From the desk of Pastor Ben
The Promise of Jesus’ Return – Part 3

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

For those of us who know and love the Lord Jesus Christ, His return in glory is a comforting and thrilling promise that fills us with great hope and anticipation. Like the saints under the heavenly altar (Revelation 6:9-10), we wonder how long the Lord will allow the world to go its sinful way before intervening in sovereign power and bringing righteousness, equity, and justice to the world. We wonder with the psalmist, How long, O God, will the adversary revile, and the enemy spurn Your name forever?” (Psalm 74:10).

At this point in Jesus’ ministry the disciples especially needed a word of hope from their Lord. He had just told them of His impending suffering and death and of the demanding conditions of true discipleship, of taking up one’s cross, and of giving up one’s own life in order to save it (Matthew 16:21-25). Perhaps for the first time it was becoming clear to them that the way of Christ is the way of self-denial, sacrifice, rejection, persecution, and quite possibly, martyrdom. It was beginning to dawn on them that the way of Christ is the way of willing obedience at any price. They were learning that a disciple says no to ease, comfort, money, and pleasure and says yes to pain, struggle, persecution, and spiritual warfare for His sake.

Ask Yourself:
Identify those things that you are more than ready to give up to the “eraser” of Christ’s coming, as well as those things that keep you more attached to this world than you should be. Ask Him to help you maintain a healthy and holy desire for His return.