Just asking

Hi all 👋☺️

I have a question for you, I don't think there is a right or wrong answer, as well as I don't think it's sinful weather you have or haven't done this. Let's please not argue though. Thanks in advanced. If there is scripture you would like to share, I'd be happy to read as well.

Question:
Do you pray for Jesus return?

Or do you feel the need to reach out to as many lost souls as possible?

For if we pray for a quick return, those lost have no opportunity of us to reach out.

I pondered this, for I do want the Lord to come on hand but when I look at the other hand I see the lost that I didn't reach out to (given the opportunity if the Lord presents it).

On one hand I feel the joy of seeing my Lord yet on the other I see sadness for those left behind.

What are you thoughts and perspectives? No wrong answer and please no arguing. This is to see how others look at the situation I see, is all . Thank you

The Lord is going to come back whenever he's ready to do that.
How we feel about it, or pray out it, is irrelevant.

Praying for his quick return might show you have an attitude of being ready for him, and wanting to see him.
But it won't make him come back any faster.

So... there's really nothing here to be concerned about.

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Well I know it in his timing and I agree with you. I guess a better way to ask the question would be, do you feel a sense of guilt for wanting or praying for a quick return. But it is in his timing, his timing is perfect. But asking for a quick return, does it bring a sense of guilt because of the lost and wanting to reach out.

I'm not sure if what I'm trying to say is coming out clearly.sorry for that

I always pray for His return daily.
I do it because the fallen world needs relief.
That’s how I see the apocalypse or revelations, as relief.

"If" I were to pray for a quick return, that doesn't have any causal effect on his return... therefore... there is nothing to feel guilty about.

However, you are free to feel guilty about things beyond your control... if you like.
: )


Have a great week.
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I neither want nor pray for a quick return. Christ will ultimately return at the time appointed of the Father, but God is longsuffering, and not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Christians are called to occupy until he comes or to finish Christ's ministry here on earth as members of his body until he returns. The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few.

Ok... let's wade into this.

1.) Although we are to preach the good news, we are NOT responsible for others being being lost or saved.
2.) God is merciful, and we can be assured God will always handle his creation in the way which is the most just... he will perpetrate no injustice, and no imperfection, with or without our prayers.
3.) As this world is utterly corrupted and mired in sin, it is right for us to desire that God will come back and fix everything.
4.) I think we see all of these ideas reflected in the New Testament.
5.) Example: In Revelation 22:20 Jesus says "Surely I come quickly." And john comments on this with, "Amen, Even so, come Lord Jesus" thus praying for a swift return.

* If we parse things out, this is sort of how your question breaks down I think, theologically.
* Your question touches on many different doctrines, and though it requires some reflection, it is not beyond our understanding.

Have a great week.

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Thank you all for contributing. It's just I have prayed that the Lord would come for his people and as I was in prayer and was letting the Lord speak to my heart in silence, a sense of guilt or selfishness came. The thought about others who know not Christ came in. It was like two strings entwined, one of joy and long wanting and one of guilt for the lost. Something I can't explain.

Yes I know it is in his timing, yes I know many are called a few answer, and yes there are many factors.

Overall I just wasn't sure if it is wrong to pray in hopes for his return and if others have been here before, where I am now.

The apostle John had no problem with it... so I think you're fine.
God Bless.

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It's complex. I see the world headed for catastrophe of its own making. It's like the days of Noah as far as I can tell. Noah preached but only his family were saved. Some say that there is a last days revival to come. I'm not so sure. The signs fit a soon return. The decline of Christianity, even in "Christian" USA. Apparently 30% of college students believe that you can choose your gender. This is patently absurd, but obviously not to the rebelliously deceived. Homosexuality has always been around but now it is flaunted and its evils protected by phony "hate speech" laws. It is obvious that such laws are intended to silence Christians. "Gay Pride"? Do they not know that pride precedes a fall? The greatest fall will be to try and explain such sin to the Holy and Righteous God.

The true church is being refined and purified. Lord Jesus is able to keep us from falling, even in the terrible times experienced by Christians in North Korea and such places. Christians in Britain have been imprisoned for preaching the gospel. Muslims have far more protections than than Christians in Britain.

