It’s called the “Blessed Hope” for Christian and it’s not about winning the lottery or taking a long vacation, but you knew that, right? From where I stand, it appears that with regard to the coming of the Lord, most Christians tend to live at the extremes. Some are completely taken up with Rapture theories and End Time speculation. Others forget it completely, taken up with life here, as if the world will go on forever. With a wry smile I reflect on my own dance ‘round this doctrine. In my youth, I was (as were many) in the grip of Rapture fever, influenced by the likes of Hal Lindsay and “The Late Great Planet Earth.” By the time I reached my third decade of life, the hope of Christ’s Return slipped into the background, my life filled up with kids, work, and ministry.
Now in my sixth decade, I read passages like Matthew 24 with renewed interest. Paul's encouragement has new-found significance for me as I read that the “the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. So comfort and encourage each other with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, NLT) It is a real blessed hope to know that the Lord plans to restore the Kingdom, bring justice, and make all things new! So, I pray, “Come, Lord Jesus.”
Jesus told us that there would be those who profess insider knowledge and special revelation about His coming in every generation. He warned that people would gather around these ‘prophets’ like vultures round a dead carcass! "So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather." (Matthew 24:26-28, NIV) When He returns, there won’t be any doubt about it. His Presence will be as visible as a broad stroke of lightning. His words also caution us about making the events of a world marked by sin – war, ‘natural’ disasters, and famines – into special signs. In fact, these things, He says, “When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end.” (Matthew 24:6, The Message)
Whatever generation we live in, be it the last or not, there are words we need to hear with ready response: "And many false prophets will appear and will lead many people astray. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But those who endure to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come." (Matthew 24:11-14, NLT) Without the constant awareness of Eternity – whether we enter it by the Return of Christ or our death – we will slip into a spiritual coma, taken up with things that matter so little, forgetting the reality that is unseen except with spiritual eyes.
Pray for insight as you read this parable that Jesus told. "And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come." (Luke 19:11-13, KJV) He told of three servants who received a trust from their lord while he was away. Two were faithful and used the investments wisely for the benefit of their lord. Each was rewarded with a commendation- “You are a trustworthy servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you.” One set the investment to the side and carried on with his life. He was rebuked with startling words – “You wicked servant!” Take the phrase “Occupy ‘til I come!” and make it your goal.
The world needs Christians filled with the Blessed Hope. With the assurance of His return and our salvation, we will work to bring the Gospel to those who live in darkness, we will love those who are broken by sin and slaves to their appetites. We will remain steady in the face of foolishness, faddishness, and fabulists! “Occupy ‘til I come!” Jesus said. So, let’s do it.
________________
Soon And Very Soon
Soon and very soon,
We are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon,
We are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon,
We are going to see the King.
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
We're going to see the King.
Should there be any rivers we must cross,
Should there be any mountains we must climb;
God will supply all the strength that we need,
Give us grace ‘till we reach the other side.
We have come from every nation,
God knows each of us by name.
Jesus took His blood and He washed our sins.
And He washed them all away.
Yes, there are some of us,
Who have laid down our lives,
But we all shall live again,
On the other side.
Andraé Crouch
© 1971 Bud John Songs, Inc. (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Crouch Music Corp. (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
CCLI License # 810055
Jerry Scott, Pastor
Faith Discovery Church
www.FaithDiscovery.com
Faith Discovery Church
www.FaithDiscovery.com
No comments:
Post a Comment