Meditation

05/24/2021

“Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” (Revelation3:3, 11)

Christ’s last direct word to the churches contains His personal promise to return. His return hold promise of reward to those who are not faithful. It will also mean rescue from the hour of eschatological trial (end times), either by removing the faithful before it comes or by supplying sufficient strength for us to endure while undergoing tribulation.

Christ’s promise to return is also a call to repent and obey the gospel. Remember, even Jesus said He didn’t know the time either. Only God knows the exact time He is sending Christ back to this earth in all His glory, and we must be ready. The crown is, of course, the victor’s crown (1^st Cor. 9:25); however, it is possible to lose the crown, through lack of faith and unrepentant sinful living.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, we gained the “victor’s crown” by reading scripture, understanding its meaning; applying towards our daily lives, and living to reach out to others with the Holy Spirit to evangelize others, so that they too, might know Jesus, too. It is in Jesus’ precious name that we pray. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection on the cross for our sins, the Cross has become the ladder to Heaven.”

KNOWING GOD:

“In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—-King of King and Lord of Lords.” (1^st Timothy6:13–15)

Christ’s second coming encourages believes to maintain a high level of ethical behavior. We do not know when Christ will come, only that He promised to do so. The time of the return is God alone. Sometimes the return is referred to as an “appearing” (Greek – epiphaneia) as in this passage. This stressed the return of Christ as a “manifestation” (2^nd Timothy1:10;). Elsewhere the return is called a revelation or unveiling (Greek-parousia), which emphasizes the presence or arrival of the one who returns (1^st Cor.15:23). No matter the term, they all agree that the promise Jesus made to return, not as the humble servant, but rather in all His Glory, will be fulfilled.

I AM:

“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t crumble against each other brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!” (James5:7-9)

The coming of the Lord for believers will be a sign of vindication for their patient faith. Righteousness will be rewarded, and evil punished. The prospect of that coming offer motivation for patience, in the sense of steadfastness or endurance.

On the other hand, the coming of the Lord will mean judgment for some. Those who oppress others are known by the Lord Almighty (vv1-6). Not only these, but even the faithful who fail to remain strong can expect judgment.

SECOND THOUGHT of the DAY:

“For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. At that time the e 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.” (Matthew24:27-28, 30)

The coming of Christ (Greek- parousia) will be unquestionably public, as visible as lightning out of the east visible even unto the west! It will be as impossible to miss as it would be for vultures to fail to see a dead carcass on the ground.

All the nations of the earth will see Christ’s coming with power and great glory. The hatred of all nations for Jesus’ followers (verse 9 – “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me),” will turn to the mourning of despair when hey see Jesus’ glorious return in power.