Ready for the Return of Jesus

Sep 27, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: The Fig Tree’s Budding Leaves and the Nearness of Christ’s Return

When green shoots push through barren branches, hope stirs. Jesus pointed to the fig tree’s tender leaves as a sign of summer’s approach, urging believers to recognize the urgency of His return. Just as farmers read the land, Christians must discern the spiritual seasons. Wars, earthquakes, and cultural shifts are not chaos but birth pains. To ignore these signs is to risk being caught unprepared. The call is not to panic but to lean into expectancy, letting hope shape daily choices. [40:08]

“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door.” (Matthew 24:32-33, NLT)

Reflection: What “budding leaves” in your life or world stir your awareness of Christ’s nearness? How might this expectancy reshape one ordinary choice you make today?

Day 2: Preparing the House Before the Master’s Unexpected Return

A homeowner doesn’t wait for the burglar’s knock to lock the doors. Jesus’ parable of the vigilant servant confronts complacency: faithfulness isn’t a crisis response but a daily rhythm. The threat isn’t God’s absence but our distraction. Cluttered hearts forget the Master’s return could interrupt mundane moments—grinding grain, mending nets, scrolling screens. Readiness means living as if the next breath could be swept into eternity’s current. [42:55]

“You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” (Matthew 24:44, NLT)

Reflection: What “unlocked door” in your spiritual life most needs attention today? Name one practical step to fortify it before nightfall.

Day 3: The Patient Farmer and God’s Longing for the Harvest

God’s delay is not indifference but mercy. Like a farmer waiting for crops to ripen, He endures mockery to rescue one more soul. Every postponed prophecy is a gift, stretching time for prodigals to turn homeward. This patience is costly—a divine ache for crowded heaven. Believers aren’t called to date-setting but seed-planting, joining the ache that fuels evangelism. [48:28]

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9, NLT)

Reflection: Whose face comes to mind when you consider God’s patience? How will you “water the seed” for them this week?

Day 4: From Swaddling Clothes to a Robe of Victory

Mangers and meekness marked His first arrival; white horses and war cry will herald His return. The Lamb who absorbed violence will arrive as the Lion dispensing justice. Many missed Him then, clinging to expectations of a political savior. Many risk missing Him now, reducing Him to a passive therapist. The throne awaits a King, not a consultant. [59:33]

“On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.” (Revelation 19:16, NLT)

Reflection: Do you relate more to Jesus as Lamb or Lion today? How might embracing both truths deepen your worship?

Day 5: When Autumn Leaves Fall and Winter’s Certainty Approaches

Farmers don’t debate seasons—they act. Crisp air and amber leaves demand stored harvests and sealed barns. Jesus highlighted this practicality: spiritual preparation isn’t mystical but measurable. Just as falling leaves signal coming frost, global chaos signals eternal dawn. The call isn’t to stockpile fear but to steward time, relationships, and purpose with fierce intentionality. [01:04:43]

“He changes the times and the seasons. He removes kings and raises up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” (Daniel 2:21, NLT)

Reflection: What “seasonal shift” in your priorities would better reflect winter’s nearness? What one thing will you prune or plant before sunset?

Sermon Summary

Matthew 24 puts Jesus’ own words right in front of the church: deception, wars, famine, earthquakes, persecution, false prophets, cold love, and the gospel going to every nation. Jesus does not give these signs so people can panic or obsess over a date. Jesus says the end will not follow immediately, but He also says to stay awake, be ready, and endure to the end.

The return of Christ matters because it is not some side topic in Scripture. The promise of His return calls for a biblical worldview that trusts God’s Word over headlines, social media, fear, and popular opinion. The signs are not here to scare people. The signs are here to prepare people.

The fear of the Lord is healthy when it leads a heart to search itself honestly. The fear of the Lord does not deny God’s love, grace, or mercy. The fear of the Lord recognizes that disobedience has consequences and that Jesus calls His people to be found faithful when He returns.

God’s patience is not slowness. Second Peter says the Lord is patient because He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent. The delay of Christ’s return gives lost family members, neighbors, coworkers, and friends time to be saved. The desire for Jesus to come should never become a selfish desire merely to escape a difficult world. The harvest still matters, and heaven needs to be more crowded.

Jesus’ first coming and second coming carry very different images. Jesus first came as the Lamb, born in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes, wearing a crown of thorns, mocked and beaten. Jesus will return as the Lion of Judah, riding in victory, clothed in glory, called King of kings and Lord of lords. Every eye will see Him, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

The changing seasons show that wise people notice signs and make preparation. The call to readiness means getting hearts right, leaving behind what has no eternal impact, sharing the good news, and refusing to live in idle mode. The second coming is not something Christians have to fear. Christ’s return means sin will be defeated, suffering will end, and God will make everything new.

Key Takeaways

1. The signs are meant to prepare [01:09:07] Jesus does not invite His people into fear-driven speculation. Jesus calls them to recognize the season without pretending to know the day or hour. Readiness means a heart that stays awake, faithful, and useful in God’s purposes. [69:07]
2. God’s patience makes room for repentance [48:12] God has not forgotten His promise, and He is not late. God is patiently giving people time to turn from sin and find life in Christ. The waiting period places a real burden on believers to stop playing games and carry the gospel to people around them. [48:12]
3. Escape is not the goal [49:53] The longing for Jesus to return is good, and “Maranatha, come Lord, come” should be the cry of every believer. A desire simply to get out of a broken world can reveal a heart that has grown cold toward lost people. The harvest calls for love, witness, service, and a desire to bring others into eternity. [49:53]
4. Jesus returns as the conquering King [01:01:57] Jesus first came in humility as the Lamb who was slain. Jesus will come again in power as the Lion of Judah, with no question about His authority. The King of kings will not return to be mocked, beaten, or crucified, but to be worshiped in victory. [61:57]
5. Today is the day of salvation [01:11:49] Readiness cannot be postponed until a more convenient time. Christ calls hearts to repent, return, and be found doing His will now. The promise that God will make all things new gives courage for present faithfulness in a world filled with heartbreak and pain.

## [71:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[32:22] - Worshiping the King of Kings
[33:42] - Why Christ’s Return Matters
[35:51] - Reading Matthew 24
[43:30] - A Healthy Fear of the Lord
[45:27] - Preparing Hearts for His Return
[46:58] - God’s Patience and Salvation
[49:53] - Do Not Just Escape, Work the Harvest
[53:51] - Israel Missed the Messiah
[57:18] - The Lamb and the Lion
[60:17] - Jesus Is Coming in Glory
[63:21] - Recognizing the Signs of the Season
[69:07] - Do Not Fear, Be Ready
[71:49] - Today Is the Day of Salvation
[73:11] - God Will Make Everything New

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 24
“Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, 'Tell us when will this happen and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?' Jesus answered: 'Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” [35:51]

2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” [48:12]

Revelation 19:11-16
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron scepter.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” [59:10]

Observation questions

What warnings and events does Jesus name in Matthew 24 before describing His return? [37:12]
What does Jesus say believers should do instead of panicking when they hear about wars and other troubling events? [37:20]
According to Matthew 24, what two things are believers called to do while waiting for Christ’s return?
In 2 Peter 3:9, what reason is given for the Lord’s patience in fulfilling His promise? [48:00]

Interpretation questions

Jesus says that many difficult signs will take place, but that the end will not follow immediately. How does this help believers recognize the season without claiming to know the exact day or hour? [01:09:07]
Matthew 24 connects readiness with being a faithful servant who is actively caring for the master’s household. What might faithful, useful service look like in everyday life today? [42:42]
How does God’s patience toward people who need repentance shape the way believers should think about Christ’s return and the lost people around them? [48:40]
Revelation 19 presents Jesus as the victorious King who judges rightly and reigns with full authority. How should this picture of Jesus correct the idea that grace means sin has no consequences? [59:22]

