Jesus is coming soon

General Faith
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Please hear me.

The Bible says: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” — Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus is coming soon. Truly, He is coming soon. And He is not coming the way many think.

He is not coming for the poor, and He is not coming for the rich.
He is not coming for the sick, and He is not coming for the healthy.
He is not coming for the black, and He is not coming for the white.
He is not coming for the American or the African, the educated or the uneducated.
He is not coming for the Baptist, or the Catholic, or the Pentecostal, or the Methodist.
He is not coming for those who shout the loudest in church.
He is not coming for those with big titles, big money, or big crowds.

He is coming for you and I.

He is coming for the heart that has truly repented. For the soul that wept in secret and said, “Lord, forgive me, I have gone astray.”

He is coming for the one who left the wide road — the road of pride, of unforgiveness, of lust, of hatred, of fake Christianity and chose the lonely, narrow road of holiness, of mercy, of prayer.

where are we walking today?

The wide road is crowded, but the narrow road is empty. And many of us who say “Lord, Lord” are still on the wide road.

I include myself. I have failed Him. I have said I love Him while my heart loved this world. And today I am weeping for my own soul.

I am pleading with you. Repent today. Not tomorrow.

Kneel and tell Him the truth:
“Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I have sinned against You in thoughts, in words, in deeds. Wash me with Your blood. Forgive me. Change my heart. Take me off the wide road and put my feet on the narrow road, even if I walk it alone. Make me ready for Your coming.”

He still forgives. He still cleanses. He is still calling.

Do not wait. One day the door will be shut.

Jesus is coming soon. Not for groups. Not for colors. Not for tribes. Not for Christian forum

He is coming for you and I.

Will He find us ready?

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Thank you for sharing this powerful reminder, Kien.

It is so easy to rely on labels, church attendance, or outward appearances while letting our inner lives slide. The call to examine our own hearts with humility and genuine repentance is at the very core of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7.

Taking time to step back, turn away from self-reliance, and seek a daily, personal walk on that narrow road is something we all need to be reminded of. Praying that the peace and grace of God meet you right where you are today.

Be blessed. Be a blessing.

Peter

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Actually, the old man with the scythe is coming for us long before Jesus does. However, we can aspire to see our children and grandchildren serving the Lord we love so much. And do our best to give them a head start in godly living.

A sane, healthy eschatology gives us the middle distance. By faith, we can undertake tasks that will bear fruit for centuries to come. (think of Handel’s Messiah or Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.)

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I know we have dove into this topic before; however, I would love for you to share when and how you think Jesus is returning. I know you believe Revelation has already taken place, which, of course, you know I disagree with. Way too many things have not taken place yet; it may be my lapsing memory, but have you shared what you do believe about his return? Surely you do not believe we will just go on like this forever?

Peter

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See Psalm 110, the OT chapter most frequently quoted, cited, referenced, paraphrased, and echoed in the NT. Jesus is Lord. He rules, now, from the right hand of the Father. God’s enemies, and ours, are being subdued, one by one. Evil is engaged in a long, snarling, rearguard battle that looks ferocious, mostly because it is in retreat.(1)

Read I Cor. 15, for a lengthy meditation on Psalm 110. Eventual, only one enemy will remain. Then, not before, our Lord will return in the flesh to put an end to death. Our physical bodies will be resurrected, and glad eternity rules and rolls.

Are you asserting that Jesus isn’t Lord, this side of His return in the flesh? Are you asserting that His gospel isn’t spreading, and transforming all of life? Hey, we know the name of the last person to suffer Smallpox. There’s no longer a market for child-sized iron lungs. Child mortality from traffic accidents has decreased 71% in the last few decades.

And nothing good is going on? Please take heed to your soul. The sin of ingratitude can blind one to God’s goodness and mercy.

____

(1) See the hysterical and demented ravings provoked by TDS. It’s interesting to have a professional entertainer in the White House, who provokes the haters of God and man into impotent rage, with a smile.

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@Dr_S You claim: Christ’s enemies are being subdued one by one through social/historical progress until only death remains, at which point He returns.

