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There are truths in Christianity that are known to everyone from the beginning. This applies especially to matters of faith concerning holiness, justice, biblical commandments, and promises. We become accustomed to this basic knowledge over time. However, the meaning and scope of these truths must be continually brought to our attention. Among the most significant statements of Jesus in this context is His Second Coming. How do we deal with the fact that Jesus will return and that this could happen at any time?
Jesus' imminent return was taken for granted.
The first Christians were filled with anticipation of the Lord's imminent return. Especially during times of persecution, this thought was both hopeful and captivating. People were convinced of it, and it helped them overcome all difficulties: soon it would all be over. But the longer it went on, the more the questions gnawed at them: "Why isn't He coming? Is He coming at all?" Doubts slowly arose, and there were even those who took the whole thing as an opportunity for mockery. They asked: "Where is this promise of His coming? For since the patriarchs fell asleep, everything continues as it has been since the beginning of creation!" (2 Peter 3:4). Yet Peter asserts that these people knew deep down that it was only a matter of time before Jesus returned. They deliberately tried to suppress this: "But they willfully overlook it" (2 Peter 3:5).
People need to see our good deeds, not us. It's often much easier to put ourselves in the spotlight.
What did Jesus say about His second coming?
Regarding His Second Coming, Jesus was very clear: “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will repay everyone according to what they have done” (Matthew 16:27). Viewed in the historical context of the expectation of the Messiah, this idea already deeply moved people back then. The question was not whether the Messiah would come at all, but precisely when. It was, and remains to this day, the longing and the dream of the Jewish people.
Are there any signs one can look for?
Essentially, several questions were posed in response to Jesus' statements: "As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately and said, 'Tell us, when will this happen [1] and what will be the sign of your coming [2] and of the end of the age [3] ?'" (Matthew 24:3). In the subsequent address, Jesus explains what will happen. He calls them to be vigilant so that they are able to recognize the signs of the times and not react to temptations and the miracles that accompany them.
Wise or foolish in expectation
To illustrate this point, Jesus uses an example that has gone down in history as "The Parable of the Ten Virgins" (cf. Mt 25:1-13). Jesus makes it clear that it is not enough simply to believe in His return. It is also about how one deals with this fact and how it manifests itself in everyday life.
There were ten virgins, all of whom wanted to meet the bridegroom and then celebrate the wedding feast with him. They did two things: they took their lamps and they went out to meet the bridegroom. It is not mentioned how long they had been waiting, only that the bridegroom's arrival was delayed. He came later than the women had expected. They waited, but he did not come. Long waiting is difficult for us humans. It truly requires patience, which we often lack. We want everything immediately, without having to wait. Perhaps the virgins were just as impatient at first. Time passed, but the bridegroom did not come.
Alert in anticipation
We all know that Jesus will come—at least in theory. We are waiting for the One who said, “Look, I am coming soon!” (Revelation 22:7).
Some waiting Christians may feel: It can't be much longer now. Others have already gone out to meet the Bridegroom. How are we waiting? What state are we in? Perhaps at first we were in constant expectation: He is coming soon. And because it didn't happen promptly, we slowly became complacent.
Before the virgins went out, each of them had remembered to bring a lamp. It was simply customary for a virgin awaiting the bridegroom to carry a lamp. It was quite possible that the bridegroom wouldn't arrive until late in the evening or even at night. There was no set time. The lamps were important for the anticipation. However, they weren't part of a virgin's adornment. The lamps were primarily there to shine! That was the whole point! It's quite possible that the lamps weren't lit until later, when it got dark.
God says in His Word: “The spirit of man is a lamp to the Lord” (Proverbs 20:27). On the day a person’s spirit is born of the Spirit of God, it becomes a lamp, a light of the Lord! But God only needs lamps that truly burn!
So all the virgins had their lamps with them. Presumably, they had all been lit at first. Yet something was amiss with at least half of them. Jesus said that five of them were wise and five were foolish. Why was that? Everything was there. They were all waiting with lit lamps. What could possibly be wrong? When the bridegroom arrived, the difference became clear. It was the fuel—the oil!
A burning lamp consumes oil.
Jesus says, “The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps” (Matthew 25:3-4). Burning oil lamps consume oil. The wise virgins took this consumption into account and therefore also took fuel with them to refill their lamps. Therein lay their wisdom. Their thought process can be imagined as follows: “We don’t know when the bridegroom will come. Perhaps it will take a while. We must also prepare for that and be ready.” Therefore, they took additional oil with them in their jars.
So they took extra oil with them in their vessels. And that's actually the most important part of the parable. When the bridegroom arrived, he didn't ask who was waiting for him and had a lamp. Only those who had their lamps burning until the very end were truly ready!
And that's actually the most important point in this parable. When the bridegroom arrived, he didn't ask who was waiting for him and had a lamp. Only those who had their lamps lit until the very end were truly ready!
The lamps, the light, the oil, and the readiness
We have read that the human spirit is the lamp. What is the significance of the oil? In the Bible, oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, we read: “Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forth and thereafter” (1 Samuel 16:13). Through this anointing, the Spirit of God began to work in David.
Jesus says, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). God has kindled His fire in our hearts so that we may shine. But what does it actually mean to be light? What does this look like in practice? Jesus explains, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). That is the direct meaning of being light. People need to see not us, but our good works.
It's often much easier to put oneself out there – this has even become popular today. However, God requires His children to above all have good works. This likely means not just doing good deeds for someone, but that our entire lives are characterized by this. At the same time, it's a sign that we are expecting our Lord and are ready. This is the result of God's work in us through His Spirit. Expecting Jesus' return without preparation is like waiting for a train without buying a ticket.
Think about the oil before it gets dark
Anyone who has become a child of God has surely experienced this many times: We want to be light, but somehow it doesn't work out. Or it only lasts from today until tomorrow. We try hard and still fail. Why?
Let us think of the virgins. It could be the same reason. If we want to be both ready and a light, then we must be filled with the Spirit of God—just as a burning lamp is constantly refilled with oil. The Bible says, “Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Being filled with the Spirit of God should constantly accompany us in our lives. It is not the one-time experience of being baptized in the Spirit, but a daily need.
A serving and waiting Christian seeks the fullness of the Spirit.
In this context, Jesus' words become very clear: "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (Mt 5:3). How powerful it is when, after a ministry, one stands empty and exhausted, and God quenches one's inner thirst with the fresh water of His Spirit. Then the lamp of God shines anew. Then the longing for the Lord's return and the joy at His coming are all the greater.
Dear child of God, is the Second Coming of the Lord a reality for you, or just a thought you've long since grown accustomed to? How do you deal with it? What do you feel when events around the world unfold rapidly and everyone increasingly suggests that the time is very near? Jesus will come! May His words gain renewed importance and meaning for us today: “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve them and will attend to them” (Luke 12:37).
Peter Treu
Municipality of Ilsede