Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Luke 21:25-36 And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them from fear, and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
THE COMING ONE
Jesus makes plain the truth of His Return in glory at the end of time and the fact that for His disciples this will be their final deliverance for all of sin's power and evil effects. Jesus' Return is a fact of history waiting to happen. It is as sure to happen as His first Coming. For it rests on His own Word and Promise, which is something more solid than even the reality of this universe . . . for without the Word of our God there would be no heavens and earth.
Jesus Christ is still what many Old Testament believers called Him -- the Coming One. To the fact of His Return in glory Jesus attaches a word of encouragement for us: "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads; because your redemption draws near."
"Be encouraged" -- this word applies to whole time between Jesus' comings. The signs are clear. Your redemption is near. And "those things" that remind us that the Last Day is coming. Events which naturally cause us concern as human beings should not cause us Christians to be anxious and fearful, but to remember the fact of our Lord's Return, an event full of happy expectation.
The world's break-up, which even now is in its beginning stages may also bring us trouble, affliction, even death. But these things are all part of this earth and its passing scene. As children of heaven's high King our future lies with Him. And He is coming in glory to rule and reign forever in the new heavens and new earth.
The good things of this world may even now be breaking up. They certainly can't and don't last. Sin has seen to that. Yet even in their passing they serve to remind us that our Savior's word and promise stand forever.
