“Jesus is coming soon! His coming is closer now than it has ever been!” I could not possibly tell you the number of times I’ve heard that, and every time I hear it I think, “Well, that’s true, but…” Because you see, that statement could have been truthfully said two thousand years ago, and again fifteen hundred years ago, and again one thousand years ago, and again five hundred years ago, and again – well, again, this morning. And every time it has been said, it has been true. And every time it will in the future be said, it will be true. Ten minutes from now, it will be true. Ten days from now, ten years from now, ten decades from now, it will be true. Unless Jesus comes before then.

As time marches on, we do indeed draw closer to that moment when Jesus will come for His bride, the church. In one of my recent blogs I talked about getting ready, being ready, for the coming of our Lord. The more I consider world events, and the direction the world at large seems to be heading, I can’t help but think that Jesus’ arrival for the church is drawing close.

Please don’t misunderstand what I am saying or read more into my words than I intend. I am simply saying that it appears to me that many things the Bible says about the spiritual climate of the world at the time of Jesus’ return for His bride are glaringly apparent today. Indeed, His return is closer now than it has ever been.

I am not one who tries to set timetables. I am not suggesting that I have some insight into the matter of Jesus’ return that has been undisclosed to others. I am simply stating a Biblical fact: Jesus is coming, and His coming is closer than it has ever been. Could He come today? Yes. Could it be next week, next year? Yes. Let’s just cut to the bottom line: it could be at any moment. Any. Given. Moment!

Jesus spoke quite often about this matter, so He undoubtedly thought it was extremely important. He spoke about the necessity of being faithful stewards, of being watchful, of being alert, of knowing that He could come at any moment – so be prepared!

Now, here comes the kick-in-the-teeth, so to speak. It seems to me that we are living in a weakened spiritual state. The devil had already been doing a number on the American church before Covid hit, but he has multiplied his efforts exponentially since then. Many churches have bounced back seemingly stronger than before, but so many others have not bounced back at all. And, add to that the fact that the church had already begun to adapt to cultural practices and behaviors before the pandemic, so the devil had already been wreaking havoc. But now it seems his efforts have exploded!

Jesus spoke of being faithful stewards who are always busy about the Master’s business, even when the Master is away. It is in those times of the Master’s absence when the servants have the tendency to get a bit lazy. Those are the ones who will be reprimanded severely at the Master’s return. There are many Biblical admonitions and warnings concerning this matter, but I will close with just a couple for your prayerful consideration:

“It is required of stewards that one be found faithful.”

First Corinthians 4:2

“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.”

First Thessalonians 5:1-2

If you are not a faithful servant, but rather one who is giving no attention to your spiritual health, then you need to change – immediately. If you are not already prepared, then get prepared – now!

Remember: Any. Given. Moment.