To firmly establish this truth in your memory, recall the repeated promises of God to judge the wicked of the earth even while delivering the righteous. Throughout the Old Covenant are repeated warnings that the wicked shall be judged. One such warning which is particularly clear is that delivered by the last of the Minor Prophets. “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the LORD Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them” [Malachi 4:1]. Pointed though the verse is toward evil, the promise continues with great comfort for believers: But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall [Malachi 4:2]. Judgement of the wicked is a source of comfort for the afflicted. Judgement of evil is a source of hope for the righteous.

The prophecy given by Malachi is but an iteration of that which was delivered by Isaiah:

The LORD Almighty has a day in store

for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted

(and they will be humbled),

for all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty,

and all the oaks of Bashan,

for all the towering mountains and all the high hills,

for every lofty tower and every fortified wall,

for every trading ship and every stately vessel.

The arrogance of man will be brought low

and the pride of men humbled;

the LORD alone will be exalted in that day,

and the idols will totally disappear.

Men will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground

from dread of the LORD and the splendour of his majesty,

when he rises to shake the earth.

In that day men will throw away to the rodents and bats

their idols of silver and idols of gold,

which they made to worship.

They will flee to caverns in the rocks and to the overhanging crags

from dread of the LORD and the splendour of his majesty,

when he rises to shake the earth.

[Isaiah 2:12-21]

How awesome the warning which God has given through His prophets and apostles! How frightful the revelation that He is after all righteous and that He shall indeed judge all sinners! Does God want simply to frighten man? Is God a cosmic bully bent on terrifying us? Not at all! The warnings are those provided by one who loves perfectly that we might be spared judgement! Is the policeman who warns of the consequence of speeding a bully? Is the physician who warns of the consequences of smoking a bully? Is the dentist who warns of the consequences of failure to care for our teeth a bully? These are friends who in each instance seek to spare us the injury which must occur if we ignore them? Just so, God is our friend seeking to spare us eternal condemnation when He warns us.

The certainty of the coming of Holy God to earth to judge is assumed throughout the New Testament and expanded throughout those pages. Jesus warns that it is He Himself who shall judge all mankind. This is evident from the words of the Son of God on this issue. His words are recorded in John 5:24-30. I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out — those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgement is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

Two thoughts must be pressed upon your heart concerning this issue surrounding the certainty of Christ’s coming to judge mankind. First, there is a distinction between those who shall be judged and those who shall be delivered. We do no favour to those outside of Christ and under sentence of death to deny this truth. We show ourselves to be true friends to such sinners when we warn them of the wrath to come. As stated both in the Old Testament texts and in the New Testament revelations, at Christ’s coming the wicked shall be judged, but the righteous shall be delivered. Is it not a mark of grace to warn of the wrath of God even while offering salvation and deliverance in Christ?

Again, the very fact that He speaks repeatedly of His coming, always revealing the purpose of His coming is to judge the wicked, points us now to mercy. Should an individual, you, now turn from the wickedness of your own way and embrace the Son of God as the Lord of your life and as your righteousness, you shall be among those delivered from that awesome judgement. The Psalmist, writing in the Second Psalm, concludes with this admonition:

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry

and you be destroyed in your way,

for his wrath can flare up in a moment.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

[Psalm 2:12]

Listen again to the words of commendation with which Paul began this letter to the beleaguered church. The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia — your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead — Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath [1 Thessalonians 1:8-10]. Focus especially on that final clause pointing to Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. The purpose of preaching the message of Christ today is that you may be rescued from the coming wrath; and that wrath must be awful to contemplate. We are told that the inhabitants of the earth on that day shall hide themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, crying out: Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand [Revelation 6:16,17]? Yet God pledges to rescue those who place their trust in His Son. This is grace indeed! This is grace extended even now in the midst of your rebellion!

The Timing of Christ's Return Is Known To God Alone. Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. Paul had no need to write about times and dates related to the Lord’s return because these saints were well informed that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. We must assume that these persecuted saints had heard these truths when Paul was with them during his brief ministry in Thessalonica. The implication conveyed by this knowledge is that the doctrine of Christ’s return was of sufficient importance in the whole of Christian doctrine that it occupied a foremost place in apostolic preaching.

