The Promise of His Coming

The Promise of His Coming 

by David Brenneman 

"In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:2-6

Was looking back over the journal entries of mine from back in 2019 crossing over into 2020. An amazing time in my life.   

Throughout some posts my eagerness for the return of Jesus Christ is easily seen. 

Did I miss something that His return didn't happen? No. Nothing was missed...the anticipation remains. 

Jesus said we should be excited about His return, should live in anticipation of that day.  

Some, even today, say "Where is promise of His coming? Things are going on just as they always have! You're out of your mind to put your life in Christ!"

"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells." 2 Peter 3:3-13.

"The call to follow Jesus takes priority over everything (Luke 9:57-60)" Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible notes. 

Your life is more than paying bills or the next high you get from some games that you watch.  

You have a job to do in the Lord that's for you to be doing until either you are called home to Heaven or the Rapture of the Church takes place. 

School is never out of session in learning from the Holy Spirit. The marathon has no end until we cross the finish line of the entrance to Heaven.   

If you must wear out things in this world...would you count your Bible among those?

Would you count the carpet under your knees where you go to pray to your Father in Heaven?

Would you count the cost of following Jesus or is it something you just don't think about?

It's on us to attend classes with the Spirit of God daily. Not weekly but rather daily. 

So the big question is: what are you doing skipping classes to be anywhere else but learning with the Spirit of God? Why is it something you might be trying to cram in your day? Why would you think so little of learning more about your Savior and Lord Jesus Christ? Why? Because we have a sin nature that abhors the Spirit of God within us. Why? Because the god of this world wants to be the god of your life regardless of whether you are saved or not. 

"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds." Matthew 16:25-27.

What would your deeds look like if you had to review them today? 

Would your deeds out of honor and respect for all that Jesus did for you be converted to music...would it be a symphony or less than crickets?  

In all those prank/joke books with nothing on the pages be a summation of your track record in living life for your Savior?

What do you think is more important than your life in Christ?

It's been an eye-opening experience in these opening weeks of 2025. I can say that while I haven't watched television in years still other things occupied my time. But when I was intentional about putting more time in my Bibles...I have missed that other stuff even less than I thought I would. 

Are you going to stand ashamed before Jesus when your life's been sifted for what you did for Him for all He did in dying, and rising from the dead to pay for your sins?

If you take this as a guilt trip...good. Have a good conversation with Jesus about it before you want to make a case with me about your feelings on the matter. The Spirit brings convictions to people.  

Your claims of what you've earned or deserve in your life are meaningless when compared to being brutally beaten, whipped, scourged, nailed to a cross forced to carry the manner of your pending death on your back. Being crucified and enduring the deaths of every single person will will ever have lived. Taking on the penalty of death upon Himself for the sins of all mankind. Rising from the dead 3 days later. 

Sorry all responses are lame excuses in comparison for not doing more to live for Jesus for those who are saved and called according to His purpose.  

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality." Colossians 3:23-25.

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:1-2.

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Galatians 2:20.

"For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light." Colossians 1:9-12.

Lastly...

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16.

We don't do what we do to earn our sanctification or earn our salvation. The Spirit sanctifies. Jesus paid it all...all to Him I owe...sin had left a crimson stain...He washed it white as snow.  

People cry out for second chances. You are given another one every single morning.  

To walk along side your Savior and Lord or to run off and do your own thing.  

Jesus is GOING to keep His promise and return for His Church. 

Will you be caught or be ready by Him?

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.