Jesus had just proclaimed to the Pharisees that the kingdom of God was already in their midst. The kingdom has already come through the person and work of Christ, yet it has not been fully consummated on earth. In this passage, Jesus turns from the Pharisees to his disciples in order to teach them four certainties regarding the future: the certainty of the days leading up to Christ’s return, the certainty of Christ’s second coming itself, the certainty that believers long for his return, and the certainty that while the exact day remains unknown, Christians are called to live with enduring hope. Jesus explains that extraordinary events will precede his return and exhorts his disciples to remain spiritually alert and prepared.

Before examining these certainties, it is important to understand the concept of millennialism within Scripture. The term comes from the Latin word “millennium” referring to one thousand years. Historically, Christians have generally held to three major views concerning Christ’s thousand-year reign: premillennialism, postmillennialism, and amillennialism. Our church holds to the premillennial position because we believe it most faithfully reflects John’s description in Revelation 19–20. In those chapters, John refers to the thousand-year reign six different times following the period of the Great Tribulation. According to this understanding, God will gather his people to himself and Christ will reign physically on earth for one thousand years.

The first certainty is that the days leading up to Christ’s return will unfold exactly as Jesus described (vv. 26–36). Although the Father has appointed a fixed time for Christ’s coming, humanity will continue living in apparent normalcy, “just as it was in the days of Noah,” when people were eating, drinking, marrying, and carrying on with everyday life (v. 26). Yet Christ’s return will come suddenly and unmistakably, like lightning flashing across the sky (v. 24). Just as death is certain for every person, the return of Christ is also certain and imminent. His coming will bring both judgment and separation. Out of love for his disciples, Jesus warns them beforehand so that they would remain vigilant and steadfast rather than spiritually unprepared.

The second certainty is that Jesus Christ will indeed return after the events he described. His return will not be hidden or isolated, but a global event witnessed by all people (Matt. 24:30). Scripture assures believers of this certainty because all authority belongs to Christ, and nothing occurs apart from his sovereign power (Matt. 28:18). Furthermore, the coming reign of the Son of Man has been consistently foretold throughout redemptive history. From the promise of the coming seed in Genesis 3:15, to Daniel’s vision of the Son of Man receiving dominion and glory (Dan. 7:13–14), to the angelic declaration in Acts 1:11, Scripture repeatedly affirms that Christ will come again to establish his kingdom.

The third certainty is that true Christians long for and eagerly anticipate Christ’s return. A believer’s hope in the return of Christ is inseparable from salvation itself. As children of God, Christians desire his appearing because they know that when he is revealed, they will be made like him and will see him as he truly is (1 John 3:2). Their longing for his return flows out of genuine love for him, even though they have not physically seen him (1 Pet. 1:8). Christ is infinitely more precious than the treasures of this world; therefore, those who truly love him will naturally desire to be with him.

The Christian also recognizes that life on earth is temporary and that our true citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20–21). Believers are pilgrims passing through this world rather than those seeking ultimate satisfaction in it. Their deepest desire is to dwell eternally with the Lord. This hope in Christ’s return is demonstrated through a life marked by obedience, holiness, and faithfulness. Without a fixed hope in Christ, people become increasingly captivated by the world and unable to overcome its temptations. For this reason, Christians must pursue holiness diligently. Persistent spiritual indifference is dangerous because it reveals a heart that is no longer captivated by Christ or consumed with the desire to be with him forever.

The fourth certainty is that although the exact day of Christ’s return remains unknown, believers are called to live with a living hope (Mark 13:32). Jesus made it clear that no one knows the precise day or hour except the Father. Nevertheless, the disciples lived the remainder of their lives in hopeful expectation of Christ’s return. The Apostle Paul exemplified this hope as he neared the end of his life, declaring that he had fought the good fight, finished the race, and looked forward to the crown of righteousness awaiting him (2 Tim. 4:7–8). Biblical hope is therefore not passive speculation, but steadfast confidence that shapes the way believers endure, persevere, and live faithfully in the present.

Christians can therefore live with certainty regarding both the present age and the future that God has promised. The Word of God assures believers that Christ will return, that his promises are true, and that eternal glory awaits his people. In light of these truths, believers must hold firmly to Scripture, remain faithful in the daily spiritual battle, and continue living with hopeful expectation. Our confidence is not placed in the uncertainties of this world, but in the sure promise that our Lord Jesus Christ will one day return and bring his people home to be with him forever.