Jesus is coming! The Bible tells us one day He will take His followers to be with Him in the home He has prepared, then He will return in triumphant victory to rule the world! He will usher in peace, justice and righteousness. Good will overcome evil, love will overcome hate, peace will overcome fear, right will overcome wrong … Heaven will come down to Earth!
How do we know He’s coming? Because He said so!
There is an expectancy throughout the Christian world that the return of Jesus is imminent. My spirit is on the tiptoe of anticipation as I look forward to seeing His visible face, hearing His audible voice and feeling His warm embrace.
Until He comes …
“You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” James 5:8 (NKJV).
BE PATIENT … You also be patient
- What are some situations that require intentional patience while waiting for His return? Describe in your own words each situation from the following verses: Psalm 37:7; Psalm 40:1-2; Ecclesiastes 7:8; Acts 26:1-3; Romans 2:7; Romans 12:12; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Hebrews 6:13-15; James 5:7.
- In what situation do you find yourself today that requires you to be patient until He comes?
BE PERSEVERANT … Establish your hearts
- Is waiting for the Lord’s return easy? Romans 8:22-25.
- How does God promise to help strengthen us during this waiting time? Romans 8:26-27; Hebrews 7:23-25; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Peter 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:17.
- What encouragement from those who’ve gone before do you receive that tells us perseverance leads to blessing? James 5:10-11.
- What choice and action are we challenged to take while waiting? Isaiah 35:3-4; Revelation 3:2.
- How are we to help others persevere who are waiting until He comes? Ephesians 3:14-19; 1 Thessalonians 3:2-10, 13.
- What blessing will you miss if you grow so weary while waiting that you give up? Galatians 6:9.
BE PREPARED … For the coming of the Lord is at hand
- In Matthew 25:1-12, what were the primary similarities between the 10 young women? What were the primary differences?
- Why did the bridegroom refuse to allow five young women to join the wedding banquet? Matthew 25:12.
- Who today are like the five young women who were not prepared to meet the bridegroom? Romans 10:1-3; Ephesians 5:5; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Titus 1:16.
- Who are like the five young women who were prepared to meet the Bridegroom? John 17:1-3; John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 2:12; 2 Corinthians 4:6; 1 John 2:3-6.
- Are you prepared to meet the Bridegroom? How can you be sure you’re prepared? Romans 3:23-24; 1 John 1:9; Romans 6:23; John 10:27-28; 1 John 5:13.
- If you are sure you are prepared to meet Jesus, what can you do to help others be prepared?
As I grow older, weaker and wearier, James 5:8 and this Bible study have been God’s personal message to me. So I choose, until He comes, to keep looking up … patiently … perseveringly … fully prepared to see Him at any moment!! Join me!
