7-day plan: Jesus Will Return
The promise that Jesus will return, and how to wait for him
One passage a day, with a question to think it over. Your progress stays on this device, no account needed.
Day 1 · He promised it
At the last supper he promises to come back and take his own to be with him
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places; if it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.
John 14:1–3 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Jesus says, “Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid” (v. 27). What troubles you today, and how could you place it in his hands?
Day 2 · No one knows the day
The disciples ask for the sign; Jesus begins by warning them not to be deceived
And as he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See to it that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and reports of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for it must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are the beginning of birth pains.
Matthew 24:3–8 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Jesus says not to be alarmed (v. 6). What helps you stay calm in the face of unsettling news?
Day 3 · Living ready
Belts fastened and lamps lit, like servants waiting for their master
Let your waists be girded and your lamps burning, and you be like people waiting for their master, to see when he will return from the wedding feast, so that when he comes and knocks they may at once open to him. Happy are those slaves whom the master will find awake when he comes. Truly I tell you that he will gird himself and have them recline at table and will come and serve them. And if in the second watch or if in the third watch he comes and finds them so, happy are those slaves. But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also be ready, because at an hour you do not expect the Son of Man is coming.”
Luke 12:35–40 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Jesus says where our treasure is, our heart will be too (v. 34). What takes most of your time and attention today?
Day 4 · What is to come
Jesus describes his appearing with the sound of a trumpet and his chosen gathered
And at once after the affliction of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a great trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
Matthew 24:29–31 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Jesus says not to be alarmed (v. 6). What helps you stay calm in the face of unsettling news?
Day 5 · He promised it
He says he will come in his Father's glory with his angels
For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will repay each one according to his conduct.
Matthew 16:27 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Jesus asks, “But who do you say that I am?” (v. 15). How would you answer in your own words?
Day 6 · No one knows the day
Not even the angels or the Son know the day; it will be as in the days of Noah
But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, except the Father alone. For just as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah went into the ark, and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be also the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one is taken and one is left. Two women grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left. So keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. Because of this you also must be ready, because at an hour you do not expect the Son of Man is coming.
Matthew 24:36–44 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Jesus says not to be alarmed (v. 6). What helps you stay calm in the face of unsettling news?
Day 7 · Living ready
The faithful servant does his work though the master is delayed; the wicked one takes advantage
Who, then, is the faithful and wise slave whom the master has put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Happy is that slave whom his master will find doing so when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked slave says in his heart, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with the drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in two and assign him his place with the hypocrites; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 24:45–51 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Jesus says not to be alarmed (v. 6). What helps you stay calm in the face of unsettling news?