If this title sounds like it should be a Lord of the Rings sequel, then, my friends, you are not too far off. Growing up I dreaded reading the book of Revelations. It sounded so apocalyptic and filled with doom and gloom. The few times I have read it, it has been with the hopes that I would be able to mine the mysteries about when Jesus would return so I can be more prepared. But you see, the book of Revelations does not tell us when Jesus will return. Here is a little history about the book of Revelations as presented by John Neufeld, of Back to the Bible, in his series, The Triumph of the Lamb: Volume 1.

Revelations was written to churches in modern-day Turkey circa 85 AD to 95 AD, and the entire book was to be understood by the seven ancient churches as it applied to them. It was a book of prophecy that predicted the future. Some of the things predicted in the book of Revelations did happen right away for the early readers of the book but many of the things have happened repeatedly in history. The book of Revelations is like a mirror of the future reflected in our own times. That is why events spoken of in the book of Revelations look like things occurring in our day. No wonder in every generation people have thought that Jesus was coming back in that era. Now the thing about biblical prophecy is that it has height and breadth but is little concerned with depth (depth represents the chronology of events). Revelations is less concerned with the time period in which things will occur and more concerned about the certainty that those events will happen. And so when Jesus says He is coming back soon, it is soon. The book of Revelations enables us feel the urgency of this event. It must happen and God will not delay it any second longer than it should.

Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:8-9 BSB

But Jesus did not leave us clueless as to when He will return or how He will return for his own. He spells it out clearly in the pages of scripture:

“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all. “And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business—eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building—until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed. …“Where will this happen, Lord?” the disciples asked. Jesus replied, “Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.”

Luke 17:26-30, 37 NLT

The day of the Lord will surely come and it is going to be on one of those “business as usual” days. That day is likened to a thief in the night (read 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Peter 3:10; Revelations 3:3; Revelations 16:15; Mark 13: 35-36; and Luke 12: 39-40 for reference). Scripture admonishes in Matthew 24: 43 that if a homeowner knows the day a thief is coming to rob him he would be prepared. Juxtaposing this truth, we do not know when, but because we know the what and the how of this day, we ought to be prepared daily. Live every one of those “business as usual” days like it is the day.

Yes, I know this message has certainly been around the sun a few times but here is the beauty of that: Because of God’s mercy you have the privilege to hear this message (again) today so you can take action and be prepared for the return of our soon-coming King. If this is new information, I encourage you to invite Jesus into your heart; no fancy prayers, just ask him to come and be your Lord and Saviour, and commit to living a life worthy of his return. And if this is old news, then today is another opportunity to reflect on your state of readiness. Are you prepared for the King’s return?

Yours Truly.