So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 NIV
One of the core doctrines of the Christian faith is the return of Jesus for those who are his. There are many ways that people have come to understand just what that will look like. But what we can all agree on is that he is returning. Returning for those who have died as well as those still alive. That is the great hope that we have as believers. That this life is not all there is. In Christ, we have life eternal. A life that we will only fully experience upon his return.
When will this return of Jesus occur? We do not know. Many have attempted to predict a date. Others have tried to identify events or signs that must be fulfilled first. But the date of his return remains a mystery. And every predicted date has been a failure. However, as Paul is careful to point out here, even not knowing the date, we should live as if it could happen at any time. Stay awake and sober. Be looking forward to his return, living in expectation of it. Don’t get drunk on the ways of this world and lose sight of our great hope.
