Ben Franklin said that “in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” Others have tried to add a third or fourth thing to the list, but the one thing we all know is undeniable is that death is certain. Since the creation of the world, but for a couple of notable exceptions, the mortality rate for those being born is essentially 100%. Gonna happen. It’s tragic and unexpected when it happens earlier than the “threescore years and ten; [or] if by reason of strength they be fourscore years” (Ps. 90:10 KJV) most are allotted. But to avoid that manner of loss is not to avoid the loss — death’s gonna do what death’s gonna do. Count on it.

But this morning, someone wiser than Ben (aka inspired by God) reminds me through the Scriptures that taxes aren’t death’s twin of certainty. It’s actually something far more glorious.

And just as it is appointed for people to die once ​— ​and after this, judgment ​— ​so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.

(Hebrews 9:27-28 CSB)

Just as it is appointed for people to die . . . so also Christ will appear a second time. That’s what I’m chewing on this morning — the certainty of Jesus’ coming again.

Every funeral can be a reminder of the future. Every burial, a prompting to anticipate an already scheduled arrival. Every encounter with mortality an encouragement to look afresh to the eastern sky (Mt. 24:27). Death is certain? Yup. So is Jesus’ return.

Not wanting in any way to minimize or trivialize the sting of death. But because they’re linked together here, we shouldn’t minimize or trivialize the Lord’s second coming either.

Just as Jesus “has appeared . . . for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (9:26), so too He “will appear . . . to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” Count on it.

It’s not a matter of if He will come again, but of when. And if that when is before my 70 or 80 years here are done, will I be found among those who are waiting for Him?

The ESV translates it as eagerly waiting for Him, trying to capture that the original word isn’t just a passive waiting, like waiting for a bus to arrive as you read the paper, listen to a podcast, or do your favorite crossword puzzle. Rather the waiting in mind here is waiting with great care, attention, and effort. Far from idle waiting it is anticipatory, active waiting. Waiting which compels one to be occupied with waiting. Waiting that creates a desire to be prepared and ready for when the waiting is over. Because of death’s certainty, we estate plan. Shouldn’t we also “eternity plan” because of the equal certainty of Christ’s return? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Jesus is coming again. Count on it.

By God’s grace. For God’s glory.

Marvelous message we bring
Glorious carol we sing
Wonderful word of the King
Jesus is coming again

Standing before Him at last
Trial and trouble all past
Crowns at His feet we will cast
Jesus is coming again

Coming again coming again
Maybe morning maybe noon
Maybe evening and maybe soon
Coming again coming again
Oh what a wonderful day it will be
Jesus is coming again

~ John W. Peterson