Boy, Have I Got News For You!

"Behold, I am coming soon!" (Revelation 22:7a)

Jesus said He would return soon. But many people will ask, "If He said He's coming soon, why hasn't He come yet?" And, that is a valid question ... why HASN'T Jesus come yet?

There's a little problem that prevents Him from coming yet ... it's us. We're not ready. By "we", I mean the Church, the corporate Bride of Christ.

Jesus said He would return, and He will. John 14:1-3 says, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." [emphasis mine]

But the Church isn't living in daily anticipation of His return.

Be honest ... have you even thought about Jesus' imminent return today? Has it even entered your mind to prepare your heart because today may just be the day He returns?

I thought so! If you're in relationship with Christ, you likely got up, read your morning devotional, prayed a few minutes, grabbed a cup of coffee and headed out the door to work. Getting involved with your daily activities clouded any hint of anticipation ... there's simply too much to think about, too much to do, too much occupying your mind to sit and contemplate the return of Christ. Like most Christians, you acknowledge He's coming, but it's still a futuristic thought unaccompanied by any sense of urgency.

Years ago I asked my mother if she was ready for Jesus to return, she responded with a question: "People have been saying He's coming back for centuries; why should I think He's coming back now?" And generally, that's the feeling most people have, if they even consider it at all.

When will He return? When His Church -- His Bride, His Beloved, His Betrothed -- is eagerly anticipating His return. He'll return when we begin to long for Him as a bride would her husband. He'll return when the Father sees the Bride has completed her preparations and has her garments washed clean, her body cleansed and purified, and her heart prepared to fulfill the longing of her Husband. And, He won't return until then!

Many people sigh and say, "Oh, how I long for Jesus to come!"

Listen! His coming is not a means of escape from this sin-sick world. It's the culmination of the eternal plan of God to provide for His Son, Jesus Christ, a Bride ... a very special Bride that meets every need of her Bridegroom.

Let's change our focus from looking for escape from the pressures of this life into looking for and longing with fervent anticipation the day we meet our Bridegroom face-to-face on the day of His glorious return where we will forever be with Him as His Bride. There's a huge difference -- a difference that's great enough to ignite the fires in the hearts of everyone we meet.

Spread the fire of anticipation and longing. The Bridegroom is coming, but He won't come until the Bride is ready and watching and eagerly awaiting His return.