Planning for the future is part of every conscientious person’s responsibility. There are books, seminars and endless newspaper and magazine articles on planning for your future. Usually they center around financial planning, and that’s important, but I would like to suggest that the most important future thing we should plan for is the return of Jesus. Jesus came to earth the first time as a poor baby. It was only the shepherds in Bethlehem who saw him that day. But the Bible tells us that someday he will return again – this time as a triumphant king for the whole world to see.

The second coming of Jesus is a central teaching of Christianity and the cornerstone of Biblical prophecy. And it’s important for us to be ready. For all those who have trusted in Jesus as their Savior, his second coming is the basis for hope. No matter how painful this life has been, the best is yet to come! Jesus is coming back to earth some day to be reunited with Christians and to judge and rule the world.

Anticipating this return, listen to what the Bible teaches. We are, “to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are of his very own, eager to do what is good.”