This post originally appeared at https://www.vcy.org/from-the-executive-director/2021/02/01/what-is-delaying-the-return-of-christ/
By Jim Schneider, Executive Director, VCY America
As many consider world and national conditions, numerous individuals have wondered, “Why hasn’t
Christ returned yet?” “What is delaying His coming?” “Does God not understand what is taking
place?” Our view is often tainted by what is happening in the United States. But let’s revisit several
issues.
Since a majority of members of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973 gave their opinion that it was “legal” to
take the life of an unborn baby, we have slain 62.6 million babies in our country alone. Would opinion
change if our nightly news gave daily death totals by abortion like they do of COVID? Are you aware
that worldwide more have been killed by abortion in the first month of 2021 alone than in the last 12
months of COVID? If only the world would demand action and changed behavior regarding abortion as
they do for COVID.
Consider another opinion from the Supreme Court in which a majority changed the definition of
marriage. We thumbed our nose at God for what many consider His “bronze age” directive. Nation
after nation are following this pathway that leads to destruction.
Additionally, there has been a new definition created for the word “sex” to now mean “sexual
orientation” and “gender identity.” With a stroke of the pen from a new Administration, public schools
are now directed to let boys who identify as girls have access to girls’ restrooms, locker rooms, showers,
and, of course, you can’t deny them a position on the girls’ sports teams (and vice versa.)
The new Administration has also pledged to pass the so-called “Equality Act” which others have more
appropriately named the “Criminalization of Christianity Act” because it will force the LGBTQ+ agenda
on churches and ministries nationwide removing all religious exemptions. Many challenges lie just
ahead.
Another Presidential directive has taken a strike at our military readiness by requiring the military to
accept in their ranks those who are suffering from what was once termed “gender dysphoria.” Yes,
biological women identifying as men and biological men identifying as women now have been given the
go-ahead to openly infiltrate the ranks. And, by the way, our tax dollars will cover the psychological
counseling, hormone treatments and surgeries to substantiate the dysphoria. There will be no end to this
agenda. Indeed God is giving us over. (See Romans 1)
We also see the push toward an empowered United Nations, the rejoining of the Paris Climate Accord
(really a Treaty) and the advancement toward a Green New Deal under “Build Back Better.” It is all
part of what is known as “The Great Reset” as socialism advances and the push for world governance
escalates.
While there could be many more examples cited, the question only escalates, “Why hasn’t the Lord
returned yet?” The scoffing of His return is only intensifying.
As a talkshow host I receive many requests for interviews and many publishers send books hoping to
have theirs promoted. One book came with the premise, indicating that since Christ has not returned yet, what else in God’s Word is not true? Yes, the scoffing is increasing and like the serpent in the
garden asks, “Yea, hath God said?” (Genesis 3:1)
We should not be surprised at this attitude even as Peter warned, “Knowing this first, that there shall
come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his
coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the
creation.” (II Peter 3:3,4) While scoffing is on the increase, it’s important to know that just as God
brought judgment on the world by water during the time of Noah, He will bring judgment again. But
why the delay?
First, it’s important to realize that “the church” in the U.S. is not exempt from being persecuted. “Yea,
and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (II Timothy 3:12) Believers all
over the world are suffering on account of their faith and U.S. believers should not arrive at the
conclusion that we will somehow escape all persecution.
Second, it must also be realized that just as Christ came at the right time as a babe, “when the fullness of
the time was come” (Galatians 4:4) so His timing will also be at just the right time at His return.
“So why the delay?” It is because of His mercy. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as
some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that
all should come to repentance.” (II Peter 3:9) God in His patience invites people to come to faith in
Christ before the time in which He pours out His wrath upon this world. God has “no pleasure in the
death of the wicked.” (Ezekiel 33:11) Rather as Paul expressed to Timothy about God, “Who will have
all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:4)
The door of opportunity is open for people everywhere to come to faith in Christ. But just as that door
of opportunity closed on the ark, it will close again before final judgment is poured out on those who
reject the offer of salvation.
God does have a plan for this world. It will be accomplished in His timing and not ours. “For when
they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman
with child; and they shall not escape.” (I Thessalonians 5:3)
Have you placed your trust in Christ? “…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of
salvation.” (II Corinthians 6:2) Christ indeed will return. While the day or hour is not known, what is
known is that each must repent and turn to Christ! The time is NOW!
Vcyamerica