2 TIMOTHY 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

The most anticipated event—the greatest and most glorious finish of all time—is the second coming of Jesus Christ. The question is: Are we ready? Do we truly know Him?

The church that pleases God is the church that eagerly longs for and loves His appearing. Jesus is the ultimate hope of this world. He is coming again—not as a suffering Savior, but as a victorious King.

Let us live each day with hearts that look forward to His return. For to all who love His appearing, there is a promise—a reward, the crown of righteousness, given by the righteous Judge Himself.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the promise of Christ’s return. Thank You for the hope we have—not in the things of this world, but in the glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Help us to live every day with hearts that long for Him and lives that honor Him.

Lord, examine our hearts. If there is anything that keeps us from knowing You deeply or walking in obedience, reveal it to us and give us the strength to surrender it. May we not be distracted by the temporary things of this world, but keep our eyes fixed on eternity.

Transform us into a church—a people—who eagerly await Your appearing. Let our love for Jesus be shown in how we live: in holiness, in faithfulness, in obedience, in love for others. Keep our hearts burning with expectation for that glorious day when Christ will return, not as a suffering Savior, but as the victorious King.

Thank You for the promise of the crown of righteousness, reserved for all who love His appearing. May we live with passion and purpose, knowing that our labor in the Lord is never in vain.

Come, Lord Jesus. We long for You. We love You. We await Your return with joy.

In Your most precious name we pray,

Amen.

MATTHEW 24:1 Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. 2 And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”

A. WHAT ARE THE SIGNS?

Jesus was foretelling the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the scattering of the Jewish people throughout the world. His prophecy was fulfilled in 70 A.D., when a Jewish rebellion broke out against Rome. The Romans, under General Titus, laid siege to Jerusalem. During the chaos, a Roman soldier hurled a torch into the temple, setting it ablaze. The intense heat melted the gold, which flowed into the cracks between the massive stones. In their greed, Roman soldiers pried apart every single stone to extract the gold—just as Jesus had said.

Indeed, not one stone was left upon another. Every word of Jesus came true. His prophecy reminds us that God’s Word never fails, and that history unfolds exactly as He has declared.

ISAIAH 11:11 Then it will happen on that day that the Lord Will again recover the second time with His hand The remnant of His people… 12 And He will lift up a standard for the nations And assemble the banished ones of Israel, And will gather the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth.

Through the prophet Isaiah, God declared that in the last days He would once again bring back His people to their land. This remarkable prophecy was fulfilled in our time. On May 14, 1948, Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel. After nearly 2,000 years without a homeland, the Jewish people returned—just as God had promised.

The first regathering took place after the Babylonian captivity. The second regathering, which Isaiah spoke of, is happening in our generation. God has miraculously preserved His people through centuries of persecution and dispersion. And in His appointed time, He brought them back to the land of their forefathers.

1. Israel.

The number one sign of the times is the rebirth of the nation of Israel. For the first time in 2,000 years, Israel is once again a nation in its own land. The Jewish people, who were scattered across the world for two millennia, have returned—just as the prophets foretold.

The very existence of Israel today is a living testimony that God’s Word is true and that His promises never fail.

EZEKIEL 37:12 … ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel.

This chapter paints a powerful picture of Israel as a nation that seemed dead and without hope. For centuries, the Jewish people were scattered among the nations, and during World War II, Adolf Hitler attempted to wipe them out completely—murdering millions in the Holocaust. It looked as though Israel had been erased from history.

But God was not finished with His people. Out of the ashes of tragedy, He brought them back to life as a nation. In 1948, Israel was miraculously reestablished in their own land, just as God had promised through the prophet Ezekiel.

What seemed impossible to man became possible with God. The valley of dry bones came alive again, proving that God’s promises never die and His Word will always be fulfilled.

MATTHEW 24:3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.

When Jesus’ disciples asked about the signs of His coming and the end of the age, the first warning He gave was about deception. He said, “See to it that no one misleads you.”

Jesus was speaking not only of false prophets and false messiahs but also of a world filled with deceit—both political and religious. Today, we see lies spreading faster than truth, confusion replacing clarity, and many being led away from the faith.

That is why Jesus’ warning is as urgent now as it was then: Be discerning. Know the truth. Stay close to Christ and His Word, for only the truth can keep us from being deceived.

MATTHEW 24:11 Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.

Jesus warned that in the last days, many false prophets and false Christs would appear and deceive countless people. Religion without Jesus is a false religion. Since the early 1900s, more than 1,100 false Christs have appeared—each one claiming to be the Savior, yet leading people away from the truth.

