Joy at the Second Coming of Christ One reason why we become Christians is to go to heaven. Heaven is where our citizenship is (Phil 3:20). Understandably, those who preached the inspired message had a certain positive disposition about the second coming of Christ – in fact, they desired it hastened because they knew it to be a happy, blissful event. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that per¬isheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Pet. 1:3-9) The second coming of Christ will bring great joy to the Christian because of the commendation. In the parable of the talents the two faithful stew¬ards were told, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (a real commendation) and “Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matt. 25:21-23.) Talk about encouraging, we are to visualize ourselves hearing these words one day. Think about it! Peter said our faith will be praised, honored and gloried at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I don’t know about you, but knowing I can get a ‘pat on the back’ from the Lord makes me want to work more diligently in His Kingdom. This will ultimately bring us joy at the second coming of Christ. The second coming of Christ will bring great joy to the Christian because of the compensation. Crown—Paul said, “I am ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteous¬ness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:6-8). The symbolism Paul uses was familiar to Timothy and the other readers of this letter. If you won a race your trophy or prize was a wreath-like crown (stephanos). It was a badge of honor. The crown of righteousness is a symbol of honor issued by the King of kings. Similarly, James said, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12). Jesus told the church in Smyrna, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suf¬fer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). No wonder Paul taught that we are to look “for that blessed hope, and the glori¬ous appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Rest–If you have worked hard all your life in the service to the King, you’re likely to be tired. Your desire is to go to your long home (Ecclesiastes 12:5). John “heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Rev 14:13). “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God…..Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief” (Heb. 4:9, 11). The second coming of Christ will bring great joy to the Christian because of the consolation. Comfort—A foretaste of this is seen in the re¬cord of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Note the words of Abraham as he spoke to the rich man, “Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented” (Luke 16:25). The tables had turned for these two men, but not in a physical way, this was spiritual. Their bodies were in the grave, but their soul and spirit were well aware of what was going on. Vindication—If you have been truly persecuted for the cause of Christ, you are likely to desire the righ¬teous vindication of God. Paul comforted the Christians in Thessalonica, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thess. 1:7-9). Conclusion Jesus teaches that we should be ready because we know not when He is coming back (Matt. 24:44). He has gone to prepare a place for us. Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). To think that we can be reunited with all the saints who from rest their labors gives us joy. To think that we will come face to face with our Savior and Lord should give us joy unspeakable. John told the seven churches in Asia, “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely, I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20). We know there is a day appointed (Acts 17:31). It is with the same desire and longing that we say, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus”!
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:59:06 +0000
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