Jesus Christ's return is a pivotal event, celebrated in the Feast of Trumpets, symbolizing His second coming as the conqueror and deliverer to intervene in world affairs, resurrect the firstfruits, and establish the Kingdom of God on earth. This feast marks a vast turning point in history, transitioning from the age of man and darkness under satan to the age of God, the World Tomorrow, the Millennium, and the Kingdom of God. As part of God's redemptive plan, Christ will come again in clouds, with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. At the seventh and last trump, His direct intervention will conquer and demolish the world's Babylonian system of government, replacing it entirely with God's government. Repeatedly, Jesus warned us to wait and watch for His second coming, which will be as sudden as lightning and as unexpected as a thief in the night. The exact date of His return cannot be known in advance, for no one knows the day or the hour except the Father. Human speculation about the timing is in vain, and attempts to calculate it have always been wrong. This uncertainty creates an urgency to be ready at all times, motivating us to live in daily expectation without knowing when the final reckoning will occur. God does not promise to reveal the day or hour to His church, but He provides signs to warn of the approaching end, ensuring that those who watch will not be shocked when it happens. While waiting for Christ's return, we must establish our hearts with patience, a virtue that requires mental effort and God-given restraint in facing trials. Patience, as emphasized by James, is a moderating force against our urgent tendencies for immediate action, urging us to wait patiently for the Lord. We are responsible for watching and praying, ensuring everything is ready for His return, whether it be in the morning, afternoon, or evening. We must not let delays produce hopelessness or depression, but remain steadfast in living God's way of life, actively working to establish our hearts with godly love and fervent fellowship. Shared encouragement and selfless help become increasingly vital as the day of Christ's return nears. Jesus encouraged urgency in preparing for His coming, as one may die at any time, making His return seem like a twinkling of an eye away. We must patiently endure trials, tribulations, and persecutions to the end, standing firm in faith, for those who endure will be saved. This waiting is not passive but requires a balance between anticipation and active spiritual growth, avoiding obsession with prophecy or neglect of character development. Christ's promise to the faithful is protection for their patient endurance, safeguarding them during the hour of trial coming upon the world, transforming suffering into triumph as we prepare to meet Him at His return.

The return of Jesus Christ is a subject of great anticipation, yet it remains unexpected and unknowable in its precise timing. Many have speculated and attempted to calculate the exact day and hour of His coming, as seen in the late 1960s when members of the Worldwide Church of God believed that Christ might return in 1975, driven by a sense of urgency amid global turmoil. This impatience mirrors the experience of Jesus' disciples nearly two thousand years ago, who also yearned for His immediate return under Roman occupation, only to be corrected by Him for their impatience. Throughout history, the church has often lived in expectation of His imminent second coming, with even James, in the 50s AD, urging patience among scattered members. The Bible makes it clear that the date of Christ's return cannot be known in advance. Human speculation about the timing is vain, as this knowledge resides solely with God the Father. Christ's second coming will be sudden as lightning and unexpected as a thief in the night. While signs of the times indicate the nearness of His return, they do not provide a specific timetable. God reveals general knowledge to His church about where we stand in history, but not the day or the hour, ensuring that we live in daily expectation without obsession over exact dates. As we await His return, patience is essential, not as a passive state but as an active, God-given restraint in the face of trials. Impatience can lead to despair or attempts to force prophecy according to human will, as seen in various schisms within the church over time. Instead, we are called to watch and pray, to avoid despair over delays, to establish our hearts with godly love, to fellowship sincerely without grudging against one another, and to endure trials until the end. True patience, coupled with faith and endurance, prepares us to meet Christ at His unexpected return, aligning our waiting with His divine timetable.

