This Hope – The Return of Christ and being Ready to Meet Him

Jesus Is Coming – Ready or Not

“Even so, come, LORD Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).  Psalm 2 is the real PEACE plan when one and only “Prince of peace” arrives to destroy all the kingdoms of antichrist and to crush in judgment the antichrists rebels who have refused His exclusive, blessed offer of salvation (Isaiah 9:6-7; Revelation 19:11-15). For now the KING is actually laughing at them … don’t believe me? Go read Psalm 2 and throw your hands up high in praise to our soon coming KING! Oh and notice that that text tells us to “KISS the Son”! Time to pucker up and adore the Lamb!

“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3

WHAT does “EVERY” single true disciple of Jesus have in common?

What hope? What hope is God referring to here? What hope is it, recorded in 1 John 3:3, that causes “every” true disciple to “purifieth himself, even as he (Jesus Christ) is pure”? To answer this important question, let’s look at the surrounding Bible text. Hint: Look for the underlined phrases for the answer to the question of “this hope.” Here is 1 John 2:28-3:3:

“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him (the hope of Christ’s soon appearing) purifieth himself, even as he (Jesus Christ) is pure.” 1 John 2:28-3:3

The “hope” spoken of here in this text is when Jesus shall soon “appear.” Do I possess this “hope” of His appearance and “coming”? Those who have this “hope” purify their lives of anything that is not conducive to the pure love of Christ, the Savior. In fact, nothing so motivates personal holiness as does the living hope and expectation of the LORD Jesus Christ’s soon return. Though these are two of the most repeated truths in all the New Testament Scriptures (return of Christ and personal holiness), in the American church, much like Laodicea, pastor Patty Cake will seldom ever mention such. Regardless of the purposeful omissions of people who hold positions in the modern church (Amos 8:11; 2 Tim. 4:1-5), God still holds every single believer accountable to know and live His Word and to be alert and looking for the return of the Son of God (Titus 2:13-14; Heb. 9:28).

When we love and truly abide in Christ, His soon return is a living reality, a living hope in our hearts and we correspondingly purify our hearts and lives of any and all that defiles us in His holy eyes. This is no different than when a woman is completely in love with a man and therefore desires to be ever-ready to marry Him, to please him. She rids all that displeases him.

Jesus really is coming – Ready or not. If I truly believe this biblical reality, if I am authentically possessed by this vital revelation, my life is conforming in obedience to my LORD (Rom. 8:28-29). If we are living for Christ, eagerly anticipating His soon return, our lives are characterized by humility and brokenness before the LORD, swift repentance for all our sins, and crying out to God for His mercy and grace to make us into the image of the LORD Jesus Christ. Oh, and also, telling others of Him (Is. 66:2; Rom. 8:29).

THIS is What is Coming!

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.” Revelation 19:11-16

Regardless of the WHEN and even the HOW, we know from Holy Scripture that we shall ever be with our LORD, soon, and that the unrepentant wicked will be receiving His wrath for all eternity!

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The Hope of Nations [podcast]

Compassion in Light of Christ’s Soon Return