The return of Jesus Christ is a central theme of hope and urgency for believers, celebrated through the Feast of Trumpets, which symbolizes His second coming as the ultimate conqueror and deliverer. This event marks a pivotal turning point in world history, transitioning from the age of man and darkness under satan's influence to the age of God, the World Tomorrow, the Millennium, and the Kingdom of God. At His return, Christ will intervene directly in world affairs at the seventh and last trump, demolishing the world's Babylonian system of government and replacing it with God's government. This day, while marked by significant troubles, ultimately fills believers with great hope, inspiration, and purpose, encouraging them to direct their energies toward God's plan. Despite this hope, the timing of Christ's return remains unknown, and He repeatedly warned believers to wait and watch. Impatience for His second coming has been a recurring issue, evident in the early church nearly 2,000 years ago and persisting among believers today. Jesus corrected His disciples for their eagerness to know the specific time, emphasizing that such knowledge belongs solely to the Father. The exact date and hour of His return cannot be known in advance, rendering human speculation and calculations fruitless. Instead, believers are urged to live in daily expectation, maintaining urgency without knowing the precise moment, as Christ's coming will be sudden, like lightning, and unexpected, like a thief in the night. Scriptures emphasize the importance of patience while waiting for Christ's return. James, writing to scattered church members facing persecution, urged patience and the establishment of hearts, repeating the call for patience multiple times as a moderating force against impulsive tendencies. This patience is not passive but requires active mental effort and God-given restraint in the face of trials. Believers are encouraged to establish their hearts through consistent self-examination and an intimate relationship with God, ensuring their faith remains firm and unwavering during the wait. The New Testament provides signs warning of the approaching end, such as false saviors, wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, persecutions, apostasies, and false prophets, which intensify as the end nears. However, these signs do not offer a specific timetable, and only the coming of Christ Himself unmistakably marks the end of this evil world. Believers are cautioned against obsession with prophecy or neglecting spiritual growth while waiting, as such distractions can lead to impatience and a lack of faith. Instead, they are called to balance waiting with active preparation, watching, praying, and steadfastly living God's way of life. God reveals more to those in His church who watch, though He does not promise to disclose the exact day or hour. Believers must remain ready at all times, as personal circumstances like death could make Christ's return seem instantaneous. The urgency to prepare is vital, for failing to watch and pray risks being caught unprepared. As they wait, believers are responsible for enduring trials patiently, fellowshipping sincerely, and encouraging one another in love and good works, especially as the day of Christ's return draws near. This patient endurance, empowered by God's Spirit, refines them into righteous beings worthy to meet Him at His return.

The anticipation and speculation surrounding the timing of Jesus Christ's return have long been a source of urgency and impatience among believers. In the late 1960s, many within the Worldwide Church of God speculated that Jesus Christ might return on the Feast of Trumpets in 1975, fueled by earlier writings and the turbulent social and political climate of the era. This urgency often turned into impatience, as members sought to calculate the exact day and hour of His return, reflecting a broader human tendency to predict divine plans. Nearly two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ's disciples displayed a similar impatience, desiring to know the precise time of His coming, despite living under Roman occupation and facing their own societal turmoil. Jesus Christ corrected their impatience, emphasizing that such knowledge belongs solely to God the Father. Even in the 50s AD, James exhorted scattered church members to wait patiently for what they believed were just a few remaining years, highlighting the enduring struggle with impatience across generations. James, in his epistle, addressed this impatience directly, urging believers to establish their hearts, avoid grumbling against one another, suffer affliction, and endure trials while awaiting Jesus Christ's return. He emphasized that true patience is an active, God-given restraint in the face of trials, requiring contentment and longsuffering, rather than a passive waiting. James illustrated patience through the examples of a farmer waiting for rains, the prophets enduring mistreatment, and Job persevering through trials, showing that patience involves trust in God's timing and active faith. The Bible clearly states that the exact date of Jesus Christ's second coming cannot be known in advance, rendering human speculation vain. While the church has often lived in expectation of an imminent return, maintaining urgency, impatience has led to schisms and divisions when members lose sight of God's plan and seek to force prophecy according to their own desires. Signs of the times indicate the end is near, yet believers are cautioned against obsession with specific dates, as only God knows the day and hour. Instead, the focus should be on watching, praying, and enduring with patience, trusting that God will reveal necessary knowledge to His church at the appropriate time. Believers are called to patiently endure trials and tribulations, establishing their hearts in faith and love, and maintaining fervent fellowship without grudging against one another. This active patience, rooted in obedience and submission to God's will, prepares them to meet Jesus Christ at His return, ensuring they align with His timetable rather than their own. Urgency for His coming must be balanced with patience, avoiding the restless eagerness of impatience that can lead to despair or misguided actions.

Jesus Christ uses the parable of the fig tree to illustrate a point about His second coming. When its branch becomes tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. Similarly, when you see all the events described earlier in the chapter begin to occur, know that His return is near, at the very doors. However, Jesus warns that only an approximate time can be known, as He states that of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but His Father only.

