A Dangerous Denial

I think it’s a very dangerous thing when you arrive at a theology that tells you Jesus Christ isn’t coming back.

There are different views on this topic, but if your so-called theology says to you that Christ is not returning at any moment, then something is wrong with your theology.

Jesus warned, “But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him” (Luke 12:45–46 NKJV).

In contrast to the believer who is watching and working, Jesus was describing an unprepared servant. To me this is probably a description of someone who thinks he or she is a believer but isn’t. Jesus also could be referring to a disobedient believer. Either way, this is someone who isn’t right with God.

Not only should we be anxiously waiting for the Lord’s return, but we also should be working. Jesus said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes” (Luke 12:42–43 NKJV).

The word Jesus used for blessed also could be translated as happy. In other words, if you live this way, if you live in constant anticipation of the imminent return of Christ, then you will be a happy person.

It’s not a miserable, repressive, or confining way to live as we look for Christ’s return. Really, it’s happy, it’s joyful, and it’s purposeful. It’s the way to live.

Watching for the Lord’s return will help us prepare our own lives, but working will assure that we bring others with us.