The Lord's coming, that blessed hope, the present expectation of His return at any moment, is the brightest thing with which our minds can be occupied. The Bible is so wonderfully written that saints living at any time during these last 1900 years could have enjoyed this blessed hope.
Surely I come quickly. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord
The second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ for His bride, the Church, has been known and taught clearly, especially in the last 160 years. The fact that we believers are still here only lets us know that we are that much nearer to the time of His coming for us. Not only are we waiting for His coming, but Christ is waiting, and He is waiting more truly and earnestly than we are. Those at Philadelphia were commended for keeping His Word, and not denying His name, and then given a promise because they had kept the word of His patience. Notice that it is not their patience, but His patience. Realizing His side of this makes it easier to wait patiently for Him.
The little book of James puts it clearly with these words, "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." James 5:7, 87Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (James 5:7‑8).
We ought to be able to discern the times, for the Lord inquires, "How is it that ye do not discern this time?" Luke 12:5656Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? (Luke 12:56). There are moral elements at this time that a spiritual mind can discern, but the fixing of dates is a mistake. The Father has kept that in His own power.
Sometimes as we begin another year, the remark will be made that this is surely the year the Lord will come. In this past century more than once certain ones have set a date for the Lord's coming, and it did not happen. The result is a mocking and scorning by professors, of Christ and of His coming. Let us not set a date, but earnestly look for Him for whom we wait, knowing His last promise is, "Surely I come quickly." Rev. 22:2020He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20).
Why should I say, "Surely the Lord will come this year, or this month, or this week, or even tomorrow?" Why put it off at all in my thoughts? Why not say, "Perhaps today!" Ed.