The Coming Kingdom

The Hope of the King’s Return

The story of the Kingdom doesn’t end at the cross—or even the resurrection. It points forward to the day when the King will return, visibly, bodily, and victoriously. This hope was the heartbeat of the early Church. They didn’t just believe in His return—they lived like it could happen any moment.

They were not caught up in timelines or speculation. Their focus was readiness, purity, and mission. Their eyes were lifted, their lamps were burning, and their hearts longed for the day when the King would come in glory.

This part of the series calls us back to that same eager expectation.

“Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning… for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
— Luke 12:35, 40

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The Hope of His Return

Why the Early Church Lived Expectantly

The earliest believers believed Jesus’ return was imminent. Not because they calculated dates—but because He told them to watch and be ready.

“You turned to God… to wait for His Son from heaven…”
— 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10

Their hope wasn’t in reforming Rome—it was in the return of their King. Every day they lived was marked by that hope.

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The Return of Jesus Was Central to Their Faith

“He shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His Kingdom shall have no end.”
— Apostles’ Creed

This wasn’t a fringe belief. It was core to their message—taught by Jesus, confirmed by angels, and preached by the apostles.

“This Jesus… will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.”
— Acts 1:11

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Why It Mattered to Them—and Should Matter to Us

• It gave them courage in persecution
• It shaped their view of justice
• It purified their hearts and behavior
• It gave urgency to the mission
• It reminded them that this world is not our home

“Let us wait for our Savior with hearts unspotted, that He may not find us asleep.”
— Hermas, Mandate 10

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The Bride Longs for the Bridegroom

“The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come!’”
— Revelation 22:17

The early Church wasn’t afraid of His return—they longed for it. They wanted to be found faithful, holy, and burning with love when He came.

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What We Can Learn

1. The return of Jesus is not secondary—it’s central.
2. True hope isn’t in the world improving—but in the King returning.
3. Eager expectation produces purity, perseverance, and passion.
4. The Bride must not fall asleep—she must keep her lamp lit.

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Sources:

• The Holy Bible — 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10; Acts 1:11; Luke 12:35–40; Revelation 22:17; 1 John 3:2–3
• Hermas, Mandate 10
• Didache, ch. 16
• Apostles’ Creed
• Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians

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