Urgency in God's Kingdom

If we really think about it, there is really a lack of urgency in God’s kingdom now. When we consider how Jesus lived, what Jesus said, and how the Holy Spirit moved, we always see an element of urgency and importance. 

The urgency I’m referring to here is certainly not rushing ahead of God, but rather, it is about being quick to do what He wills. There is a difference. 

Revelation 22:7

7 “Behold, I am coming quickly!...

Revelation 22:12

¹² “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work... 

Revelation 22:20

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 

When Jesus said “quickly”, it certainly did not mean “in a couple of years”, since so many years have already passed since. But we can at least know now that He said those words intentionally to give the church a sense of urgency to prepare for His coming again. 

And this sense of urgency was certainly felt in the letters of Paul and Peter. 

1 Corinthians 7:29

²⁹ But this I say, brethren, the time is short…

Ephesians 5:15-16

¹⁵ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 

1 Peter 4:7

⁷ But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 

2 Peter 3:9-10

⁹ 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.

The Day of the Lord

¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night… 

Thessalonians 3:1

¹ Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified… 

The apostles certainly preached and did the work of the Lord with urgency. They were never beating about the bush and wasting time. Their conviction of the return of Jesus was real and they constantly conveyed this message to the church. 

Is there urgency in the church today? 

• In obeying God

• In spreading the word of God

• In seeking and doing His will

Do we go to church with a sense of urgency to hear God, to love people, to help people, to do kingdom matters…

When God reveals for us to do something, do we take too long a time to sit on it? 

If Jesus returns today, how many followers  will He find doing His work with a sense of urgency?