Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a heightened interest regarding the timing and signs of Jesus’s Second Coming. Even for Jesus’ disciples, this was a hot topic before Jesus’s crucifixion and ascension. “When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matt 24:3) “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)
If you look into Jesus’ responses, he said that “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matt 24:36) and that “the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matt 24:44). He goes on to say, “It is not for you to know the times or dates.” (Acts 1:7). Even so, some try to muddy the waters by claiming that even though we cannot know the exact date, it is possible to pre-empt and that it helps to prepare for His Second Coming.
However, Jesus warns us that this type of attitude can be even more dangerous. Regarding his Second Coming, Jesus urged us to do two things: to not be deceived and to keep watch. It is important to note here that those more likely to be deceived are those who are interested in the timing and signs of Jesus’s Second Coming, rather than those who love the world and are spiritually asleep.
Because people typically look for signs when speculating the time, Jesus warns us not to be alarmed due to wars, famines, earthquakes, etc, as these are only the beginning and not the signs. “Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” (Matt 24:6-8). Concerning His Second Coming, Jesus also talked about Jerusalem being thrown down, lightening in the sky from east to west, and the parable of the fig tree. These were intended to let us know that His Second Coming will be undeniably known to everyone. However, contrary to Jesus’ intentions, people refer to these verses to try to predict His Second Coming. Conscious of this possible misunderstanding, Jesus goes on to tell the parable of the ten virgins and concludes with the exhortation to “therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matt 25:13)
The church in Thessalonica, which was founded by the apostle Paul during his second missionary, had a great interest in Jesus’ Second Coming. To the believers who were becoming unsettled or afraid, Paul warned them not to be deceived by false prophecy or letters (2 Thess 2:1-3). Paul mentions the appearance of the Antichrist, but this was intended to let the believers know that they should not be afraid of Jesus’ Second Coming. However, people use these verses to try and calculate the date of His Second Coming.
It is undeniable that both Jesus and his apostles emphasized on Jesus’ Second Coming. We are told to preach the gospel of the kingdom to all nations until the end (Matt 24:14, Acts 1:8). Towards the church in Thessalonica, Paul advised that the only way to not be deceived is to love Jesus Christ, who is the truth, instead of trying to predict the time of His Second Coming (2 Thess 2:9-12).
Only by focusing on Jesus Christ himself can we be truly spiritually awake. Too much interest in the time and the signs of Jesus’ Second Coming takes away our current life from loving and serving Jesus Christ. Rather, it leads people to focus too much on what’s going on around the world and as a result, live in fear.
