Jesus is Coming Again! Youth Views on the Second Coming

“Lift up the trumpet, and loud let it ring:
Jesus is coming again!
Cheer up, ye pilgrims, be joyful and sing:
Jesus is coming again!
Coming again, coming again,
Jesus is coming again!”

Since the early days of the Seventh-day Adventist church, this song has been belted out with conviction and excitement. Through the years, the promise of Jesus’ return has given many people hope through the darkest of times. This is still true today; as Christians, we should each be eagerly awaiting the Second Coming of Jesus!

In a 2014 study conducted by the Institute for Church Ministry, Adventist young people were asked if they looked forward to meeting Jesus when He returns. Ninety-six percent of respondents “strongly agreed” or “agreed” with this statement. Only 3% were unsure of their feelings, with 1% “strongly disagreeing.”The Bible tells us that “concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36). This means that for now, we are to eagerly await Jesus return and continue His work here on Earth.

What should we be doing while we wait for Jesus’ Second Coming? Author Greg Laurie (2010) gives some fantastic advice on this topic:

• Watch for Him. Luke 12:37 says, “It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.” We must keep our focus on Heavenly things, not being distracted or caught up in things of this world. We should have our eyes fixed on Jesus.
• We should be ready to go. If Jesus were to return today, would you be ready? Many people put off readying their hearts to meet their Creator; however, since we don’t know when Jesus will return, it is imperative that we are ready to meet Him at any time. It is vital that we teach our young people to live with intention – just as we must do, ourselves.
• We must become more like Jesus. If you truly believe that Jesus is returning soon, this will change every facet of your life. It will draw you closer to Him, and will shape your every interaction. We must let His love radiate out to others, drawing them closer to Him.
• We should be anxiously awaiting His return. Just as you may eagerly away the visit of a friend you haven’t seen in a long time, or your child waits at the door to see their grandparents when they are scheduled arrive, we must wait for Jesus to return. There should be no trepidation or anxiety – only pure excitement and anticipation!
• We must work. Just because we feel as if we are ready to meet our Lord, this does not mean that we are “done” with the work that Jesus left us to do. Before Jesus went to Heaven, He gave us work to do. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).” We should not rest until we have done all we can to share the love of Jesus with others, preparing them for His Second Coming, as well.

It is encouraging that our young people are eager to meet their Lord and Savior! Now it is time for us to teach them how to make the most of these last days on Earth – and that we do so as well – for it is true, “Jesus is coming again!”