The Greatest Adventure & My Thoughts On Jesus Coming Back

I don’t remember the first time I heard about Jesus coming back.  I don’t know who told me, where I was, or what my initial thoughts were.  What I do remember is being right around Beckley’s current age, standing in my bedroom with walls covered in sponge-painted clouds, and staring out my window that faced the railroad tracks, staring at the real clouds.  I would stand there for minutes on end, imagining Jesus coming in the clouds and taking me with Him.  I would sing to Him, talk to Him, and imagine what that day would be like.

For a little girl who’s favorite movie was Peter Pan, there was no greater adventure to me than one where I was taken to a fantastic, far away land by my Savior and King.  To my little mind and heart, Jesus coming back was The Greatest Adventure.

As a child and young teenager I read books like The Chronicles of Narnia.  My favorite lines in the entire series were (and still are) the very last ones…

“And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on Earth has read; which goes on forever; in which every chapter is better than the one before.”

As a child and young teen there was nothing more exciting than living a life with Jesus where “every chapter is better than the one before”.  I would again look at my window constantly, imagining the day when that Great Story would begin.

As a college student I was introduced to lots of teachings and opinions, and had to make my faith my own.  As I dove into knowing why I believed what I’d always believed, I couldn’t help but begin to notice subtle signs that echoed an adventure I’d been dreaming of my whole life.  It was as if a veil was growing thinner, and as I grew closer to Jesus, I saw more and more of Him.

As a new graduate and newlywed I was thrust out of the peaceful bubble of college and into the reality of adulthood, and those once subtle signs became blatant before my eyes.  I found myself time and time again thinking “is everyone else seeing this?”  It was as if the words of Scriptures were flying off the pages in front of my eyes.  For a young woman with a very strong imagination, I would second guess myself.  I’d spend hours bent over my Bible, reading passages again and again to reassure myself that I wasn’t crazy.  Echoing what Mr. Beaver said in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, Jesus was on the move.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that these days I find myself, as I always have, dreaming of Jesus coming again.  I’ve spent almost my entire life anticipating His return, so when I see the latest world updates and patterns I’m not surprised.  It’s all in the Scriptures.  I’ve known the world would become like this my whole life.  If anything, I’m surprised at how many people aren’t seeing what to me is clear.

Jesus is coming back.  I don’t know when, and anyone who says they do is misleading you.  But 1 Thessalonians 1-6 says this:

“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.”

We will not know the day or hour that Jesus will return.  That is made abundantly clear.  But for those who watch with a clear mind, we will see the signs and know that His coming is growing near.

I’m only 31 years old.  I know I’m young.  But I see the signs, I see their frequency and intensity, and I have never been more excited in my life.

So what do we do while we wait?  Here are a few things…

1. Be active in your waiting.  Share the Gospel, as often as you can. Romans 10:9-13 says, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
2. Comfort one another with the news that Jesus is coming.  For us believers, this should not bring us fear, but be a comfort!  1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 says “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
3. Wait patiently.  Jesus will come at the perfect time, not when we think He should.  Trust in God, His plan, and humble yourself by waiting patiently.
4. Watch.  We are called time and time again in Scriptures to watch and read the signs.  Don’t put your head in the dirt and tune everything out.  I know it’s dark, but there is hope in that darkness.  Notice the signs and find hope in them, because those signs point to our greatest hope: Jesus returning.

The King is coming.