Maybe This Year!

I enjoy New Year’s as it gives me time to pause and reflect. How are things going? What do I need to change? What do I need to focus on? What needs to stay the same? How do I fix what’s not going well? I like thinking these thoughts (yes, I’m weird!). As we turn the page on 2025, allow me to put another reflective thought before you: could this be the year that Jesus Christ returns?

In two places in Scripture, different biblical authors verbalize a request to Christ for Him to return. In 1 Cor 16:22, Paul writes, “Our Lord, come!” This English translation arises from the Aramaic term maranatha. The other passage comes from Rev 22:20, which reads, “Come, Lord Jesus!” Though we do not have many prayers like these (I think there are only these two), that doesn’t mean these prayers aren’t important. They’re very important. This Revelation passage intrigues because it records for us the last prayer mentioned in the Bible. What is the final prayer? Remarkably, it’s about the Second Advent of Jesus Christ: “Come, Lord Jesus!” Christ’s parting instructions at the end of Revelation are for us to pray to Him for Him to come back. 

Will the Son of God return this year? Maybe, maybe not. We don’t know (Matt 25:13). Only God knows! Nevertheless, as we wait, let’s pray that it happens in 2026. The Bible tells us that our actions can “hasten” the return of Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:12). I’m not exactly sure how to explain that, but I do know that I need to pray. As you plan and think about this next year, I’d encourage you to reflect on and pray for the return of Jesus Christ. He might return this year!  

Pastor Chance Sumner