Here is the problem with this view. 1 Corinthians 15:24–26 states that Christ reigns until He puts all enemies under His feet, and the last enemy destroyed is death. However, New Testament eschatology repeatedly emphasizes that this final victory involves direct, apocalyptic judgment by Christ at His Second Coming, not merely gradual human improvement or societal Christianization (e.g., 2 Thessalonians 1:6–10, Revelation 19:11–21).

Then you claim: Declining smallpox, fewer polio iron lungs, and safer cars prove Christ’s Gospel is subduing His enemies? Eradicating disease and improving road safety are gifts of God’s common grace and human technology, but they are not the same as the regeneration of human hearts through the Gospel. Secular, atheist, and pagan nations also eradicate smallpox and lower traffic fatalities. Conflating technological/medical advancement with spiritual victory is a category mistake.

Asking if history continues like this implies denying that Jesus is currently Lord or ignoring God’s goodness? Jesus is unequivocally Lord right now (Matthew 28:18). Expecting a distinct, dramatic intervention to end the present evil age (Galatians 1:4) isn’t “denying His lordship.” it is agreeing with Scripture’s teaching that the present world system remains broken, full of tribulation (John 16:33), and under the influence of the “god of this world” until Christ returns to judge and make all things new (2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 21:5).

You use a footnote to tie your theological optimism to modern politics. Engaging in political debates often derails the core theological discussion; it is usually best to keep the focus centered on Scripture.

As we have discussed in the past, there are indeed WAY too many things that will need to take place that have not, to say revelations is a history book and not what it is. Biblical prophecy yet to come.

Peter

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The present system of those who God used to write the NT was an evil era. Apostate Israel had handed over God’s ultimate emissary, His Son, to crucifixion – and they thought they’d gotten away with that treason. In answer to our Lord’s prayers, God delayed the judgement for the rest of that wicked generation.

2Co 4:4 ἐν οἷς ὁ θεὸς τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου ἐτύφλωσε τὰ νοήματα τῶν ἀπίστων εἰς τὸ μὴ αὐγάσαι αὐτοῖς τὸν φωτισμὸν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τῆς δόξης τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὅς ἐστι εἰκὼν τοῦ Θεοῦ.

Era is a better translation than world for αἰῶνος in this context.

Consider the direct object of the most famous NT verse. WHAT was it that God so loved? His injured creation. HOW did He go about mending that harm? By conscripting a new band of champions to work with Him in the work of restoration.

The big problem with being a perfectionists is that “better” is never good enough. Be honest – most personal growth in grace happens gradually, as we walk in faith through our assigned lives for year after year. So, too, does our God’s gracious work in the vast universe around us, as well as the half-vast “universe” inside us.

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See there you go again my friend. By shifting the definition of aiōn from a global/spatial “world” to a historical “age/era”, and restricting “the god of this age” to first-century apostate Judaism or the Roman/Jewish power structure of that era, you are arguing that the “evil world system” was actually fulfilled and wrapped up in AD 70 with the fall of Jerusalem and the Old Covenant system.

This is simply not true. Yes, you are correct on a basic Greek vocabulary detail: Kosmos (κόσμος): Refers to the physical world, creation, or humanity as an ordered system (e.g., John 3:16).Aiōn (αἰών): Refers to a period of time, an era, an epoch, or an “age” (e.g., 2 Cor 4:4). So, translating aiōn as “age” or “era” rather than physical “world” is actually standard in modern translations (NASB, ESV, NIV). However, identifying which age Paul is referring to is where you are incorrect. The core flaw in your argument is “This Age” vs. “The Age to Come.” You attempt to restrict “this age” (ho aiōn houtos) strictly to the 1st-century Jewish era before AD 70.

But New Testament writers consistently contrast “this age” with “the age to come” in a way that spans all of human history before Christ’s physical, bodily return. In Galatians 1:4, Paul says Jesus died to deliver us from “the present evil age” (tou aiōnos tou enestōtos ponērou).

In 1 Corinthians 2:6, Paul speaks of “the rulers of this age, who are passing away.” In Ephesians 2:2, living in sin is following “the course of this age” (kat’ aiōna tou kosmou toutou). If “this age” ended completely in AD 70, then Satan is no longer active, spiritual blindness has ceased, suffering/tribulation is over, and the world is currently operating in the fully realized, sinless “Age to Come.”

