Not Slow. Patient.

When I became a Christian in the early 1970s, everyone was talking about the return of Jesus. We were praying, “Lord, come back!” I’m sure that everyone who has come to Christ since the 1970s is glad that God didn’t answer that prayer.

The first-century church had a job to do, and so do we. Jesus said, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:7–8 NLT).

Jesus gave this statement in response to a question from the disciples: “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” (verse 6 NLT). Many of the people, including the disciples, had a misguided notion about Jesus. They thought that as Messiah, Jesus came to establish the kingdom of God on earth at that time.

That’s why it seemed like a mistake when Jesus was crucified. So they were saying, “Okay, Lord, we’re so glad that You’re alive again. Are You going to establish the kingdom now?”

In effect Jesus told them, “I’m not going to establish My earthly kingdom right now. That’s coming later. Stop focusing on when I’m returning and instead focus on what you are to do until I return.”

We, too, need to focus on what we’re supposed to be doing while we await Christ’s return. Bible prophecy should not inflate our brains; it should enlarge our hearts. And if we really understand what Bible prophecy is about, then it should cause us to want to live godly lives.

Jesus’ words in Acts 1:7–8 were not exclusively for first-century believers. We are still called to tell people about Jesus everywhere.