Can the return of Christ truly be said to be imminent?
The return of Jesus Christ is one of the most anticipated events for Christians around the world. Many believers wonder if His second coming is imminent or could happen at any moment. What does the Bible have to say about the timing of Christ’s return?
Definition of Imminent
The word “imminent” means ready to take place, impending, or likely to occur at any moment. When we say Christ’s return is imminent, it gives the sense that He could come back very soon, suddenly, or without warning.
Several key passages point to the imminent return of Jesus. In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus told His disciples, “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44). He instructed them to “stay awake” and be on guard because the day and hour of His coming are unknown (Matthew 24:42).
Paul also emphasized the suddenness of Christ’s return when he wrote, “For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3).
Other verses like Matthew 24:36, 25:13, Luke 12:40, Philippians 4:5, Hebrews 10:25, James 5:8-9, 1 Peter 4:7 also point to the imminent, unexpected nature of Jesus’ second coming. These passages give the sense that Christ could return suddenly at any moment.
Characteristics of Imminence
Several characteristics help explain the biblical meaning of imminence regarding the return of Christ:
– Unexpected – Christ emphasized that no one knows the day or hour of His return; it will come at a time we do not expect (Matthew 24:36, 44).
– Soon/Suddenly – Verses like Revelation 3:11 (“I am coming soon”) and Revelation 22:7,12,20 (“I am coming quickly”) indicate the nearness of His return. It will happen suddenly and speedily.
– Overhanging – Christ’s coming is said to be near, at hand, approaching, pending – all words that signal the next event on the prophetic calendar (Philippians 4:5, 1 Peter 4:7).
– Next – Some passages present the return of Christ as the next event without mentioning any preceding signs or fulfillments. This argues strongly for imminence (1 Corinthians 1:7, 16:22, Philippians 3:20, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Titus 2:13).
– Impending – James 5:8-9 and 1 Peter 4:7 both use the word for “impending” or about to happen when referring to the Lord’s return. This clearly communicates imminence.
– Constant readiness – The expectation of imminence produces readiness, vigilance, alertness, and eagerly looking for Christ’s coming (Luke 12:35-40, 1 Corinthians 16:22, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 9:28).
– Any moment possibility – Imminence means Christ could come back at any moment – nothing needs to happen first; nothing precludes His return (Revelation 22:20, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 16:22, Philippians 3:20).
Based on these biblical characteristics, the doctrine of imminence means Christ could return suddenly and unexpectedly, without warning, and believers should be constantly ready. This is the ordinary mindset and worldview of the early church.
Potential Questions/Objections
Some raise objections based on other passages about the end times. For example:
1. Doesn’t Christ’s return depend on certain signs or the gospel being preached to all nations first? (Matt. 24:14)
Response: Some passages mention signs that will happen before Christ’s return. However, nothing in these verses precludes imminence. We cannot predict when the signs will be fulfilled. They are ever-present possibilities allowing for the any-moment return of Christ.
2. What about the Rapture and end times prophecies in Revelation that must take place first?
Response: No prophecies in Revelation need to be fulfilled before the Rapture of the church (Revelation 3:10). The Rapture is presented as an imminent event preceding the Tribulation judgments.
3. Doesn’t the Antichrist have to be revealed first? (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3)
Response: The Antichrist will be revealed after the Rapture, not before it. This passage does not contradict imminence.
4. Isn’t there a falling away and apostasy first? (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
Response: Apostasy is expected and characteristic of the church age. This does not preclude Christ coming back suddenly for His people at any moment.
5. What about the promise that we won’t experience the Day of the Lord? (1 Thessalonians 5:4)
Response: This passage teaches the Day of the Lord will overtake unbelievers as a thief (sudden and unexpected). But faithful believers are “not in darkness” so it should not surprise them. Again, no contradiction to imminence.
6. Doesn’t Christ tary or delay His coming? (Matthew 25:5)
Response: This illustrates the perception of delay from the human perspective. But God is not bound by time. From His eternal perspective, the moment of Christ’s return was set before the foundation of the world.
7. What about tasks and events predicted before the return, like gospel to all nations? (Mark 13:10)
Response: Some events are predicted to occur before Christ’s return, but no passage teaches these must happen first. They are possibilities awaiting fulfillment, but do not preclude imminence.
