How should the nearness of Christ’s return change the way we live now?

The Bible never presents this hope as something to speculate about from the sidelines — it’s meant to shape daily life. Jesus said, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:42), and Peter asked, “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11). Paul told Titus that “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” (Titus 2:11-13). In other words, the soon coming of Jesus isn’t meant to produce fear or idle speculation, but purposeful, hopeful, godly living — being found faithful and ready whenever He comes.