Yet, 1 John 5:19, written late in the 1st century, affirms that “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” Your view forces you to ignore present spiritual reality. While the Old Covenant era ended, the broader fallen age of death, sin, and spiritual warfare continues until the final resurrection.

You claim that 2 Corinthians 4:4 is describing apostate 1st-century Jewish leaders or an era of apostasy. However, the text is pretty clear. Paul writes that "the god of this age (ho theos tou aiōnos toutou) has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel".

Throughout Scripture, the entity who deceives unbelievers and holds spiritual dominion over the unredeemed is Satan (cf. Ephesians 2:2, John 12:31, John 16:11). To argue that the “god of this age” was merely a past 1st-century Roman/Jewish religious political dynamic implies that unbelievers today are no longer spiritually blinded by Satan. A position flatly contradicted by experience and scripture.

You wrote, “God delayed the judgment… conscripting a new band of champions… most personal growth… happens gradually… So, too, does our God’s gracious work in the vast universe around us.” This reflects an Over-Realized Eschatology (often seen in Postmillennialism or Full Preterism): The world is constantly getting better, and Christ’s kingdom will gradually Christianize and mend the physical earth without needing a literal, visible return of Christ to put down rebellion.

This is also completely wrong. While believers are called to be salt and light, Scripture explicitly warns that in the last days, “evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). Jesus Himself asked, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8). Personal sanctification is indeed gradual, but the complete eradication of evil, death, and satanic influence requires Christ’s literal, bodily return to judge the living and the dead.

Peter

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Since meanwhile we do nothing? Since we can’t really hope to achieve anything of lasting value? Got it! That simplifies things enormously! Playing in a sandbox is much easier than achieving real results in the real world, the universe outside of our navels.

Do the math, dear friend!

7 * 24 = 168 hours per week

168 - (7*8) = 168-56 which = 112 WAKING hours per week

Let’s assume it takes 4 hours to dress up for, drive to, sit through, and come home from “church.”

4/112 = 0.0357142857 or 0.036% of our waking hours “given to God” per week in the charming little sandbox where 𝖜𝖊 permit Jesus to be Lord.

But has the Bible nothing to say about the application of God’s wisdom to statecraft? Justice? Civil government? Work? Investments? You know, the OTHER 96% of life?

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You are attempting a classic rhetorical pivot, using a strawman argument to deflect from the actual theological debate. See what you did here? Rather than addressing my exegetical points about 2 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Timothy 3:13, or the Biblical usage of aiōn, you shifted to an emotional/practical charge, accusing me of advocating for a “do-nothing,” world-evading, “sandbox” Christianity that ignores God’s lordship over all of life.

First, I reject the false binary that one must either hold to Full Preterism/Postmillennial optimism or become a passive, world-denying recluse. Historic, orthodox Christianity commands robust cultural engagement, justice, and faithful labor without needing to pretend the fallen age has completely ended. We labor faithfully in the present age because Christ is King, but we look to His physical return to consummate the Kingdom and eliminate evil.

Historic Christianity has always held that believers are called to be salt and light in all 112 waking hours of the week (Colossians 3:23, Matthew 5:13–16, Proverbs 8:15–16) without believing that human effort alone will eradicate sin and Satan before Christ’s return.

Christ’s reign is inaugurated now (Already), which drives our daily work, statecraft, and stewardship. But the full manifestation of His Kingdom awaiting the final resurrection (Not Yet) protects us from both triumphalism (pretending sin/death are already gone) and cynicism (doing nothing). The greatest champions of social justice, civil reform, and daily vocation in Church history (e.g., William Wilberforce, the early Church caring for plagues, the Reformation work ethic) believed firmly in a future literal return of Christ, yet labored untiringly in the present world.

Be blessed.

Peter

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It seems to me Jesus is already here. We can’t see him but we can talk with him.

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Of course, spiritually He is living inside you. He will be until his physical return. Of course, we will always have the Word as well. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Matthew 24:35

Be blessed, be a blessing.

Peter