James exhorts his readers to wait patiently for the return of the Jesus Christ, as the present age is brought to an end at the final Judgement and manifestation of God's rule. The thought is carried over from previous passage about the fate of the evil rich. As the farmer waits patiently for his crops, so must the brothers and sisters in Christ wait for the return of the Lord, the Judge. They must be prepared for his re and Judgement (5:9). They are reminded of the patient endurance of prophets and of Job (5:10-11). They must remember the mercy compassion of God.