Good morning, everyone! Welcome to Grace Bible Church of Phoenix. What a privilege it is to gather together—whether in person or online. Today I want to talk about something that’s been on my heart, something I think we all need to consider: What do we do if Jesus doesn’t come back on Friday?
The Question Behind the Question
Some of you have heard me mention Rosh Hashanah—the Jewish Feast of Trumpets—which begins this Friday at sunset. For those who take Scripture seriously, the idea that God might fulfill His promises on His appointed times is a remarkable thought. Jesus said “no one knows the day or the hour” (Matthew 24:36), and Rosh Hashanah is a two-day festival precisely because no one knows exactly when the new moon will appear.
But here’s the real question: What does it mean if He doesn’t come back then? It means we still have work to do. It means we keep going. It means we keep serving, keep witnessing, keep building His kingdom.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Daniel’s 70 Weeks: God’s Clock Is Still Running
Consider what the prophet Daniel writes in Daniel 9:24: “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity” (Daniel 9:24).
This prophecy speaks of a future event—the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth, with Jerusalem as its capital, and Jesus Christ reigning from it. When God makes a promise, He keeps it. When He sets a time, He meets that time. And when He delays, we keep working.
What if the Rapture Isn’t Today?
If Jesus doesn’t return on Friday—or any day soon—that doesn’t mean God failed. It means His timeline is different than ours. It means He has more work for us to do. And that should be an encouragement, not a disappointment.
Every day we have is an opportunity to be a witness. Every Sunday is a chance to worship with fellow believers. Every trial is a moment to display God’s grace. Every conversation is a door to share the gospel.
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (2 Peter 3:8)
Three Things We Do While We Wait
- Keep worshipping — Every Sunday gathering matters, whether online or in person. We lift up the name of Jesus together.
- Keep growing — We dig into Scripture, we pray, we seek God’s wisdom for our lives and our church.
- Keep sharing — The Great Commission doesn’t have an expiration date. We make disciples of all nations, beginning here in Phoenix.
Even If He Comes, Even If He Doesn’t
The truth is, whether Jesus returns tomorrow or in a thousand years, our mission is the same: be faithful, be ready, keep working. The day of Christ will come, and we want to be found faithful—running our race, fighting the good fight, keeping the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).
So let me ask you today: Are you ready? Not just in case He comes—but in case He doesn’t? In case He delays? In case you have decades more of life ahead of you? What are you doing with those days?
Prayer
Father, thank You that Your timing is perfect, even when it’s different than ours. Thank You that our labor in the Lord is never in vain. Help us to be faithful today, tomorrow, and every day You give us. May we be found ready when You return—or if You delay, may we be found faithful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.