The Holy Scriptures are full of prophecies regarding the return of the Son of Man on the last day. Judgment Day is portrayed throughout history with images that evoke fear and dread. Signs along the interstate and charges to “Get right with God” lead Christians to not look forward to our Lord’s return, but shudder at its thought. This is not what God intends for His holy ones, His beloved Children.
The certainty of Christ’s return is intended to bring comfort and peace to the saints of God. For those who struggle through this vale of tears, the image of Christ’s return is meant to bring hope. Christ is the ultimate heroic figure who comes at the climax of the struggle to deliver His own to the perfect happy ending of paradise. Our Lord is mighty to save and that is exactly what He will come to do for those who have been brought to faith in Him.
Many are longing for the day when they no longer live in fear considering everything going on in our world today. Many are looking forward to the day when they are no longer living with the threat of virus, disease, and death. They hope for deliverance from this scourge. God will indeed deliver His people and what He has promised to us is a life free from crying, mourning, sickness, pain, and death because the old order of things will pass away and Christ will make all things new in the resurrection on the last day. This is why we look forward to Christ’s return not with fear, but with faith. We look forward to the perfect life that God intended for His creation before the fall into sin and the restoration of His creation as He brings to us the new heavens and the new earth.
Dear friends, in faith we long to see Jesus. Until the day of His return we eagerly wait and we do so with hope. May this faith and hope sustain you while you sojourn this side of heaven and as we look forward to the final fulfillment of God’s promise in our Lord’s return.
Prayer - Lord Jesus Christ, You reign among us by the preaching of Your cross. Forgive Your people their offenses that we, being governed by Your bountiful goodness, may enter at last into Your eternal paradise; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan