Introduction

Are you an Adventist? Not by affiliation or upbringing—but by conviction? The question may seem simple, but it’s deeply personal. You see, Adventism isn’t primarily about what church you belong to. At its heart, it’s about whether you live each day believing that Jesus Christ is coming again—and very soon.

The name itself proclaims it: we are people of the Advent. We are those who believe in the return of our Lord—not just someday in the distant future, but in this generation, in our lifetime. This belief, if truly held, changes everything. It rewrites your values, rearranges your priorities, and reorients your life toward eternity. You cannot believe that Jesus is coming soon and live as if this world is your home. The two are incompatible.

So what does it mean to live like He’s coming? And how do we know that His return truly is near? Let’s explore what Scripture says, what prophecy reveals, and how real belief translates into bold, joyful action.

The Promise of His Coming

From the earliest pages of the New Testament, the return of Jesus is not an optional doctrine or a fringe belief. It is a central promise of the gospel.

But it doesn’t begin in the New Testament. From the earliest pages of Scripture, God's people have looked forward to a coming day when the Lord would make all things right. Job declared in faith, “I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth” (Job 19:25). The prophet Isaiah foresaw a glorious future: “And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us” (Isaiah 25:9).

Jesus said it plainly: “Let not your heart be troubled... I will come again, and receive you unto myself” (John 14:1–3). As He ascended into heaven, two angels stood beside the disciples and declared, “This same Jesus... shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

The apostle Paul encouraged believers with this hope: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout... and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). He called it “that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

To be a Christian is to live in expectation. The early church watched for Christ’s return with eager eyes and burning hearts. And Jesus told them to: “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not” (Luke 12:40).

Why We Believe It’s Soon

Some may say: “Yes, Jesus is coming back, but hasn’t every generation thought that?” It’s true—many have hoped. But our hope is not based on feelings. It is rooted in prophecy.

The Bible doesn’t leave us guessing about the season of Christ’s return. In fact, it outlines a clear progression of world empires in Daniel 2 and Daniel 7, ending in a final kingdom that God will establish forever. We are living at the tail end of that prophecy—“in the days of these kings” (Daniel 2:44).

Jesus Himself gave a detailed description of end-time signs in Matthew 24:

• Wars and rumors of wars
• Famines and earthquakes
• Lawlessness and love growing cold
• False prophets and global deception
• The gospel being preached in all the world

We see these signs increasing, converging, and accelerating.

Paul warned of perilous times in the last days: “men shall be lovers of their own selves... disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy... lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:1–5). This is not tomorrow’s news. It’s today’s headlines.

And then there is Revelation. Chapters 13 and 14 describe global systems of coercion and control, counterfeit worship, and a final warning from three angels flying “in the midst of heaven.” These messages are being preached now. The world is moving rapidly toward the climax of history.

We are not date-setters. We are watchmen. And all the signs tell us: the time is near. The final movements will be rapid ones.

The Impact of Real Belief

Belief creates action. If you believe your house is on fire, you don’t keep watching TV. If you believe your long-lost child is arriving on the next train, you clear your schedule and run to the station. Real belief reorders your life.

So what happens when you believe—really believe—that Jesus is coming soon?

You live like it. You pray like it. You stop clinging to things that are passing away. You stop wasting time, and you start investing in eternity. You hunger for His Word. You long to be like Him. You become quick to forgive and slow to speak. You treat others as eternal souls, not temporary nuisances.

Hebrews 11:7 tells us that Noah, “being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark.” His faith changed his behavior. It saved his family. True Adventism does the same.

• Prioritize time with God over entertainment. (Matthew 6:33)
• Give sacrificially to missions and ministries. (2 Corinthians 9:6–7)
• Teach my children to love truth and walk in it. (Deuteronomy 6:6–7)
• Let go of bitterness, grudges, and earthly ambitions. (Ephesians 4:31–32)
• Be known for hope, not for fear. (1 Peter 3:15)

When you believe He’s near, you live awake. You live ready. You live with joy.

Adventism Is a Conviction, Not a Denomination

Many today associate the term “Adventist” with a specific denomination. And while the Seventh-day Adventist Church has faithfully carried the banner of Christ’s return since 1863, the heart of Adventism is older and broader than any organizational structure.

Before there was an Adventist Church, there were Adventist believers. During the Great Awakening of the 18th and 19th centuries, thousands across denominations were gripped by the conviction that Jesus was soon to return. They studied prophecy. They preached repentance. They called the world to prepare.

To be an adventist—lowercase “a”—is to live with that same conviction. It is not about joining a church. It is about aligning your life with a truth that transcends tradition: the Blessed Hope is just around the corner.

This means that Baptists, Methodists, non-denominational believers—anyone who lives in anticipation of Christ’s return—can rightly be called adventists. The name doesn’t belong to one group. It belongs to a movement of faith, a family of believers with eyes on the sky and hearts set on heaven.

And what binds us together is not policy or uniformity. It is the living, burning hope that Jesus is coming back soon, and we want to be ready—and help others be ready too.

A Church Awake and Alive

It’s easy to fall asleep spiritually. Jesus warned us that in the last days, even His people would be tempted to slumber: “While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept” (Matthew 25:5).

But now is not the time for sleep. “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Romans 13:11).

This is not a message of fear. It is a message of joy. If you knew your dearest friend was arriving this week, would you not prepare with excitement? Clean the house? Cancel distractions? Tell others?

Let’s live like that. Let’s be a church that is awake, alert, and alive with hope.

Conclusion: Our Blessed Hope

To be an Adventist is to live like the return of Jesus is not just a doctrine, but your deepest desire.

It’s to love His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8). To long for His voice. To wait for His face. And to help others prepare to meet Him in peace.

So let’s not be casual believers. Let’s be courageous ones. Let’s not simply claim the name—let’s embody the calling.

Jesus is coming soon. That changes everything.

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).