by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship John 14:1 Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father¹s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
This is an amazing promise. The ultimate, "I'll Be Back"! But when? How? What's taking so long? And what should we do in the meantime?
How, when, and in what order Christ will return is a topic that many people love to discuss and debate. But with all the predictions that we get from the news-stand-prophets, how should we consider the return of Christ and life until that great day?
When? When everything is ready. Are we getting 'everything' ready? No. God has a plan and it's a perfect one. He has told us we will not know and it will be a complete surprise - so there is no point speculating when or how. What we have is a promise - a vision of what is to come. We can stand strong, knowing the battle has already been won. We can embrace peace and hope because our God is in control, and we can serve him freely knowing the weight is not on our shoulders.
ReplyDeleteWe should consider the return of Christ and live our lives, as if he'll be back at any moment. Jesus himself said that when everything is ready, he would come and get us. He left out the "when", however, so I speculate that he wants us to live each second, hour and day in a way that that glorifies God. For example, loving one another by helping the poor, widows, sick and elderly. Also, by giving support and encouragement to each other, and showing grace to people who need to know they are worthwhile and have a purpose in life. And of course, sharing the good news of the gospel of Christ with others in a way that shows respect and consideration of their views as well. In sum following what Jesus taught us in Scripture. And that includes giving thanks and joy in celebration of the hope we have in his return - whenever that may happen! It's okay to also have fun, eat, sing praises and embrace the life he has given us on this earth, while we eagerly await the place he promised us in eternity with him!
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