"When we stand gazing and trifling, the consideration of our Master’s second coming should quicken and awaken us; and, when we stand gazing and trembling, the consideration of it should comfort and encourage us." Matthew Henry
Motivation, comfort and encouragement. All of these should be found in the contemplation of Christ's return.
Motivation - we have reason to follow the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew---our Master is returning and He will ask us what we have done for Him in His absence. Just as Jesus told His disciples, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes." (Luke 14:42-43) We have been entrusted to feed the sheep of our Master...please Lord, find us faithful to your work when you return.
It breaks my heart when I hear Jesus' words spoken in Luke 18:8, "..when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith on earth?" Jesus was referring to the faith of the persistent widow who kept pleading her case to an unjust judge. Jesus had explained that if an unjust judge would grant her the justice she pleaded for due to her persistence, how much more our absolutely just and loving Father God will grant justice when we call out to "Him day and night" to right the wrong in our world. To think of Jesus returning to our world without continuing to hear pleas for His coming and His judgment over evil...please Lord, never let it be! Let us remain faithful to our calling, to proclaim you at every opportunity, every day. To pray for Your return, Your justice, day and night. Knowing that any day could be THE DAY! Let Jesus return to find us faithful. MOTIVATION!
Comfort - remembering that no matter what we go through on this earth, no matter the trial, Jesus is always with us, just as He proclaimed prior to His ascension. "For I am with you always, even to the end of the age." We are never alone, His Spirit resides within us and we have the Comforter that He promised, our promise of life to come. "He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory." Ephesians 1:14. We have a promise like other, "...the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power, to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength." His glorious riches are our inheritance, His great power to bring us to Him, His vast strength that conquers all. We can rely on a powerful God who works on our behalf...COMFORT!
Encouragement - Jesus is coming back! That IS our encouragement. He didn't just come to show us who God is and then leave to never return. He is coming back to rule, forever. He is coming back to restore perfect and absolute harmony between men and God, forever. There will be a new heaven and a new earth...completely and absolutely lovely, beyond our imagination. "What no eye has seen and no ear has heard, and what has never come into a man's heart, is what God has prepared for those who love Him." We cannot even begin to! picture what God has in store for us...but oh how lovely it will be. The best day on earth will fade in comparison to the glory of the home that is being prepared for us. Just as Jesus told His disciples, "I am going away to prepare a place for you...but I will come again...so that where I am, you may be also." (John 14:3) When our home is ready, Jesus will come for us. And what a beautiful, forever home it will be! ENCOURAGEMENT!
It is good for us to contemplate Christ's return on a very regular basis...it serves as great motivation,comfort and encouragement. It keeps our reborn eyes looking into the skies, and our earthly eyes looking around us for every chance to do His eternal work here on earth!
Come Lord Jesus!
Motivation, comfort and encouragement. All of these should be found in the contemplation of Christ's return.
Motivation - we have reason to follow the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew---our Master is returning and He will ask us what we have done for Him in His absence. Just as Jesus told His disciples, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes." (Luke 14:42-43) We have been entrusted to feed the sheep of our Master...please Lord, find us faithful to your work when you return.
It breaks my heart when I hear Jesus' words spoken in Luke 18:8, "..when the Son of Man comes, will He find that faith on earth?" Jesus was referring to the faith of the persistent widow who kept pleading her case to an unjust judge. Jesus had explained that if an unjust judge would grant her the justice she pleaded for due to her persistence, how much more our absolutely just and loving Father God will grant justice when we call out to "Him day and night" to right the wrong in our world. To think of Jesus returning to our world without continuing to hear pleas for His coming and His judgment over evil...please Lord, never let it be! Let us remain faithful to our calling, to proclaim you at every opportunity, every day. To pray for Your return, Your justice, day and night. Knowing that any day could be THE DAY! Let Jesus return to find us faithful. MOTIVATION!
Comfort - remembering that no matter what we go through on this earth, no matter the trial, Jesus is always with us, just as He proclaimed prior to His ascension. "For I am with you always, even to the end of the age." We are never alone, His Spirit resides within us and we have the Comforter that He promised, our promise of life to come. "He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory." Ephesians 1:14. We have a promise like other, "...the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power, to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength." His glorious riches are our inheritance, His great power to bring us to Him, His vast strength that conquers all. We can rely on a powerful God who works on our behalf...COMFORT!
Encouragement - Jesus is coming back! That IS our encouragement. He didn't just come to show us who God is and then leave to never return. He is coming back to rule, forever. He is coming back to restore perfect and absolute harmony between men and God, forever. There will be a new heaven and a new earth...completely and absolutely lovely, beyond our imagination. "What no eye has seen and no ear has heard, and what has never come into a man's heart, is what God has prepared for those who love Him." We cannot even begin to! picture what God has in store for us...but oh how lovely it will be. The best day on earth will fade in comparison to the glory of the home that is being prepared for us. Just as Jesus told His disciples, "I am going away to prepare a place for you...but I will come again...so that where I am, you may be also." (John 14:3) When our home is ready, Jesus will come for us. And what a beautiful, forever home it will be! ENCOURAGEMENT!
It is good for us to contemplate Christ's return on a very regular basis...it serves as great motivation,comfort and encouragement. It keeps our reborn eyes looking into the skies, and our earthly eyes looking around us for every chance to do His eternal work here on earth!
Come Lord Jesus!
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