…I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of Lords
1 Timothy 6:13-15 NIV
The phrase “in His own time” stood out to me as I meditated on this passage, reminding me of a profound truth—God alone shall determine Christ’s return. It is not subject to human speculation, control, or manipulation.
Yet, how often do people live as though they have control over this divine event? Some claim to know the exact day or time of Christ’s coming, making bold declarations despite Jesus’ clear words in Matthew 24:36: “No one knows the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” This illusion of control fosters complacency, causing many to approach matters of repentance and faith with indifference.
We often live as though time is in our hands, assuming we have endless opportunities to seek God. This mindset leads to spiritual laxity, where there’s no sense of urgency, and repentance becomes something we postpone. People continue their daily lives, unmoved by the reality that each moment could be their last. But Scripture reminds us that life is fleeting—“You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).
The passage in 1 Timothy 6 serves as a wake-up call. The end will come, and it will unfold according to God’s divine timetable. Since we do not know the hour, we must live with a sense of readiness. Every thought, action, and decision should reflect our awareness that Christ’s return is certain, even if its timing remains unknown.
What, then, is within our control? Our response. We have the power to choose how we live today—to walk in faith, to seek God earnestly, and to align our hearts with His will. The question is not whether Christ will return but whether we will be found prepared when He does.
This is not a matter to take lightly. It is a call to examine our lives, to forsake sin, and to pursue holiness with sincerity. Jesus warns us in Luke 12:40: “You also must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” The time for preparation is now. Delaying repentance or living in spiritual complacency is a dangerous gamble. The end is inevitable, whether at Christ’s return or death.
God, in His sovereignty, has set the appointed time for all things. While we may not know when, we can trust that His timing is perfect. Our responsibility is to remain faithful, living in anticipation of His return and ensuring that whenever that moment comes, we are not caught unprepared.
Let this truth stir within us a renewed urgency to seek God wholeheartedly. May we live each day as if it were our last, standing firm in faith and readiness, knowing that in His own time, God will fulfii all things.