One of the things we mustn’t give up on just because Jesus is returning soon is work. It seems like this was the mistake of some Thessalonians. They believed that Jesus was returning, and that was very fine. However, they took matters to the extreme by abandoning work! Paul warned them saying, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Work is not evil, and it should not be seen as a distraction to the ‘waiters’ of Jesus. Work is of God. He ordained it before the fall of Adam, and when Jesus returns He will still put us to work in His kingdom. We should also remember that when He returns, He will reward us for our faithful commitment to the work He assigned us. “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I (Jesus) say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods” (Matthew 24:45-47).

The other thing we should not give up on just because Jesus is coming back soon is the promises God gave us, and the things we are believing Him to do for us. When God promised us certain things, He also had in mind the timeline of His Son’s return to the earth. Therefore, it is not wise to think that since Jesus’ return is around the corner, pursuing promises is a hopeless venture. It is also foolish not to believe God to do for us what we desire simply because the return of the Lord is near. For example, if you are single, you should not say in your heart that it is in vain to believe God for marriage because Jesus is coming back ‘next year’. Such thinking is foolishness! And who told you that Jesus is coming back ‘next year’?! Even if Jesus is returning soon, God wants us to believe Him for the things He promised us, and for whatever we desire. Hence Jesus’ words: “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”(Luke 18:8).

God bless you.