Podcast Summary: "When Is Jesus Coming Back? | Run To Win"

Podcast: Lakepointe Church with Josh Howerton
Episode Date: November 2, 2025
Speaker: Pastor Josh Howerton
Theme: Understanding the Second Coming of Jesus—What the Bible Says, the Signs of the Times, and How We Should Live

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the biblical teaching of Jesus’ second coming, using Revelation 22 as a starting point. Pastor Josh Howerton explores scriptural promises about the return of Christ, the observable "signs" preceding His return, and the importance of readiness and faithful living. The tone is passionate, energetic, Bible-centered, and often lighthearted, mixing contemporary references and deep theological concepts.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Assurance: Jesus Is Coming Back

• Scriptural Basis: Revelation 22:12 and John 14:3 provide foundations—Jesus promised to return and take His followers to Himself.
• Illustration: Pastor Howerton uses the analogy of playing hide-and-seek with his children—emphasizing escalating clues before the seeker bursts out, "Ready or not, here I come!"
  • Quote: “What Jesus has done for us in the Bible is he has given us a series of escalating symbols, escalating signs. And what he's done is, when you see these signs begin to be fulfilled… he's saying to us, ready or not, here I come.” (03:00)
• Wedding Analogy: Explains how Jesus’ prophecy to “go to prepare a place” is rooted in first-century Jewish wedding traditions, highlighting the church as the “bride of Christ.”
  • Quote: “When Jesus came the first time and he went to the cross, what he was doing is… redeeming his bride. He was paying the bride price.” (10:45)
• Unity in the Indisputable: Advises against division over end-times details (“pre-mill, post-mill, pre-trib…”)—the main thing is Jesus will return.
  • Quote: “Christians will debate and divide over disputable things instead of uniting around the indisputable things… We’re going to unite over the indisputable. He’s coming back. It’s going to be awesome.” (13:40)

2. The Timing: Jesus Is Coming “Soon”

• No Exact Time: Emphasizes that the Bible doesn’t provide a timestamp—“soon,” not a specific date/hour (citing Matthew 24:36).
  • Quote: “He said that. Look, I am coming, and I want you to actually say it out loud… I am coming soon, is what he said. I'm coming soon.” (15:04)
  • Warns listeners not to trust anyone who claims to calculate Christ’s return (“they’re lying to you”).
• Purpose of Uncertainty: Readiness over idleness. If people knew the exact time, they’d wait to “clean up” just before, instead of living faithfully.
  • Quote: “If you stay ready, you don’t gotta get ready. And the reason that Jesus doesn’t give a time… is because he knows we were all born with a sin nature.” (17:26)
  • Personal Story: As a kid, uncertainty about parents’ return kept the house semi-clean; it changes behavior.

3. Signs of Jesus’ Return ("Escalating Contractions")

Pastor Howerton identifies six biblical “signs,” likening them to contractions intensifying before birth.
Timestamps for Each Sign (approximate):

a. Increase in Travel

• “Many shall run to and fro…” (Daniel 12)
• For most history, people could only travel 20-30 miles a day; now, global travel is possible in hours.
  • Quote: “You are living in the first generation in all of human history where… I could literally be anywhere on the globe before the end of this day.” (20:58)

b. Increase in Knowledge

• “Knowledge shall increase.” (Daniel 12)
• Knowledge now doubles every two months; technological leaps are a sign.
  • Quote: “In 2022 and 2023, that’s when AI metastasized… Right now… the amount of knowledge available to humankind doubles on average every two months.” (22:33)

c. Emergence of a One-World Economic System

• Revelation 13’s “no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark…”
• References contemporary trends like Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and global institutions.
  • Quote: “In the Bible, Satan does globalism, God does nations… Christians have always been wary of governments because we know how it ends.” (26:19-27:49)

d. Rise in Christian Persecution

• Matthew 24:9—followers will be hated “by all nations for my name’s sake.”
• Highlights severe persecution in Nigeria (statistic: 72,000 Christians killed since 2000).
  • Quote: “In the last 100 years, more Christians have been killed for their faith than in every previous century combined.” (32:00)
  • Moments of sober reflection: “When Jesus returns, Muhammad will bend his knee to King Jesus.” (34:11)

