Life Principle 30
An eager anticipation of the Lord’s return keeps us living productively. (Rev 22:12)
An eager anticipation of the Lord’s return keeps us living productively. (Rev 22:12)
Life’s Questions
What would you do if you knew that Jesus was returning in just a few hours? Would you be happy and prepare for the celebration? Or would you want to clean up some aspects of your life?
*** When the Lord returns in all His glory, will He find you eager to see Him?
The Second Coming of Christ should be a joyous time for all believers. After all, 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 tells us, “The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command ... After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” When the Lord returns, He is coming to take you to your new home in heaven—to the place that He has prepared especially for you (see John 14:1–3). It is going to be a wonderful time and you don’t want any regrets to taint your happy reunion with the Lord. That’s why Life Principle 30 admonishes, An eager anticipation of the Lord’s return keeps us living productively.
What the Bible Says
Read Matthew 24:36–44. Does anyone know when Jesus will return (Matt 24:36)?
How did Noah know that the flood was coming (Matt 24:37-39; also see Gen. 6:13–22)? Who else knew?
What kinds of activities will people be doing when the Son of God returns (Matt 24:40-41)?
Why should you be watchful for Christ’s return, even though you don’t know when He is coming (Matt 24:42-44)?
Read Matthew 24:45–51. What happened to the servant who was hard at work preparing for the master’s return (Matt 24:45-47)?
How do you think believers should prepare for Christ’s return (Matt 24:46; also see 1 Thess. 5:2–11)?
What happened to the evil servant (Matt 24:48-51)?
Whom do you need to warn about the consequences of ignoring the Lord’s return (Matt 24:50-51)?
*** At the Great White Throne Judgment (see Rev. 20:11–15), everyone is judged according to whether or not they’ve accepted Christ as their Savior. Those who have not will be cast into the lake of fire. Those who have been redeemed will be welcomed into heaven. However, believers will also face an assessment of their works at “the judgment seat of Christ” (see 1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:9–10).
What It Means
You may be thinking, Even during Jesus’ time, they thought that He was going to return quickly. The Lord’s return is probably a lot further off than we think. We have plenty of time. However, that is an extremely unwise way to live. You have no idea when God will call you home to heaven—by His return or by some other means. You also don’t know when He will require the souls of your loved ones (see Luke 12:20). None of us are promised tomorrow (see James 4:13–15). You always need to remember that you may see the Lord at any minute, because that can keep you motivated to serve Him with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Life Examples
Read Revelation 22:1–5. What will heaven be like (Rev 22:1-2)? What will believers do there (Rev 22:3-5)?
Read Revelation 22:6–21. Does this passage of Scripture anticipate a long or short amount of time before the Lord returns (Rev 22:6-7)? Could Jesus return today?
What is Christ’s promise to those who serve Him faithfully (Rev 22:12-14)?
Who will be excluded from heaven (Rev 22:15)? Do you know anyone who will be locked out?
*** There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Rev. 21:27)
You are the church—the bride of Christ. Have you bid everyone to “‘Come!’ ... Let him who thirsts come ... take the water of life freely” (Rev 22:17)?
What will your reaction be when Christ returns (Rev 22:20)?
Living the Principle
Christ’s Second Coming should not be just a far off hope for you. It should be a daily reminder that God is always active in your life. God leaves you on earth after you are saved for two main reasons: One is to grow spiritually in oneness with Him; the second is to lead others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Is that what you’ve been busy doing? Have you been seeking and serving Him, remembering the reward that awaits you? It’s good to keep His return at the forefront of your mind so that, when you do finally meet Jesus, you can be just as glad to see Him as He is to see you.
Therefore, be motivated! Rejoice! Live your life to the fullest and set your eyes and heart firmly on the promise of Christ’s return. He’s prepared a great reward and a wonderful home for you in heaven. Therefore be strong—diligently working and expectantly watching—because one day, probably sooner than you expect, you are going to see Him face to face.
How will you live out Life Principle 30 this week? Discuss how you feel about the Second Coming of Christ. Celebrate His presence with each other. Talk about how you can watch for His return and live faithful lives that will please Him. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life, so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
What would you do if you knew that Jesus was returning in just a few hours? Would you be happy and prepare for the celebration? Or would you want to clean up some aspects of your life?
