In the text we draw from the Olivet Discourse, we are assured that an even more special guest is coming. In verses that touch on both historical and eschatological issues, one point is made clear: there will come a day when Christ will return to bring the Kingdom of God to its full consummation. In Jesus' death and resurrection the Kingdom has come, yet it is still coming now, and will ultimately come in its fullness.
As with any Scriptural references to Christ's return, the purpose is not to simply describe future events or to arouse excitement or fear; the purpose is to encourage us to prepare. How do we prepare for His coming?
I. We Can Watch
Most of the world goes on without any sense of anticipation that Christ will return. As Christians, we are challenged to a heightened awareness of His return. We are to watch for it.
One preacher told his congregation: Don't do anything you wouldn't want to be doing when Jesus returned. Though such advice could easily lead to a fearful, guilt-ridden attitude toward life, there is truth there: if we live in the light of Christ's return, it will affect our lifestyle and priorities.
II. We Can Wait
A few years ago, national news attention was focused on a house filled with members of a cult group convinced that Christ was returning within a matter of days. How sad it is to see persons who are led into such situations, and who are often disillusioned with all of the Christian faith in the discouragement that follows. Christian history is filled with groups that have been convinced they had determined the time of Christ's return, only to find they were wrong.
How much better it is to adopt the attitude of Jesus, who said, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (v. 32). Let's leave the predictions to the supermarket tabloids and trust God to act in His own time.
III. We Can Work
If we do believe that Christ will return, then there is much to do as we prepare for His coming.
We must prepare ourselves. There are things yet to do in our personal walks with God. We must keep on growing in our relationship with Christ.
We must prepare others. Millions around us still do not know the fullness of life in Christ. What better preparation for His coming than to share the good news of His love?
November 24
God's Nature - Our Hope
(Revelation 1:4-8)
Many preachers over the years have learned that announcing a study of Revelation is like offering free money. Folks flock in to get the inside word on when Jesus will return, which political leader might be Antichrist, or how their credit cards will contribute to one-world government. The success of Hal Lindsey's The Late Great Planet Earth a few years ago is ample evidence of the fascination such topics hold and the desire for some word about the future.
Yet the Revelation is so much more than a peek into the future. In it we gain a new understanding of who God is and how He wants to work in our lives.