Near

Philippians 4:2-5 - I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Philippians 2:1-2 - If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

James 5:9 - Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

Romans 13:11 - And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

1 John 2:18 - Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

Conclusions:

• Being like-minded, having the same love and being one in spirit and purpose emphasize the unity that should exist among Christians
• Being like-minded is not uniformity in thought but the common disposition to work together and serve one another—the attitude of Christ
• Being patient means enduring triumphantly—necessary for a Christian, because affliction is his inevitable experience
• One must not only pray in hard times, but also maintain communion with God through prayer at all times
• Gentleness is Christ-like consideration for others
• Gentleness is especially essential in church leaders
• James calls for patience toward believers as well as unbelievers
• The New Testament does not say when the judgment will take place, but its certainty is never questioned and believers are consistently admonished to watch for it
• This hour is the time for action
• Every day brings us closer to the second advent of Christ
• The Christian is to be alert waiting for the return of Christ
• With other New Testament writers, John viewed the whole period beginning with Christ’s first coming as the last days

Application:

• Are you in unity with other Christians?
• Are you enduring triumphantly?
• Do you have Christ-like consideration for others?
• Do you show patience toward believers and unbelievers?
• Do you see this hour as the time for action?
• Are you alert and waiting for the return of Christ?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible