“There are two days in my calendar: this day and that day,” quipped Martin Luther about Christ’s second coming. We have come a long way since Luther’s statement, with most believers erring dramatically in one of two directions.

One extreme is being more concerned about dates, times, and signs than with His return.  The other extreme is to ignore the promise of His return and go through life as if He’s not coming back.  Frankly, I don’t know which one is worse.

This ought not to be the case because Christians are “second coming” people. Though there may be differing viewpoints and positions on the end times, we are unified on Christ’s literal and coming return.

While we wait

For Christians, though, the most important question is not if Jesus will return—that is settled—and not when he will return—that is unknowable. The most helpful question to ask is: “So what?”  In other words, we should be asking what we are to do until He returns.  I say that because that’s what Jesus spoke about.  When He talked with His disciples, Jesus talked about what they should be doing until He did return.

Jesus’ second coming is not an abstract doctrine with no bearing on the Christian life. Instead, the New Testament refers to Jesus’ return with applicability. The Bible is full of references to Jesus’ second coming. These passages come not as an eschatological data dump but as a forthcoming event to shape a Christian’s life. The letters of the apostle Paul speak with special relevance. Paul frequently references and even elaborates on the timing and circumstances of Christ’s return.

In studying Paul’s many references to the second coming, one finds that the apostle emphasizes not only Jesus’ return but the church’s posture as the bride in waiting. What Jesus will do and when He will do it are not unimportant considerations, but they are not the most urgent. The most pressing concern for believers is how we should live in light of His impending return.

Longing for His return

As Christians, we should hope, yearn, and even expect Jesus’ return. Until He comes, we find ourselves with the saints of the ages, longing for the day when the kingdom of this world becomes the kingdom of our Lord and of Christ and praying with the saints of the ages, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Here at the Mannford Church of Christ, we are excited about our congregational theme for 2025, “Until He Comes.”

What should we be doing until Christ returns?

We will focus on:

• Being led by the Spirit
• Serving others
• Praising God
• Following Jesus

We invite you to join us at the Mannford church to explore these themes and worship with us on Sundays. Bible study is at 9:30 a.m., worship is at 10:30 a.m., and midweek Bible study is at 6:00 p.m.

We would love to connect your family with our family!