This is why it is vital to know the real Jesus—the One revealed in Scripture. When you know the truth, you won’t be deceived by what is false. Stay anchored in God’s Word, because in a world full of lies, only Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Jim Jones, Sergei Torop (Vissarion), José Luis De Jesús Miranda, and Apollo Quiboloy each claimed divine authority or identity.

3. Wars.

MATTHEW 24:6 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…

Jesus spoke of a time when the world would be filled with conflict, tension, and fear of war—signs that would precede His second coming. We are witnessing these words being fulfilled before our very eyes. Today, there are wars, threats of war, and global instability on every side.

We now live in an age where humanity possesses the terrifying power to destroy itself—there are said to be over 27,000 nuclear warheads across the world. Yet Jesus tells us, “Do not be frightened,” for these things must happen before His return.

2. Age of Deceit.

Here’s a summary list of major ongoing wars (as of 2025):

1. Russia–Ukraine War (2022–present)

2. Israel–Hamas / Gaza War (2023–present)

3. Sudan Civil War (2023–present)

4. India–Pakistan Conflict (2025)

5. Myanmar Civil War (2021–present)

6. Ethiopia Internal Conflicts (Oromia & Amhara regions)

7. Yemen Conflict (2014–present)

8. Democratic Republic of Congo (Eastern Conflict)

9. Syrian Civil War (2011–present)

10. Sahel Conflicts (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso)

4. Natural Disasters

MATTHEW 24:7 … and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.

Jesus continued describing the signs that would precede His second coming—an increase in natural disasters across the earth. He said there would be famines, earthquakes, and calamities in various places, and we can clearly see these signs multiplying in our generation.

Today, we are witnessing record-breaking earthquakes, devastating famines, powerful hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters at a scale and frequency never seen before. These are not random events—they are birth pains, signaling that the coming of the Lord is drawing near.

Jesus was not trying to make us fearful, but watchful and ready. The earth itself seems to be groaning, pointing to the fulfillment of God’s Word. Every shaking and every storm reminds us that this world is temporary—and that Jesus Christ is coming soon.

MATTHEW 24:8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

The phrase “birth pangs” (Greek: odinōn) refers to labor pains a woman experiences before giving birth.
Jesus uses this imagery to describe how the sufferings and upheavals in the world will increase in frequency and intensity as the end approaches — just like contractions before childbirth.

So, these painful events — wars, disasters, moral decay, persecution — are not yet the end, but signs that the end is drawing nearer.

LUKE 21:11 and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

Jesus also mentioned that there will be pestilences in various places. The word pestilence refers to widespread diseases and deadly plagues that bring suffering and fear to many. We have seen this truth unfold in our time — from outbreaks like AIDS, to pandemics such as COVID-19, and the continuing rise of new and resistant diseases.

5. Global Gospel Proclamation!

MATTHEW 24:14 This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

One of the clearest signs of Jesus’ soon return is the worldwide proclamation of the Gospel. Jesus declared that before the end comes, the good news of the Kingdom would reach every nation, tribe, and tongue. In our time, we are witnessing this prophecy being fulfilled before our eyes.

Through the tireless efforts of missionaries, church planters, and believers around the world, the message of salvation is being shared at a pace never before seen in history. What once required years of travel and communication can now happen instantly through technology — the internet, radio, television, and satellites have become powerful tools in spreading God’s Word to even the most remote corners of the earth.

The Lord is using every means possible so that no one will have an excuse for not hearing the truth. This worldwide witness is not only a demonstration of God’s mercy but also a sign that the return of Christ is drawing near. The Gospel must reach all nations — and when it does, Jesus said, “then the end will come.”

B. WHY HAS HE DELAYED?

2 PETER 3:3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 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.”...8 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. 9 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.

In these last days, the truth of Scripture is often mocked and ridiculed. Even in popular culture, there are movies, shows, and online content that make comedy out of the Second Coming of Christ or turn the teachings of the Bible into a joke. But the Bible tells us that this, too, is a sign of the times. The presence of mockers and scoffers fulfills prophecy — proving that God’s Word is true and that we are indeed living in the final days.

Peter reminds us that God is not slow as some think. His apparent delay is actually an expression of His mercy. The Lord is giving every person a chance to repent, to turn from sin, and to receive salvation through Jesus Christ.

Yet, this period of grace will not last forever. The time will come when the door of mercy will close and judgment will begin. That is why now is the time to repent and believe, to live faithfully and share the Gospel urgently. God’s patience is our opportunity — but one day, that opportunity will end.

