When’s it Going to Happen?

Testimony of Jesus, Chapter 2

ESCHATOLOGY (continued): the Wonder of When

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His servants the things that must soon take place. Revelation 1:1

Because we are fallen descendants of our father, Adam, patience is a virtue just beyond the grasp of our corrupt flesh. Apart from the grace of God in Christ Jesus, we want patience, and we want it NOW. From the first verse, we’re told this book was given us so we may see what Christ Jesus has shown concerning “the things that must soon take place.” Although we are told it is soon, we still ask, “When?” If you’ve ever had that thought or entertained the notion, don’t beat yourself up over it. The disciples, too, had a curiosity in the events surrounding the consummation of all things. They asked the risen Lord Jesus,

“Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6

You do recall the Lord’s answer, right?

 “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.” Acts 1:7

Yes, the “when” of Christ’s return has puzzled many a believer, but it has also perplexed the cavilers, naysayers, and scoffers, as Peter tells us:

They will say, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 3:4

When last we left off, we briefly read Peter’s first epistle, whereas he mentioned the eternal gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, slain before the foundation of the world, that…

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you” 1 Peter 1:20

Peter used the term “last times,” the Greek εσχατου των χρoνων (ES-xat-ou tōn XRON-ōn). By his estimation, he was in the last or end of days. And why not? He preached this at the Temple on the Day of Pentecost, quoting Joel 2:28-29,

“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on My male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out My Spirit, and they shall prophesy.’” Acts 2:17-18

On that Pentecostal day, all the Lord’s disciples were gathered at the Temple because, as devout Jews, that’s where they would all be (Acts 2:1); observing the weekly Sabbaths, the Sabbath holy days, and Sabbath feasts. The house where they gathered was the House of the LORD when the sound like a mighty rushing wind came (Acts 2:2). Then something like tongues of fire rested upon them, as only they could see this apparition, since it “appeared to them” (Acts 2:3). The Lord’s disciples “were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). Since they were at the Temple, “devout men from every nation under heaven” were there as well, temporarily living in Jerusalem for the Feast (Acts 2:5). These devout Jews were bewildered when they heard this supernatural phenomenon, “because each one was hearing them speak in his own language” (Acts 2:6). They recognized the disciples’ dress, accents, and mannerisms as being rustic rubes from Galilee (Acts 2:7), wondering, “And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians— we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:8-11). They “all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others mocking said, ‘They are filled with new wine’” (Acts 2:12-13). Peter interpreted this manifestation of tongues by saying to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel” (Acts 2:14-16).

Peter’s interpretation of tongues included in the explanation the proof text from Joel chapter 2, as cited earlier. By his use of the term εν ταις εσχαταις ημεραις, “in the last days,” I suggest to you that this was the beginning of the last days. We’ve been in the last days for some 2,000 years.

John, the beloved apostle, agrees:

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 1 John 2:18

The writer to the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem says likewise:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the Heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. Hebrews 1:1-2

Granted, the Scriptures do speak of some later events as yet future, whereas Paul warns the young pastor, Timothy, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons” (1 Tim 4:1); however, it should be understood that these “later times,” or “latter times” (KJV), is a different Greek term than “last days,” “last hour,” or “end times.” Paul did not deny that he lived in the last days during the writing of his letter, he was simply saying that there would be occasions beyond the current moment when there would be a departure from the faith. A quick glance at the New Testament overall, especially in epistles such as Jude, 2 Peter, Galatians, and Hebrews, can tell you that this had already begun in Paul’s time.

Doctrinally, Christ’s coming is imminent. It can happen suddenly, without any other warning. In other words, since the Day of Pentecost, technically and theologically speaking, the Lord’s coming could have occurred at any time. “Wait a minute, pastor!” one may exclaim, “didn’t Jesus say that the gospel must be preached to every nation first?”

“Yes He did,” is my agreeable answer. Jesus did say that, and as His disciples, we are to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19). Moreover, the Lord Jesus expressly said,

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14

Now, you remember Acts chapter two, right? The fifth verse says,

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. Acts 2:5

That’s the God-breathed Word of Scripture that tells us Christ’s prophecy has been fulfilled. Was every single nation there? Of course not. The U.S.A. had not even been imagined. Nevertheless, as far as the Holy Spirit is concerned, God’s Word discloses that the national requirement by gospel preaching was accomplished at Pentecost 2,000 years ago.

The question of when Christ will come must remain a question unanswered because you and I would be given to laxity in our faith otherwise. Our love for Christ would wax cold. Our zeal for Christ would border on indifference. Our faith in Christ would grow weak.

Moreover, the urgency for preaching the gospel resides under two powerful truths: (1) the imminent return of Christ; and (2) the uncertainty of one’s death.

Allow me to leave you with a small gift with regard to when the Lord Jesus Christ will return. This isn’t original with me. A dear brother and friend of mine, William W. Sasser, Jr., pastor of Grace Church at Franklin, had a short explanation of the coming of Christ. The following isn’t exactly how Bill presented it when first I heard it years ago. I’ve adjusted it somewhat, but based upon what I learned from my dear brother, I pray this is a blessing to you.

First, the Lord Jesus will come when it pleases Him to do so. Since Jesus Christ is very God, the second Person of the Trinity, then what the psalmist declares of God is true of the Lord Jesus Messiah as well: “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases” (Psa 115:3).

Second, the Lord Jesus will come when He has accomplished all He has purposed in His most excellent counsel to do. Speaking through the prophet, Isaiah, the Lord Jesus says of Himself, “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose’” (Isa 46:9-10). Moreover, it says that He will reign upon His throne “until He has put all His enemies under His feet” (1 Cor 15:25). Through the Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus is ruling and reigning over His church-militant to put down principalities, powers, spiritual wickedness in high places, and the rulers of darkness in this age. It is an unseen realm in which you and I do battle through prayer, and only the Lord Jesus knows when it is over.

Third, the Lord Jesus is coming soon. It is written, “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (Jas 4:14). In the eternal scheme of things, the few years we have on this planet are but a drop in an infinite bucket. Time is so fleeting when compared to God’s eternal perspective, Moses declared, “For a thousand years in Your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night” (Psa 90:4). Before you know it, it’s over.

Finally, the Lord Jesus will come for some today. It is written, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Heb 9:27). Death swings quickly and unexpectedly with an unseen reaper’s scythe, so looking for the Lord’s coming in the sky matters not to those who suddenly die.

May the Lord Jesus bless and keep you until He comes again.

“If not now, when?” Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash