Hastening the Coming of Jesus?

May nothing distract me from the truth You have for me today, Lord. Amen


"... what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God ... "


Did you know you can hasten the coming of Jesus? The Bible says the day and the hour of His return is known only to God the Father (Mark 13:32). But that does not mean it is a date set on God's calendar which cannot be changed.


In fact, we're told to pray that Jesus will come. Jesus Himself taught us to pray, "Your kingdom come. Your will be doe on earth ..." (Matthew 6:10). Now, we know His Kingdom is going to come. Nothing can stop it. Yet we are told to pray for it. We know Jerusalem will one day be the glory center of the whole world and will enjoy peace, but the Bible says we are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).


Why should we pray for something to occur, when God has already promised and prophesied it will happen? Because God employs the prayers of His people in the fulfillment of His Word. We an move the coming of Jesus closer by praying for it. That's why the Bible ends with this prayer, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20).


God uses us to help accomplish the things He has already set in motion in preparation for the day of Christ's return. We're not waiting for any prophecies to be fulfilled. The only thing holding Jesus back is the readiness of His Bride. So another way we can speed up the coming of Jesus is through soul-winning.


God is building up the church, the Bride of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is patiently waiting until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (Romans 11:25). And when that last soul is saved, Jesus will come back to claim His Bride.


We're to be looking and longing for His coming - and we can be laboring for it, as well. As we pray for His coming and win souls for Christ, we can hasten the day that our Lord splits the skies and returns in majesty and glory!


~Adrian Rogers~