The return of Jesus Christ is a central hope and a pivotal event in history, long proclaimed by the church since its founding. We believe He will return in great power and glory to defeat His enemies and establish His Kingdom on earth, though the exact timing remains unknown. Despite the church's anticipation for nearly 2,000 years, His return has not yet occurred, yet we yearn for it to transform a world filled with suffering into one under His blessed rule. The apostles, even at the time of His ascension, inquired if He would soon restore the Kingdom to Israel, but He did not return then. Peter, in his early sermons, spoke of God sending Jesus back to inaugurate the restoration of all things, a message echoed since the world's beginning. The second coming is a recurring theme throughout the New Testament and Old Testament, culminating in Revelation with Jesus declaring, "I come quickly." It is also the centerpiece of the holy days, particularly the Feast of Trumpets, which symbolizes a turning point from humanity's disastrous self-rule to God's governance. This feast, marked by the blowing of trumpets or the shout of a shofar, serves as a loud proclamation to grab attention and signal readiness for a significant event. Revelation emphasizes this with descriptions of loud voices, trumpet blasts, and unmistakable signs, ensuring every eye will see Him and all tribes of the earth will mourn at His coming. Jesus Himself taught about His return, instructing His disciples to pray daily for the Kingdom to come, as seen in the Model Prayer. He described His return as a time of astonishing glory, accompanied by angels, to reward His followers and judge His enemies. His transfiguration provided a glimpse of this glory, with His face shining like the sun and clothes white as light, contrasting His humble first coming. In Revelation, John visions Him as a conquering King on a white horse, ruling with a rod of iron, bearing the title KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Further, Jesus spoke of His return as the regeneration, a time of new birth or renewal, when He will sit on His throne of glory, rewarding His followers with positions of authority and eternal life. He promised to prepare a place for His disciples, ensuring they will dwell with Him forever in His Father's house, which has many rooms. However, He warned that His return will be sudden and unexpected, like a thief in the night, urging constant vigilance and readiness. He stressed that no one knows the hour of His coming, emphasizing the importance of focusing on spiritual growth and holy conduct rather than speculating on timing. In the Olivet Prophecy, Jesus detailed events leading to His return, including great tribulation and war, followed by heavenly signs and His appearance on the clouds with power and glory. A great trumpet will sound, and angels will gather His elect from across the earth. He cautioned against deception by false christs and prophets, affirming that His coming will be as obvious as lightning flashing across the sky. Ultimately, Jesus urged His disciples to remain watchful and faithful, warning against complacency or mistreatment of others, as the reward depends on being prepared for His return at any moment.

The Feast of Trumpets brings to mind the return of Jesus Christ to rule the earth, a time associated with resurrection and rulership. It marks the end of Satan's invisible domination of mankind and the beginning of God's Sabbath rest, signifying a period of receiving rewards for sacrifices made in service to God and man. The time just before this event is a critical period of working, which, based on current indicators, appears to be now. In Matthew 24:45-51, Jesus Christ speaks of a faithful and wise servant who is blessed if found diligently working when his Master returns. However, an evil servant who believes the Master delays His coming, mistreats fellow servants, and indulges in worldly behavior will face severe judgment at an unexpected hour, resulting in weeping and gnashing of teeth. This parable emphasizes the importance of conduct and awareness during the time leading to His return. Continuing in Matthew 25:1-13, the parable of the ten virgins illustrates the need for preparedness, as five were wise with oil for their lamps, while five were foolish and unprepared when the bridegroom arrived. Jesus warns to watch, for no one knows the day or hour of the Son of Man's coming, highlighting the danger of spiritual sleep and the necessity of constant readiness despite the monotonous regularity of daily life. In I Thessalonians 5:1-3, Paul notes that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, bringing sudden destruction when people proclaim peace and safety. He affirms that believers are not in ignorance of this timing, yet emphasizes that no one knows the exact moment of Christ's return, as Jesus Himself stated. This uncertainty is intentional, as God deems it better for preparation and judgment that the date remains unknown. Paul further instructs in I Thessalonians 5:4-7 that believers, being sons of light and of the day, should not sleep or be spiritually drunk but must watch and remain sober. Despite not having every detail of Christ's return outlined, believers are enlightened enough to avoid being lulled into unpreparedness by the darkness of the times. In I Corinthians 7:25-31, Paul, sensing the imminence of Christ's return, advises against marriage during the present distress to maintain single-minded devotion to Christ. He consistently urges believers to focus on their responsibility to the One who called them, emphasizing the shortness of time and the passing of the world's form. In Romans 13:10-14, Paul calls for awakening from spiritual sleep, knowing that salvation is nearer now than when first believed. He urges believers to cast off works of darkness and put on the armor of light, walking properly as in the day, with the sense that time is running out to change from sinful to righteous conduct. In Ephesians 5:14-17, Paul exhorts believers to awake from sleep, arise from the dead, and walk circumspectly, redeeming the time because the days are evil. He stresses making the most of every opportunity in the remaining time, keeping life focused on God's purpose. Similarly, in Colossians 4:5, Paul advises walking in wisdom toward outsiders and redeeming the time, reinforcing the urgency to use time effectively in the context of the approaching return of Christ. Throughout his writings, Paul maintains a sense of urgency regarding Christ's imminent return, as seen in his personal example in I Corinthians 9:24-27, where he disciplines himself rigorously to avoid disqualification. In Philippians 3:7-17, he presses toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, urging others to follow his example in pursuing the prize despite sacrifices. In summary, Paul dedicates himself unreservedly to his calling, regardless of whether the time of Christ's return is long or short. He urges believers to do the same, emphasizing that the goal is so great that no chance should be taken to miss any part of it, ensuring preparedness for that unknown hour.