DEFINING THE HOPE OF JESUS’ RETURN
One of the central tenets of the Christian faith is the hope of Jesus’ return. A Christian lives in the hope of the Lord’s coming and welcomes it! What exactly constitutes that hope? What happens when Jesus returns and why does a Christian welcome it when the rest of the world is not inclined to do so?
Reward of God: To work for reward is innate and most men work toward a worldly reward. The Christian has his focus on eternity and works for an eternal reward, not one that is immediate and valued by the system of this world. Paul says, “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?” (1 Thessalonians 2:19) There is a reward that Jesus brings with him and what will only count is what has been sacrificed in this world in the expectation of eternal reward.
Wrath of God: Man is not inclined to talk of God’s wrath. Yet, that is a reality as much as reward and the love of God is. Paul, while talking of the Thessalonians’ faith mentions, “They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9,10) Man is not tuned to think that his actions have consequences, and that sin, which is simply rebellion against God, carries the sentence of eternal death. To be able to accept the forgiveness of God through Christ is the only way out to escape from God’s wrath, which will be evident when Christ returns.
Healing: ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ (Rev 21:4) This is the great hope for man as he goes through the grind of life and struggles with suffering. A Christian in addition, rejects the world and its many enticements and therefore will find suffering and pain a constant accompaniment.To know that when Christ returns, suffering will be gone once and for all for those who have embraced him is the greatest hope that Christ’s return brings.
Is it any surprise that one of the final verses in the Bible states, ‘He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus’ (Rev 22:20).