C. WHY MUST YOU BE PREPARED?

1. It will be Sudden.

MATTHEW 24:37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Jesus compared His second coming to the days of Noah. In Noah’s time, while he was building the ark — a work that took about 120 years — he continually warned the people to turn from their sin and get right with God. But instead of listening, they mocked him and went on living their normal lives, unconcerned and unprepared, until the flood came and swept them all away.

In the same way, Jesus said that when He returns, many will be caught off guard. Life will seem normal — people will be busy eating, drinking, marrying, working, and making plans — unaware that judgment is at hand. The coming of the Son of Man will be sudden, unexpected, and final.

The message is clear: Be ready, for the Lord will come when the world least expects it.

2. It will be Unexpected.

MATTHEW 24:43 But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

In this passage, Jesus uses a simple but powerful illustration — that of a thief coming in the night — to describe the unexpected nature of His return. A homeowner never knows when a thief might come. If he knew the exact time, he would stay awake and guard his house. But since the thief comes without warning, the only way to be ready is to always stay alert.

In the same way, Jesus is teaching that His Second Coming will be sudden and unpredictable. No one knows the exact day or hour — not even the angels in heaven. Many will be caught off guard, living their lives without thought of eternity, just as people were in the days of Noah.

Therefore, Jesus calls us to live in constant readiness — to be spiritually awake, alert, and faithful. Being ready doesn’t mean living in fear, but in faithful obedience, keeping our hearts right with God, walking in holiness, and fulfilling the work He has called us to do.

D. HOW SHOULD WE LIVE?

1. FANTASTIC FINISH.

God does not expect us to do what we cannot do. He simply calls us to be faithful with what He has entrusted to us. Each of us has been given different gifts, opportunities, and abilities — and what matters most is not how much we have, but how faithfully we use what we’ve been given.

So, share your faith with others. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. Serve Him wholeheartedly in the place where He has called you. Even the smallest act done in faith and obedience will not go unnoticed by Him.

LUKE 12:37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.

Our watchfulness and preparation for the Lord’s coming lead us toward a glorious and fulfilling finish. Jesus gives a remarkable promise — that those who remain faithful and alert will one day be personally served and honored by the Master Himself. What an incredible picture of grace! The One whom we serve now will one day serve us at His table.

This shows how deeply God values faithfulness and readiness. Staying alert in our walk with Christ means living each day in obedience, purity, and love — not growing weary, not distracted by the world, but keeping our hearts focused on Him.

Those who are faithful will not end in disappointment but in divine reward and joy beyond measure. So keep watch, stay faithful, and finish well — for the Master’s return will turn your faithfulness into everlasting blessing.

2. MEDIOCRE FINISH.

You heard the Gospel. You received Jesus Christ. You may have started well — full of passion, faith, and zeal — but somewhere along the way, you lost your focus. The fire that once burned in your heart has grown dim. You’ve become comfortable, complacent, maybe even drawn back into the world.

This is what it means to have a mediocre finish — to begin strong but to lose heart before the race is over. God did not save us just to start the race; He calls us to finish it well. The Christian life is not a sprint but a lifelong marathon of faith, obedience, and perseverance.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Salvation is a free gift of God, received by faith alone in Jesus Christ. We are not saved by our works, but by His grace. However, what we do after we are saved — how we live, serve, love, and obey — determines the rewards we will receive when we stand before Christ.

The foundation of our faith is Jesus Himself, but what we build upon that foundation matters. Some will build with gold, silver, and precious stones — works of eternal value done for God’s glory. Others may build with wood, hay, and straw — things that will not last in the fire of His judgment. So live with eternity in view. Every act of faithfulness, every word spoken in love, every sacrifice made for Christ will not be forgotten. One day, we will all stand before our Savior — not to be condemned, but to be rewarded for how we have lived for Him.

3. DISASTROUS FINISH.

You've heard the Gospel — again and again. You know the truth, yet you keep saying, “I’m not ready yet.” You still want to live your own way, chase your desires, and hold on to the things of this world. But understand this: putting off a decision for Christ is already a decision — and it leads to a disastrous finish.

Without Jesus Christ in your life, you are heading toward a destiny of judgment — a separation from God in a place of torment beyond imagination.

LUKE 12:45 But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; 46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

Jesus gives a sobering warning about the servant who becomes careless and corrupt, thinking his master’s return is delayed. Instead of being faithful, he abuses others and lives for his own pleasure. But the master will return suddenly — at an hour the servant does not expect — and judgment will follow.

This passage points to a place of eternal separation and torment, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth — a description of hell that is beyond what we can fully comprehend.

