Waiting for Christ’s Return: Full of the Holy Spirit
Christians waiting for Christ’s return grow weary and bored. Instinctively, we know a better place awaits us than this blue planet. What started as a paradise looks more like a cesspool of sin. And, it’s getting progressively worse!
When you accepted Jesus, love and joy overtook you. You couldn’t wait to serve Him! A glorious light went off inside you because the Holy Spirit came to instantly dwell in your Holy Temple. Christians want to pay forward their freedom in Christ.
Thankfully, heaven has a recording system. Not one of our earthly deeds on behalf of God goes unnoticed.
While we work for God’s Kingdom until Jesus returns, angels in heaven keep books as to our works or active faith.
Revelation 20:12 (AMP)
And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and opened books. Then another book was opened, which is the Book of Life; and the dead judged according to what they had done as written in the books [that is, everything done while on earth].
No one knows what’s in their book (s). Personally, I want my book (s) to have lots of notations about serving others and every page full!
What To Do While Waiting for Christ’s Return
To know how full or empty your book is, take this quiz. Use a scale from 1 – 10 with 1 (poor) and 10 (excellent). Grade yourself based on what scripture indicates you should do while waiting for the second coming. Click on the scripture links to help jog your memory.
If you score yourself 10 (a perfect rating) on each item, the total possible score is 100. An average score is about 50 points.
Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of things you do that fit into one of these categories. Obviously, this isn’t a perfect test. However, you’ll be amazed at the many things you do for Jesus.
Scriptures help you focus on what’s most important while watching and waiting for Christ’s return.
- Matthew 28:16-20: Jesus told us what to do to spread the Gospel—to make disciples of all nations. Using the Gospel message (the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus) we baptize believers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and teach them what Jesus taught (revealed in scripture). Telling others about Jesus doesn’t mean you can only tell others verbally about Him. You can write notes and letters, hand out tracts, recommend a movie, Bible study, or audio, and post a picture on your social media sites. As you seek God on how to make disciples, He never runs out of ideas.
- Mark 16:17-18: Lay hands on the sick, cast out demons, speak in new tongues, pick up serpents and drink deadly poison and they will not harm you. Step out in faith and watch God show up. Although, I don’t plan to pick up serpents and drink poison, I believe God watches over and protects me.
- Matthew 10:8 and John 14:12: Raise the dead –this activity didn’t pass away because a majority of believers aren’t doing it. God said not only could we do this but even greater things.
- Matthew 25:35-36: Look for opportunities to get food to people, let the Holy Spirit identify strangers that need shelter, give away clothing, lend a hand to people suffering from sickness, and visit those in prison.
- Luke 19:11-27: Be the best steward possible of the gifts God gives you (occupy until He comes).
- John 13:34-35: Displaying genuine love for others is unmistakable and lets them know you’re one of Jesus’ disciples.
- Colossians 3:1-4: The new you is evident when you keep your thoughts on heavenly things. Everything on Earth is temporary but heaven is eternal.
- I Corinthians 11:26: Every time you take communion, you remember He died for you and He’s coming back. Dining at the Lord’s Table strengthens and helps us examine our Christian life to make improvements.
- Keep praying. There are numerous scriptures about praying. This spiritual discipline provides a direct lifeline to God.
- 2 Peter 3:11-14: Holy behavior indicates that you live for God and belong to Him.
Other Thoughts about Waiting for Christ’s Return
I hope you did better than I did on this faith memory jogger! However, I’m determined to do better.
By living scripture, the Holy Spirit increases inside you along with your love for God and people. When that happens, you do great exploits for Jesus. You become more sensitive to God’s voice and actually enjoy surrendering your life to please Him.
There’s an urgency about living on Earth yet knowing this isn’t our home. Working for the Kingdom is of paramount importance but staying alert and ready to go is equally significant. Believers won’t be surprised when Jesus returns according to I Thessalonians 5:4-5.
But you, believers, [all you who believe in Christ as Savior and acknowledge Him as God’s Son] are not in spiritual darkness [nor held by its power], that the day [of judgment] would overtake you [by surprise] like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We do not belong to the night nor to darkness.
As you pray for Christ’s return, remember why God continues to wait. He wants to fill up heaven with His children. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit don’t look forward to the day when people live in eternity in hell. In fact, they will be very sad when a person chooses Satan over Jesus.
That’s what people do when they live a life exemplary of an evil master. Satan uses them to carry out his wicked plans. He wants lots of people beside him in a very hot place.
Consequently, God doesn’t send people to hell. They choose to go there when they reject Jesus.
That’s why is so important when waiting for Christ’s return to reach as many people as you can with the Gospel message. It’s the best way to work out your salvation during your last days on Earth before you meet your Creator.