Much of the Christian world believes Christ Jesus is going to return at some point in our future to establish His Kingdom here on planet earth. Some Christian groups believe the return of Christ is imminent and fully expect Jesus to return very soon. 

What is often overlooked is that Christians of every generation since the establishment of Christianity in the first century A.D. have looked for Christ to return in their lifetime. Yet, if we are to believe the Bible, Christ’s return must have been in the first century.

Jesus, Himself, plainly taught He would return within the lifetime of some of those hearing Him teach. Jesus made some very straightforward statements during His ministry that speak to His return occurring in the generation in which he lived. His disciples and also the Apostle Paul, repeat what Christ said about his soon return. If the return of Christ didn’t occur in the time frame seen by the New Testament writers, it is not a matter of only the disciples of Jesus being wrong, it’s a matter of Jesus Himself being wrong.  

The writer of Hebrews exhorted the readers to patience, knowing Christ’s return was imminent. 

Hebrews 10:36-37 “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.”

The Apostle Paul believed that Christ was returning in his time and shared that thought with the church at Thessalonica to comfort them. Paul said “we which are alive,” not “they which are alive.” 

1 Thessalonians 3:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

James wrote that the coming of the Lord was nigh, near. The judge was “before the door.” Christ’s coming and his judgement on wicked Israel was soon approaching.

James 5:7-9 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.”