any Christians today lack understanding—or even interest—in the coming of Christ and the rapture. This is unsurprising when you consider that those who have not been saved often show no interest in these matters at all; after all, they are not related to Him.

What is more astonishing is that even believers who accept salvation and expect to be in the rapture frequently ignore or dismiss the signs and timing of the end times. Peter addresses this issue directly:

“But scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning.’” (2 Peter 3:3‑4)

Peter explains that people mock Christ’s return because they live according to their desires. That observation holds true: those who love this world and cling to earthly pleasures see the return of Christ as a stumbling block. Wealthy, comfortable, or family‑focused individuals often wish to remain in the present life.

For that reason Christ Himself wonders: "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth? (Luke 18:8)

The Crown Is Promised

Paul writes about those who await Christ’s coming:

"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8) 

At first glance the crown seemed easy to obtain; many assumed that simply looking forward to Christ’s return would earn it. Yet not everyone receives this reward.

The reason is that some do not truly anticipate the Lord’s coming.

There are two kinds of people who are watching His return:

(a) Those who hope for relief from hardship:
These individuals wait for Christ because they endure poverty, suffering, sorrow, or chronic illness and yearn to escape their troubles. Their longing is not rooted in love for God but in a desire for deliverance from earthly pain. We do not think those in this category will receive the crown; 

(b) Those who genuinely seek the Lord:
It is believed that only those who truly love Him and desire to meet the Lord will be granted the coveted crown. 

Friend, do you desire to receive the crown of righteousness for those who longed for his appearing?

Not Knowing the Times Makes One a Natural Person

Failing to recognize the present moment as related to the end times can lead to great loss. When people are unaware of how close the end is, they fixate on worldly matters and chase success in this life, thereby neglecting their spiritual life. Even though they claim to have faith, their mindset aligns with the world; they become entangled in earthly affairs. Though they are “children of Christ,” they lack preparation and indulge in worldly filth.

Consequently, they grow weak spiritually: they pray not for God’s will but to satisfy their personal desires; they avoid reading Scripture—or if they read it, it is only to clear their conscience—and also they read the scriptures not to practice the truth but merely out of curiosity to learn new things. They gain nothing from that. Living this way is akin to partnering with, or following, the devil—a form of idolatry. Those who love the world are idolaters (John 4:5‑6). Thus the devil fears them not.

Scripture warns: “Do you not know that those who live according to the desires of the flesh have no friendship with God? Whoever wishes to be a friend of this world is an enemy of God” (James 4:4).

Loving what God does not love aligns us with Satan. Therefore, even as children of heaven, loving worldly glory makes us partners with the enemy.

Therefore, we should yearn for the glory of heaven rather than earthly acclaim, anticipate Christ’s return, and look forward to future blessings. Only then can we become truly spiritual.

May the Lord inspire you to study the end times so that every eye may be opened and all may receive His blessings abundantly.

 

 

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