When the Time is Right

Our Thursday night poker game included a discussion of Jesus's second coming -- and the big question: When will it happen?

Good poker players know how to wait for the right set of cards, before making a move. They could be Aces in the pocket, or they could be on the board in the formation of a flush (real or bluffed).

We'd like to think God is waiting for the right time, before sending Jesus back to Earth. It may not be the time that's most convenient for us, but it will be the right time.

Much of Matthew 24 contains a list given by Jesus of things which must occur before He comes back. "Immediately after the tribulation of those days.... then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven.... and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (24:29-30).

When Jesus said these words, He didn't know the exact timing of that great event. He said in verse 36 "my Father only" knows. If Jesus knows the precise moment now, there's no Scripture to indicate it -- despite what some so-called Bible experts might tell you.

Whenever that precise moment happens, the Bible indicates it truly will be an "all-in moment" for God. "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat on him was called Faithful and True.... his name is called the Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses...." (Revelation 19:11-14) We assume those "armies" to mean angels.

God's final push for victory is coming. Are you rooting for it? And are you ready to welcome it?