The Big Question 102: Why Hasn’t Jesus Come Back Already?
Apr 29, 2022 1641
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Why hasn’t Jesus come back already?
This really is a big question, because if there’s one thing that Jesus gave an iron-clad guarantee on, and more than once, it’s that he would come back to earth to take those who choose him as their Saviour, to be with him forever.
For example, Jesus said,
Do not let your hearts be troubled.You believein God[a];believe also in me.2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going thereto prepare a place for you?3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come backand take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:1–3.)
The undeniable reality is that the first Christians, and in particular every one of the writers of the New Testament, thought that Jesus would be returning in their day. But they died, and he hadn’t returned.
Well, ever since then, for the last two thousand years, the followers of Jesus have been waiting for Jesus to come. And he hasn’t come back yet.
In fact, the longer that Christians waited, the more that the nature of the Christian church changed. The church became institutionalised, and various teachings that tried to explain the delay became formulated as doctrines.
So, this is a really important question: why hasn’t Jesus come back already?
Some followers of Jesus believe that it’s their fault that Jesus hasn’t come back already. They think that they haven’t been obedient enough, or that they haven’t preached to enough people.
But I reckon that to think that the second coming of Jesus is up to us is rather self-centred thinking.
Surely, if you believe in God, then you have to also believe that he rules, and that Jesus will return when he is good and ready, and according to his own timeline.
And God does give us one clue about why he hasn’t returned yet. Referring to the second coming of Jesus, the Bible tells us that,
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9.)
This means that despite our impatience, God is being patient with this world, because he wants for as many people as possible to be saved.
At the end of the day, and because we’re talking about the end of the world, I can say that, basically we just need to trust God. We just need to recognise that He is God and we are not. When we can’t understand his reasons, we would agree with him if we knew what he knows.
And I’m happy with that.
Edmond Blanchard
Sep 20, 2023
I would like to ask an important question that for ever changed my life.. A few or a month, ago? I asked someone, consciously, The God, The Holy Spirit, Universe.. However, I know it is God. I tell those that something may have reached down and touched me on my right shoulder.. I know this to be truth, but those, I tell defify the good news.. what am I to do, to make them not scared anymore.. I knowingly, know what I am doing. And, who is guiding me to do good deeds.. but, they ask and question each other.. Is he ok?, is he crazy?, He a little bit weird?, why u talking about all this Universe and God stuff.. I know.. but they do not. What am I, to do?