The topic of the end times and when they will occur has been debated by Christians for centuries. Some believe we should actively try to hasten the return of Christ, while others think we should not concern ourselves with timing and instead focus on living faithfully. What does the Bible teach about this issue? Let’s explore some key biblical passages and themes.
God’s sovereignty over timing
The first thing to recognize is that the timing of Christ’s return and the end times is completely in God’s hands. Jesus said, “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32). Acts 1:7 also says, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” God has appointed the times and seasons, and they are not for us to know or speculate about.
Furthermore, Scripture is clear that God’s timing is perfect. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says God makes everything beautiful in its time. Romans 5:6 says, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” Galatians 4:4 also notes that “when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son.” God’s timing is always exactly right, even if we don’t understand it.
Our call to faithful living
Rather than speculate about timing, the Bible calls us to live faithfully and share the gospel while waiting for Christ’s return. Jesus gave many parables that emphasized readiness, watchfulness, and good stewardship while waiting (Matt. 24:36-51; 25:1-30; Mark 13:32-37). He simply calls us to be ready and living faithfully whenever he returns.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 explains that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night and exhorts us to be awake, sober, armed with faith and love, and wearing the hope of salvation. We are not meant to be preoccupied with timing but rather living holy lives.
2 Peter 3:11-12 sums it up well: “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God.” We hasten the coming of Christ by living faithfully, not by speculating about timing.
The danger of date setting
Whenever people have tried to calculate dates for the return of Christ or key end time events, they have always been wrong and sometimes led others into harmful deception. The Bible explicitly warns against date setting. For example, Acts 1:7 when Jesus said the timing is not for us to know.
In Matthew 24:36 Jesus said no one knows the day or hour of his return, so we must be ready at all times. In Matthew 24:44 he compels his followers to be ready because he will come at an hour they do not expect. Date setting goes directly against Jesus’ words here. Paul also had to correct the Thessalonians who had been confused by false teachers trying to predict timing (2 Thess. 2:1-12).
Attempting to delay or hasten the timing of Christ’s return through date setting essentially reflects a lack of trust in God’s perfect timing. It is the height of human arrogance and folly to think we could figure out God’s plans better than he himself has revealed them.
God is patient for a reason
If it seems Christ’s return is delayed, we must remember God has good reasons for his patience. 2 Peter 3:9 says the Lord is “patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” God desires all people to repent and be saved, which is why Christ has not yet returned.
Romans 2:4 adds, “Do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” God’s kindness and patience gives more people a chance to repent. The timing of Christ’s return reflects God’s mercy and grace on mankind.
Furthermore, God may delay Christ’s return and the final judgment to allow his plans to be fulfilled. For example, the full number of the Gentiles must come to faith according to Romans 11:25. So God patiently waits to allow more people to be saved globally.
We cannot hasten the day of the Lord
Some Christians believe they can somehow hasten the return of Christ through holy living, evangelism, influencing society for Christ, or other means. However, the Bible does not indicate the timing can be altered. Jesus said not even the Son of Man knows the timing but only the Father (Mark 13:32). This suggests the timing has been fixed by the Father’s authority alone.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 is perhaps the clearest passage on this. Paul corrects a misunderstanding that the day of the Lord is already here or “at hand.” He says “for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed” (vs. 3). Paul is saying key events must occur before Christ returns, so the timing cannot be altered. We cannot hasten the day of the Lord faster than God has already set it.
While we can hasten the gospel and live in holiness, ultimately the timing of Christ’s return has been sovereignly determined by God. Our job is to share Christ and live faithfully in the meantime, not try to manipulate God’s schedule.
Living in light of Christ’s imminent return
While we cannot actually hasten or delay the timing, we are called to live in constant readiness and expectation that Christ could return at any moment. Titus 2:13 calls us to live “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Jesus continually exhorted his disciples to be ready because he would come at an unexpected hour (Matt. 24:36-44).
The imminent return of Christ gives us hope and motivates us to holy living and urgent evangelism. It keeps us on guard against complacency and compromise. We should think of Christ returning at any moment and ensure we are ready when he does.
At the same time, we should also plan wisely and remain balanced. Jesus said the master could return at any time, but he still expected his servants to be wisely investing their talents for the long run (Matt. 25:14-30). We must remain balanced in light of eternity.
Avoiding unbiblical speculation
The Bible warns against unbiblical speculation about the end times. Date setting has already been mentioned. But there are other errors, like overanalyzing current events as signs of the times or making sensational claims about how things will unfold.
In 2 Timothy 2:23, Paul warns Timothy to avoid “foolish, ignorant controversies” because they breed quarrels. In verse 16 he adds to avoid “irreverent babble” because it leads people into ungodliness. Much end time speculation unfortunately falls under these warnings.
As Jesus said, no one knows the day or hour of his return (Matt. 24:36). Any teaching that claims to have inside knowledge on timing and current events is unbiblical speculation and should be avoided.
Maintaining proper priorities
Obsessing over end time topics can quickly become a distraction from what should be our main priorities as Christians. Jesus expressly told the disciples it was not for them to know the times or seasons fixed by the Father (Acts 1:7). Rather than speculate, they were to focus on being empowered by the Spirit and being witnesses for Christ.
Likewise for us, studying biblical prophecy is fine, but our main focus should be sharing the gospel, making disciples, living faithfully, and doing good works. We must not become so consumed by eschatology that we neglect the biblical mandates for holy living and evangelism.
Trusting God’s perfect plan
At the end of the day, we must trust that God has designed a perfect plan for human history including the return of Christ and the consummation of all things. As Isaiah 46:10 says, God will accomplish all that he purposes and execute all that he has planned. We can rest in his sovereignty and timing.
Furthermore, we know God works all things together for the good of those who love him (Rom. 8:28). So whether Christ returns sooner or later, God will use everything for our good and his glory. We can trust his purposes even when we don’t understand the timeline.
The bottom line is God’s timing is perfect. He knows exactly when Christ will return. Our job is to live faithfully in the meantime with eager expectation, urgency, and balanced wisdom. We do not need to manipulate the timeline but fully trust the One who controls it.