It seems to me that there is a hardening of attitudes. Wicked men are getting more rebellious and violent. There will come a time when God will say "enough". It may not be in my lifetime (I'm 73), but I sure want to be ready anyway.

The greatest witness is a changed life. We must preach the gospel, but the gospel must change us also. Otherwise, we are hypocrites. That will show one way or another.

I think that you've perfectly explained it, and it reminds me of this.

Phl 1:21
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Phl 1:22
But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
Phl 1:23
For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
Phl 1:24
Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
Phl 1:25
And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
Phl 1:26
That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

Paul understood that to die and to be with Christ was far better than for him to keep on abiding here in the flesh, but he also understood that it was more needful for others that he remain alive and minister to them, and he was willing to continue with them for their furtherance and joy of faith. In other words, he put the needs of others above his own desires to be with Christ, and we ought to do the same. Christ's return will be joyous for the saved, but exceedingly grievous for the lost, and we ought to do whatever we can to try to reach people with the gospel as long as we remain in our earthly bodies.

No because i believe His return will happen on the day it was pre-determined to happen.. The moment will not be changed no matter what we pray or how much we pray..

I believe Christians should be ready to share the Gospel with anyone at any time..

As i have already said: He will come at the exact moment He is going to come, our prayers will have no effect to either accelerate or delay His coming..

I yearn for and hope for the return of The LORD Jesus.. I yearn for the end of Evil in this world, to be renewed and to finally be changed into the kind of person i long to be..

I pray for Jesus to return ASAP and I feel the need to reach out to lost souls. For me, it isn't an either/or proposition. Your will be done, Lord.

With all respect Gideon, this is one of many scriptures often mis-quoted - especially by the world.
Proverbs 16 - 18. " Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall."
There is a vast difference between being destroyed and falling down.
As I understand it, a haughty spirit means arrogance.

I take your point. However, there are quite a few verses apart from Proverbs 16:18 that talk about pride. There is at least one verse that assumes pride. 1 Corinthians 10:12 is one.
"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands (pride) take heed lest he fall." You will have excuse me for not getting too deep, and maybe it's unnecessary. I've just got out of hospital after a mild heart attack. I'm OK, just tired.

No one will b left behind who shouldn't b . God knows who belongs to Him and when the times of the gentiles are fulfilled , it's fulfilled in God's eyes and His r the only eyes that matter . I think maybe my beliefs r a bit different to yours . I believe that when we die we stay dead . At the return of Christ we will b ressurected and judged and those humans that r still alive when Christ returns to earth to set up His Father's Kingdom , will have that one last chance to accept him as their Saviour , so that's good for them as I'm guessing most of them will have the sense to do so . I pray for God to bring an end to these kingdoms of death every day . It's my greatest desire . The more I c of this world the more desperate I am for Jesus to return . The things of this life r just distractions , we mustn't get too caught up in them , our hearts belong elsewhere .

Hi Suzie

Thank you for your response. I do have to agree, for I don't believe when we die we stay dead. If we look at 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10 , v8 assures us , to be absent of the body is to be present with the Lord.

Hope you have a good day though, God bless

Yes

Yes

Nope, if you say that those who have yet to receive the Lord are a valid reason to delay the Lord's coming you put them in charge. Jesus is Lord. You have the option to receive and believe in Jesus' saving work or to not believe. You do not have the option to prevent or delay the Lord's saving work. If you did, you would be Lord and you are not, Jesus is.

That said you will see that the gospel will go out to the four corners of the earth prior to the rapture, it will be preached in all the earth and published in all the earth before the end of the day of the Lord.

Thank you for that reference , I appreciate it and u . I believe that we are not aware of anything when we die so , we die and then the next thing that we will b aware of is the return of Christ and our ressurection as set out in 1st Thessalonians chapter 4 verses 13-18 . Also , if u follow my train if thought , then the return of Christ is as close to u as us the day of your death , u die and then the next thing u r aware of is....Christ's return 😁 .