e. Mass Apostasy

• “The falling away must come first…” (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
• Describes “apostasy” as not just non-belief, but those who once professed Christ now joining His adversaries.
  • Quote: “We are living in an era where it seems like everyone is welcome but Jesus, and everything is tolerated except the clear teaching of the Word of God.” (36:49)
  • Candid critique of church trends: “Synagogues of Satan is what Revelation 2 and 3 would say you are… Cheering people on in a wide path that will lead them to hell.” (37:56)

f. Global Spread of the Gospel

• Matthew 24:14—gospel preached in all nations before the end.
• Hints at Lakepointe’s coming initiative to reach unreached people groups.
  • Quote: “We become the church that gets the gospel to somebody who has never heard it before. Because this is the commission that we’ve been given…” (39:53)

4. Living with Readiness and Earning Reward

• Jesus’ Promise: “My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done” (Revelation 22:12)

• Salvation vs. Reward: Salvation is a gift; rewards are earned through faithful living.

  • Quote: “Salvation is free. Rewards are earned. Salvation is a gift. Rewards come from work.” (41:00)

• Degrees of Reward: Teaches that not all will experience “heaven” the same way; different levels of honor, “fame,” and proximity to God exist based on one’s life on earth.

  • Quote: “Everyone that goes to heaven will not experience heaven in the same way. I don’t know how it all works… there will be different degrees… based on what we’ve done.” (41:29)

• How to Gain Reward:

  • Stand for Christ despite persecution (bank it in eternity).
  • Serve and bless others, especially when unrecognized or with no return.
  • Share the gospel and bring others to Jesus.
  • Quote: “Anything you do that results in more people being in heaven for eternity—put it in the bank.” (44:47)

• Why Is Jesus Waiting?

  • Scripture: 2 Peter 3:9 — “He’s patient with you, not wishing that anyone should perish.”
  • The delay in Christ’s return is mercy, giving more time for repentance.

5. Stories of Transformation and Global Mission ([46:23])

• Two international partners from Guatemala share testimonies of coming to Christ and their ministry serving the poor and addicted.
  • Quotes:
    • “I still remember the moment I accepted Jesus. That’s when I first felt the calling to become a doctor.” (46:43)
    • “I knelt down and all I could say was, here I am. I surrender… In that moment, He forgave me and gave me a reason to live.” (48:23)
• Lakepointe Church's ongoing support for local and international missions is highlighted, as well as a call to join in prayer and giving.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Readiness:
  • “If you stay ready, you don’t gotta get ready.” (17:27, citing Conor McGregor)
• On Division About End Times:
  • “Knowledge puffs up, love builds up… We’re going to unite over the indisputable. He’s coming back. It’s going to be awesome.” (13:40)
• On Contemporary Culture:
  • “Our culture is like, ‘Discover yourself.’ The gospel’s like, ‘Deny yourself. Pick up your cross and follow him.’” (36:27)
• On Persecution:
  • “Great will be your reward in the kingdom of heaven. Gloria a Dios.” (50:29)
• Memorable Laughs:
  • “At East Dallas, they’re like, CBD? You talking about pot? I love East Dallas.” (27:54)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening Illustration, Theme Set-Up: 00:00–03:00
• Hide-and-Seek Analogy & Escalating Signs: 03:00–06:15
• Wedding Analogy and First-Century Customs: 06:14–12:40
• Unity Over End Times Details: 13:40–15:00
• 'Soon'—No Exact Time & Readiness Principle: 15:00–19:00
• Six Signs “Contractions” Begin: 20:18
  • Travel: 20:18
  • Knowledge: 22:12
  • One-World System: 23:55
  • Christian Persecution: 30:59
  • Mass Apostasy: 35:31
  • Gospel Worldwide: 39:53
• Living for Reward: 40:47–44:30
• Guatemalan Partners’ Stories: 46:23–51:00
• Missions Call/Conclusion: 51:00–53:20

Conclusion

Pastor Josh’s message is equal parts biblical teaching, cultural analysis, and passionate call to action. The episode stresses readiness for Christ’s return, unity over division, personal holiness, and urgency in sharing the gospel. Listeners are encouraged to engage with church missions and live in such a way that, when Jesus comes, they hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."