8. Doesn’t imminence encourage date setting or rash decisions?
Response: Imminence acknowledges the any moment possibility of Christ’s return, but it does not attempt to set dates or times. Rash decisions were explicitly discouraged (Luke 19:11-27; Matthew 25:1-30).
9. If His coming is imminent, why the delay of 2,000+ years so far?
Response: Apparent delay is due to God’s mercy and patience (2 Peter 3:9). But Christ’s coming was also said to be delayed (Habakkuk 2:3), so this possibility was recognized. Our timing is not the same as God’s timing (2 Peter 3:8).
These questions help clarify details about imminence, but they do not negate the overwhelming New Testament teaching that Christ could return suddenly and unexpectedly at any moment. This was the dominant perspective of the early church.
Alternative Views of Imminence
Some Christians interpret the doctrine of imminence differently:
1. Partial Imminence View – Only the next event on the prophetic calendar can be considered imminent. The Rapture cannot happen at any moment, but it is the next event after present signs are fulfilled.
2. Near Imminence View – Christ’s return is getting closer all the time. But certain prophetic developments must precede his coming, so it cannot happen now and could not have happened at any time in the past.
3. Already/Not Yet View – The kingdom is already here and still coming. Similarly, Christ has already returned in spirit but not yet bodily. This avoids pronouncing the timing while allowing for present fulfillment.
4. Imminence Denied View – Passages about Christ returning soon refer to impending judgment on Jerusalem in AD 70, not His second coming. Therefore, His return cannot be said to be imminent.
5. Figurative Imminence View – Bible passages about imminence are figurative expressions communicating eager anticipation, not literal timing about when Christ will return.
6. Omnitemporal Imminence View – For an eternal God outside of time, everything is imminent. Christ’s return is always imminent because God exists in an eternal now.
These perspectives offer varying interpretations of imminence based on conclusions about other prophetic texts. They attempt to reconcile or harmonize passages about signs with imminence. Many interpreters deny strict imminence while still retaining a sense of eager expectation.
Implications of Imminence
The doctrine of Christ’s imminent return has several important implications. If Jesus could come back suddenly at any moment, it should:
– Inspire watchfulness and sobriety – Keep spiritually alert, living in holiness and godliness (1 Thessalonians 5:4-8).
– Cultivate expectancy and readiness – Eagerly look for Christ’s return as a blessed hope and purifying motivation (Titus 2:13; 1 John 3:2-3).
– Instill patience and perseverance – Comfort and encouragement to keep pressing on until He comes (James 5:7-8; Revelation 22:12).
– Foster urgency and zeal – Spur bold evangelism, godly living, and ministry diligence (2 Peter 3:11-12; Matthew 24:44).
– Reveal true priorities – Recognize earthly goals are temporary; heavenly purposes are supreme. Kingdom work has lasting value (2 Peter 3:10-13; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31).
– Encourage responsible living – Remain faithful no matter how long Christ tarries, fulfilling duties now in light of eternity (Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:35-48).
– Instill holy conduct – Abstain from fleshly desires that wage war against your soul as sojourners looking for Christ’s return (1 Peter 1:13-17; 2 Peter 3:11,14).
– Comfort in trial – Troubles are momentary compared to the eternal glory when Christ comes (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
– Deepen anticipation – Imminence creates a longing and thirst for Christ’s coming as the consummation of our hope (Revelation 22:20; Philippians 3:20; 1 Corinthians 1:7).
These powerful impacts of imminence transform how believers view and live their lives. An imminent coming shapes priorities, worship, conduct, ministry, perseverance, purity, and much more.
Conclusion
In summary, the doctrine of imminence teaches that the return of Christ remains a possibility that could happen suddenly and unexpectedly at any moment. This was the dominant perspective of the early church based on various passages about His coming being near, impending, soon, suddenly, overhanging, next, at hand, and unexpected.
Some question whether certain prophesied events preclude imminence, but no predicted signs or precursors necessarily must happen first before the Lord returns for His people. Alternate views interpret imminence in different ways, but none fully capture the overwhelming New Testament emphasis on being constantly ready for Christ’s return.
Believing in the imminent coming of Jesus powerfully transforms how believers view life, eternity, worship, and service. It instills patience, hope, urgency, sobriety, readiness, holiness, and accountability before the Lord. The resurrected Christ proclaimed He was coming quickly – may this promise keep believers eagerly anticipating and steadfastly preparing for His glorious appearing! Even so come, Lord Jesus!
