It is a fact that Jesus will return despite any disbelief. Although this is sobering, it also should compel believers to respond and live lives of holiness and godliness. The invitation to actively wait for His return while simultaneously hastening His coming by participating in our sanctification is beautiful! By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can move towards being more and more like Him – set apart, unique, different – Holy.
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also, he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”