It’s pretty safe to say that we live in a fast-moving world where change is the only constant and where people demand everything in a hurry—immediately if possible. This is a culture that does not understand the meaning of the term “delayed gratification.”

God’s Word teaches us another way to live and approach our lives here on this earth. We are to stay centered on Christ, consistent in our walk, doing the things that we would want to be found doing when Jesus comes back. In other words, we need to be patient.

We don’t mind developing patience so long as it doesn’t take much time to do it. But consider these words from James 5:7-8 that will serve as the text for this study:

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines patience as “persevering in performing a task” or “endurance without complaining.” Webster also offers this definition of patience: “bearing suffering and provocation with calmness and selfcontrol and refraining in the midst of it from retaliating.” That sounds like a description of Jesus, doesn’t it? But that’s patience, something we are commanded to strive for and incorporate into our lives as we await the Second Coming of Christ.

James instructs all followers of Christ to “be patient…until the coming of the Lord.” Note that he doesn’t say to be patient only when things are going great or when you feel like it. No, it is a blanket statement to be patient in every circumstance until Jesus returns. Let’s take a deeper look at what patience entails.

Here in the fifth chapter of the book of James, the word patience is found six times in just the first few verses. This New Testament emphasis should come as no surprise, especially if you are familiar with the writings of Paul, because the quality of patience dominated his teaching to the church. He noted that one of the characteristics of true love is patience (1 Corinthians 13:4). And if you’ve ever studied the fruit of the Spirit in the book of Galatians, one of the evidences of a Spirit-filled life is patience (Galatians 5:22).

In Colossians, Philippians, and Thessalonians, you will discover that wherever Paul makes a list of virtues, patience is always on the list. Patience (endurance or longsuffering) is a quality held in high regard in Scripture. Developing a patient spirit is one of the most difficult things to do for many of us.

Did you know that the Bible says the only way you can learn patience is through tribulation? Tribulation works patience. Many of us can attest that it is often through the difficult seasons of our life that God does His most profound work. It is often when we are under stress and pressure that we discover things about ourselves that we could never know in times of prosperity. If we embrace the hardships and ask God to teach us what He wants us to know, that’s an expression of patience—to wait on the Lord, to do what He determines to do.

It was this quality of patience that James was telling his readers to embrace.

And the reason James encourages patience in the lives of his readers is very clear as you study this book. The scattered Jews, to whom he was writing this letter, were being deeply persecuted. Life was very hard for them. And like many in today’s chaotic world, these Christ-followers were looking at their circumstances and felt the only way they could get any relief from their trials was for the Lord to return.

And what was James’ counsel to his readers by way of this book? To exercise patience and to endure as we experience life’s trials and difficulties. That’s the calling of a follower of Christ.

Along with the instruction to be patient, we are given an illustration of what patience looks like: “See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and the latter rain.”

Now to understand this illustration, it is helpful to realize that both James and his brother Jude were farmers. That’s what they did for a living. So when you read the book of James, don’t be surprised that there are a lot of agricultural illustrations in the book. And this is certainly one of them.

Here he describes how farmers farmed in Palestine. This was long before any kind of irrigation was available; they had to depend on the rain. The early rain came in the fall and softened the ground so that the seed could be planted. And the latter rain came in April and May and allowed enough moisture to ripen the harvest.

But the point of the illustration is that the farmer couldn’t do anything about when the rains came. He had to wait for it to happen! He couldn’t hasten the rain, and he couldn’t keep it from coming at an inconvenient time. His job was simply to patiently keep doing what he was doing: planting the seed, cultivating the ground, and waiting for the rain.

And as farmers waited for the rain for their crops, James says to the believers of his day as well as to us: “We, too, have to develop patience as we await the ultimate conclusion of all that God has in mind for us” (paraphrase). Isn’t that a beautiful thought?

It is really interesting to put all this in a time warp because the people of James’ day really had nothing to complain about. It had only been thirty years since they had heard that Jesus was coming back. It has now been more than 1,900 years for us as we await His return. And while that may seem like a long time, just remember that even though 1,900 years have passed since the coming of Christ in Bethlehem, more than twice that amount of time had passed between Genesis when the coming Messiah was first announced and the consummation in Luke.

Even in light of this fact, the natural question we all ask is: Why is the Lord waiting so long? Second Peter 3:8-9 offers great perspective on this matter: “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 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.” Do you know why the Lord delays His coming? Because He is waiting for just one more person to come to faith in Him and be spared from an eternity outside of Christ!

