Mission Venture Ministries

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:12-13) 

As we prepare for the Christmas season, who is it we are waiting for? 

Jesus first came to earth as a baby over 2,000 years ago, but the exact year and date are uncertain. He was born in a humble stable in the town of Bethlehem (Luke 2:4). When Jesus comes again, nobody will know except the Lord. Not even the angels will be able to predict the date. Matthew 24:36 says “But of that a day and hour known, no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” He will however, return to earth by coming down from the heavens (Mathew 24:30, Acts 1:11) but this time as the Lion of Judah and a warrior King. 

John also tells us in the revelations of Jesus Christ that, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20). 

As we think on these verses and look back at the promises of God’s redemptive plan and consider our place in that timeline of history we realize that the imminent return of Jesus draws nearer every breath we take. Therefore if we are anticipating the return of Jesus at any moment, it should radically change how we live, as well as giving our mission and outlook in life a much deeper purpose. 

One of the reasons being is, that as we anticipate the return of Christ our priorities will become less self-focused and more Kingdom-focused. Meaning, why would we pile up resources to use for our own pleasure and temporal joys when the world needs Jesus. Please understand that focusing on the mission that God has given all believers doesn’t make us loose the joy of life, but it will certainly prevent us from wasting our resources without caring for the lost world that is perishing around us. 

Throughout Scripture we find admonitions given to us about the Lord’s return. The Lord said repeatedly that we are to watch for His coming because we do not know the day or hour of His return (Matthew 24:42; Matthew 25:13). In Luke 21:36, Jesus gave this specific instruction: “Keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.” 

We are to do more than pray as we watch, and to stand fast in the faith with courage and strength (1 Corinthians 16:13). We are to watch soberly, arming ourselves with faith, love, and salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8). As we watch, we are to remain especially aware of false prophets. We are to discern the spirits and to reject soundly all who do not confess that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh (2 Peter2:1; 1 John 4:1-2). 

Jesus spoke to John in a vision and gave this great promise to those who remain watchful: “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake” (Revelation 16:15). 

We are to be the Lord’s witnesses, telling of the love of God and the atoning death of Jesus Christ because God calls us to win souls. We are to testify about what He has done in our own lives, both with our words and by our example. So long as there remains a soul on earth who hasn’t heard the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have work to do! We must grow in spiritual discernment and in the wisdom of God. Our faith must be strengthened and used so that our prayers and our actions more effectively build up the Lord’s kingdom. 

The return of Christ is always presented in Scripture as a great motivation to action, not as a reason to cease from action. Some, unaware of God’s words are tempted to stop what they are doing and just “wait,” when Jesus himself said in the parable of the ten talents, to keep working “until I come back” (Luke 19:13).

We believe that the return of Jesus Christ is imminent, that is, His return could occur at any moment; therefore, along with the apostle Paul, we look for “the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). 

The apostles lived and served with the idea that Jesus could return within their lifetime; if they had ceased from their labors and just “waited,” they would have been in disobedience to Christ’s command to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15), and the gospel would not have been spread. 

The apostles understood that Jesus’ imminent return meant they must busy themselves with God’s work. They lived life to the fullest, as if every day were their last. We, too, should view every day as a gift and use it to glorify God. 

Remember, Christ could come at any moment. We believe this with all our heart, because of what we read in Scripture. And when the Lion of the tribe of Judah returns He will make all things new. There will be no more death, no more tears, and no more pain for the former things will have passed away and the believer will live with the Lord forever. 

As you celebrate the birth of our Savior please remember that His return is imminent, so be prepared and alert! 

Maranatha, come, Lord Jesus! 

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