so it is with the Christ. He was offered up once and for all, to 'bear away the sins of many'; and the second time he will appear--but without any burden of sin--to those who are waiting for him, to bring Salvation.

Be diligent

Yes, and for this very reason do your best to supplement your faith by goodness, goodness by knowledge,

And every one who has this hope with regard to Christ tries to make himself pure--as Christ is pure.

In peace

Therefore, if people say to you 'He is in the Wilderness!', do not go out there; or 'He is in an inner room!', do not believe it;

"Now, Lord, thou wilt let thy servant go, According to thy word, in peace,

Happy will that servant be whom his master, when he comes home, shall find doing this.

And God himself will strengthen you to the end, so that at the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ you may be found blameless.

Therefore, my dear Brothers, stand firm, unshaken, always diligent in the Lord's work, for you know that, in union with him, your toil is not in vain.

Until you are able to appreciate all moral distinctions. And I pray, too, that you may be kept pure and blameless against the Day of Christ,

And so make your hearts strong, and your lives pure beyond reproach, in the sight of our God and Father, at the Coming of our Lord Jesus, with all his Holy Ones.

May God himself, the giver of peace, make you altogether holy; and may your spirits, souls, and bodies be kept altogether faultless until the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

General references

Then all the bridesmaids awoke and trimmed their lamps.

Do you also prepare, for when you are least expecting him the Son of Man will come."

for here we have no permanent city, but are looking for the City that is to be.