The Bible urges us to follow as we face this Second Coming of Jesus. Starting in verse 11 when he says,
11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,
1 Thessalonians 4.11
I think it is beautiful that the Bible doesn’t give us a specific time and season when Jesus will come back but clearly show us what the signs might be.
It doesn’t give us specific time when Jesus comes. It could be anytime. And I do believe there is a will of God behind this.
As it says in verse 11
11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,
If you go to 2 Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 11 it says,
11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
2 Thessalonians 3.11
Thessalonians is full of hope for Second Coming of Jesus, but we must know that it takes place just after Jesus ascended to heaven and they began to wait for the Second Coming of Jesus.
Thessalonians especially, is full of hope and desire for the Second Coming of Jesus but is pointing out that we should lead a quiet life minding our own business and working with our own hands.
I don’t particularly like Martin Luther, he made a big mistake, especially in later times. But he left a very famous word I do like. He says that
‘Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.’
Martin Luther
I think it should be our attitude. Even if we knew the end might come tomorrow, today even, I would plant my own ‘calling’.
We have our own calling, we have our own concern for our children, our neighbours, our family members, and we should plant our own ‘apple tree’, even if Jesus comes back tonight, or this afternoon.
So, Luke chapter 12.35 says,
35 “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;
Luke 12.35
And even Acts chapter 20.35 says,
35 I have shown you in every way, by labouring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Acts 20.35
And we mind our own business and work with our own hands.
When we have a little bit more than what we need, we can also share with other people in supporting the weak.
Paul says in verse 12 or 1 Thessalonians chapter 4,
12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
1 Thessalonians 4.12
Which means that if we follow these steps and we wait for the Second Coming of Jesus, this can be a good witness to people outside when it says, ‘you may walk properly toward those who are outside’.
I’m sure ‘those outside’ will notice that we are quite different. We try to be sanctified and we also love each other. And we live our life minding our own business to work with our own hands.
This can be very efficient. It can be very a good witness to other people, and they might be attracted to our lives and ask questions.
And this, in turn, will be a good opportunity to share the good news of Jesus.
So, I’d like to sum up what I said:
We should abound more and more, or we should increase more and more as we face the end time following three things:
- First, sanctification
- Second, brotherly love
- Third, a quiet life
It’s not a new thing as I said, I can’t say it’s exciting, it’s not like ‘fun’, but we have real fun, we have real joy, when we faithfully follow our Lord.
And when Jesus comes back, He will reward us according to what we are doing here.
We are saved by the mercies of grace, God’s mercies, but will be rewarded according to what we are doing.
Therefore, with much strength, with much knowledge, we should seek for these three things: sanctification, brotherly love, and a quiet life.
Shall we pray?
Father, thank you for this hope of the Second Coming of Jesus. We also thank you for this detailed instruction on how to live our lives as we face this Second Coming of Jesus.
We look forward to having Jesus back from heaven as our bridegroom and we pray, and we have this hope that you help us be sanctified by Your word and exercise love for each other and lead quiet life before Jesus comes back.
In Jesus name, amen.