I'm Excited!

Anticipation is half the fun of big events. I’m excited as we head for this Sunday’s game. The “SuperBowl” has become an unofficial holiday for Americans, a break in winter doldrums, an excuse to have a party, throw off the serious stuff of life, and get into the hoopla that builds up around two football teams chasing the season championship. Last year, the game drew a television audience of over 100 million in the United States! And, yes, I’m psyched because the Patriots are in Indianapolis to even the score with Giants!

There’s a promise of an event that Christians need to keep front and center in our minds, around which we need to build anticipation. When the slog through the mess and mud of life gets hard, it will keep us going. When we wonder why, it will lift our vision higher. When we’re tempted to give in to the temptations of this present world – power, materialism, sensuality, greed, Selfishness – it will help us to press on. What is this? The promise of the return of Christ!

The Bible says "Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep (die), or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, NIV)

This is no isolated text, either. Throughout the Scripture, there is a promise of hope, an assurance that the Lord will set things right, avenge the righteousness, and reward faithful service. The last will be first, on that great day! Those who have invested in the Kingdom will be given the victor’s award. Call me what you want to; I’m hanging onto that promise. I believe the lyrics to that Gospel song that says, “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus. Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ.”

Do I understand every word about the promise of Jesus’ return? Not at all. All the charts and explanations that once captivated me hold little appeal. The doctrinal arguments about Millenniums and Tribulation can obscure the central fact – Jesus is coming back! Here’s what He said. This word from the Word is the Christian’s Blessed Hope, the most exciting event, a day worth of our anticipation. “And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” (Luke 21:25-28, NLT)
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Life's day will soon be o'er, all storms forever past,
We'll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
We'll share the joys of heav'n - a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we'll lay our burden down.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.
Copyright, Esther Rusthoi