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 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 of His return will 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 theme tied to the Feast of Trumpets, marking not only His rulership and resurrection but also the end of satan's invisible domination over mankind. It signifies the beginning of God's Sabbath rest, emphasizing the urgency of working diligently in the time leading up to this momentous event. The parables in Matthew 24 and 25 highlight the unexpected nature of His return, urging faithfulness and wisdom among His servants. These teachings warn against mistreating fellow servants and living in a worldly manner, as such conduct reveals a lack of awareness of the times. Christ stresses that unpreparedness will lead to severe consequences, with imagery of being cut in two and weeping, indicating profound despair for those who fail to measure up. In the parable of the ten virgins, Christ illustrates a spiritual malaise that can develop if one is not vigilant, lulled into a deceptive spiritual sleep by the monotonous regularity of daily life. The stressful times we live in, marked by rapid events and increasing knowledge, add to this challenge, fostering anticipation that can be psychologically wearying. All ten virgins were asleep when the cry of the bridegroom's coming was made, symbolizing a lack of alertness to the times, even if physically awake. The wise virgins, through vision and discipline, prepared thoroughly during wakeful times, while the foolish were caught short, lacking oil, which represents readiness for His arrival. Christ concludes this parable by urging all to be alert, as He could return at an unexpected moment. Further instruction from I Thessalonians reinforces this message, emphasizing that no one knows the exact time of Christ's return. This uncertainty is by God's design, ensuring that His servants remain motivated without resting on their laurels. The suddenness of His coming is likened to a thief in the night, catching the unprepared by surprise while the world continues with carnal pursuits, oblivious to the signs. Believers, however, are not in total darkness; they have been enlightened to a degree and must exercise faith to stay prepared. The Apostle Paul warns against being lulled into spiritual sleep or drunkenness, symbolizing deception and lack of control, and instead encourages alertness and self-discipline to face the responsibility of these intense times. Paul's consistent counsel across his writings, whether to the Thessalonians, Corinthians, Romans, or others, reflects his belief in the imminence of Christ's return. He urges believers to make the best use of their time, casting off sinful ways and putting on righteous conduct with urgency, as time is running out. His personal example demonstrates relentless dedication, driven by the love of Christ, pushing forward despite physical and external challenges. He advises against complacency, emphasizing individual responsibility to prepare for Christ's unexpected arrival, ensuring that one is not found beating fellow servants or lacking oil in their lamp, but instead ready to meet Him when He comes.

The return of Jesus Christ is a central hope and a pivotal event in history, marked by great power and glory. His coming will be unexpected, as no one knows the precise time, though the church has anticipated it as near for nearly 2,000 years. When He returns, it will be a dramatic and unmistakable moment, heralded by loud proclamations and events that demand attention, ensuring that every eye will see Him and no one can plead ignorance. His arrival will be like a lightning strike—sudden, bright, and impossible to ignore—accompanied by heavenly signs and a great trumpet blast, signaling the gathering of His people. This second coming will not be a quiet or hidden event but a front-and-center occurrence, explosive and magnificent, stirring both dread and joy depending on one's stance. It will mark a turning point from humanity's disastrous self-rule to the blessed reign of God, bringing war that ushers in peace, death that opens the way to better life, and destruction that concludes with restoration. Despite the seeming delay, which may cause some to think He is late, His timing is precise, and He urges vigilance and readiness at all times. Jesus Christ warns against being deceived by false claims of His return and emphasizes the importance of focusing on spiritual growth and faithfulness, rather than fixating on the exact moment of His coming, ensuring that His followers are always prepared for that great day.

In the ongoing battle of the Christian fight, the return of Jesus Christ stands as a pivotal event toward which time is inexorably moving. His return is described as unexpected, with the precise moment unknown, urging believers to remain vigilant and prepared at all times. Christ emphasizes the importance of taking advantage of the present time and knowledge at hand, for those who fail to heed His advice may find their path to the Kingdom of God blocked. The urgency is clear: now is the acceptable time, and opportunities must not be missed, as time will not wait for anyone. The New Testament reinforces this call to action, reminding Christians that each moment holds the weight of eternity, and they must strike while the iron is hot to cooperate with God's purpose. The movement of time is directed by God toward the Day of the Lord and the establishment of His family kingdom on earth, compelling believers to manage their time wisely and not be distracted by the repetitive, vain cycles of this world. Christ's return serves as a constant motivator to live each day according to God's will, ensuring that no occasion to do what is right and good is overlooked.