Jesus’ imminent return does not justify us becoming unproductive in our individual callings.
Once again, Paul refers to the Bridegroom’s return as he wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Thessalonians chapter 5:
1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
And in 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2:
1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,
2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
There are many opinions about the return of Jesus, and we are not to be shaken or troubled by them. Some say that there will be no true harpazo, and His Bride will endure seven years of tribulation (the time of Jacob’s trouble). They don’t understand the unfailing Love FATHER has for His Sons and Daughters to make up the Bride of Christ. Jesus is not coming for a battered bride.
Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 25:
1 “Then the Kingdom of Heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the Bridegroom.
2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
We are to stay prepared and productive each and every day. If you are not fruitful in your daily life, then you will not be seen as mature in your walk. Jesus did not call us to sit around and do nothing awaiting His return. Don’t look at any perceived delay as a sign that He has changed His Mind about returning for His Bride. Instead, look for opportunities to be a witness and blessing to those around you.
5 But while the Bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the Bridegroom is coming; go out to meet Him!’
7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
10 And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the Wedding; and the door was shut.
11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’
12 But He answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”
There are plenty of people who have developed a doctrine to rationalize their spiritual inactivity. Jesus knows who they are but does not “know them”. They will not be able to watch the return of Christ and think that they can somehow be included due to their own unwillingness to embrace what Jesus clearly states in The Word.
Jesus also spoke in Matthew chapter 24:
45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom His Master made ruler over His household, to give them food in due season?
46 Blessed is that servant whom His Master, when He comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that He will make him ruler over all His goods.
48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My Master is delaying His coming,’
49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the Master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for Him and at an hour that he is not aware of,
51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the other hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
A hypocrite is a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that they do not actually possess.
Actions speak louder than words!