Many Christians are riveted by the study of biblical prophecy. They energetically study the Bible and look at current events for possible connections. They want to discern “the signs of the times” in earnest expectation of the return of Jesus.
That thinking actually isn’t foreign to the New Testament itself. The apostles and early believers expected the Lord’s return to be very soon. It was an impending event that they fully expected to see in their lifetime. We know this was the case from a variety of New Testament passages. Some are easy to read over and never notice. Others are transparent.
In regard to the former, consider Hebrews 1:1–2: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” The writer of Hebrews believed he was living in the last days—2,000 years ago. The apostle Peter said that Jesus was manifest to him and others “in the last times” (1 Peter 1:20). Peter warned his readers about the threat of self-serving scoffers “in the last days” (2 Peter 3:3). And the events at Pentecost were part of “the last days” (Acts 2:17).
Some passages are even more direct. The apostle John, writing in the book of Revelation, said, “The time is near” (Rev. 1:3; 22:10). The day of the Lord—the day of Christ’s return for New Testament believers—was “drawing near” (Heb. 10:25). Some believers even thought they had missed it (2 Thess. 2:1–2)!
Paul taught the Thessalonian believers what to expect leading up to the Lord’s return: they needed to be mindful of their walk and faithfulness so as not to be unprepared like unbelievers would (1 Thess. 5). It was sage advice. If we live as though the Lord could return soon, our lives will be pleasing to God and a blessing to ourselves and others, whether it happens soon or not. Jesus himself taught that no one could know the precise day or hour (Matt. 24:36). And since the intent of biblical prophecies associated with the first coming wasn’t obvious, we ought not expect to be able to figure things out this next time. In other words, our interest in, and expectancy of, the future shouldn’t be distracting us from living as we should in the present.