Key Passage
“The fig tree teaches us a lesson: When the fig tree’s branches become green and soft, and new leaves begin to grow, then you know that summer is near. It is the same with these things that I told you would happen. When you see all these things happening, then you will know that the time is near, ready to come.”
— Mark 13:28-29 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
Jesus does stand right at the door and awaits to enter into our world and bring us home. While we cannot know the exact time of his arrival, the events that have been mentioned have been occurring since the days of that first Pentecost and that first generation of Christians. Jesus is near. The barrier that separates him from our world and the next is paper thin. Our call is to be ready … always … living in expectation of his imminent coming.
Prayer
Father, make me ready—ready in heart, soul, mind, and strength—for the return of your Son. Please use me to help prepare others for this day so that they can join in the victorious celebration of your people. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
“No person knows when that day or time will be. The Son and the angels in heaven don’t know when that day or time will be. Only the Father knows.
— Matthew 24:36
Now, brothers and sisters, we don’t need to write to you about times and dates. You know very well that the day the Lord comes again will be {a surprise} like a thief who comes at night. People will say, “We have peace and we are safe.” At that time destruction will come to them quickly. Destruction will come like the pains of a woman who is having a baby. And those people will not escape.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
But you, brothers and sisters, are not living in darkness (sin). And so that day will not surprise you like a thief. You are all people who belong to the light (goodness). You belong to the day. We don’t belong to the night or to darkness (evil). So we should not be like other people. We should not be sleeping. We should be awake and have self-control. People who sleep, sleep at night. People who get drunk, get drunk at night. But we belong to the day (goodness), so we should control ourselves. We should wear faith and love to protect us. And the hope of salvation should be our helmet. God did not choose us to suffer his anger. God chose us to have salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus died for us so that we can live together with him. It is not important if we are alive or dead {when Jesus comes}. So encourage each other and make each other stronger {in faith}. And you are doing that now.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11
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