From the desk of Pastor Ben
The Promise of Jesus’ Return – Part 1

“The Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels.”                                             (Matthew 16:27a)

One of the highlights of Jesus’ ministry on earth is found in Matthew 16:27-17:6. It looks ahead to His return to earth in exaltation and glory, when all His enemies will be placed under His feet and He will establish the long-hoped-for eternal kingdom.

At the time Jesus spoke to the disciples about His return, they were in desperate need of encouragement. Recently they had heard much of pain but little of gain, much of suffering but little of glory, and much of the cross but little of the crown. So, Jesus assured them that He was indeed the Son of Man who would “come in the glory of His Father with His” thousands upon thousands of holy angels to receive the kingdom and execute judgment.

Here was Jesus’ first specific revelation to His disciples of His second coming. After just telling them that He was God in human flesh, that He was the promised Messiah, that He would build a kingdom that nothing could hinder or destroy — but that He first had to be rejected, killed, and raised from the dead — He now informed them that He will one day return in great glory and righteous judgment to establish His throne.

Ask Yourself:
“The glory of the Father with His angels” may not be a sight with which you can do justice in your imagination. But spend a few moments trying to sense the majesty and drama of this coming event. How could meditating on this reality help you do real justice to this day?