Future, Advent, Faith, and Hope

Write From My Heart

August 27, 2020

Future, Advent, Faith, and Hope

Titus 2:13 (NIV)

…while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

            Having hope for a brighter future can be explained as wanting tomorrow to be a little better than it was today. In this sense, our future (Latin-futurum) indicates something [tomorrow] which grows out of what already exists [today]. You might think of future as an extension of time when it is used in this way. Certainly, we all wish for a brighter future, but for the Christian it does not stop there—or at least it should not.

For the Christian, our hope is the Second Advent. We say “second” because the First Advent was the coming of Christ to earth in human form; hence, our reason for celebrating Christ’s birth during the Christmas season.  The word “advent” (Latin—avenir, avenire, etc.) carries the meaning of an event that springs from something beyond; slightly different from future because it is not just a continuation of what already is. That may seem a little confusing, so let me try to explain it a little better. The Second Advent is a separate event that has not happened yet, but it will happen, and it will arrive from beyond and come to us.

Christ came to earth and was born in human form, he was crucified, died, and was buried. On the third day he arose from the dead and he ascended to the heavens where he now waits with the Father. Although we do not know, nor can we know, the exact time the Second Advent will occur, we can be certain that it will.

Matthew 24:36 and 42 (NIV)

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. … Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

Revelation 22:7 and 12 (NIV) and v. 20 (NIV)

Behold, I am coming soon! … Yes, I am coming soon.

            The whole world hopes for a brighter future. By faith—complete trust without question—Christians share in the blessed hope—expecting with the confidence of fulfillment—for the Second Advent when our Lord Jesus Christ will return from beyond to claim us as his own. Our primary task is to be alert, keep watch, and be ready!