Is it wrong to hope Jesus doesn’t return soon? I still have a lot of people to whom I want to bring the Gospel?
Question:
Is it wrong if I don't want God to come quickly? We always sing songs about being excited to go to Heaven and asking God to come quickly. I don't really know that I want him to come quickly; it almost feels selfish to pray and sing for that. Although I have some things I need to work out of my life and plenty of things to improve on, that's not why I want him to come after I die. I have a number of people who I haven't told about Christ yet or am continuing to talk to about Him. I know the longer I stay the more opportunities I'll have to speak to people about Christ and the more chances I'll have to convince the people I'm already talking to. Honestly, I'm hoping he does not come for at least as long as I live. It's not that I'm not excited about Heaven or that I want more time to be more ready for him to come or to experience more things on Earth. I just want more time to talk to people about the Lord and his church. I haven't heard that kind of attitude from anyone else and I'm worried it might be sinful. Is that wrong?
Answer:
"For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith" (Philippians 1:19-25).
No, you aren't the first who wants as much time as possible to teach the gospel. But you can have both eagerness to see the Lord and a desire to save as many as you can. "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20). Why? "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). God won't waste our efforts.
Remember that God wants everyone saved. That is why the world continues. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (II Peter 3:9). When Jesus returns, it won't prevent some from being saved. Rather there will be no one left to be saved, just like in the days of Noah.
