What to do? About what, exactly? Today’s title offers no hints. But the Gospel of Matthew sheds light faster than greased lightning, whatever that means. Jesus’ followers pepper Him with questions about His second coming. He’s told them that someday He’ll return. He promises to make everything right that’s plain wrong, restore what’s been damaged, ushering in a glorious Kingdom without end.

But Jesus’ followers wonder. They speculate. When, already? Next week? A month from the last Sabbath? Sometime over the rainbow? Half past never? They wait, with bated breath, for His reply. What’s on the agenda? Not just when, but what to do in the meantime?

Sorry, guys, but the details of Jesus’ second coming aren’t for us to know. Not our business. Only the Father knows (Acts 1: 7-8). And He’s not telling. Sure, lots of preachers and Bible teachers have made their life’s work predicting the how, when, where, who, and what of Jesus’ second coming. And lots of sincere believers have sold the store following someone else’s guesses, only to come up empty.

The Bible is clear as can be that when the time is right, Jesus will come back. That’s all we need to know. However, the Lord does tell us what we’re to do in the meantime. Read Matthew 24: 9-13. Here’s what’s said in a nutshell– times will get tough for Jesus’ followers. Some will pay the ultimate price: their lives. Others will be tempted to follow false teachers. Love will be a rare commodity. Emotional coldness and apathy will foul the air.

But for the one who hangs in there, who endures to the nth degree, who doesn’t give in or give up, who returns to the fold after realizing their mistakes, those followers will be saved. Jesus calls you and me to remain in His camp. Not to go spiritually AWOL. To take our name as Christians seriously. To mean what we say and say what we mean. No more shilly-shallying, lockstep with the latest cultural fad, begging to be accepted, liked, and popular. Also, no more fence-straddling with God’s Word. Either you believe the Bible or you don’t. God said it, I believe it, that’s settled. Take a stand. Be all in for your Lord. As Jesus said–‘But the one who endures to the end will be saved’ (Matt. 24:13). Be ‘the one’!

There’s more on God’s what-to-do list– ‘ And this gospel for the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come’ (Matt. 24: 14). What to do? Get with the program. Support whatever grabs your heart that lets others hear about Jesus’ love for them. Get creative. I won’t tell you what to do. Figure it out for yourself. Better yet, ask for God’s help, His wisdom, and direction. Pray, remembering those on the front lines for Jesus, and especially those behind enemy lines. As you wait on the Lord, has He shown you what to do? Then get with it.

And who knows? I don’t, and you don’t, but maybe, just maybe, Jesus will return even this week. So, as a good Scout–be prepared!

Thank you, Jesus, for promises made and promises kept. Amen.