Our Blessed Hope
Daniel 7. 13-14
The writer of Hebrews wrote, Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage each other and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10.25
What Day is He speaking of? Why is it capitalized?
He is speaking of the Day of the LORD. This is a term that is used in both the Old and New Testaments. It refers to the Day when Jesus Christ, God’s Son will return to the earth. This what Daniel is speaking about in these verses.
You will do well to stick with what the Bible says about this. Some books on the subject can help in your understanding but they are scarce. The largest number of outdated books I have were written about the Second Coming of Jesus. So many thought they knew when it would happen. They were all wrong.
What does the Bible tell us about our Blessed Hope, the return of Jesus Christ to the earth?
1. He is Coming. Revelation 22.7 Behold, I am coming soon
Jesus is coming from heaven to earth. It will be both an Appearance, a Arrival and a Return.
He will appear on the clouds. He will make His appearance and every eye will see Him. He will come before the public as He did on Palm Sunday but this time it will to be to set up His kingdom on earth.
His foot will be set on the Mount of Olives.
Zechariah 14.4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south
He is coming
The prayer. “Arise O LORD” that has been prayed will in the Psalms will come to pass. The LORD will give the Ultimate answer to that prayer.
God’s Kingdom will be established here on the earth, which is currently under the curse of sin. Jesus said, “I will come back.” John 14.3
This should comfort us as followers of Jesus Christ.
In times of the death of believers we know we are to comfort each other with this truth of Christ’s Return: I Thessalonians 4.13-18.
I have mentioned before Eloise Brooks’ funeral here at the church... those men in the back singing “Soon and Very Soon”. They were doing what we are instructed to do: Comfort each other with the truth that Jesus Christ is coming back to the earth and we will be caught up together with those who have died to meet the LORD in the air and be with Him forever. That is our comfort when death comes to a loved one who is a believer.
2. He is coming soon. Revelation 22.7 Behold, I am coming soon
Soon= quickly, speedily (without delay)
Here is where we need wisdom in understanding the dynamic that is a part of the nature of the Word of God. We also need to see it from God’s reference point (for lack of a better word) of eternity.
The Word of God is living and active and therefore applicable to any age. It speaks to all generations.
God is not confined in the time continuum like we are. He is from eternity. Our times are in His Hands. He has placed eternity in the hearts of men.
Psalm 90.4 For a thousand years in Your sight are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night. Jews 3 watches - each four hours 6pm-10,10-2 ,2-6am A thousand years is like 4 hours.
II Peter 3.8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
So the less than 2,000 years that have passed since Jesus said He is coming soon is as two watches of the night or two days.
We are to take what He is saying to us, “I am coming soon.”
3. He is coming on the clouds with power and great glory. Daniel 7. 13-14
This is how Daniel saw the return of Jesus. Jesus quotes from Daniel in His Sermon on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24) and describes His coming like that:
Matthew 24.30 At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.
Spectacular doesn’t even come close to what this will be This will culminate human history. Eternity will swallow up time. Death will be swallowed up in victory, The grave will be swallowed up as well. We will be with the LORD forever. v.18 But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.' That word forever is used too flippantly today... Michael Phelps used it last night after he won the gold in Beijing, diamonds, daughter’s boyfriend 4 eva..
4. We cannot know the day or the hour. Matthew 24.36-41
No one does, only our Father in heaven.
Our faith comes in here. We must believe, hope and obey as an act of faith and love. If I told my kids when they were small I am going out and I’ll be back in a little bit, while I am away, clean up your rooms and we’ll go out for some ice cream after... what would the wise response be? Become like little children!
Scoffers will come because He has not come yet.
II Peter 3.3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation. These scoffers have departed from the Truth and are following their own paths and desires. They are on the road to destuction.
5. We must be ready. Matthew 24.42-43
Let’s keep meeting together just like we are doing this morning.
Let’s encourage each other. Spur one another on in love.
to call to one's side, call for, summon, comfort, console, instruction, to admonish, exhort, to beg, entreat, beseech
Let’s purify ourselves.
II Peter 3.10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives
Let’s cast off every weight/ throw off everything that hinders. Hebrews 12.1
The finish line is ahead.
There will be rewards.
The early Church had a number of greetings At Easter: Christ is Risen, He is risen indeed Christmas: Christ is born. But all the time this greeting was used Maranatha
which means “LORD come ” The Bible ends with this in Revelation 22.20.
It was a greeting like the Old Testament Shalom. It could be used at the beginning as well as at the end of conversations. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we not only used ti but also lived by it? Begin each day and end each day, begin each conversation and end each one with thinking about His Return.
which means “LORD come ” The Bible ends with this in Revelation 22.20.
It was a greeting like the Old Testament Shalom. It could be used at the beginning as well as at the end of conversations. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we not only used ti but also lived by it? Begin each day and end each day, begin each conversation and end each one with thinking about His Return.
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