THE CHRISTIAN’S BLESSED HOPE

Since the fall, death has marched through the world. The Bible says that death spread to all men because all sinned. It is appointed unto man once to die, and no one escapes its clutches. Every day people die, even apart from the virus, and 1000s of babies are murdered.Thankfully, our hope is not in this life in this fallen world of death. If we are living our best life now, then our faith is foolish. What then is the Christian’s hope? In Titus 2:11-14, we see the blessed hope of the believer —the coming again of Jesus, who gave Himself for us. Again in 2 Pet 2:11-14, we see that we who wait for the coming must live holy lives. What do we hope for at the COMING OF JESUS? |||| 1. CONDEMNATION OF SATAN, SIN AND DEATH: In Eph 6:10-17, where we read about the full armour of God, we see the seriousness of the peril of our situation. The reality of the Christian is that we are in a continual battle against spiritual forces of evil. This is why we sometimes feel battle worn. Peter said in 1Pet5:8, Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. We groan with all of creation as we wait eagerly for the redemption of our bodies. This is a relentless battle, but we know that the devil’s time is limited. In Rev 20, we read that the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.On that day God’s people will be liberated and set free. |||| 2. CONSUMMATION OF OUR FAITH: Today we walk by faith. We know the wonder of knowing that our many sins are blotted out. We know that our names are recorded in the Lamb’s book of life. We know that we are safe in Jesus. It is so blessed to have this faith. But how we look forward to that day when our faith will give way to sight and we will see Jesus face to face. As long as we are in the body, we are away from the Lord. But one day we will see Him. This is the great longing of the Church, the Bride of Christ, to see the Bridegroom’s face. In 1 John 3:2, we read, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” This is why Christians look forward to the day when the Lord will return. On that day, the enemy will be cast into the pit. The children of God will see the One they have loved.|||| What a day that will be, / When my Jesus I shall see, / And I look upon His face, / The One who saved me by His grace; / When He takes me by the hand, / And leads me through the Promised Land, / What a day, glorious day that will be.|||| What a day that will be! Not only to see Him but also never to be separated from Him. If we only have hope in this world, we are most to be pitied. But our hope is for eternity. |||| 3. COMMENCEMENT OF A WHOLE NEW WORLD: This is not the new world order that the world talks about. We Christians look for Jesus’ coming. We live in a broken world with sickness, sadness, and separation. This is because of the Fall. God’s people long for the redemption of the world. Revelation 21 begins like this: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” |||| Peter also said the same thing in the passage we read. All things will be dissolved. But according to His promise, we are waiting for a new heaven and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. What we face in the world today is only temporary with momentary struggles. We are waiting for Jesus to come. When He comes the new heaven and new earth will come. Satan will be dealt with. Our faith will have given way to sight. We will live in a place that is absolutely perfect. No more tears. No more death. No more pain. For the former things will have all passed away. This is the blessed hope of the believer. Satan will be judged and damned. We are going to see Jesus in His perfection. And we will be like Him! |||| We delight Him, love Him, we long to please Him. We want to be perfect like Him, but that will only happen on that day. This fallen world is not our home. We are watching and waiting for the coming Day. |||| I’m waiting for Thee, Lord, / Thy beauty to see, Lord, / I’m waiting for Thee, / for Thy coming again. / Thou’rt gone over there, Lord, / A place to prepare, Lord, / Thy home I shall share / at Thy coming again. / |||| Is this your hope today? If this is not your blessed hope, do not rest until your are assured of this future. If this is your best life now, you better enjoy it. Because eternity will be terrible. For believers, come what may, all is well. It is well it is well with my soul.