Why the Delay?

In Why I Am Not a Christian, Bertrand Russell questioned Jesus’ delay, accusing Him of breaking his promise. Peter anticipated such criticism, noting that scoffers would say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?”² (2 Peter 3:4, NIV). Peter explained, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9, NIV). 

Preparing for Jesus’ Return

In the book of Ephesians, Paul refers to Jesus as the bridegroom and the Church (all believers) as the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27). This comparison to human marriage is a metaphor for how Jesus promises to indwell each believer with his Holy Spirit. He also desires us to eagerly wait for his return when he will take us to his heavenly home.

There was an ancient Jewish custom where a bride waited in anticipation of the bridegroom’s arrival while he was at his father’s house preparing the bridal chamber. After the new home was ready, the groom would make a surprise visit to the bride who had been eagerly waiting for his arrival. During the long wait—often a year or more—the bride would remain at her parents’ house, dressed and prepared with her bridesmaids for the bridegroom’s arrival.

As she waited for the sound of the trumpet announcing the arrival of her beloved bridegroom, the bride eagerly waited to see his face and go to their new home together. Once the trumpet sounded, she and her bridesmaids went out to meet the groom and join the procession back to the bridal chamber.

This ancient tradition is the backdrop for Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins (bridesmaids), where five of them grew tired of waiting for the bridegroom’s return at midnight, and their lamps were out of oil. However, the five wise bridesmaids had kept their lamps ready for his return. Jesus used that parable to encourage his followers to make sure they are ready for his return. He said, 

So always be ready, because you don’t know the day of the hour the Son of Man will come” (Matthew 25:1-13, NCV).

C.S. Lewis summarized how believers can prepare for Christ’s return with three key principles:³

1. Jesus will certainly return.
2. The timing is unknown.
3. Therefore, we must always be ready.

Click here to read page 6 of 6 about “Is Jesus Coming Back?”