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Come Quickly, Lord Jesus

"Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation."  2 Peter 3:15a

Perhaps you've heard the expression, "Come quickly, Lord Jesus."  I hear that expression used most often during times of turmoil and tragedy.  I have heard it this week in reference to the horrific tornadoes that ravaged the Midwest.  I heard it following the bombings at the Boston Marathon.  I heard it following the senseless school shooting in Newtown Connecticut in December of 2012.  It seems to be a phrase that is used much more frequently than I ever remember before.

It is essentially a prayer for Jesus not to tarry and for Him to return and rapture His church, which will provide an end to the earthly suffering for God's people.  The expression comes from the King James Version of Revelation 22:20.  It says:

"He which testifieth these things saith, 'Surely I come quickly.'  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

Praying for Christ's return seems to provide comfort during times of distress.  It gives us something to look forward to with hope and anticipation.  It reminds us that although things may be bleak and downright depressing here on this earth, there will come a day when the tragedies and the evil we have grown accustomed to are history and Heaven is our present.

Peter tells us in his second letter that as we're praying for the Lord's return, we must remember that there is a divine purpose concerning the timing of His return. 

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."  2 Peter 3:9

Our God loves the lost souls of this world so much that He is patiently waiting for them to turn to Him and accept His gift of salvation.  You see, our God doesn't tarry in vain.  There is a purpose in His waiting.  So, while we're praying for Him to come, He's instinctively saying,

"Not yet . . . I want to see some more people follow after Me." 

Our eyes might be fixed on the negative things that have happened around us, but He is fixated on the positive that is still yet to come.

The wonderful thing about praying and anticipating Jesus' return is that there is something we can be doing to hasten the event.  Peter tells us that we can speed up His coming.  Since we know that out of His great love for mankind, He is patiently waiting for more lost souls to turn to Him, we can be about our Father's business and be doing our part to win the lost. 

As our focal verse says, His patience could mean salvation for your unsaved friend, boss, co-worker, neighbor, teacher, child, parent, aunt, uncle, etc.  Maybe He's waiting for you to do your part by sharing the Gospel with that one who so desperately needs to confronted with their need of a Savior. 

So, as you pray for Christ's return, don't neglect your part in hastening the process.  The sooner you and I share Christ with the lost who are around us, then the sooner the day of His return will come.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

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