Tag: Christ’s return

Cling to Your Hope

On By BrianIn PASSION Reflections

And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”  (Acts 1:10-11, ESV)

Will comes as you saw Him go.  Our hope in the flooding that Michigan just experienced was that the water would eventually go down.  The disciples’ hope and our ultimate hope is that Jesus will come as they saw Him go – that Jesus will return.  For now, we have to deal with floods – of water and tears and trials and suffering and pain and heartache, but our hope is that Jesus will come as they saw Him go.

Longing for Him.  The disciples were gazing into heaven, looking into heaven – in amazement, for sure!  But I think also in longing already for His return.  Here was a sad goodbye.  They wouldn’t see Him again in this life.  Are you longing for His return?  Are you longing to see Jesus, your Savior who loves you so much that He died for you?  Does the thought of His return and seeing Him fill you with excitement?  Does the final prayer of the Bible: “Even so, come Lord Jesus!” flow from your heart? Are you longing for Him?

To bring the final kingdom.  When Jesus comes, our hope of the final kingdom will be realized.  As we read in Revelation 21-22, there will be a new heaven and earth.  And there will be a New Jerusalem – a city and a people, God’s people.  God will dwell with us forever.  There will be no more tears or death or pain.  He will make all things new.  It will be a place of unimaginable beauty, ablaze with glory of God.  And nothing unclean or evil or sinful will ever enter it.  The water of life will flow in it.  The tree of life will bring healing.  We will see Jesus and worship Him and reign with Him. 

In the flood of struggles and sorrows, cling to your hope – as Jesus ascended so He will come again.  Our longing to see Him will be satisfied, and we will dwell in His glorious kingdom forever.  Cling to your hope.

Saturday Strands

On By BrianIn Saturday Strands

Here are some loose strands to ponder:

What Makes Christian Prayer Christian? – Joel Beeke and Paul M. Smalley (Crossway)
We must confess our prayerless praying to God and plead for the renewal of our souls. Prayer is the thermometer of our souls. Let us then take practical steps toward prayerful praying.

Missiles and Moments of Clarity – Ryan Currie (TGC)
It’s strange how moments of crisis bring clarity. Each defensive burst clarifies realities I was already aware of but had hidden under the hum and drum of everyday life. These missiles provide moments of clarity into what’s most important.

Those Already Present and Those Who Have Not Yet Arrived – Tim Challies
As I heard the announcement, it occurred to me that when it comes to delays, there is a world of difference between those who are already seated on the plane and those who are still rushing to it.

No Life in God’s Service Is Wasted: Three Lessons from a Brief Ministry – Matt Rhodes (DG)
How will we invest our years, our wealth, our energy, our reputations, and our relationships? The choices we make in this short life show how fully we trust Jesus to give us everlasting life.

Flashback: Stand Firm In His Love
God offers us great compassion. Not just a little. Not just some. Not just the leftovers. God offers us great compassion.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshiping God with your local church!

Jesus Is Coming

On By BrianIn PASSION Reflections

The Old Testament was filled with promises in great detail about the coming of Jesus, and He came just as was promised. The New Testament is filled with promises of the return of Jesus, and we believe that Jesus is coming again just as was promised. We are “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

And Jesus is coming again to bring forth the final fulfillment of God’s Kingdom. In the Gospels, Jesus declared that the kingdom of God was at hand. Jesus the King has come, and He cast out demons and healed the sick and raised the dead and multiplied food and calmed the storm to show what His kingdom would one day be like. Satan will be defeated, and there will be no more sickness or death or lack or destructive chaos. And He died on the cross for our sins and rose again to make for Himself a people, His subjects, who will turn from their sin & believe in Him, and begin to follow Him.

One day the King is coming again, and He will bring about the final fulfillment of the Kingdom. He will bring peace and justice and righteousness forever (Isaiah 9:7). He will set up His throne on the New Earth, and He will bring forth His kingdom filled with life and healing and light. There will be no more darkness, and nothing accursed. And His people will be forever in presence of the Lord (Revelation 22:1-6).

So let us carefully prepare for His return. Too many people don’t prepare, don’t even think about being ready for His return. They have no interest in Jesus, no interest in the salvation He offers. But if there is even a chance that what we are saying is true, shouldn’t you carefully explore it? If your eternal destiny rests on what you do with Jesus, shouldn’t you consider it? Jesus might return today. You could die today. Turn from your sin and trust in Him today. Carefully prepare for His return.

He is coming. Are you ready?

And if you are, rest in the amazing certain hope that you have in Him!

While We Wait

On By BrianIn Book of Luke

In Luke 21, Jesus tells us about the coming destruction of Jerusalem (which happened in AD 70) and his coming again (sometime yet in the future).  Several responses flow for us while we wait for his return:

Do not be led astray (v8).  People will claim to be the Christ.  They will claim to know when Christ is coming back.  We see this today.  Don’t go after them.  Don’t be led astray.

Do not be afraid (v9).  There will be wars, famines, earthquakes, and all kinds of disasters.  We see these things today.  But the world is not spinning out of control.  We don’t have to fear because God has a plan.  These things must happen, but Christ is coming back.  We may see rough times, but paradise is on the horizon.  Don’t fear.

Bear witness (v13).  Christians will be arrested, persecuted, hated, even killed.  We see this around the world today.  But this will provide opportunities to bear witness.  We must continue to tell others about Jesus.

Remember our hope (v18-19).  Though persecuted and even killed, not a hair on our heads will be harmed and we will gain our lives.  My interpretation is that Jesus is pointing to our resurrection bodies.  Things may get rough here, but remember your hope of the resurrection.

Endure (v19).  Persevere.  Press on.  Stand firm.  Be patient in affliction.  Be steadfast in your faith.  Don’t give up.  Don’t turn away.  Don’t lose your faith.  Endure through the trials looking toward the reward.

Believe (v20-24).  Jesus predicted the destruction of Jerusalem, and it happened just as he said it would.  This is a faith-booster for us.  If his first prophecy came true, we have every reason to believe that his second prophecy will come true too.  We can believe that Christ is coming back just as he said he would.

Rejoice in your hope (v28).  When we see the signs of his coming, Jesus tells us to “straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”  We don’t need to freak out like the rest of the world.  Rather we should rejoice – Christ is coming soon!

Be alert (v34-36).  Don’t let your heart be weighed down with sin our worries.  Don’t lose sight of your hope!  Stay awake.  Pray!  Keep looking to Christ.  One day we will stand before him.  Stay alert!

Jesus is coming soon!  Let’s live each day in light of his coming.