Over the years, even from the days of the early church, predictions have been made regarding the coming (usually the imminent coming) of Jesus Christ. Sometimes folks claimed to have a “sense” that He was “coming soon”; sometimes a year was suggested; sometimes a specific date was chosen; and as we saw with the most recent prediction, a precise time of the day was enumerated. And, each time, prediction after prediction after prediction, when it was all over, those who were there could truthfully say, “We’re still here!”
Maybe someone would say that as a statement of the obvious. Maybe someone would say that as a jab of derision. But, since Jesus made it abundantly clear that the timing of His return was not known and could not be known by anyone on earth (Matt. 24:36-44; 25:13; Mark 13:32-37; Acts 1:7), and since that means that His coming could happen at any moment (1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Pet. 3:10), let’s think of the statement in this light. “Yes, we’re still here. Now what?”
Let’s make (or remake) some determinations. All of this talk recently about the coming of Christ (however erroneously-based it was because of a horrible misuse of Scripture), it still should have made us do some personal reflection. “What if Jesus had come? The prediction was that He was coming on May 21, 2011. What if He came on May 20, the day before the prediction? Or, after I was so confident and then validated that He didn’t come on May 21, what if He had come the next day on May 22?” We’re still here! Now what?
Obviously some people have a misunderstanding about some of the clear teachings of the Bible. We’re still here! Will we do anything to correct errors?
Obviously the Bible has taken a beating, as these seriously flawed predictions were said to be guaranteed by the Bible. We’re still here! Will we do anything to defend this anvil that keeps wearing out the hammers coming against it?
Obviously the name of Christ has been dragged through the mud and treated with shameful contempt through this whole experience. We’re still here! Will we do anything to stand up for the name above all names, the beautiful name of our Redeemer and Friend?
Obviously the serious nature and eternally significant event of Christ’s return has been made a laughing stock across the globe. We’re still here! Will we do anything to truthfully inform and warn the world of His promised return?
Yes, we’re still here. Now what will we do for God?