When does Jesus "come"?

 
It is interesting to note that in the Gospel of Luke the section on not storing up treasure for yourself but become rich toward God is followed several short paragraphs later with the reason for rejecting the first and doing the second. And the reason is the soon return of the Son of Man. “This one will return,” says Jesus, “when you least expect him” (12:40). That is certainly a major reason for not accumulating stuff that has no value for what awaits the believer just around the corner of time.
       That Christ would return in the near future is clearly stated in the book of Revelation. Three times in the final chapter alone the Lord said, “Behold, I am coming soon” (22:7, 12, 20). The question that this raises for many is, “Why, after some 2,000 years, isn’t he here yet?” Among the many answers suggested the more common are: 
       One: John’s statement was well intentioned, but wrong. For those who hold the Bible to be absolutely trustworthy, that   answer simply won’t do – it runs counter to our confidence in the validity of the Word. If the Bible is a collection of things both true and untrue, then the truthfulness of any particular verse can never be established.
       Two: The Greek word tachus, “soon,” can mean “quickly” so what John is saying is that when he begins to return it will take place very quickly. The problem with this is that only in one of the word’s 8 occurrences in the New Testament (Matt. 28:8) could tachus be understood as taking place “at a rapid rate.” Remember, context determines the meaning of a word, so what would be the significance of Jesus’ rate of speed in his descent to the earth?
       Three: Since the “end” of history as an event is already underway – it began with the death and resurrection of the incarnate Christ – the process is in motion now and “soon” it will be complete. In spite of the awkwardness of this perspective on time, it is the preferable answer to the problem.
 
At this point let’s leave that kind of problem to the experts and think together about the wider perspective. At that dramatic moment when Jesus returns the heavens will open and the glories of the spiritual world will envelope our world “down here below.” Time will silently disappear and eternity will come into focus. Jesus will have “come.” But addition to that great and final coming, he also comes in so many other ways:
 
    He comes for the sinner acknowledging his need of a Savior.
    He comes in those memorable moments of answered prayer.
    He comes when tragedy strikes and the heart is torn apart.
    He comes in those beautiful moments of truth revealed.
    He comes as death appears and there is no one to take your   hand.
 
But best of all he comes in that final sense of never having to come again because he will always be here. We pray “Maranatha,” Our Lord, Come. The end of what we call time will not be a new beginning but our absorption into God’s “space” which has always been and will always be.