And notice what else Peter tells us—the way we look at time does not equate with God’s timetable. Did you know that God is not affected by time? He lives outside of time! Time is merely a creation of Almighty God; He is not affected by it—He created it. God doesn’t live in the past or the future or the present. God lives in the eternal now. God doesn’t have a clock, and He doesn’t have a calendar. God lives according to His own presence.

How foolish of us to think we can place God on our schedule. We do not know when He will return. What we do know according to the Word of God is that it is imminent. His return is at hand. Our role and responsibility as followers of Christ is to wait with patience and endurance for that day.

What does this mean? How can we do this? Now that we have looked at the instruction to be patient and an agricultural illustration of how we are called to wait, let’s finish this discussion with the implication of patience for you and me. Here are two traits you can develop as you train yourself up in the art of patience.

Develop Confidence as You Wait

Notice in James 5:8 we are told to “establish our hearts.” The word establish in this context is an interesting word because the text literally translates, “Make your heart firm.” The verb conveys the thought of strengthening and supporting something so that it will be unmovable. One paraphrase says, “You must put iron into your hearts.” And the New English Bible calls upon us to be “stouthearted.” This is no time for weak-hearted people!

This is not a time for frail Christians. No, this is a time for us to be strong in our faith and have confidence in the One we serve. James calls upon his readers and us as well to take this matter into our own hands. It is our personal duty to develop an attitude of courage and steadfastness as we face the circumstances of this day. Instead of feeling agitated and shaken by the experiences of oppression, we must develop an inner sense of strength. This is not the time for complaining and grumbling. This is the time to stand up and be the people God created us to be.

Please understand that patience is not blind resignation to whatever is happening. During the shock and numbness of tragedy and difficulty and unexpected circumstances, we are not to adopt a fatalistic acceptance that whatever will be will be. That acceptance is made in defeat rather than in hope. The patience that God wants to build in your life and in mine must be more dynamic than just being resigned to the inevitable.

The Bible points to a patience that is based on confidence in God. Make note of this important truth—we are not to develop confidence in ourselves. That is futile! But our confidence must be in the God we serve. And that is the creative difference that believers bring into this situation in which we find ourselves today. We don’t walk in arrogance, confident in our own strength. Instead, we walk in humility, strengthened by God, His Almighty Word, and His Holy Spirit.

Develop Courage as You Wait

The implication of patience is that we are to develop confidence as we wait. But we are also told to develop courage. Did you know that you can actually be courageous during these days? In this passage of Scripture, both in verses 7 and 8, the coming of the Lord is placed in the center of the picture.

According to James, we are to have courage because we know where this is going and how it is going to end. Have you ever noticed how many times in the New Testament we are told to wait for the coming of the Lord?

“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
(Titus 2:13)

“Eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 1:7)

“Eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
(Philippians 3:20)

“Wait for His Son from heaven.”
(1 Thessalonians 1:10)

Over and over again we are told to wait. It is true that we are called to wait for Christ, but as we wait, we have the confidence and knowledge that He’s already where we are ultimately going to be! And it is the fact that we have our home settled forever in heaven that gives us confidence as we walk and wait here on earth today. We already know the ending to this glorious story!

Maybe a simple little illustration will help bring this point home to you. I have a car that has a GPS system in it. Now while I am technologically challenged, I am even more directionally challenged. It’s very easy for me to get lost driving, even in familiar places! But the GPS system in my car is voice activated and will verbally guide me from where I am to wherever I am going.

Now here’s the deal. I no longer have any anxiety about where I am going. I have a newfound confidence. I do not have to wonder if I’m going to arrive at my destination. And why is that? Because I know that someone who knows where I am going is going to take me to the place where I want to go.

My friends, that’s the confidence we have in our God. He’s got it all planned out. The GPS system for your life and mine is in place. And in the process of getting from where we are to where we are going, there will no doubt be some detours and some traffic issues and some frustrations. But we need not worry about it because we know that He will take us from where we are to where we need to go. He has already traveled our route, and He has already made it to our destination. That’s how we can have patience and confidence as we wait for the coming of the Lord.

"Stay Committed"

1. The Instruction About Patience
2. The Illustration About Patience
3. The Implications of Patience
1. Developing Confidence as You Wait
2. Developing Courage as You Wait

After hearing or reading God’s Word, it is important to internalize its truth by reflecting on its message and making personal applications for daily living. The questions below correlate to the "Stay Committed" message and are specifically designed to help you become strong in your Christian walk.

1. Have you ever been so discouraged with the world that you wanted Jesus to return? Why or why not?

2. What instruction do believers receive in James 5:7?

3. How is this idea of patience illustrated?

4. Describe the patience of the farmer. Why do you think this illustration is a good way to help us understand the kind of patience we need to have?

