How Should Believers Live in Anticipation of Christ's Return?

Direct Answer

Believers should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, actively looking for the blessed hope — Christ's glorious appearing at any moment.

Les Feldick teaches that the grace of God that brings salvation instructs believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts while living soberly, righteously, and godly. This life is marked by patient hope and eager expectation, not by date-setting, because no set prophetic program must be fulfilled before the Lord comes for His Church. Believers are to keep their heavenly citizenship in view, look for the Savior, and encourage one another in the assembly as the day approaches.

Key Scriptures

Titus 2:11-13 — This passage directly names the conduct and hope Les cites: grace teaches godly living while waiting for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:20-21 — It connects heavenly citizenship with watching for the Savior, who will change our bodies to be like His glorious body.

What Does the Bible Say?

The Bible tells believers that the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching them that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, they should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, while looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and their Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-13). Scripture also reminds believers that their conversation or citizenship is in heaven, from which they look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change their lowly body to be fashioned like His glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21). And it urges them not to forsake assembling together, but to exhort one another, and so much the more as they see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25).

What Does Les Feldick Teach About Living in Anticipation of Christ's Return?

Les Feldick teaches that believers are the only ones who can anxiously look forward to the Lord's coming; the unbeliever shrinks from it. He emphasizes the imminent return of Christ for the Church, noting that it may be tonight, tomorrow, or ten years from now, and that there is no set prophetic program to be fulfilled first. So believers are to live each day in sober, righteous, and godly conduct while looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus Christ. They should not neglect Christian fellowship but exhort one another, especially as the day approaches. They wait patiently, never losing sight of the fact that Christ is going to return.

What Does It Mean to Look for the Blessed Hope?

In Clip 3, Les teaches that while going through the workaday week, believers are to be looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. In Clip 6, he says this is the imminent coming of Christ for the Church — it may be tonight, tomorrow, or ten years from now, but believers are to expectantly look for it at any time. Clip 5 adds that believers do not set dates and that the translation may take place today or tomorrow.

What Conduct Should Mark a Believer Awaiting Christ's Return?

Les teaches from Titus 2 that the grace of God that brings salvation teaches believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Clip 3). He also makes clear that believers are not waiting passively: they are to hold fast the profession of their faith without wavering, consider one another to provoke unto love and good works, not forsake the assembly, and exhort one another so much the more as they see the day approaching (Clip 4).

Should Believers Set Dates or Try to Rush Christ's Return?

Les says in Clip 5 that no one knows when the translation will take place: it may take place today, it may take place tomorrow, it may be a while yet, and we do not set dates. In Clip 6, he repeats that it may be tonight, tomorrow, or ten years from now, and there is no set prophetic program to be fulfilled. In Clip 2, he says believers cannot push God to do it faster, so they wait patiently while never losing sight of the fact that Christ is going to return.

What Difference Does Heavenly Citizenship Make?

Les teaches in Clip 7 that by faith believers know they are already citizens of heaven, and from heaven they look for the Savior, who is coming for them at the Rapture. In Clip 0, he adds that the Father has already delivered believers from the power of darkness and translated them into the kingdom of His dear Son, which is the same kingdom that is coming upon the earth.

From the Teaching

Kingdom Translation

Believers have already been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son, giving them a confident basis for living in anticipation of the kingdom coming to earth.

The Believer's Unique Anticipation

Only believers, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, can anxiously look forward to the Lord's coming; the unbeliever shrinks from it.

Patient Waiting

Since believers hope for what they do not see, they wait patiently, never losing sight of the fact that Christ is going to return.

The Blessed Hope and Godly Living

Grace teaches believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, to live soberly, righteously, and godly, and to be looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus Christ.

Fellowship and Exhortation

As the day approaches, believers are not to neglect assembling together but to exhort one another and provoke love and good works.

No Date-Setting

The believer's translation may happen today or tomorrow; believers do not know and do not set dates.

Imminent Coming

The imminent coming of Christ for the Church means it may be tonight, tomorrow, or ten years from now, and believers should expectantly look for it at any time.

Heavenly Citizenship

Because believers' citizenship is in heaven, they look from heaven for the Savior, who is coming for them at the Rapture.

Bible Verses

Titus 2:11-13: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

This is the passage behind Les's teaching that grace instructs believers to live godly while looking for the blessed hope.

Philippians 3:20-21: For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

This verse connects heavenly citizenship with waiting for the Savior, as Les says in Clip 7.

Hebrews 10:24-25: And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

This supports Les's call in Clip 4 to keep assembling and exhorting one another as the day approaches.

Romans 8:24-25: For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

This is the basis for Les's point in Clip 2 about waiting patiently for what is not yet seen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Les Feldick teach that Christ could return today?

Yes. Les says the imminent coming of Christ for the Church means it may be tonight, tomorrow, or ten years from now, and that believers should expectantly look for it at any time. He also says it may take place today or tomorrow, but believers do not set dates.

What does 'living soberly, righteously, and godly' mean in Les's teaching?

Les teaches that the grace of God instructs believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. He connects this conduct with looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ.

Why should believers continue to meet together if the Lord could come at any time?

Les says believers should not neglect assembling together but should exhort one another, and so much more as they see the day approaching. He explains that as the end time approaches, believers need the encouragement and prayers of one another.

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