LUKE 12:35 “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. 36 Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.

Jesus gives this parable to teach us how we should live in constant readiness for His return. In the story, Jesus is the master of the household who has gone to attend a wedding feast, while His servants are left to care for the house and prepare for His arrival.

In Jewish culture, weddings in the first century could last for many days, even weeks. No one knew exactly when the master would return. Therefore, a wise and faithful servant would keep his lamp burning — ensuring there was plenty of oil so that whenever the master knocked, even in the middle of the night, he could immediately rise, open the door, and welcome him home. That is what faithful readiness looks like — living in a way that we are always prepared for Christ’s return.

The oil in the lamp is often seen as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. As believers, we cannot continue to pour out love, service, and ministry to others unless the Lord is continually pouring into us. We must be filled and refilled by the Holy Spirit daily through prayer, worship, and the Word of God. When we try to serve in our own strength, we quickly run dry and burn out. But when the Spirit fills us, we burn brightly for God without burning out. The Lord doesn’t want dim, exhausted lamps — He wants hearts burning with holy fire.

Jesus also said, “Be dressed in readiness” — or as older translations put it, “Let your loins be girded.” In those days, people wore long robes that made quick movement difficult. To “gird the loins” meant to tuck up the robe into a belt, ready for action. Spiritually, this means living with discipline, alertness, and purpose — not tangled by the distractions or comforts of this world, but ready to move when the Master calls.

The message is clear: stay alert, stay filled, and stay faithful. Keep your spiritual lamps burning, your heart full of the Spirit, and your life prepared for the day when Jesus, our Master, returns — perhaps sooner than we think.

E. BE READY.

HEBREWS 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…

The Christian life is like a race, and every believer is called to run it with endurance and focus. But there are things that can slow us down or cause us to stumble — sin and worldly distractions. Sin is what entangles and weakens us, making us ineffective in the life God has called us to live.

If you find yourself loving the world more than loving God, your heart is not ready for Christ’s return. The pleasures, possessions, and pursuits of this world can easily distract us from the eternal prize. That’s why Scripture calls us to lay aside every weight — anything that hinders our walk with God — and to keep running faithfully.

Don’t fall for the lies and schemes of the devil, who wants to keep you bound, discouraged, or distracted. Instead, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus — the One who began your faith and will bring it to completion. When your focus is on Him, you find strength to endure, courage to resist sin, and grace to finish the race well.

Run with passion. Run with purpose. And above all, run with your eyes on Jesus, so that your life remains fruitful and usable for His Kingdom until the day He returns.

LUKE 12 (NIV)

36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.

Jesus teaches us to be like faithful servants who wait expectantly for their master’s return. The image is one of alertness and readiness — servants who stay awake, attentive, and prepared, so that when the master knocks, they can immediately open the door.

This is what it means to wait and watch for the Lord’s coming. It’s not a passive kind of waiting, but an active and obedient one. As we wait, we must continue doing what God has called us to do — living faithfully, serving others, sharing the Gospel, and walking in holiness. True readiness is shown not by merely knowing that Jesus is coming again, but by living each day as if He could come today.

The Lord promises a blessing for those He finds watching and working when He returns. So let’s keep our lamps burning, our hearts steadfast, and our hands busy with His work — for blessed indeed are the servants the Master finds ready when He comes.

Prayer: Faithful Amid the Signs of His Coming

Heavenly Father,

We come before You in awe and humility, recognizing that Your Word is being fulfilled before our very eyes. The earth trembles, nations are in conflict, and diseases spread — yet none of these things surprise You. Long ago, You spoke of these events as the beginning of birth pains, pointing to the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord, we see the signs You have spoken of unfolding — the restoration of the nation of Israel, the rise of wars and rumors of wars, the increase of deception and false teachings, and the growing coldness of love in many hearts. These remind us that Your Word is true and that the day of Your coming draws near.

Help us, Lord, not to live in fear but in faith. Strengthen our hearts so that we may not be deceived by the lies of this world. Remind us that these signs are not meant to destroy our hope but to deepen our trust in You.

Teach us to live with eyes fixed on Jesus — to walk in holiness, to love others sincerely, and to share the message of salvation with urgency and compassion. May these times awaken our spirits and draw us closer to You.

Give us courage to stand firm when others fall away, compassion to reach out to those who are lost, and endurance to remain faithful until the end.

We long for the day when Christ will return in glory and establish His everlasting Kingdom of peace and righteousness. Until then, keep our hearts steadfast, our faith strong, and our lives devoted to You.

In Jesus’ mighty and precious name we pray,

Amen.