It has been referred to as the Christian’s greatest hope. From the prophets and patriarchs of old, to the early church, to the Protestant Reformers, the visible, literal, and glorious coming of Jesus Christ has been their most cherished expectation. But that seems to have become a lost relic to most of Christendom. Instead, a plethora of human and ecclesiastical inventions has taken its place. Was the early church wrong? Has God changed His mind, or, are His people being woefully deceived?
The Apostle John, in the book of Revelation, poignantly declares, “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen” (Revelation 1:7). The Savior Himself foretells, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:29-31). The Gospel writer Luke shares the testimony of the angels, “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:10-11).
The Blessed Hope, the visible, literal, glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is certain. The ancients look forward to it. For example, the patriarch Job, finding himself in the most despicable of the physical human condition, declared, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me” (Job 19:25-27). King David exclaimed, “Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him” (Psalms 50:3).
The angels promise it. The early church believed it. But most of all, The Savior assures us of it. Says He, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3). The apostle Paul makes the Blessed Hope his focal point in outlining the plan of human redemption to the young minister, Titus. He writes, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13)
As the world crumbles from the weight of sin, the Christian must have faith in that Blessed Hope. Now is not the time to get discouraged, fearful, and despondent. For not too distant, the heavens will roll back and the Lord will descend. Men may be deceived by popular fiction and grandiose, money-making Hollywood productions; but God has not changed His mind. The patriarchs, prophets, early, and Protestant Reformers had it right. Be faithful and true to His word and he shall grant you a crown of eternal life and an existence of immortal glory. Hold fast to the Blessed Hope.
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The Apostle John, in the book of Revelation, poignantly declares, “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen” (Revelation 1:7). The Savior Himself foretells, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:29-31). The Gospel writer Luke shares the testimony of the angels, “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:10-11).
The Blessed Hope, the visible, literal, glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is certain. The ancients look forward to it. For example, the patriarch Job, finding himself in the most despicable of the physical human condition, declared, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me” (Job 19:25-27). King David exclaimed, “Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him” (Psalms 50:3).
The angels promise it. The early church believed it. But most of all, The Savior assures us of it. Says He, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3). The apostle Paul makes the Blessed Hope his focal point in outlining the plan of human redemption to the young minister, Titus. He writes, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13)
As the world crumbles from the weight of sin, the Christian must have faith in that Blessed Hope. Now is not the time to get discouraged, fearful, and despondent. For not too distant, the heavens will roll back and the Lord will descend. Men may be deceived by popular fiction and grandiose, money-making Hollywood productions; but God has not changed His mind. The patriarchs, prophets, early, and Protestant Reformers had it right. Be faithful and true to His word and he shall grant you a crown of eternal life and an existence of immortal glory. Hold fast to the Blessed Hope.
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We Have This Hope
1
We have this hope that burns within our hearts,
Hope in the coming of the Lord.
We have this faith that Christ alone imparts,
Faith in the promise of His Word.
We believe the time is here,
When the nations far and near
Shall awake, and shout, and sing
Hallelujah! Christ is King!
We have this hope that burns within our hearts,
Hope in the coming of the Lord.
2
We are united in Jesus Christ our Lord.
We are united in His love.
Love for the waiting people of the world.
People who need our Savior's love.
Soon the heav'ns will open wide,
Christ will come to claim His bride.
All the universe will sing
Hallelujah! Christ is King!
We have this hope, this faith, and God's great love,
We are united in Christ.
1
We have this hope that burns within our hearts,
Hope in the coming of the Lord.
We have this faith that Christ alone imparts,
Faith in the promise of His Word.
We believe the time is here,
When the nations far and near
Shall awake, and shout, and sing
Hallelujah! Christ is King!
We have this hope that burns within our hearts,
Hope in the coming of the Lord.
2
We are united in Jesus Christ our Lord.
We are united in His love.
Love for the waiting people of the world.
People who need our Savior's love.
Soon the heav'ns will open wide,
Christ will come to claim His bride.
All the universe will sing
Hallelujah! Christ is King!
We have this hope, this faith, and God's great love,
We are united in Christ.
