Maybe you can relate to me when I say that I’ve never understood the whole “second coming” thing.  I mean, I have to admit that I have been motivated to greater faithfulness by God’s love, by the challenge of reflecting Him to this world, and even by His discipline, but the reality of the second coming has never motivated me to do anything.  Now, it is clear from the teaching of Jesus and other New Testament writers that Jesus will one day return to this world, bringing history to its consummation and the kingdom of heaven completely to earth, so that, as the author of Revelation says, “the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them” (Revelation 21:3).  That part I understand.  The part I don’t get is the language of urgency and watchfulness that Jesus uses when discussing how we should live in light of his second coming.  After all, shouldn’t we always be living in the light of God’s truth and judgment?  Why do we need the second coming to convince us that we need to be consistent in our faith?

Three weeks ago I began a discussion on the tendency I see among evangelical Christians to use urgency and threats in order to motivate Christians to action and (they hope) those outside the church to repentance and faith in Jesus.  Over the past two weeks, I have illustrated how contrary this is in many ways to the ways Jesus motivated people to action and greater faith.  Jesus seemed to live and teach in a way that demonstrated the power and attraction of the Kingdom of God, compelling many to follow Him (oh that our churches would be that compelling!).  Last week we looked at how Jesus was not afraid to talk about judgment and accountability, although His teaching gives the impression that all (Christian or not) will face judgment for how they live in this life.  Christians aren’t off the judgment hook because they have “prayed the prayer”; Jesus’ words seem clear that all will eventually be accountable for their lives before God. 

As I look closely at Jesus’ teaching, however, I do find one particular area where he seems to use a lot of “urgency” language – when he discusses his second coming.  Whenever Jesus talks about his return to this world, his words practically communicate a sense of paranoia about our need to be always on alert for His possible return, lest we be caught sleeping, outside working on our roof, or (God forbid) pregnant.  So, to answer one of my original questions – yes, Jesus does use urgency at times in his teaching.  And if Jesus does it, then we had better pay close attention.  Listen, for example, to the following passages:

Matthew 24:42-44 -  Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.  But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.  So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Mark 13:34-37 - It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.  “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back– whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.  If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.  What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” 

Can you hear the urgency in Jesus’ voice?  The need on our part to be alert and watchful?  And can you see how easy it would be for someone to read this literally and enter into a semi-paranoid state of insomnia, night after sleepless night, reacting to every cricket chirp with a “I’m working, Jesus!!!”?

Now, as I said before, I have struggled with the whole “second coming” thing.  Jesus’ words of warning conjure up for me images of a misbehaving teenager anxiously listening for the garage door to open, signaling the return of his parents.  Why do I need the reminder of the second coming to encourage me to be a faithful follower?  Shouldn’t I always be living my life that way?  Especially since it’s been almost 2000 years since Jesus left this earth, and 2000 years without a second coming???

Well, maybe the second coming wasn’t meant to just instill fear and paranoia into Jesus’ followers.  Jesus’ teachings about his second coming exhort his listeners to be about their master’s business, so that when he returns he will find them doing what he asked them to do and will reward them accordingly.  And what is the master’s business?  It’s to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20), and to work to extend God’s kingdom of love, peace, justice, and redemption in this world. 

 Theologians often discuss the kingdom of God as being “already but not yet” – God’s kingdom of love, justice, redemption, etc. has broken into this world in the person of Jesus and through the work of the Holy Spirit through the church, but it will not reach its full form until the return of Jesus.  This means that those who are about their master’s business are working with Jesus’ second coming in mind, knowing that He will complete the work we are currently doing.  Those who are working for justice can do it anticipating the second coming of Jesus, knowing that when he returns he will judge sin and reign over this world with perfect justice.  Those who are working for the reconciliation of people to God and to each other can do so with the second coming as their motivation, knowing that when Jesus comes back to earth, every knee will bow to him and all who are God’s people will live together in harmony under His rule.  Those who are working for peace and spreading His love can do so in the knowledge that when Jesus comes back, “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). 

This is why the Second Coming is so significant.  For those who are not following Jesus, his words should communicate a sense of fear and urgency, that they need to get their acts together, knowing that at any moment judgment could happen.  However, for those who are about the Father’s business, the second coming can become the greatest possible motivation.  As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  Those who are working for love, peace, and justice in this world know that their work is never in vain, because of the truth of Jesus’ second coming.

And that’s why the second coming is so important, Eric. 
 
“He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”  (Revelation 22:20-21)  

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