The theme of Christ returning like a thief in the night to receive His own and to judge the wicked is relatively common in the New Testament after Paul’s writings, and it must have been a common concept among Christians prior to Paul’s ministry among the Thessalonians. It would appear to have been introduced very early into the growing corpus of theology of the nascent church and fully developed by the time Paul evangelised throughout Macedonia and Achaia.

Peter, writing in his second epistle, speaks of the day of the Lord, specifically stating that the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare [2 Peter 3:10]. The judgement of which we have spoken will be sudden and unexpected. You will recall that Jesus warned His disciples of the abruptness of His return in Matthew 24:42-44: keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

This theme of an unanticipated and surprising return is one which is iterated by the exiled John in the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Twice, Christ speaking through John in the Apocalypse addresses this issue. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you [Revelation 3:3], and Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed [Revelation 16:15]. Jesus our Lord promises that He shall return at a time when people are not expecting Him to do so. This being the case, we ought to be very careful whenever we are tempted to set a date to His coming.

Jesus’ disciples had seen Him following His resurrection. Jesus had walked among them for forty days, ministering to them and preparing them for His ascension. Assembled with them for the last time He spoke with them of the kingdom of God. They all appear to have wondered about the timing of His return. They asked, Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? He chided them for even asking the question with a rejoinder which stands to this day. It is not for you, He stated, to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority [Acts 1:6,7].

This was but an iteration of His early teaching concerning this same matter of timing of His return. You will no doubt recall the words which are recorded in Matthew 24:36-41: No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. People will be so caught up in the mundane details of daily existence that they are caught utterly unaware. There will be a great segregation as the saved are removed and the lost remain to enter into judgement.

The Events Heralding Christ's Return Are Detailed. We cannot know the precise timing of Christ’s return, but He has spoken of the conditions which will prevail immediately prior to His return. I caution you against drawing unwarranted conclusions on the basis of what you are about to hear. Paul appears to have lived in anticipation of the imminent return of His Lord; and so each of us who name that Holy Name today ought to live in anticipation of a momentary return. The whole of Paul’s Thessalonian letters and the tenor of his first Corinthian letter fairly breathe anticipation of the unveiling of the Millennial Age. It was an unwarranted search for signs which had brought the Thessalonians to a state of discouragement. Underscore that thought in your mind and avoid the danger of trying to look for what does not exist. Let us determine that we shall live in light of the promise of Christ’s return without investing energies in a fruitless search for signs purported to herald His return.

I do find that signs are identified, but they are enigmatic and obscure until we realise they are provided for Jews living in that day and not for believers who will be removed at the Rapture. While He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples specifically asked Jesus the question, What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age [Matthew 24:3]? The answer that Jesus provided pointed to (1) a multiplication of deceivers; (2) increasing international tensions; (3) increased natural disasters; (4) persecution of believers because of their faith; (5) apostasy on an unprecedented scale; and (6) a stunning increase in signs and miracles.

In the text before us now the Spirit of God appears to warn of a period when people seek peace and safety, perhaps through increasing pressure for international peace treaties or through increasing demands for personal safety. I bear this in mind as I witness the bleating of politicians even as they beat the tocsins of peace incessantly demanding peace and safety. I am cautious about lending my voice to demands which sacrifice principle and character and which so exalt these two admittedly precious commodities until they become the summum bonum of mankind.

Alternatively, it could be interpreted that unbelieving mankind will be lulled into a sense of personal peace and security concerning divine judgement. The most of mankind, and especially the lost among the population of the earth, will feel no terror of judgement and sense themselves at peace with God, having constructed Him in their image. In short, the Spirit of God may simply be indicating that mankind will have grown so generally insensible to divine peril that they are not in the least concerned about rendering an accounting to God. The latter in no way precludes the former.

