November 13, 2026 -What if Jesus Returned Today?
“[7] The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. [8] Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ”
1 Peter 4:7-8 NIV
The early church believed that Jesus was going to return in their lifetime. I believe that was God's intention to show us how we are to live also. We should be living as though "The end of all things is near." It is difficult when we are 2000 years into the waiting but we have the same instructions.
If we are of sobor mind then we are able to see what it means to us and the world around us if Jesus would return today.
When we have a disagreement with a brother or sister in Christ and we get angry and sin in that anger instead of love them, we defy the Lord by breaking the second greatest commandment. To love our neighbor as ourselves. Remember a few days ago reading James 4:1 "[1] What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?" Imagine your desires conflict with the desires of a brother in Christ and the two of you get angry about it and sin in that anger and at that very moment Jesus returns. Now you have to stand before Jesus and give an account. Wouldn't you rather have shown your brother grace and understanding and considered how you might respond in love with them so that when Jesus came, He would have something to say "Well done" about.
“[14] If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. [15] If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. [16] However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ”
1 Peter 4:14-16 NIV
Even if we are not a criminal according to the law of the world, we can be treated as one if we are living as though Jesus is returning today. It's not against the law to proclaim the good news of Jesus in our country yet. But it is in many other countries. Even though it is not against the law you can be persecuted in different ways because of it. It can be looked down on and even forbidden in some workplaces. In the public setting where free speech protects our right to speak it also protects the rights of those who disagree to speak, and their speech is usually not very loving. That might make a Christian think twice about sharing the gospel but what if you are quiet out of fear when talking to an unbeliever and Jesus returns in that moment. What about laws that require you to break God's laws? For example, you work in a pharmacy that dispenses the morning after pill that could kill a baby. Do you refuse to do that? Or do you justify it in some way? "If I don't do it, I will lose my job. Besides, there may not be a baby." Or "It is the woman who is taking the pill that is guilty."
How would Jesus want you to respond if Jesus were standing beside you? Maybe you are thinking that it would be easier to stand up for what is right if you had Jesus standing there as your protector. Like a big brother standing beside you in the face of a bully. Or maybe you think Jesus standing there would be a reminder to do what is right.
If we live as though Jesus is returning today, we would take every opportunity to share the gospel even in the face of criticism. We would stand up for what is right even if it means we could lose our job. And we would rejoice and praise God for it.
“[17] For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? [18] And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” [19] So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”
1 Peter 4:17-19 NIV
If Jesus were to return today everyone must stand before Him and be judged. Christians will be judged at the Judgement Seat of Christ (The Bema). We will not be condemned for our sins, but we will be judged on the life that we lived after we gave our lives to Christ. How well did we serve Jesus in faithfulness to the Lord. How did we love God and love people. How much of our time on earth was spend doing kingdom work. The judgement is to determine the reward we receive or don't receive in eternity. The Doctrine of Rewards: The Judgment Seat (Bema) of Christ | Bible.org
Non-Christians will be judged at the Great White Thone of Judgement. They will be examined to see if their names are written in the Book of Life. Their names will not be found which will result in a judgement of their lives and reviewed for sin. Everyone has sinned and therefore will be condemned to eternal separation from God and eternal torment. But just as a believer's judgement determines the level of reward they receive in heaven the non-believer's punishment in hell is determined by their sinfulness. It will still be misery for eternity, but we have a just God so the punishment will fit the crime. Degrees of Punishment in Hell - The Gospel Coalition
What does that mean to you in light of what if Jesus came today? Are you confident that you have given your life to Jesus. I don't mean that you have heard about Him and believe what the bible says about Him is true. The devil believes that. I don't mean do you go to church and do good things. But have you given your life to Him? If you haven't why not? Jesus could come any minute.
If you have come to understand that in the eyes of a perfect God that you will have been found guilty then you know that there is a penalty for your sin. Jesus who is God Himself paid that price for you when He suffered a brutal death even though He never sinned because He does not want you to be separated from Him. When you accept His death as payment for your sin then your debt is paid and you are seen as free of guilt. If you would like to receive that free gift, then talk to Him about it. Tell Him that you know that you're lost in your sin and that you need a savior. Tell Him that you want Him to be in your life to guide you and that you want to live for Him.
That's all it takes. A heart truly given to Jesus will bring you to the Bema for judgement instead of the Throne of Judgement.
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