What Does Jesus Say About the Future?

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus speaks often about the future—both in terms of His own return, the coming of God's kingdom, and the future of His followers. While He doesn't provide a detailed roadmap of events, His teachings on the future emphasize hope, faith, and preparedness. Jesus encourages us to focus on the present with trust in God, while also looking forward to the eternal promises He offers. Here are some key themes from Jesus’ teachings on the future:

1. The Kingdom of God Is Coming

One of the central themes of Jesus’ teachings is the coming of the Kingdom of God. Jesus frequently spoke about the future reign of God, which would transform the world and bring justice, peace, and righteousness. This kingdom is both a present reality and a future hope. While it is already "among us" in the sense that God’s reign is active in believers’ lives, it will be fully realized in the future when Jesus returns.

In His parables, Jesus often compared the Kingdom of God to things like a mustard seed growing into a large tree (Mark 4:30-32) or yeast working its way through dough (Matthew 13:33). These images point to the gradual yet inevitable spread of God’s kingdom, which will reach its fullness in the future.

Scripture:

• "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." — Matthew 6:33
• "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." — Matthew 6:10

2. Jesus Will Return

Jesus spoke directly about His second coming, which would mark the fulfillment of God's promises. While He never gave an exact date or time, He assured His followers that He would return in glory to judge the living and the dead. This return will be a momentous event that will bring justice, defeat evil, and establish God’s eternal kingdom.

Jesus warned His followers to be ready for His return, because no one knows the exact day or hour. He likened His return to a thief in the night (Matthew 24:42-44), emphasizing that people should always live in readiness, keeping their faith and commitment to Him strong.

Scripture:

• "For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done." — Matthew 16:27
• "Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." — Matthew 24:44

3. The Future Is in God’s Hands

Jesus frequently pointed His followers back to God’s sovereignty and care over their lives. In the face of an uncertain future, Jesus encourages us to trust in God’s provision and plan. Rather than being anxious about what’s to come, we are to focus on living faithfully today, trusting that God knows our needs and will take care of us.

Jesus’ words on anxiety in Matthew 6 remind us that worrying about the future is futile. God is aware of our needs and will provide for us, just as He provides for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field.

Scripture:

• "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all." — Matthew 6:31-32
• "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." — Matthew 28:20

4. The Future Will Include Suffering and Trials

While the future holds great hope for believers, Jesus did not shy away from warning His followers about the trials and suffering they would face. He spoke of persecution, betrayal, and difficulties that would come as a result of following Him. Yet, He also encouraged them with the assurance that He would be with them through it all. In His famous words from John 16:33, Jesus acknowledges the challenges of life in this fallen world but also reassures His followers that His victory over the world would give them peace.

Scripture:

• "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." — John 16:33
• "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 5:10

5. Eternal Life Awaits Those Who Follow Him

Jesus promised that, for those who believe in Him, the future holds the hope of eternal life. He spoke often about the promise of life beyond this world, where believers will experience joy, peace, and fellowship with God forever. The resurrection is central to the Christian hope, and Jesus made it clear that He is the way to eternal life.

In John 14:2-3, Jesus reassures His followers that He is preparing a place for them in His Father’s house, a place where they will be with Him forever. This is the ultimate future hope for Christians: the promise of eternal life with God in a renewed world.

Scripture:

• "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?" — John 14:2
• "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." — John 3:16

6. The Future Is a Call to Watchfulness and Faithfulness

Jesus frequently taught that the future should lead His followers to live lives of watchfulness and faithfulness. In parables like the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) and the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus emphasizes the importance of being prepared, working diligently, and living faithfully, knowing that one day He will return and hold us accountable.

The message is clear: the future is uncertain, but our response should be one of readiness, faithful service, and enduring hope in God’s promises.

Scripture:

• "Stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." — Matthew 24:42
• "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much."— Matthew 25:23

7. Live in Light of the Future

The teachings of Jesus about the future encourage His followers to live in light of eternity. His focus is not only on future events like His return but also on how those events shape the way we live now. Our actions, our love for others, and our faithfulness to God should reflect the hope we have in the future.

Jesus calls us to invest in things of eternal value, not to become overly attached to the temporary things of this world. The future, with all its uncertainties and promises, should motivate us to live with purpose, love, and faith.

Scripture:

• "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." — Matthew 6:19-20
• "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." — Matthew 6:

Conclusion

Jesus’ teachings about the future offer hope, encouragement, and a call to faithful living. While He doesn’t provide every detail about what’s to come, He assures us that God is in control of the future. Whether it's the promise of His return, the certainty of suffering, or the eternal hope of life with God, Jesus calls His followers to live in anticipation of what’s ahead, trusting in God’s sovereignty and living faithfully in the present. The future, according to Jesus, is not something to fear but something to look forward to, knowing that God's promises are secure, and that in the end, He will make all things new.