Write From My
Heart / December 31,
2020 / Audits &
Resolutions – Day 31
Question: What
are my expectations for the future?
both Matthew 24:30 and Mark 13:26 (NIV) They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.
Philippians 3:20-21 (NLT) But we are
citizens of heaven where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting
for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change
them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will
bring everything under his control.
Titus 2:12-13 (NIV) …live
self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for
the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus
Christ…
Isaiah 65:17 (NIV) Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.
2 Peter 3:13 (NIV) But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
For hundreds of years successive generations have looked forward with eager expectation to the promised return—the Blessed Hope—of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Although many have tried, we are strongly cautioned in God’s Word that setting a time is futile because God alone knows when he will give the command for Christ to come.
Matthew 24:36, 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.
We are also strongly cautioned to remain steadfast even when the world ridicules us. We must remember that when God makes a promise, he will always keep his word.
2 Peter 3:3-7 (NIV) First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and with water. By water also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. [ref. days of Noah] by the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
If you are reading this 31-day
devotional series in the month of December, then you are not only concluding
the mini-series but you are concluding the year. Ironically enough, Christ
could come before I conclude writing this page, or before you conclude reading
it. That is the anticipation we should hold. My heart tells me that it is a
strong possibility. Yet if it should not be, what then? What if we awaken
tomorrow as usual? Are we to question the delay? The Bible actually gives us
the answer to that question as well.
2 Peter 3:9, 13 (NIV) The Lord is not
slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with
you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. … Bear
in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul
also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.
Personally, my future expectations
are two-fold. My heart tells me things will get much worse before they get
better. My heart tells me one of the most insidious tools Satan will use is to
cause great fear among Christians through separation and isolation—and we see
that happening in all too many countries, our own nation, and local states. If
the adversary can prevent Christians from understanding just how many followers
of Christ are expectantly awaiting their Savior; if the adversary can cause
Christians to feel alone in the battle for truth; then the possibility for
Christians to lose hope is increased. We must not allow that to happen. We must
use every means at our disposal (i.e., phone, text, letters, cards, email,
social media, church) to reach out to one another, to support one another, and
to encourage one another.
Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV) Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
My second expectation for the future is a glorious one. It is the expectation that builds the foundation for everything my heart tells me to write. Jesus Christ is coming soon!
Revelation 21:3-4 (NIV) Now the
dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his
people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 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.
Revelation 22:3-5 (NIV) No longer will
there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and
his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on
their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of
the lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And
they will reign for ever and ever.
Resolution now
and for the remainder of time: Live as if Christ may come at any moment!
Gracious Heavenly Father,
In your love and mercy you promise that soon Christ will come to redeem his own. In the meantime, we understand your delay provides time for others to come to salvation. We also understand that puts a responsibility on us to spread the Gospel message in every opportunity and in so doing we can hasten your arrival. Dear Lord, you know and understand our fear of feeling alone to face the end of all things—but we are not alone. Not only are you with us, but you have kept us among many thousands or even millions of faithful ones—if we simply pay attention to those around us. Teach us to support, encourage, and reach out to others and even more so as the days grow more unsettling and drear. Keep us always in eager anticipation and expectation of the Blessed Hope of your return!
In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, Amen.
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