Why We Wait for Jesus to Return
Month 12: On Mission & Finishing Well · Why We Believe
Today's Scripture
Read together: Acts 1:11 & 2 Peter 3:8-9, 13
11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” — Acts 1:11
8 Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. … 13 But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. — 2 Peter 3:8-9,13
Memory Verse
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”— 2 Timothy 4:7 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: 2 Timothy 1–4
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 354 of 365 — Paul's final letter.)The Heart of It
When Jesus rose up into the clouds, two angels stood beside the staring disciples. They made an astonishing promise. "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven" (). Not a different Jesus. Not a vague idea. The same nail-scarred, risen Lord. And He will come back the same way He left. He will come bodily, visibly, gloriously. A Christian runs the race to the end because we know the finish line is real. We know the King is really coming. We're not waiting for nothing. We're waiting for Someone.
But people grow impatient. Even in Peter's day, scoffers asked, "Where is the promise of His coming?" (). Peter answers with two beautiful truths. First, God doesn't keep time the way we do. "A day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day" (v. 8). He is never late. Second, the "delay" is actually mercy. The Lord is "not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance" (v. 9). Every extra day is another door of grace held open for someone to come home. So we wait. We are "looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells" (v. 13). We don't wait nervously. We wait with bright hope, finishing our race and inviting others into the joy before the door closes.
Around the Table
Jesus went up to heaven, and He promised to come back! We get to watch and wait for Him with happy hearts.
Let's do it: Look up and wave: "Come back soon, Jesus. We love You!"
Jesus isn't slow. He's patient, giving more people time to come to Him before He returns.
Let's talk: If Jesus is waiting so more people can be saved, who could we pray would come to Him?
The "same Jesus" who rose will return bodily and visibly. This is a real promise, not a symbol.
Let's go deeper: How would living like Jesus could return any day change the choices you make this week?
💬 Conversation Starter
If you knew Jesus was coming back this Saturday, what's one thing you'd want to do first? And why wait?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Someone might say, "Jesus said He'd come back two thousand years ago. Clearly it never happened, so the Bible is wrong." Here's how to answer kindly. The Bible never set a date for His return. In fact, Jesus said no one knows the day or hour (). And told believers up front that God's timing isn't ours. It said the wait is mercy, giving more people time to repent. A delayed gift from a generous Giver isn't a broken promise. It's patience. The same Scriptures that record the promise also explain the waiting. So the "problem" was answered before it was ever raised ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
The return of Christ is meant to be a working doctrine, not just a theological footnote. Peter draws a startling conclusion: "Since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?" (). In other words, the surest sign that you really believe Jesus is coming is how you live this ordinary Tuesday. Dad, the hope of His appearing is a powerful tool against both despair and apathy in your home. When the news is grim, the second coming says justice is sure. When you're tempted to coast, it says your faithfulness matters. Hold this hope warmly. Never hold it with date-setting hype or fear. Hold it with the steady, joyful expectancy of children watching the road for a Father they know is coming.
Draws on: Sam Storms, Kingdom Come; Natasha Crain, Talking with Your Kids about Jesus.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You that the same Jesus who went to heaven is really coming back. Thank You that Your patience is mercy. Help us wait with hope. Help us finish our race. And help us tell others before You come. In Jesus' name, amen."
Jesus is coming back. So I will wait with hope and live like He's almost here.