You begin to get the picture that in retrospect it will be incredibly easy to draw conclusions concerning the signs immediately preceding Christ’s return. However, it may not be quite so easy to draw accurate conclusions prior to that day. May I state that I am convinced that Christ the Lord shall return and that His return is imminent. My conviction is based, not upon signs which require interpretation and which are subject to argument, but my conviction is based upon His clear promise. That promise is well known. To believers the comforting promise is this: In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am [John 14:2,3]. To outsiders the foreboding promise must forever remain: I am [the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One]…and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven [Mark 14:62]. Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, shall shortly return to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him [Jude 15].

The more complacent Christians grow, the less vocal they become in warning the lost. The less vocal are Christians in warning the lost, the less urgent their concern of the world about us. The less urgent the world about us, the closer we approach that awesome day of the Lord. For the most part I am addressing Christians in this hour. That would hold true almost anywhere I should minister today. Already we have reached a day in which churches, if they have any attendance at all, are populated with professing Christians. In an earlier day we would have found many inquirers seated among worshipers; but that does not appear to be the case today. Because I address Christians I am compelled by our Lord to be pointed in my appeal to the heart and conscience of my fellow believers.

This is a day requiring urgency for each individual who names the Name of Jesus Christ. As is stated in another place, we who are believers and confess Christ are responsible to now understand the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber [Romans 13:11]. Some among us must now openly declare allegiance to Christ, identifying with Him through open profession of faith and baptism. Neither family nor friends must dissuade such from this stance of love. This is nothing less than obedience to the command of Christ whom we call Lord. Others must openly unite with the people of God now. This is no time to hesitate. Take a stand. Live openly for Christ and honour Him as Master of life.

Others among us must cease from our shameful silence and begin to heed the message of the Master to Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full [Luke 14:23]. There should not be a week which passes but that we who confess that Holy Name invite others to trust Christ, invite others to hear the message of life, invite others to life. There should not be a Sunday but that this building is filled to overflowing because we have invited the lost to Christ and because we have invested time in prayer asking that God will graciously grant repentance resulting in life for those sharing in our worship.

Yet others among us need to be ashamed of lifestyles which identify us as practical atheists. Were our lives to be minutely examined we would be found to be Christians, but there would be nothing other than our profession to distinguish us from the pagans. For if Christ is coming again we are responsible to make ourselves ready for His coming just as is stated in the Ephesian letter:

Wake up, O sleeper,

rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you

Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ [Ephesians 5:14-20].

These matters — open confession and baptism, witnessing to the grace of God, inviting others to trust in our Lord Christ, fervently praying for the lost to be saved, living lives which honour the Lord, are not issues which require prayer and great thought — they are requirements of the child of God and are expected of all who aver and avow His lordship. Stop debating the issue and do what you know to be right now! Your delay and your indecision are an embarrassment to Him you call Lord and your life is proving a disgrace to the cause of Christ. Do right! And do it now.

I have no doubt that there may be among us other some who have yet to confess Christ. Should Christ return today you would no doubt be left to enter into that awful time of judgement. I would be remiss in my responsibility as a Christian and as a preacher of the Word were I to fail to warn you that God shall hold you accountable for what you have done with the knowledge of Christ. This is what I would urge you to do without delay. Today, in this hour, in the quietness of your own heart call out to God for mercy.

“Lord Jesus, I am a sinner and I realise that I am under condemnation. Be merciful to me. Save me from my sin. I believe you died because of me and I believe that you raised that I may live. Take control of my life; I no longer lay claim to the rule of my life but instead I submit to you as Lord of my life.” Such a prayer is predicated upon the revealed Word of God to sinners. In Romans 10:9,10 God promises that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. That same passage of the Word concludes with this gracious promise: Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved [Romans 10:13]. May that someone who this day calls on the name of the Lord be you. If it is you who today calls on Christ as Lord and Saviour, then I invite you to remember His promise that Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame [Romans 10:11]. Come now confessing Christ. Come now seeking identification with Him through baptism. Come now to openly unite with His church assuming your rightful place as one of His people. Come now to seek the prayers of His people as you cease from a life which demonstrates that you reign over your own heart. Come now openly stating that He shall have the rule of your life henceforth. May angels attend you in the way as you come and while we sing. Amen.