Application questions

When troubling headlines, social media posts, or conversations about the future make you anxious, what helps you return to trust in God’s Word rather than fear? [43:30]
Jesus calls His people to be ready. Is there any area of your heart, habits, relationships, or hidden choices that needs honest repentance and surrender to God? [01:02:39]
Is your desire for Christ’s return mainly shaped by hope in Jesus, or has it sometimes become a desire simply to escape hardship? How can your heart remain tender toward people who still need Christ? [49:53]
Who is one family member, neighbor, coworker, or friend God may be placing on your heart during this season? What is one simple, loving step you could take to pray for them, serve them, or share the good news with them? [50:25]
What regularly consumes your time and energy but has little eternal impact? Is there something you could reduce or leave behind in order to make room for prayer, Scripture, serving, or reaching others? [01:11:34]
Christ’s return means sin, suffering, and death will not have the final word. Where do you most need that hope right now, and how can that promise give you courage to remain faithful today? [01:12:19]

Sermon Clips

36s

#ReadyForHisReturn

“Listen to me. The signs aren't here to scare us. They're here to prepare us. Don't obsess over a date. Don't listen to people who think they have it figured out. Don't live in fear. Don't hide from the world. Recognize the season and start to prepare accordingly. Amen. The question isn't whether I can figure out when he's coming. The question is whether he'll find me ready when he does.”

48s

#JesusIsComingAgain

“The first time they struck him, the first time they mocked him, the first time they spit upon him, the first time they nailed him to a cross, but that was just the first time. Because when he comes again, he's not coming to be beaten. He's coming in victory. He's not coming to be mocked. He's coming to be worshiped. Jesus Christ, the lamb who was slain, the lion of Judah, the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last, the king of kings, the lord of lords. He is coming again. Somebody give him some praise this morning.”

47s

#KingOfKings

“The first time he came, he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The next time he comes, Revelation says he'll be riding a white horse. The first time he wore a crown made of thorns. The next time he'll wear the crown, king of kings. The first time they put a robe on him to mock him. The next time his robe will declare he's the lord of lords. The first time he stood before Pilate, the next time every ruler will stand before him. The first time they question his authority. The next time there will be no question who has authority in heaven and on earth.”

40s

#HopeInChrist

“Christians, the second coming is not something that we have to fear. Can I say that again? Yes. I don't want you to miss that. As Christians, the second coming is not something that we have to fear. We also don't have to understand it all. Amen. This is something we can look forward to with hope. Jesus is coming to make everything right. Sin will be defeated. Evil will not have the final word. Suffering will end, and we will finally be with our savior forever.”

62s

#LionOfJudah

“But listen to me. We've softened the character of God. We look at his grace and forget about when he turned tables over. We think about healing, and we forget about when he called the religious snakes and vipers. We've twisted scripture into making Jesus to be soft, that he's the lamb that was slaughtered, and that he was crucified, and he's always forgiving. And we like baby Jesus, and we like Christmas. The second coming is not going to be like the first time. A lot of religious people, a lot of Christians are going to miss it because it's not gonna be the way we want it. He's not coming back as the lamb. He's coming back as the lion.”

36s

#PrepareYourHeart

“And I think that's one of the goals here is that God is saying, hey, I am coming. It's time to prepare. It's time to prepare. And I think that's one of the goals here. If it was fifty years ago, if it's today in 2026, if we fully believe the word of God, we must fully believe that this could happen at any moment. We better prepare our hearts. We better prepare our family. We better talk to our friends because this demands preparation.”

32s

#PrayForTheLost

“when we're just focused on him coming back and and and we're just focused on getting out of here, it shows us that our hearts have hardened towards people because we should be praying. God, let us bring as many people as we can. Father, help my family. Help my loved ones who don't know you. Help my neighbors. Help my coworkers. Help my friends.”

28s

#RightWithGod

“And can I just tell you this morning if this topic scares you, then that means you're in the right place this morning because you need to seek out your heart and search your mind and ask the Lord if you need to make some changes in your life so that you're right with him? Right. Amen. Because this topic should not scare us, but it should help us long to be with the Lord.”

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