Soon and very soon, we’re going to see the King–but first a delay.
There will be a slight delay in the fulfillment of Bible prophecies. In the Olivet Discourse found in Matthew 24 and 25, Jesus gave very clear indications of a long delay before the prophecies would be fulfilled. That delay is especially clear in the three parables/allegorical stories in chapter twenty-five. In that chapter, we read about the ten virgins who grew tired of waiting and fell asleep. Then we read about servants who were told their master would go away on a long journey. And the last story is a depiction of the final judgment of all the nations.
Any careful student who misses the obvious implications of a delay just isn’t paying attention to the text. The early disciples hoped for a quick return of Jesus but were corrected when they asked him about his return.
Acts 1:6-8
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Just say no.
Jesus could have just said no and that he would be back in about two thousand years. If he had, he would have ended a lot of speculation that led to a poor understanding of Bible prophecy. Well, he didn’t, and because of the delay that stretched into hundreds of years, things began to change in prophecy interpretation. The early Church Fathers believed Jesus would return and set up an actual kingdom of God on earth. We see that in their question to Jesus in the verse above. But as the centuries passed, interpretations and expectations changed. And a strange miracle happened. (Sarcasm alert!)
Jesus had returned after all!
Scholars began teaching that Jesus had returned but ruled in the hearts of believers instead of on an actual throne in Jerusalem. On the day of Pentecost, the Church was born and Jesus began to reign on earth.
The promises that God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were no longer intended for the Jews. The disobedient Jews were cast aside for better people. The Church was the new chosen people. Satan was defeated on the cross and the Church would finalize that defeat as it preached the Gospel to the whole world. Or so it has been taught for over 1500 years. (Side note: there is a lot of truth in this interpretation {Preterism}, but they also miss a lot of important facts and promises the Lord made.)
The Apostle Paul warned the Church of Thessalonica about something similar. He warned that some preachers would teach that Christ had already returned. Read part of his warning in the verses below.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3
Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter-asserting that the day of the LORD has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
Paul warned that some people were teaching that Christ had already returned. Then he corrected that false doctrine and admonished the Church to continue to wait and hold to the true faith.
In the link found below, Alan Kurschner discusses the delay of Jesus’ return. The time of waiting is so obvious in chapter twenty-five that it’s a wonder that anyone misses it. But so many people have.
The Olivet Discourse is about the delay of Jesus’ return.
Learning to wait upon God is one of the most essential components of the Christian faith. Unfortunately, few of us do very well with the waiting.
Can you hurry up, please?!
Below are some other verses that support one of God’s chosen tools to increase our faith.
Habakkuk 2:3 A delay in the vision
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
Hebrews 10:37
For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.”
Revelation 10:6 And the angel said, “No more delay.”
And he swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay!”
The Lord will return in physical form. When he rose from the dead, the disciples had a hard time believing it was really him. Thomas doubted until he put his fingers into the wounds of Jesus’ hands and side. And someday in the future, the world will hear a great shout, a trumpet, and an unmistakable sign in the heavens that will let the whole world know that Christ has returned.
Until then, Christians are to stay busy with the work of preaching and teaching. We must wait…
White Stone Watcher
Hello readers,
I’ve served as a children and youth pastor for over three decades. It was a great honor and pleasure to serve the Lord in that way. It’s been my prayer, that many of them will learn of Jesus’ love and decide to commit their lives to follow Him.
I wrote the fiction story, ‘White Stone Watcher’ for them and their parents. In the story, we see a young man, and his best friend, Amanda. They face the normal challenges that today’s kids face at school. But with one huge difference.
Their challenge is twelve feet tall to be exact with an enormous set of six wings. Just like the prophet Isaiah saw in the throne room of God. He’s a Watcher, an angelic being who is still invisible to Amanda. The messenger from God is about to lead both of them on a spiritual journey. They find they can’t escape the unseen war that rages all around them. They will become key players that God will use in the battle between the Sons of Darkness and the Children of Light.
I invite you to pray about a youth that might enjoy and benefit from this story. As the world grows darker, our youth must become aware that the Lord is calling them to join the Children of Light in the fight for what is righteous. We’re all involved, whether we realize it or not. If they won’t go to church, maybe they’ll read a book about someone just like them facing challenges at school.
God is calling them.
Praying for the youth, and spiritual awakening.
Let me know what you think.