5. Read James 5:10-11. Who does James point to as examples of patience and perseverance? Why would mentioning them be helpful for people who are suffering?

6. Do you find it difficult to be patient and wait on the Lord? Why or why not?

7. How can knowing the Lord will return someday help you persevere with patience in your daily walk?

8. Talk to the Lord in prayer about anything you learned in this lesson. Ask Him to help you trust and hope in Him all the more as you see the difficulties in the world around you. Pray for others in the body of Christ to hold fast as they wait patiently for Him. Thank Him for the hope of His return.

After hearing or reading God’s Word, it is important to internalize its truth by reflecting on its message and making personal applications for daily living. The questions below correlate to the "Stay Committed" message and are specifically designed to facilitate the discussion and study of God’s Word in a group setting.

1. What events in your personal life and in the world cause you to feel discouraged or afraid, and why?

2. If you had unlimited resources to save a group of people from terrible circumstances, and you were on your way to save them, what message would you send ahead of you to encourage them?

3. What message was given to believers in James 5:7, 10, and 11?

4. Of all the messages God could send to believers living in chaotic times, do you think “be patient” seems unexpected? Why or why not?

5. How do we learn to be patient? (Galatians 5:22; Colossians 1:11; James 1:3-4)

6. What else are believers instructed to do that coincides with being patient and why? (James 5:8)

7. Discuss how knowing the Lord is coming again can strengthen our hearts, give us courage, and help us to patiently persevere.

8. Talk to the Lord in prayer about anything you learned in this lesson. Ask Him to help you trust and hope in Him all the more as you see the difficulties in the world around you. Pray for others in the body of Christ to hold fast as they wait patiently in Him. Thank Him for the hope of His return.

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
~ James 5:7-8

“My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”
~ James 5:10-11

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
~ Philippians 3:20

“So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
~ Hebrews 9:28

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.”
~ Matthew 24:42

“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.”
~ 2 Peter 3:9

“Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation . . .”
~ Micah 7:7

“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.”
~ Psalm 37:7

“For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
~ 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

“Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
~1 Corinthians 1:6-7

“But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.”
~ Romans 8:25

“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us . . .”
~ Titus 2:13-14

FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD, the future seems uncertain and threatening. For students of biblical prophecy, however, the future is as bright as the promises of God. Yes, we see the signs. Wars and rumors of wars! Earthquakes! False religions! Nuclear terrorism! Worldwide persecution! The Jews in Israel! The Middle East in conflict! For God’s children, those things signal one thing: There’s never been a more fascinating time to study biblical prophecy.

Prophecy holds a large place in the Scriptures. Seventeen Old Testament books are prophetic, and many of the remaining ones contain prophetic predictions that reverberate throughout the entire Bible. In the New Testament, entire chapters are devoted to predictive prophecy along with the book of Revelation. Since “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable . . .” (2 Timothy 3:16), it’s the obligation of every Christian to become a student of this gripping subject. It is necessary to our health and well-being, and it is wonderfully practical.

In 1908, William E. Blackstone wrote a little book called Jesus Is Coming: God’s Hope for a Restless World. It had a great impact on the Christian world and spurred on much of today’s interest in the study of prophecy. In his book, Blackstone devoted an entire chapter to the practical benefits of studying prophecy, which he called the true incentive to a holy life. He wrote, “No other doctrine in the Word of God presents a deeper motive for crucifying the flesh, for separation to God, to work for souls, and as our hope and joy and crown of rejoicing, than this does.” ¹

Blackstone went on to list forty benefits listed in the Bible for those who study prophecy. I don’t have time to mention forty, but I would like to share four hefty paybacks from studying what the Bible says about the future.

PROPHECY EMPOWERS US TO LIVE PARDONED LIVES

First, the study of prophecy empowers us to live pardoned lives. It motivates us to confess our sins and claim the eternal life Jesus offers us.

One night, Earl Kelly, a pastor in Mississippi, was preaching about the Second Coming. He had just quoted Matthew 24:27, “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Suddenly a large light bulb dropped from its socket in the ceiling and burst on the floor in front of the pulpit, startling the worshipers. Without missing a beat, Kelly said, “His coming will be just as sudden and unexpected and devastating to the dreams that are not Christ-centered.”²

As we ponder our Lord’s return, think of its suddenness: “Behold, I am coming quickly” (Revelation 22:7). Think of the sadness of missing Him. Think of the horror of being left behind when He comes. Think of the anguish of being unprepared for His trumpet call. Studying biblical prophecy motivates us to claim His pardon and live in the expectation of His glorious return. As you survey the signs of the times, are you ready for Christ to come? What if it were today?

