John Review Concluded

I will examine one more area before moving to a new book, and that is the second coming of Christ.  When Peter asked Jesus about what was going to happen to John, Jesus said if John tarried until He came, what that was to Peter.   Jesus's then said "Come, follow Me."   As I stated earlier, many of the early Christians were sure Jesus would return in their lifetime, but their call was not to watch and wait, but to follow.  In every generation since, some have felt certain that Christ's return would be soon.  Many Christians today are certain the second coming is to happen in their lifetime.  What we do know is that we are told that He will come as a thief in the night, when least expected, and that Jesus Himself does not know when this will be, but only the Father.  We are given signs that the second coming is approaching, but are told that the signs do not mean that it is now.  For the Christian, for us as followers of Christ, the second coming is a glorious thing, but for the lost it is an everlasting death sentence.  Selfishly, we may want Christ to return, but we need to pray that He will tarry for those who are lost to be saved.  We are told that there is one thing that must occur before Christ returns again, and that is that the gospel must be spread to all the world.  It is possible that at some point in history this has happened everywhere, but I cannot say for sure.  I can say that we, as followers of Christ, should be spreading the gospel, and more so if we feel that the second coming is getting closer, as indeed it is every day.  We are not called to sit and interpret signs, but to follow Christ and reach the lost world.  I believe we need to look to the second coming not from the point of our own release from the troubles of this world, but from the view of those who are lost.  As long as Jesus tarries, we are simply to follow Him.  He came to seek and save those who were lost, and we must carry that message to the lost world today.  We cannot view it as bad people getting what they deserve, but as lost people being lost forever.  If we lose our compassion for all lost people and want only what is best for us, then we are not living by what Christ taught.