A moment for reflection: The promise of Jesus by Morag Cameron The promise of Jesus, found in Revelation 22:20 says, “I am coming soon,” was recorded over two thousand years ago. Humanly speaking, that’s a long time to wait especially when the word ‘soon’ in the dictionary means, “in or within a short time, before long, quickly.” It doesn’t feel like that. The sense of expectation, anticipation and excitement has perhaps been dulled by being caught up in this world that is not our home, distracted by the busyness of doing good things, worshipping and serving, but not living with the longing, urgency and readiness the Bible calls us to as we wait. Jesus is coming back. He will take His people to be with Him and we need to be ready. He keeps His promises. Jesus assured His disciples that, although He was leaving, He was going to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house. “I will come again and take you to be with me” John 14:3. Three times in Revelation 22, Jesus tells us He is coming. We will be with Him forever. What hope we have. Paul writes of this assurance in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, “And so we will always be with the Lord.” No more loneliness, isolation or separation. We will be forever with Jesus and there will be no more sickness, pain, death or tears. Jesus is coming. We will be like Him. We know our weaknesses, failings, our struggle with our old sinful nature and yet God’s Word tells us we are going to be like Jesus—our perfect, holy Saviour. 1 John 3:2 states, ”Dear friends, we are God’s children now and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that whenever it is revealed we will be like him because we will see him just as he is.” We will see Jesus face to face and we will be like Him. Jesus is coming. Soon. Soon. This word brings comfort and hope during challenging trials. It is vital to cling confidently to the assurance there will be an end to all the suffering because Jesus has promised He is coming ‘soon’ We don’t know when, but we can trust His timing, for we know God is never late. In the waiting, He is with us through His Spirit, pouring out His sustaining grace, giving strength and peace to His people, promising that the trial will not ultimately crush or destroy us and absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
‘Soon’. This word brings a challenge. We need to take all opportunities to share the gospel hope we have with those who do not yet know Jesus. It also spurs us on to make the most of the time we have now, getting to know the One with whom we will spend all eternity, knowing and loving Him more as we study His word and spend time in prayer, allowing His Spirit to continue the good work of making us like Jesus, day by day. Jesus is coming. Revelation22:20 says “Come, Lord Jesus.” The early Christians in the first-century church, in the days after Jesus had gone back to heaven, lived with the expectation of His imminent return. Experiencing opposition and persecution under Roman rule and also from Jewish authorities, some historians record that they used the Aramaic expression, ‘Maranatha’ meaning, “Come, Lord” as a secret code word to encourage one another with hope as they lived in challenging times. Jesus, came as a baby to Bethlehem, lived and died on the cross to pay the penalty for all our sins, conquered death and rose again, ascended to heaven and lives to intercede for His people at the right hand of the throne of the Father is the One who has promised His children that He will come again in victory and will make all things new. He is our hope. Hymn: There is a Hope Stewart Townend Prayer Thank You Lord for Your word in the Bible. Words we can read and believe when things get tough for us. We know Your timing is perfect and so as we wait we live our lives here on earth as best we can, always trying to give You the glory. Amen. |