PROPHECY EMPOWERS US TO LIVE PRODUCTIVE LIVES

Prophecy also enables us to live productive lives. Some people think a keen awareness of the Second Coming of Christ will turn us into lazy souls who stand around gazing upward in some kind of useless trance. But the opposite is true. In the greatest sermon ever preached on the Second Coming—the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24 and 25—Jesus listed the “signs of the times” and described the events surrounding His return. Then He told a series of stories illustrating the importance of being productive and prepared. “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing,” He said (Matthew 24:46).

Denis Lyle, a Baptist pastor in Belfast, Northern Ireland, told the story of a tourist who visited a beautiful mansion on a lovely lakeshore in Switzerland. The house was surrounded by well-kept gardens connected by tidy pathways. Not a weed in sight.

“How long have you been caretaker here?” the tourist asked the gardener.

“I’ve been here twenty years.”

“And during that time how often has the owner of the property been in residence?”

The gardener smiled and said, “He has been here only four times.”

“And to think” exclaimed the visitor, “all these years you’ve kept this house and garden in such superb condition. You tend them as if you expected him to come tomorrow.”

“Oh no,” replied the gardener, “I look after them as if I expected him to come today.”³

Jesus is coming back, coming any minute, coming soon, maybe today. The Bible says that time is short (1 Corinthians 7:29), and we must work for the night is coming. The more vividly aware we are of His impending return, the more we’ll be motivated in our work for Him in these last days.

PROPHECY EMPOWERS US TO LIVE POSITIVE LIVES

Prophecy also promotes a positive mindset. As world conditions worsen, Jesus said, we shouldn’t hang our heads in depression or shake our heads in confusion. We should lift up our heads in expectation, for our redemption draws near (Luke 21:28). After Paul told the Thessalonians about the sudden return of Christ in the air for His people, he said, “Comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

Our world is in a state of depression. Anti-depression pharmaceuticals are being swallowed by the truckload. According to one study, the use of antidepressants has skyrocketed in the past several decades. In fact, one in ten Americans now takes an antidepressant medication.⁴

When I read that, I thought of Proverbs 12:25: “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” Obviously there are times when medication is absolutely called for, but meditation is often better. When we visualize our Lord’s return, we’re treating our souls to a “good word.” Jesus told His troubled disciples on His last night with them, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions . . . I will come again and receive you to Myself ” (John 14:1-3).

Let me suggest an experiment. One evening, sit down and watch television for an hour, focusing on a roundup of the world news. It’ll be an hour filled with riots, war, politics, problems, budget deficits, oil prices, serial killers, nuclear threats, and natural disasters. How do you feel after an hour of that?

The next night, turn off the television and study 1 and 2 Thessalonians, two little books in the New Testament with much to say about the Lord’s return. Read Paul’s promise that God will give His troubled children rest “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels” (2 Thessalonians 1:7). After an hour of pondering the eight little chapters of the Thessalonian epistles, how do you feel? My guess is you’ll have joy in your heart as you anticipate afresh His return.

PROPHECY EMPOWERS US TO LIVE PURE LIVES

Here’s another payback of prophecy—it fosters purity in our lives. Many years ago, a prominent minister named Dr. John Stratton struggled with tobacco addiction; but one day as he studied the subject of the return of Christ, he decided on the spot to quit smoking. He later testified that he didn’t want Christ to come back and find him with a cigar or pipe in the corner of his mouth.

Another prominent minister had a similar story. One day he went to a show he shouldn’t have attended. After a few minutes, he abruptly rose and left. His friends followed him out, asking what was wrong. He explained that Jesus could come at any moment; and, he said, “I don’t want Him to [find] me here!”⁵

The Bible says, “When He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).

The study of the signs of the times isn’t just for “prophecy freaks” or “Second Coming scholars.” It’s for every single Christian who loves His appearing. It’s comprehensible and it’s compelling, and it will change your life. It is a practical subject with tangible benefits, and those who study it are happier, holier, healthier people. We can rightly consider it the greatest self-improvement course we can take, and the benefits are eternal.

Discover what the Bible has to say about the prophetic times; and learn to pray, Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

¹   William E. Blackstone, Jesus Is Coming (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1989 ed.; originally published in 1908), 14, 17.

²   Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations (Rockville, Maryland: Assurance Publishers, 1979), 1239-1240.

³   Denis Lyle, Countdown to Apocalypse (Belfast: Ambassador Books, 1999), 21.

⁴   Roni Caryn Rabin, “A Glut of Antidepressants,” New York Times, August 12, 2013, https://well.blogs. nnytimes.com/2013/08/12.

⁵   Walter B. Knight, Three Thousand Illustrations for Christian Service (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1947), 602, 605.