*** When the Lord returns in all His glory, will He find you eager to see Him?
The Second Coming of Christ should be a joyous time for all believers. After all, 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 tells us, “The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command ... After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” When the Lord returns, He is coming to take you to your new home in heaven—to the place that He has prepared especially for you (see John 14:1–3). It is going to be a wonderful time and you don’t want any regrets to taint your happy reunion with the Lord. That’s why Life Principle 30 admonishes, An eager anticipation of the Lord’s return keeps us living productively.
What the Bible Says
Read Matthew 24:36–44. Does anyone know when Jesus will return (Matt 24:36)?
How did Noah know that the flood was coming (Matt 24:37-39; also see Gen. 6:13–22)? Who else knew?
What kinds of activities will people be doing when the Son of God returns (Matt 24:40-41)?
Why should you be watchful for Christ’s return, even though you don’t know when He is coming (Matt 24:42-44)?
Read Matthew 24:45–51. What happened to the servant who was hard at work preparing for the master’s return (Matt 24:45-47)?
How do you think believers should prepare for Christ’s return (Matt 24:46; also see 1 Thess. 5:2–11)?
What happened to the evil servant (Matt 24:48-51)?
Whom do you need to warn about the consequences of ignoring the Lord’s return (Matt 24:50-51)?
*** At the Great White Throne Judgment (see Rev. 20:11–15), everyone is judged according to whether or not they’ve accepted Christ as their Savior. Those who have not will be cast into the lake of fire. Those who have been redeemed will be welcomed into heaven. However, believers will also face an assessment of their works at “the judgment seat of Christ” (see 1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:9–10).
What It Means
You may be thinking, Even during Jesus’ time, they thought that He was going to return quickly. The Lord’s return is probably a lot further off than we think. We have plenty of time. However, that is an extremely unwise way to live. You have no idea when God will call you home to heaven—by His return or by some other means. You also don’t know when He will require the souls of your loved ones (see Luke 12:20). None of us are promised tomorrow (see James 4:13–15). You always need to remember that you may see the Lord at any minute, because that can keep you motivated to serve Him with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Life Examples
Read Revelation 22:1–5. What will heaven be like (Rev 22:1-2)? What will believers do there (Rev 22:3-5)?
Read Revelation 22:6–21. Does this passage of Scripture anticipate a long or short amount of time before the Lord returns (Rev 22:6-7)? Could Jesus return today?
What is Christ’s promise to those who serve Him faithfully (Rev 22:12-14)?
Who will be excluded from heaven (Rev 22:15)? Do you know anyone who will be locked out?
*** There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Rev. 21:27)
You are the church—the bride of Christ. Have you bid everyone to “‘Come!’ ... Let him who thirsts come ... take the water of life freely” (Rev 22:17)?
What will your reaction be when Christ returns (Rev 22:20)?
Living the Principle
Christ’s Second Coming should not be just a far off hope for you. It should be a daily reminder that God is always active in your life. God leaves you on earth after you are saved for two main reasons: One is to grow spiritually in oneness with Him; the second is to lead others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Is that what you’ve been busy doing? Have you been seeking and serving Him, remembering the reward that awaits you? It’s good to keep His return at the forefront of your mind so that, when you do finally meet Jesus, you can be just as glad to see Him as He is to see you.
Therefore, be motivated! Rejoice! Live your life to the fullest and set your eyes and heart firmly on the promise of Christ’s return. He’s prepared a great reward and a wonderful home for you in heaven. Therefore be strong—diligently working and expectantly watching—because one day, probably sooner than you expect, you are going to see Him face to face.
How will you live out Life Principle 30 this week? Discuss how you feel about the Second Coming of Christ. Celebrate His presence with each other. Talk about how you can watch for His return and live faithful lives that will please Him. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life, so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
- We are to watch for the Lord’s return (see Ezek. 33:7; Mark 13:32–33).
- We are to work as if the Lord were returning soon (see Matt. 9:37–38; 24:45–47).
- We are to eagerly anticipate the Lord’s return (see Isa. 62:11–12).