Faithful and Ready

Isaiah 65:17  See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

2 Peter 3:10 and 13  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid burned up.  …  But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Revelation 21:1  Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…

            Countless sermons and messages have been devoted to the Second Coming of Christ. We try to imagine the splendor of the heavens and earth “made new” and our minds cannot fully comprehend the glorious sight that will be. We are born into a world tainted and marred by sin and all we know is surviving the best we can in a self-centered, greedy, and often hate-filled society. We try to focus on what is good, but that is becoming increasingly hard to find. This current life is all we know and our minds have trouble imagining a world without pain, disappointment, tears, or sorrow. Our minds have trouble imagining a world where Christ and his glory will be our total focus. Yet this is our hope and should be the goal of all that we think, say, and do.

            Although we cannot imagine the splendor of what is to come, we do know one thing. It will be as unexpected as a thief – not anticipated. I always wonder about that. I can understand that someone who does not know Christ will be caught unaware at the Second Coming. But I cannot understand how we as Christians will be caught unaware at the Second Coming. If Christ is truly our focus then we should be a watchful people, a knowing people full of anticipation. The hope of glory to come should bring peace and joy in the midst of difficult times. So the question – the bottom line, so to speak, is this:

Are you living in joyful expectation of the Second Coming of Christ?

Are your thoughts, words, and deeds full of anticipation?

 

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            First of all, we come to you with thanksgiving for the forgiveness of sins and for the new life we have through Christ. We know there are those who have not yet chosen to accept you, and we know for this reason we have a responsibility for sharing the gospel and the love of Christ whenever we have the opportunity. We know you will send Jesus Christ back to claim your faithful ones and we know this Second Coming has an appointed time known only to you. We ask that you renew in us the joyful anticipation of this final Coming Day. May our thoughts, words, and actions reflect the expectancy of future glory with you and spark within us a new sense of urgency. May we be found faithful and ready.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

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