The Blessed Hope
I am not sure very many people today know what we are talking about when we refer to "the blessed hope." That is a Biblical way to refer to the second coming of Jesus Christ. For those who believe the Bible teaches that Jesus will "rapture" the church out of the world before the 7 years of the Tribulation," it is a reference to the rapture. In any case it is a blessed event that should bring us great hope, as we expectantly look forward to being with the Lord Jesus in heaven. (Titus 2:13) What could be any better than that?
My experience has been that many believers are not ready to go to heaven or to meet Jesus, mainly because they are focused on living here for as long as possible. They enjoy their families and the things of this world so much that thinking about being with God in the Most wonderful place is not a blessed thought for them. Others fear standing before the Lord, so they want to put it off in hopes they will do better for the rest of their lives. No matter the reason, if we are not looking for the blessed hope and appearing of Jesus, we are not living in the attitude Paul instructed Titus and other believers to have. When we long for heaven, it gets our minds and hearts on the things above, not the things here. That causes us to focus on the eternal things, instead of the temporary things. Also and most importantly, it gives us a sense of urgency about how we live and how we share the truth with others. I pray that all of us would live every day looking for the blessed hope, staying ready to see Jesus face to face. It could happen today.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Titus 3, Philemon, and Hebrews 1.
My experience has been that many believers are not ready to go to heaven or to meet Jesus, mainly because they are focused on living here for as long as possible. They enjoy their families and the things of this world so much that thinking about being with God in the Most wonderful place is not a blessed thought for them. Others fear standing before the Lord, so they want to put it off in hopes they will do better for the rest of their lives. No matter the reason, if we are not looking for the blessed hope and appearing of Jesus, we are not living in the attitude Paul instructed Titus and other believers to have. When we long for heaven, it gets our minds and hearts on the things above, not the things here. That causes us to focus on the eternal things, instead of the temporary things. Also and most importantly, it gives us a sense of urgency about how we live and how we share the truth with others. I pray that all of us would live every day looking for the blessed hope, staying ready to see Jesus face to face. It could happen today.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Titus 3, Philemon, and Hebrews 1.