What if it is all over?


As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.  If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.  Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:13-15 ESV
                The Thessalonians were very concerned about the second coming of Christ; it is the central matter in both of Paul’s epistles to them. In this letter it seems the brethren are concerned that the time is near, or that they might somehow miss the second coming if they don’t know when it is: see the first twelve verses of chapter two. Christians have often been concerned with the precise hour of Christ’s return and some with good reason.  We would all like to know, and many have sought for some means of determining the time of the return: even Isaac Newton made an attempt in his later life.
                However the Bible is very clear that no one knows the hour, we are told In Matthew 24:36 that only the Father knows when that day will be. We are told again and Mark 13:32, and Acts 1:7 no one knows the hour. Why? Well, we don’t really need to know. There are no special instructions for the very last of the last days. There is no emergency second coming protocol to be enacted when the day is coming.  Paul tells us as much in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-21, they have no need to know because they ought to be living always in the same way they would if they knew Christ would return that very day. We are not to be like disinterested workers who goof off, nap, and fail to work until they see that the boss is coming. God is not mocked, and cannot be deceived as easily as we imagine our human employers can be.  We are to keep on doing the good work until the Master returns. We are not to grow weary, or slack off. We are to hold each other to the standard of the Bible. And if necessary we are to set them outside our community when they refuse to strive towards that standard for their own good, and ours.
                The work of the Church is serious, it is the most profoundly serious work that is done today for it is the work of Christ continued and carried forward in the power of the Spirit, according to the doctrines of the Bible, by His people. He is watching, and waiting. We are waiting as we work, and working hard even as we wait with glad anticipation. When will Christ return? Soon! What will we do about it? The same thing we have done for two-thousand years seeking first the Kingdom and God’s righteousness, fulfilling the great commission, upholding the sacred trust, doing good by the grace of God without growing weary. We do these things with wisdom, not recklessly. We go on in faith not foolishness. we are careful, but never fearful. What if it’s all over? Praise be to God if it is, but until He comes to get us we keep on no matter what.
Prayer
Our Father who is in Heaven holy is Your name. Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done on Earth as it  is in Heaven. Lord may we be found hard at work when You return or call us Home. May we live as worthy servants good and faithful to Your glory. May we take seriously the commands, the mission, and the truth. We thank You for staying with us even to the end of the age.  Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Come quickly Lord Jesus, come. Amen.
Song
Jesus I my cross have taken

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